Shady Glen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shady Glen |
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The original Shady Glen restaurant in Manchester, Connecticut
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | June 12, 1948 |
| Food type | Diner |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Street address | 840 East Middle Turnpike |
| City | Manchester |
| State | Connecticut |
| Postal/ZIP code | 06040 |
| Country | United States |
| Reservations | None required, but be ready to wait on the weekends |
Shady Glen, also known as Shady Glen Dairy Stores, is a super cool restaurant in Manchester, Connecticut. It's famous for its yummy homemade ice cream and a special cheeseburger called the "Bernice Original." This burger has crispy cheese "wings" that stick out!
John and Bernice Rieg started the first Shady Glen in 1948. It was near the Manchester/Bolton town line. Later, in 1965, they opened a second spot. Sadly, that second location closed in 2020. Shady Glen is also known for its awesome old-school 1950s diner style. In 2012, it even won a special award from the James Beard Foundation, being called an "American Classic"!
Contents
The Story of Shady Glen
From Farm to Famous Food
Back in 1946, John and Bernice Rieg had a farm. They decided to try something new: making and selling their own ice cream! The University of Connecticut helped farmers like them learn new skills. So, the Riegs worked with a professor to create their first ice cream recipes.
Ice cream was super popular in the summer. But sales slowed down when it got colder. So, the Riegs decided to add sandwiches to their menu.
The Amazing Bernice Original Cheeseburger
After lots of trying, Bernice invented her famous "Bernice Original" cheeseburger in 1949. What makes this burger so special? It's all about the cheese! The cheese is cooked right on the grill. It gets four crispy corners, or "wings." These wings stick out from under the bun like a crown when you get your burger.
This unique burger even got attention from the Food Network! It was featured on their show, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, in an episode about cheesy foods.
In 2010, there was a small problem. The cheese recipe changed, and the "wings" weren't quite right. But don't worry! The owners quickly found a new cheese supplier. Now, the Bernice Original is back to its perfect, crispy-winged self!
A Family Business
John and Bernice cared a lot about their customers and employees. This caring spirit brought William J. Hoch into the business. He was a cousin of the Riegs. In 1953, when William was just 15, he started working part-time at Shady Glen. He worked there all through high school and college.
In 1970, after 17 years, William became the manager. He was in charge of everything! John Rieg passed away in 2003, and Bernice Rieg passed away in 2007. After Bernice's death, William and his wife Annette took over the restaurant. William passed away in 2017. Today, William's son runs Shady Glen, keeping the family tradition alive!
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
