Sad to see another place has closed its doors. The Dagwood Burger was definitely a great burger and the Sycamore Drive-In had a cool vibe and a friendly staff. I wish all involved the best of luck in their future endeavors. read more

The diner has been around since 1948, and you can see some vestiges of the halcyon decade of the 1950's with an interior decor consisting of antique gas pumps, neon lighting befitting a classic burger and fries joint, a James Dean portrait overlooking the out of order Wurlitzer, etc.You get the vibe/idea. Seating is tight: 75 patrons is just about right. Selections include good specials like the BBQ Grilled Cheese with chicken strips topped with bacon, with onion rings on the side. They are also known for their famous Dagwood Burger & classic Steakburger. Service was good on a packed Saturday. The place certainly has character, and maybe a tad more hip than your local burger joint. The real draw is a classic car show on Saturdays, where you will see classically restored collector automobiles in near pristine, showroom condition, while Bobby Darin or The Champs' "Tequila" plays over the loudspeakers. The advertising says it's 5p-8p, but I saw some people driving out their antique cars as early as 7:15p. The only issue I had was that our check had no prices, and we had to bring a copy of the original order to the front register. If you don't have a rough idea of how much your order was, you can easily get overcharged before leaving. read more

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3 local 2 global however they have home made rootbeer. Whatevs home made root beer anyway? Like they make the syrup? Either way I'd give the root beer alone full 5 stars. Everything else is authentic and legendary for 1948 when it opened. Onion burger very tasty but tiny. But this is the style. Everyone in those days were competing with the OG McDonald's. Service was lightning fast with a smile. I really just can't get over the frosty mugged root beer. read more

Always a reasonably priced venture into the past with yummy burgers, shakes, chili & more. All wood booths. Friendly servers. Nothing fancy. Just a place where you see that so many have sat and had a great meal. read more

Sycamore Drive-In - Dagwood burger - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

I'd heard about this place from a lot of people but had never been so I made a decision that I had to try it out. It's a real throwback in terms of the style of the place and the food. It was pretty good! I loved the retro look of the place, although since it's been around for 75 years, it's authentic. The service was quick and the food was good diner-type fare. I liked the hamburger because it was normal sized, not one of the megaburgers you get at some places. The milkshake was very good. My curly fries were good but I think the sides might be a little pricey. Dinner for two which was just burgers, fries and shakes was about $40, so not outrageous. I'd definitely go back. read more

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We were there this past Sunday and I had been there many times in the past. I always got the Dagwood burger. It was always so delicious. Not this time. It was very sloppily made, and I could barely eat it. My boyfriend had a burger with the homemade potato chips, and they were soggy as hell. Weren't cooked through. The place is looking pretty shabby these days, especially the bathrooms. I think that's probably our last time there. It's too bad because it used to be such a clean, great place to eat a burger. The service was very good though. That does not make up for the food. read more

A Bethel institution since 1948 serving traditional diner fare; especially known for the steak-burgers, homemade root beer and ice cream shakes! Dine-in, Patio seating, Drive-in service (just flash your headlights when you park) or call for takeout. Fast, friendly service, you can't go wrong with their menu - something for everyone. Overall, 3.75 rating for my visit - super casual ambience, smiling server, quick table service and good eats. And yes, you can order a burger for under $10, but add fries/sides or shakes and the price goes up to ~$10-15pp. Fun place to try with friends or family. Today we ordered the Dagwood Burger, combo Onion Rings and Fries, Root beer, Hot Dog and Chocolate shake. Nothing fancy, just good diner foods! If you're a foodie (or traveling) near Bethel, and want a "local" experience, check out Sycamore Diner. Enjoy! read more

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this place is a joke, and the joke was on I ordered a burger here a steak burger with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. The burger was so thin you can actually see through it. No kidding. The onion rings were hard and too crunchy to tolerate my apologies if I offend anybody, but when I order a hamburger, I don't expect a no burger simple as that at least warn me when I'm ordering because I left this place hungry as hell and it wasn't cheap either leaving a sit down joint and walk in our bowlegged from the price you just paid is not a good feeling. Do yourself a favor go to McDonald's or bring your own lunch because it ain't happening at this place read more

