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    Capitol Lunch

    4.1 (224 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers, Fast Food
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Capitol Lunch Photos

    CAPITOL LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Capitol Lunch

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    Reviews With Photos

    Avery's Soda (Weiner Water)
    Abby R.

    An iconic staple of the Connecticut hot dog scene, and after trying this place out for the first time, I can see why. Stepping in, the restaurant vibe is incredibly retro. And the prices are great too! I believe they've gone up a bit since previous reviews--the famous dog is now $3.99. Still quite the steal for a hotdog with a heaping serving of onions, mustard, and "famous sauce," which I quickly came to realize was ground beef and some spices. The sauce is a bit drier than a typical chili, but it's certainly a fun addition to a hot dog. I certainly enjoyed it. Plus, they serve Avery's sodas here! I got the "Weiner Water" flavor (orange and lemon), it felt appropriate given all the hot dogs. Service was immediate, even during a lunch rush. I walked up to the counter, ordered, and my hotdog was in front of me in seconds. It was great! The employees and I chatted about the silly soda name and everyone was incredibly kind and conversational. I had a great experience here and will be back again!

    Dog with everything delicious
    Munchy R.

    Hotdogs here are amazing been coming here since I was a child. chilli on the dogs or on a cheeseburger very tasty. staff here are awesome will recommend to everyone.

    Famous dog.  Natural casing with mustard, onions,and sauce.

    We went today and got the famous dog and BLT sandwich. Both were excellent. The hot dog has a great snap and the meat sauce is always consistently great. We come up from Waterbury and it's well worth it.

    Menu
    Nicole F.

    It seems I'm never in the area, so when I am I always have to stop. This place still hasn't changed since the last time I was here a bout 3 years ago. Their "famous hot dog" with the sauce is amazing, and frankly I haven't had comparable dog. Not to mention the martin Russell hotdogs have that infamous "crunch" with each bite. Food was quick and hot. I am not a French fry fan, but the fries were thin, perfectly salted, and best of all hot and fresh. Since I don't come often, I forced myself to eat two hotdogs! Looking forward to the next time I'm back. Tip: if you're paying with card, the prices are a bit more than the menu

    Kathleen S.

    Best hotdogs in Connecticut hands down! I have been eating hotdogs here since I was a kid. This restaurant has been in business as long as I can remember and I understand why!

    One of my closes uncle highly recommend me this place and now that I'm living on the area so do I.
    Manny S.

    Original recipe on their hotdogs, burgers and fries, service was nice and friendly, and the ambiance will compared with a retro dinner style.

    Dan R.

    "Things will get better soon, I gotta hunch The three martini lunch Wasting another afternoon, punching a hole in my life" (Graham Parker) Want an inexpensive and satisfying lunch? Well, it's hard to do better than we did at Capitol Lunch yesterday. Definitely a No Frills kind of place, but the value, taste, and overall experience of our lunch visit yesterday was fantastic. No, you won't find any truffle fries or goat cheese here, but what you will find is an unpretentious menu with hot dogs between $2.49 and $2.99, Fries for $2.69 and rings for $3.39. If you want to be a big spender you can get a freshly made quarter pound burger for $5.39. Hot Dogs are king here, and its been that way for 90 years. My hot dog was fantastic, a good sized hot dog with ketchup, onions, and their famous chili-like meat sauce on a pillowy soft fresh as can be roll. For $2.99 it was fantastic. We split an order of their $2.69 fries that was big enough to easily share. Don't be put off by Capitol's "Hole in the Wall" appearance. We enjoyed everything about our visit -the ordering line moved fast as lightning, and the counter folks were friendly and helpful. But best of all, we loved our food and the fantastic prices.

    I just drove 2 hours from Boston to Capitol Lunch with my daughter and wife today. I learned of it when my Dad took me when I was a kid. He learned of it when his Dad took him back in the 50's. This was the place my grandfather went to post WW2 as a Staff Sergeant in the 10th Mountain Div, and after working a shift at Stanley Works. Got some chili to-go and bought some dogs from Rosol's down the road. Back in Boston now with my daughter and we're making Cappy's w/ everything tonight. Thanks for the 4 generations of memories! Oh...and "always ask for Avery's"

    Two dogs with everything, plus fries, rings, and a drink
    Kathy W.

    When in Idaho, you gotta get a potato. And when in New Britain, it's all about the hot dogs. Capitol Lunch is a classic, in business since 1929. Yes, they also offer burgers, but most people - and there are a LOT of them - come for the hot dogs. At $8.99, the combo (2 dogs, fries or onion rings, and a fountain drink) is a pretty good deal. The steady crowds are no match for the staff's efficiency. They've got this down to a science. You're through the line quickly and enjoying your meal in no time. Park in the New Brite lot across the street so you don't have to negotiate Main Street parking.

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    12 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you Tanya!

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you for the review Abby!

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    3 months ago

    Classic hot dog joint and the chili is bangin definitely worth the drive for a timeless experience...

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you very much Bryan!

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    We had lunch at Capitol Lunch. Hot dogs & onion rings were good. Would definitely recommend.

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you!

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    3 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Arthur V.

    Great review. Thank you very much!

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    2 years ago

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    Arthur V.

    Great review! Thank you!

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    7 months ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you Angela!

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you Jerome!

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you very much Dan. Glad you enjoyed it.

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    1 year ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you so much!

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    4 years ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you Kathy. Great review.

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    3 years ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you very much!

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Hot dogs were terrible price would be good except we throughout half our food it was so bad.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Arthur V.

    Thank you! Open Monday-Saturday until 6pm

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Capitol Lunch

    What meat are the hot dogs?

    Martin Rosol hot dogs. A combination of pork and beef.

    I realize this is a ridiculous question. Any chance the sauce is gluten free? Gluten comes from wheat (regular flour), rye, and barley and is typically an ingredient in soy…

    I’m sorry the sauce is not gluten free.

    What year did it originally open?

    1929

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I have been a super fan of Riley's since shortly after they opened. They make one of the absolute…read morebest veggie burgers, something that often gets overlooked due to all of the well deserved acclaim for their burgers and hot dogs. I went back recently, after having not been for a while, and it was as good as ever. They have a delicious quinoa and veggie based patty, and I have a signature way I usually like to order it: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, Swiss, brown mustard, & their own hot relish. All of the ingredients are super fresh, and they execute everything they do extremely well, crucial with burgers, hot dogs and fries. The fries are hand cut, and I always go with the Cajun fries, accompanied by their addictive chipotle aioli. It actually has a kick, but also a strong depth of flavor. The Cajun seasoning on the fries is always just right. I have never had a bad experience there. Everyone is always super friendly, helpful, and welcoming. They don't rush to make sure they have your burger/topping combination exactly right when you customize your own. It's actually a very nice space inside, too. I like eating there even though I have probably gotten mine to go slightly more often. Lately I prefer eating my burger & fries fresh there. Anytime someone asks for an in town food recommendation, my family & I say Riley's. It's a must try for foodies period, but especially if you're a burger lover. And again, they have a top tier veggie burger. It's a very special place.

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