Shady Glen Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor - American restaurant in Manchester - 840 Middle Tpke E, USA

We found this place on our vacation. Love the old time feel and awesome food. The cheeseburgers and fries were delicious. The hot fudge sundae was terrific. Friendly service and a good value. We will be back the next time we are in the area.

**NOTE** Shady Glen is 'cash only', but they do have an ATM on site. Shady Glen is a CT icon. A throwback to the old diners and Woolworth lunch counters. The women wear green dresses with white aprons, the men wear white shirts, maroon bowties, and paper hats, and they mix their soda the old-fashioned way: the syrup first, then the soda water. You may want to stir yours thoroughly before drinking. Or get a delicious shake! Service is usually quick, but I should note that weekends can be busy, and you may have to stand in one of the lines (there are two... left side and right - more tables on the right side) for a little bit. But it's worth it! I always get the same thing: The hamburger platter, which comes with 2 4-ounce patties, fries, and coleslaw. I am not a slaw fan, so they substitute with extra fries. Top it all off with a sundae or cone or buy a carton when you leave. Shady Glen makes their own ice cream. FUN FACT, that delicious cheese on their burgers is made especially for Shady Glen by a Wisconsin dairy with just enough oil so it doesn't stick to the grill when they fry it.

I can't describe how much I love this place! Went there last week for breakfast and I really liked the food. Have tried their ice cream before and loved it. And it's so full of life all the time. The 50s ambience, quality and quantity of the food they serve, the staff... this place can't get any better. Hands down one of the best restaurants in Manchester. P.S.: They only accept cash, but I think they have an ATM inside.

A really old school diner with some pretty interesting details (eg, I'm not sure why the first water is served like you're at the dentist 乁⁠(⁠ ⁠•⁠_⁠•⁠ ⁠)⁠ㄏ... a mystery for another time!). The burger comes with a bun, sliced pickle on the side and that's ALL, but they do have condiments so you can dress it if you wish. I had a cheeseburger and if you look at the pic you'll see this crispy brown squarish thing... that's cheese, and damn that's a tasty burger. Also, they make the ice cream, so make sure to grab some because it's tasty (the strawberry in particular, but also the holiday specials Egg Nog and almond-cherry ice cream). One more thing: i can't say if it's an aberration but the fountain Cokes tasted a bit different (somewhat sweeter, maybe a tad more viscous?), not at all bad though. Perhaps that's an attempt to mimic the profile of the old fountain Cokes? Probably achieved by adding a bit more syrup, i believe.

Over I feel I should of got a burger or something this was Frid clam strips frozen and very little clam. I feel this place is much better for breakfast or ice cream burgers dogs. Reasonably-priced and also cash only ATM on premises.

I looooove this place! So full of life all the time. The moment you enter, you feel like you have traveled back to the 50s and that is really cool. Great food, good pricing, fast service and courteous staff... this place can't get any better. The ice creams are to die for. So creamy and so delicious. Recently had their Hot Butterscotch Sundae with Mocha Chip ice cream and Hot Fudge Sundae with Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter ice cream. Both were extremely tasty. Will go again to try their breakfast (have read many good reviews) very soon! P.s: Although they have an ATM inside, keep some cash handy.

Notoriously known for their fried cheese and fried cheese burger. I’ve been coming to this place since I was a kid. Now, my best friend and I have made it a traditional lunch date place when reuniting. Never have I been disappointed with the food and/or service. CASH ONLY but fear not as they do have an ATM inside. Quick, great service, mouthwateringly good food/ice cream and the old school aesthetic that has not changed in the 23 years of me coming here, which is part of the entire experience. You can’t go wrong with a cheeseburger and milkshake, but it would be a mistake to go somewhere other than Shady Glen for such a craving. The onion rings are on point every time and the portions will have you leaving full. Very affordable dining experience!

I am a fan of diner theme atmospheres. This place was so cute with the menus on the wall, the booths and counters border the employee work space. My boyfriend and I both got cheeseburgers and milkshakes, him chocolate mine vanilla, he got fries and I got onion rings. The food was super filling and more than worth the price. Victoria was super sweet and had a great energy to her that made this long haul of a commute worth it and more encouraging to do again. Be warned, Victoria even commented, the burgers look weird! But it's the cheese. Another upside, the additions are on the side; pickles, relish, ketchup, mustard. Just pile on, fold in the petals; boom, burger. Bring cash