Pilot House - Haddam

I've blazed past the Pilot House a bazillion times over the years and never stopped in. You've seen it on 154 in Haddam as you turn toward the river to the Blue Oar. This classic roadside stand never exactly screamed healthy choices for my clean eating regime but once my mind was set on snack shack indulging, I made a bee line. I'd heard from a couple of hot dog connoisseurs that THIS is the place, justly famous for their housemade relish. On a shady picnic table overlooking lush woods, I tucked in for a taste test atop long grilled hot dogs. I couldn't decide between HOT and SWEET so I went for one of each. The hot was HOT, but bold with flavor and the sweet was crunchy with loads of celery both perfectly paired with a grilled and buttered bun. After 70 years in full swing, these folks have it down. They serve burgers and ice cream, too. But that relish...

Great place to enjoy some good food! I brought some of my hens here and it was a blast! Crustacean, our Rhode Island Red, said that the food was incredible. Sometimes, when I'm collecting eggs from the coop, I think about the Pilot House and the great food. I play this little game with myself where I pretend something is a strong, powerful rooster. If the Pilot House was a rooster, it would be a Coocoo Maran that is 3 years old and in its prime, because they have great feathers and are good roosters! To sum it all up, I give the Pilot House 5 stars, but if it was a rooster, I'd give it 7 and a half.

Bummed The P house isn't open this year! A Haddam staple..

A good roadside stand with consistently good food and shakes. Try the sausage and pepper patty on a hard roll with a vanilla shake. You will love it. The food is fresh and the staff is friendly. Worth stopping for! Enjoy.

I just found out today that the Pilot House has returned! I believe it was closed for several years. My parents frequented it in the 80's/90's and my Mother was in love with the homemade relish! She was so disappointed with the closing as the relish is one-of-a-kind. She and her friends even tried to recreate it at home. Although I haven't revisited it yet, you bet that the first chance I get I am going!