Five stars all day. We stepped back in time to the 1950s for an old fashioned car hop experience. (We actually ate inside). Three Dagwood platters, two shakes and a home-made root beer completed the experience. The steakburger with the listed condiments was juicy and tasty, wrapped in paper. The shake was made with plenty of ice cream and the root beer was better than anything I've had from a bottle or can in years. Staff was young and friendly, and efficient. After eating we took a walk around the inside to look at all the memorabilia. A jukebox, phone book and lots of classic car related material. Seventy-five years is a long time ti be in business with essentially the same menu. Clearly they are doing something right. For those that enjoy the style and tastes of what is yesteryear, enjoy. read more

Sycamore Drive-In - Dagwood - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

Cool, funky 50s diner. Good service, great burger menu and things like that. If you time it right, there will probably be some classic cars hanging around outside. I regret not getting a milkshake. Good stuff! read more

The wife and I decided to drive up from Long Island to check out the place. The setting was directly back to when I was a young boy. The waitstaff was excellent( may have been the owner!). We had the Bacon Cheese burgers , a sycamore Dog, plain Dog, curly and regular fries and a side of pickles. All was fresh and snappy. I forgot that mustard on a burger is a Conn thing. lol. The Root beers were the best I've ever had! Giving the food 8/10. Ambiance 10/10. We were told to come back when they do the car shows starting again in May!! Just might. All in All. It was worth the trip!! read more

Sycamore Drive-In - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

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A very funky restaurant, dating from 1948. I had a good salad, and enjoyed exploring the restaurant. Interesting.

A definite remnant of the old days, and a fun place to eat. Playful vibe, decent diner food, small-town atmosphere, and tons of history. Prices are a bit much, but I still make it a point to go here once a month for their burger, fries, and chocolate milkshake combo. Recommended, for sure! read more

Have been going to the Sycamore since I was a kid. Introduced my Kids and now Grandkids to this nostalgic landmark. Food and People are great and the Root Beer is always a favorite! read more

Very old school roadside restaurant that was founded in 1948 Has drive-in foods and tons of nostalgic memorabilia The menu is pretty small and highlights their hamburgers. Make their own root-beer and it is served in frosted mugs Bring your receipt and pay at the front I tried their rooter, a hamburger, and fries. The hamburger was tiny and unsubstantial, and the fries were pretty bland, but the root-beer was incredible. Also have curb service. If you flash your headlights they will bring out your order. Every Saturday night is Cruise night when vintage cars come out. 8 read more

Cool spot, loved the vibe and all the old school ambiance. Quick service, good diner food, and loved the chocolate shake.

Want to take a step back in time to the roaring 20's and go to a speakeasy and talk about prohibition? Well, then, you'll be disappointed. But!! If you want to hit up a 50's style diner, with car hop service and some really good food, this is it!! I first came here years ago and as I was driving through and saw it, I had to stop by again. I had the Dagwood burger and the hot dog and some sweet potato fries. The food came out super fast and I liked that you weren't rushed in and out. They have fun things during the week like car shows, which is great. But, back to the food... It's like a diner but without that cold, cheesy feel of a diner. It's really like stepping back to the 50's with a jukebox and some decorations that you know are originals. They even have a soda fountain and have root beer floats. Try it! read more

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Great burger's and homemade root beer with perfectly crispy onion rings! The patties are a bit thin so I'd go with a double (or even a triple) but the prices aren't bad at all and the service is great! They have some of the best onion rings I've ever had and you can get their excellent homemade root beer in a frosty mug! read more

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I went on a Friday afternoon. There was no rush. I got a seat right away. I loved their legendary root beer float. It comes in a frozen glass. The Dagwood burger was also nice. It had 2 thing patties. I think all burgers should have been like this. Curly fries were good as well. read more

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A Bethel staple! Best meal is the Dagwood burger with their homemade root beer. I've been coming here since I was a child and last night swung by for two Dagwood burgers to go. Great meal to eat while driving back home. Staff is always friendly. If you like pickles theirs are simply unique with how thin slices and tasty they are, a special extra treat for any pickle fan! read more

Fun quirky diner with simple dinner food. Didn't try the car hop service but imagine it would be fun for the kiddos to experience. The inside is a nostalgic mix of various 50's era diner with a friendly and attentive waitstaff. Though I must admit that seeing the younger guy on staff sitting and picking his nose as we walked in was a big turn off. If he was our waiter we would have turned around and left on the spot. Aside from that the burgers are good but about as simple as it gets, and very thin so consider a double if you're hungry. The kiddo enjoyed the chicken nuggets and root beer float as well as getting to play a few games of pac-man. If you're looking for a simple 50's era diner with basic burgers, fries and shakes then this is the place. *Almost went 2 stars based on the nose picker but wanted to be a fair judge of the place itself Res try it than the specific waiter. read more

