Don't be a Victim of the Highway Rest Stop!

Chao Chi

1 Glen Road

Sandy Hook, CT

203-364-9393

Menu: American eclectic

Atmosphere: Chic interior with exposed brick walls and draped fabric, outside is the perfect al fresco cafe for lunch with a creek running along the back. Dressy casual

Kid Friendly: For lunch, but I would say more of a date place at night.

Prices: A little pricey for lunch, but average for dinner, and if it is a late lunch/early dinner, it is perfect!

On a long trip a long BOOOORRRRIIINNGGG highway? 95 South? 95 North? 90 East/West? 84 East/West? Need to stop for lunch? Dinner? If your like me, when traveling alone, you don't want to stop anywhere but the well lit, well populated rest area, but what if there were an alternative? Would you choose McDonald's or a place you could get a salmon sandwich with dill mayo and a side of sugar snap peas?

Next time you are traveling down 84 East or West try Chao Chi, pronounced Chachi, as in Joanie Loves... About 1/2 a mile off of exit 10 in CT, turn left of the exit if you are heading east, or right if you are heading west, it is a great alternative to a double cheeseburger and large fries.

Lou and I found Chao Chi by mistake. We were headed for the Subway advertised on the highway sign, but when we saw Chao Chi next door and noticed the deck overlooking the creek in the back, we had a change of heart.

Chao Chi is an American Eatery with an eclectic menu. On this trip it was late afternoon so I opted for the salmon sandwich and Lou had the P.L.T. The P standing for pancetta. We also got a side of corn and sugar snap peas.

The sandwiches were delicious, and the cook obviously knew the rule we stand by, "Great bread makes a great sandwich." The corn and peas were fresh and refreshing as a side. Both sandwiches also came with freshly cut french fries.

We stopped by Chao Chi on Labor Day weekend. It was a bright, airy day and sitting on the deck with the creek bubbling past us, made me want to hang out just a little longer than I normally would at a stop on a long ride. It got me thinking, why not make the ride more of an adventure and enjoy some things along the way? If there is no rush to get where you are going, why not?

Next to Chao Chi, sharing a parking lot, is a great little cafe, The Demitasse Cafe. Stop in here for a coffee or tea to take with you on the ride. I stopped in to get an iced coffee, and of course to check it out. The Demitasse Cafe had a selection of light salads and sandwiches, with its own deck in the back over looking the creek.

I travel from Boston to NY/NJ/Philadelphia area many times each year. Do you have any hidden gems off these highways to share as alternative rest stops? 95 North or South, 90 West or East, 84 West or East, 684 west or east, 278 West or East.