Norm's Diner — Restaurant in Groton

My first time here on a Sunday morning. Its a very small old time diner. Looked cute online and had good reviews so I thought i’d go check it out. When I pulled into the parking lot there was a parking spot that was a sheet of ice. I am a handicap person and was very afraid of falling. There is no designated handicap parking at this restaurant. There was another spot that I thought was OK so I parked there instead. I went inside and the first waitress said to me wherever you see a spot open you can sit. There was only a spot at the counter at that moment. I realized the couple behind me was leaving from a booth and I asked if I could take the booth and the second waitress that attended me said no because I’m single and it’s not allowed on the weekends. I ordered coffee which was really good and waited for my food. The cook started yelling whose white car is next to the Blue after a couple of times I realized that was me. I said that’s my car and he said that’s a fire lane so you have to move it. I was very embarrassed. Of course I went out to move it and was able to find an open spot without ice that wasnt available when i got there. I came in and he did apologize to me for not catching it sooner. I told him I didn’t realize it was a fire Lane. There were no yellow markings on the ground. Just a yellow pole. Embarrassed to say the least, I am a handicap person with very bad knees. The counter stool was very hard and extremely uncomfortable to sit on and eat. Not accommodating for handicap, accessibility or Allowing to sit comfortably when asked Is unacceptable. I’ve never had this happen. I will never go there again.

UPDATE: The reply from the owner made my point. As I CLEARLY wrote, I was not able to park where the ice was for fear of falling. I only photographed the sheet of ice in that spot. Thats not even my car in the photo, but the owner decided to post someones license plate and state for all the scammers out there to have! Why would he do this??!!?? Because he was trying to screw an honest reviewer?? Wow!! He just showed his true colors and proved my point. Having yellow lines on the pavement in a no park zone or at least a sign would be appropriate but the owner is obviously not, after what he did and then wrote. Or novel idea, an actual handicap spot. I guess you would have preferred I parked on a solid sheet of ice to fall then sue you because you cant keep your lot salted or sanded for your customers to be safe. All this for pancakes that I couldnt even finish because it so uncomfortable to sit without a back rest. I mean really? You are one mean person that doesnt know how to treat people or run a...

Scrapple... I went to Norm's about a month ago. I was feeling nostalgic and looking for some place in SE CT that had Scrapple. I was surprised that one of the old places I'd gone to back in my late-night high school days, actually had it! So, for the first time, in likely 25-35 years, I took a tip down to Groton again. Let me say this, the place was a huge step-up to how I remembered it so long ago. The last time I'd stopped in there, so many many moons ago, when I left, I felt like I needed to find somewhere to wash up. It was good food, but... felt a bit, iffy on the cleanliness (if I recall, the windows themselves made me uneasy). The current Norms Diner, well maintained, doesn't feel like a 'grimy diner'. I had a coffee, an egg & bacon sandwich, and a side of scrapple. The sandwich was great, exceptional perhaps! (Well, the only egg I've had in the past 3 months might sway that opinion a bit, because... you know... Eggs!) The Scrapple, unfortunately- the main reason I went out of my way to go there, tasted like someone was too enthralled watching a soap-opera on a TV while they were holding the salt-shaker over the food. I'm sure the staff does not watch TV while prepping food, but, scrapple, as far as I've ever known, never needs anyone to add additional 'seasoning.' You already provide salt and pepper shakers on the counter and all booths. If someone feels it needs more salt, they can add it. FYI: I am sorry that I found it so bad, I hoped for more from Norms, however... don't feel too bad- the #1 worst Scrapple I had was at a diner in Philly, practically the birthplace of Scrapple- it was hard like cardboard, like a flattened cardboard charcoal briquette. It was salty too. The salt didn't help that either. Norm's Diner - I hope you continue to provide scrapple. I hope you take constructive criticism well. Scrapple needs no extra salt, and anyone that wants more, has it on-hand at the counter. :-) Elsewise, I'm glad to see all the improvements that have been made. By the way- this is my first 'Review' of anything, ever, online. I hope I get a chance to stop by Norm's again, and I'll be sure to request no additional...

I used to love Norms, but I can't give them a high rating anymore because they're not open at times that are reasonable. I have not been able to eat at Norms in over seven months because their hours are just not available to people who work for a living. You don't have to be open all night to get old customers back, just extend your hours to like four or five pm. Why on earth they think closing at 2pm every day is acceptable, especially on weekends, is beyond me. I'd love to say the food is still great and the atmosphere is still fantastic but how could I possibly know? Some may think a one star review is harsh but what do I possibly have to go on when it's never open when I, or many other people who work for a living, are able to get there? It's truly sad because Norms used to be so accommodating and now the new owners don't seem to want to cater to anyone but whoever can make it early in the morning. When you work a 6-2 or even a 7-3 you can't risk trying to get there at 5am hoping someone will show up on time (which last time I tried they didn't) and making it to your job on time. At least if it were open past two pm people could stop in on their way home from work having a late lunch or an early dinner. It's just extremely disappointing and I hope they'll reconsider their hours. I used to be a regular who came in at all times during the afternoon and evenings and absolutely loved the place but now I can't even get a grilled cheese unless I take a day off. It's super...