Harry's Place — Restaurant in Colchester

Full disclosure, I worked at Harry’s Place as a teen in high school (some fifteen years ago), but this review encompasses the likely 300+ times my family went to Harry’s over a lifetime.

America loves burger places. Connecticut invented the burger, and the state map is dotted with everyone’s favorite places that put their unique spin on the summer delicacy... and Harry’s Place has been one of Eastern Connecticut’s icons for literally 100 years.

The hand rolled burgers cooked to perfection on that flat top grill are consistently delicious. Truly, those that crave Harry’s on a hot summer evening know exactly what that juicy burger dressed up how you like and placed upon a fresh dinner roll will taste... and it always tastes as good as the last time you remember. Some reviews may make mention of how small the patties are, or how expensive they may be... they’re wrong. I used to roll those fresh patties in back - they’re a proper burger like anywhere else, except they’re fresh (never frozen) beef unlike a certain Golden Arches down the street that will cost you just as much, if not more.

How do I order my burger? Cheeseburger, fried onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, mayo, salt & pepper.

Fried food is no frills, but after all, when do we want it to be anything but? The rings are particularly good... the fries are crinkle cut (so don’t ask for curly). The seafood is some of the best you’ll get in the area, and my mother splurges annually on a couple of visits for whole bellies (she says they have the best batter around). If you want fresh seafood, order the whole belly clams, fish, scallops, or calamari.

Harry’s isn’t fine dining. It’s greasy summer fare served on a paper plate where they call your name (in times other than Covid) because that’s what America needs right now... family owned restaurants that stand the test of time, playing to their delicious strengths without trying to reinvent the wheel, and calling out your name to let you know dinner’s ready. It’s an experience, and a treat. When you get your burgers, toast them to summer, just like my family likes to do season...

I’m am so disappointed at what this place has become… if anyone remembers this place from early 2000s please for the love of your memories don’t return. Let’s start with the thing they should be remembered for, their burger… what use to be great is now just flat out disappointing. There is no flavor whatsoever, It tasted like water… the bun is the size of what a small slider burger should be tossed on, the meat was nothing like what it use to be, it’s not cooked the same… any C grade burger joint could do and is better. Please please I’m begging you, don’t do it if your a person that remembers them from high school during the 2000s… the fries are typical frozen bag go to the grocery store fries… yes they fried them well but you can’t change what they are, just disappointment on a plate. Fried Mac n cheese, what I got 7 of them maybe?? And again, frozen and fried grocery store special. I guarantee the average person can cook a better meal on their home grill.. if I had a better vocabulary maybe I’d be able to describe in vivid detail my overall disappointment in what has become of Harry’s place.

If your a current teenager visiting Harry’s you probably think this place is great, why? Cuz you don’t know any better, but for anyone who knows what this place was really like from back in the day and you have tasted foods of many caliber from many places since then you will know that if you go back and try to expect good tasting food to bring back some good old memories your in for a shock, the memories are just that… it’s an experience that will leave you asking your self why did I do that.

Not to mention, over priced, like severely… but the lack of disappointment in what you just experienced will be greater then your...

This place is a testament to how LOW the standards in America have become. "our burger is thicker" blah blah blah, yo your burger is a bust. Zero flavor, and zero value for the price. Its like a joke that hasn't stopped. And for the record you don't sell burgers, stop the lies. 100% sliders, bland as can be. Noels ground round burger is better by a long shot and far more economical.

Fries are trash. IN AND OUT is 100000000x better than this place could ever imagine to be, is not 100 years old and is considered fast food butttt most of ya'll wouldn't know that since you haven't ventured too far. At In and Out, they literally press the potato through the cutter before your very eyes to make your french fries. doesn't get fresher, or better than that and at a fraction of the price. And whom ever replies to the reviews already admitted the fries are frozen. Common. For the price and all the boasting you can pivot and make way better quality food. Frozen fries for your prices should be a criminal offense. Buy your own and get multiple portions for the same price.

Harry's is so mediocre thats probably why people like it because they never had some high quality food. The atmosphere is not welcoming or comfortable. The long lines are just of the sheeple, you know the mask wearing, shower curtain bafoons that believe anything their told. men and women of culture with refined and experienced tastes never set foot at this establishment.

And the hot dog buns, dude for the price and claims of this place. HIRE THE LOCAL BAKER ANGELOS TO MAKE YOU SOME REAL BUNS. you'd still make money, have another marketing ploy and would do some actual good for your...