Love this easy, friendly local eatery. They have their long standing traditional drive in menu but always have some interesting specials. Love their root beer floats with in house brewed root beer! Last night I ordered the Fish wrap sandwich. It was a generous size, cod fish, lettuce, tomato, cheese and tartar sauce. Came with side coleslaw and a generous side of tater tots. Only negative was, I believe it was cut with a knife that had sliced onions and had not been properly washed as the sliced side of the wrap did have a bit of an onion flavor while no onions were present in the sandwich. read more

I went and got a burger and French fries and honestly, nothing was really great. Service was alright, but nothing really impressive. It felt like the 1960s in there, which I think is very unique. The burger was disappointing and very small, and the fries were very bland. Overall, 6/10 read more

It's a cute place. Their burgers kind of remind me of White Castle. My dad had begged me to try them for years. They are in Bethel and are a small quaint little burger place. Nothing fancy but quite nice. I enjoyed it there when I finally got there! They have been around a very long time. Like I said, my dad is a major fan of theirs and always would bring them up trying to get me to go. I did eventually go with him and enjoyed their food. They also have milkshakes. Get one! This is such a nice little place and I do wish I had not waited as long as I did. I have friends who have been here too and rave about it. I will be back. read more

Sycamore Drive-In - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

BEWARE: While in the midst of a global pandemic, these laughing, joking numb-nuts can be seen in the window standing elbow-to-elbow, preparing & cooking food with NO mask or gloves on. I was appalled to watch through the window as the staff touched all the food with bare hands while talking and laughing over the food they prepared - while wear NO protection. Yes, the sever brought the food out to the car with a mask on, but no gloves?? And then they took off the mask before they entered the building again. Now this place has always been lacking in the cleanliness department, but you'd think they'd get their sh!t together in a health crisis! For crying out loud the ketchup bottle and menu given to us had greasy finger prints on it! WTF? The staff and management of the Sycamore are disrespectful, and willfully ignorant to the public they serve. Aside from wearing gloves and masks to protect the public, it is also a sign of respect to other people that tells them that you care. It's apparent the Sycamore does NOT care about the community that they serve. Absolutely disgusting and shameful. As an aside: There is a Domino's Pizza that shares the same parking lot as them, and you can see all of their employees and drivers wearing masks and gloves! Why not the Sycamore?! read more

Went here last week. Service was sub par. Was not crowded but our waitress never came by once food was delivered. We had to ask another waitress for more waters then it looked like the two of them started fighting about it. Did not mean to start a fight. Food was great! Food came our super quick. I got a chicken salad club. I wish the pickles were spears. Friend got Dagwood burger and root beer. Also fries were not crispy and some were soggy. read more

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I love the food there and the To Die For Root Beer Float. Stop there and try it and the ambience is Wonderful and takes you back to another time read more

Sycamore Drive-In - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

Incredible food, excellent service and cool atmosphere!! A must try!! Home made Root Beer is a great treat!

Love this little spot. Great for a classic diner meal. Nothing fancy which is what makes it so good! Sometimes you just want good classic food and this place delivers just that! read more

Okay I'm not that fussy and have had better experiences but today was the worst meal I have ever had here.. The dagwood and double cheese burgers were burnt to a crisp and the hot dog was even worse.This was a take order and a major dissappointment I had to discover when I got home.C'mon guys with onion rings my bill was. $24.75.Usually decent today Bad news read more

Sycamore Drive-In - 100 year old burnt hot dog..no excuse.. - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

First time eating here. Driven by a million times and appreciate the nostalgia of the place. 50's drive in wannabe. Sat at the counter. Waiter attentive taking order. Rest of the staff disengaged. Cooks sitting around texting. Waitresses chatting with one another. Ordered roast beef club on toasted rye with optional side of fries. Sandwich came on toasted wheat and mayo on the sandwich but with a plastic container of mayo on the side. I guess I needed to say mayo on the side none on the sandwich? No fries. Ask and cook says the waiter didn't put it on the check. Took extra 5 mins. Soda empty halfway through my meal no refill. In fact the waiter didn't even check in me except to look at my check to make sure he had it right. Anyway. Not sure I should expect more from a second rate burger shop with a cool look. Just moved 5 mins up the street but will not repeat. Too disappointing. Update -. I wrote review while sitting at the counter. When I left I paid my bill and not so much as a "thanks you or thanks for coming in" from anyone as I left. read more

