NFT: Batman11, another rec for you

I wanted to throw out a BBQ recommendation that, in my opinion, is better than Hoo Doo and that is Avellino BBQ.

Basically either follow them on instagram or go to their websie Avellino.

They post menus to order by Thursday and then you pick up the food on Saturday.

It is the best BBQ in the area. The brisket is hands down the best brisket I've had in the Northeast.

You should read their bio page as well, chef has a really interesting story/background.

In comment 15475407 tbonfig said:

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I wanted to throw out a BBQ recommendation that, in my opinion, is better than Hoo Doo and that is Avellino BBQ. Basically either follow them on instagram or go to their websie Avellino. They post menus to order by Thursday and then you pick up the food on Saturday. It is the best BBQ in the area. The brisket is hands down the best brisket I've had in the Northeast. You should read their bio page as well, chef has a really interesting story/background.

thanks I'll check it out!

went for the first time right before COVID and had an awesome dinner in their outdoor space. Really good venue (live music) and great food. Redding is also a really pretty area, lots of good trails in that area of CT.
Wiremill BBQ - ( New Window )

again for all these recs. I really do appreciate it. Thanks to you guys I'm going to weigh about 300 pounds by the Spring. So...do you have any thoughts on the Darien, Norwalk or Westport/Weston YMCA's, or any other local fitness clubs/gyms?

nice sweets/coffee

wave hill bakery off wall street is also really good.

NY Bakery on Main ST across from mcmahon ford makes the best BEC because they make their own rolls.

Paella is a great spot as well.

I'm always in this area, usually at cafe aroma complaining about the Giants with my Giant fan friends.

In comment 15475561 batman11 said:

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again for all these recs. I really do appreciate it. Thanks to you guys I'm going to weigh about 300 pounds by the Spring. So...do you have any thoughts on the Darien, Norwalk or Westport/Weston YMCA's, or any other local fitness clubs/gyms?

they just opened a new planet fitness on CT ave by shop rite.

fitness edge of westport ave by the movie theatre is ok.

oh, speaking of shop rite, Stews is super over rated. yea its closer, yea they have some nice niche products, but you're paying way more for nothing special. we usually do Meats from costco and everything else from shop rite.

In comment 15475561 batman11 said:

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again for all these recs. I really do appreciate it. Thanks to you guys I'm going to weigh about 300 pounds by the Spring. So...do you have any thoughts on the Darien, Norwalk or Westport/Weston YMCA's, or any other local fitness clubs/gyms?

What are your goals? Family? Its been a while but the Darien Y is really nice and clean. I'm sure Westport is too - typically the Fairfield County towns won't have shitty facilities. Wasn't always the case but with influx in wealth these towns and businesses have had no choice but to update.

Stews is worth every penny for dairy and fresh produce. But their regular stuff is definitely over priced. That said it isn't a big chain so spending more is to be expected. Plus if you have kids it gives them something to do (cream, animals, the stuff inside the store, etc.).

The Norwalk Coscto is a nightmare, good luck to anyone that deals with that. Been a bunch of times when I worked in SoNo and wanted to kill myself walking around that place.

their produce is no fresher than anyone elses. its the presentation that makes you think that. they'll tell you when a product is from some local farm so obviously its 2x the price right? well i paid 6 bucks for 3 peaches and they tasted like crap, turns out it didn't matter that some old man picked them with his grandkids lol

I hardly drink milk so I can't say in that case. the bakery is nice too.

Stew went from ripping off the government to ripping off his customers lol

plenty of food shopping options too. There;s a Stop and Shop across from Shop Rite, another n MAin Ave near the Merritt, another in Darien Good Wives, Angelo's Specialies for all the ITalains specialty Items you may need.

I've had bad apples from stews, shoprite, trader joes, etc. Sometimes it just happens. I also think presentation matters - it tells me they are on top of re-stocking, keeping areas clean, and not letting old produce pile up which is typical of the big grocery chains.

But when I lived around there I'd go to stews for anything dairy (milk, specialty cheese, etc), their bakery, kids stuff, and they have a good butcher with great customer service (which is actually a big plus that you don't normally get when grocery shopping). They also have a top notch prepared foods section (when comparing to what you get at most other grocery stores).

A single guy or someone without kids, probably not going to be worth it unless you have some time to kill and don't mind shopping at 2 different stores for specific things.

In comment 15475815 UConn4523 said:

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Stews is worth every penny for dairy and fresh produce. But their regular stuff is definitely over priced. That said it isn't a big chain so spending more is to be expected. Plus if you have kids it gives them something to do (cream, animals, the stuff inside the store, etc.). The Norwalk Coscto is a nightmare, good luck to anyone that deals with that. Been a bunch of times when I worked in SoNo and wanted to kill myself walking around that place.

we dropped our membership at COSTCO, partly the reasons you listed, and partly that not everything is such a great deal. If you read the unit prices, alot of their products are no cheaper than the other supermarkets. I just couldn't see paying for that anymore.

guy and supporter of all the youth sports leagues etc. But from where I live it can be a pain to go there, and Shop Rite is great for us. Dean the butcher and his crew will do any custom cutting you need, and they also have an excellent fish counter.

and I've been once, and it was to go to the liquor store which doesn't require the membership, haha. We then went into Costco and I couldn't wait to leave. I'll make use of it with online purchases or car tires, or something like that. But i'll never go for groceries, the savings just isn't enough to deal with the parking lot and people.

since the pandemic started i feel like all the stores have become miserable. there is never a "slow" time.

batman11 is going to have a great time just eating in norwalk basically lol.

theres 1 comic shop called Heroes the owners a nice guy if you have kids into that stuff(sports cards, magic, pokemon etc)

what else are you in the market for?

In comment 15475918 UConn4523 said:

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and I've been once, and it was to go to the liquor store which doesn't require the membership, haha. We then went into Costco and I couldn't wait to leave. I'll make use of it with online purchases or car tires, or something like that. But i'll never go for groceries, the savings just isn't enough to deal with the parking lot and people.

I agree. The Norwalk one is literally walking distance from my house and the traffic it causes is nightmarish. Avoid at all cost.

have been in the Darien "Y" and it is very nice. It's just my wife and I at this point, so we might not need a place that elaborate. We will check out the places you have suggested.

We are long time customers of Stew's and Costco in Danbury, so we are very familiar with them. We stopped at Costco in Norwalk on Saturday to pick up some TP and paper towels and it was a mad-house. We did not get out of the car.....

Do any of you play golf at Oak Hills Park? Looking for a public course, preferably one with a driving range, to practice and play at in the Spring.

Thanks again for all your feedback. You guys are great!

In comment 15476946 batman11 said:

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have been in the Darien "Y" and it is very nice. It's just my wife and I at this point, so we might not need a place that elaborate. We will check out the places you have suggested. We are long time customers of Stew's and Costco in Danbury, so we are very familiar with them. We stopped at Costco in Norwalk on Saturday to pick up some TP and paper towels and it was a mad-house. We did not get out of the car..... Do any of you play golf at Oak Hills Park? Looking for a public course, preferably one with a driving range, to practice and play at in the Spring. Thanks again for all your feedback. You guys are great!

Oak Hills is really nice and well kept. I don't play anymore but friends who do say it's better than ever. It's short and tight for the most part with a couple of long par 5s sprinkled in. Not sure about the restaurant/bar situation, it's been in flux over the last few years.

added benefit: 5th hole is great for sleigh riding in the winter, and lots of folks go there for for cross country skiing when there is enough snow

for the info., Victor. I drove through Oak Hills last week and it did look to be in very good shape, even at the end of the season.