Sycamore Drive-In - Check clearly says rye and ff - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

Sycamore is a decent restaurant. The french fries were pretty basic fries, and the chicken tenders were pretty good. However there weren't many tenders. The place was nice it had indoor seating, and had some arcade machines. The service was not good, it took a while for the food to come. read more

I came to the Sycamore with curiosity about its unique history, but I also brought my appetite. I ordered an egg salad sandwich. The egg salad was very industrial -- uniform pieces of egg white, insipid yellow base -- and the bread was the cheapest stuff you could pull off of a supermarket aisle. For $6.30 with no side included, it was pretty disappointing. In all fairness, however, I was aware that steakburgers accompanied by a mug of draft root beer are all that really matters on this menu; everything else is an afterthought. As a vegetarian, I can't vouch for the burgers, but the other diners certainly seemed to be enjoying them. I washed down my meal with a very satisfying root beer float. The waitress was friendly. My favorite arcade game, Space Invaders, beckoned from across the checkered floor of the dining area. With its authentic 50's-era atmosphere, the Sycamore preserves an important tradition, so I hope they keep the root beer flowing. I might stop back in someday to have another round and play Space Invaders. But in a state full of great diners, I won't be back for a whole meal unless they up their egg salad game. read more

Sycamore Drive-In - A mug of root beer at the counter. - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

The food is fine, standard diner food no complaints there. My problem is the menu they have online has wildly different prices than what's being charged. The omelet I ordered from the online menu said 6.55 when I go to pick it up I'm told it's now 9.99, that's just false advertising and unacceptable. I'll be happy to change my review when this gets changed. read more

Sycamore Drive-In - False advertising: menu says ham and cheese omelet is 6.55, when I go to pick up they said it's now 9.99. - American Near Me - Bethel, Connecticut

Have been coming here since I was a kid and it will never get old (and most likely never change either, in a good way!). Everything from the decor to the menu looks like it probably did when it first opened which makes it so fun. This place is by no means fancy, but you'll get a good bang for your buck for sure and it's the perfect spot to go for a greasy meal fix! The place is always crowded but it moves pretty quickly. Get the Dagwood burger - it's the best! read more

Not sure why this place would ever be below a 5.0. Great menu. Good food., atmosphere, prices very reasonable, quick great service A real Gem by my book read more

It is said about real estate, that location, location, location is the most important thing. When it comes to eating out, it's atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. And Sycamore has atmosphere to spare! The menu has no surprises, instead being a solid menu of traditional burger joint options. Add to it house-made root beer and delicious milkshakes and boom, you have a great little eating spot. For me, however, it's all about the atmosphere and the culture. It's not uncommon to see folks wearing patriotic clothing, or Veteran wear. This matters to some folks, like myself. It's a slice of a more civilized time that seems to be disappearing elsewhere. I totally recommend them! read more

Great atmosphere at this throwback to the fifties diner with service either inside or to your parked car.

I ordered two dinner plates for lunch fore take out. What happened to my onion rings and two orders of cole slaw that were supposed to come with the dinners? read more

I wrote a review, I believe in 2020. Was still IN LOVE with the cheeseburger, however the price has been creeping upwards since! I treated myself last year, 6/13/2021, for my 66th B-day, and went back to see if ANYTHING had changed... Same decor, which I love, I had my "usual", 2 cheeseburgers, plain, small fry, and of course, a mug of root beer! Staff were fabulous, served hot & timely, tasted as good as ever....THEN I got the bill... LOL, $19.00 for 2, paper thin burgers, small fry, and a small mug of root beer... left $24 bucks, $5 tip seemed more than appropriate, because the wait staff are not the problem...PRICING IS... I don't know enough about the restaurant business to criticize they way it's operated... I KNOW Burger King is no where near as good tasting as the Sycamore, however being right across the street, a double cheeseburger, small fry, & soda, for a third of the price, IT "ain't" bad!!! Unless something drastic changes, I believe I'll be treating myself elsewhere, SHAME! I'll miss you! read more