Hard Hat Cafe

The web-​site for this place is a bit misleading, so when you pull up in front and think you may be in the wrong place, don’t be surprised. My wife and i recently went there for lunch on a Sunday and met my daughter and her boyfriend as it was about a halfway meeting point between New Jersey and Rhode Island. It’s about a minute off the Merritt Parkway, so easy on, easy off. On the positive side, the staff (bartender) and the locals there were incredibly friendly. Being from Jersey, I sometimes feel like anywhere we go outside of the state, people are always incredibly friendly… there’s probably a reason for that… not sure what it could be. Anyway, this is a small place with about 15 or so bar stools and 4 to 5 high tables to choose from. There is a back room, but it was closed when were there on Sunday. We picked a table and were greeted right away by the bartender. She took our drink orders, came back promptly and took our lunch orders as well. My wife and ordered burgers and my daughter and her boyfriend order chicken wraps. The food was good, nothing mind blowing, but good and prepared to order. It took a bit longer than I would have hoped for the food to come out, but again that could be a Jersey impatience issue. Overall, an interesting place, smack in the middle of an industrial area and probably not something you’d find unless you were actually looking for it.

im updating my review because ei feel i did them a disservice by only giving them 4 stars last time. the freaking doobs and the burgers are amazing. i cant take a star for one bad wing flavoring, the garlic parmesean, when the other stuff is outstanding!!! BEST WINGS IN CT

Love the «Hole in the wall atmosphere». You have to try the Doobs wings they are delicious! The staff is super friendly and attentive. Every now and then the whole bar will join in singing someone’s juke box choice.

I guess it’s good if you’re a regular or they know you but were not. We’ve given them 3 tries and had bad service all 3 times while staff fawns over the regulars.
It’s a basic dive bar with decent wings and beer that is somewhat overpriced. Go to any Archie Moore’s, it beats this place hands down.

This is a little local yoke-​cal dive bar with amazing wings! We have been going there for a while and have tried everything on the menu. The food can be described as fantastic bar eats most of the time but it really depends on which person is cooking. The only thing I can say is the prices have been slowly increasing so come with cash. It is now at a point where we are putting this place on probation, so to speak. Although, the wings are dynamite the prices are out of control. When three friends go for a quick snack of wings and a couple of beers and walk out with a $ 100 tab it’s now crossed the line of stupid! We are taking a break from this place for a while especially since there are other close by places that have better wings with better prices.
If you’ve never been, give it a shot but remember this place is not for everyone, like I said it is a divey local’s joint so be prepared. But if you do you go you must get the doob wings!!! OMG! they are the best!

We found this place while visiting the fair and it was awesome! It looks very small and is hidden on a back street but it is worth the search. Great real chicken wings made fresh! Everyone was very friendly. It has a nice small town «watering hole» feel. I highly recommend it for lunch.

OK, I am going with four stars because of the wings and the quality of the food. This might become a regular take out place. The Doob wing (fried then grilled) are awesome. Not messy, with great taste and spicy. If you like a drier wing but still want buffalo flavoring give the Hard Hat a try. The service was very friendly but somewhat inconsistent on delivery. This is a bar that servers good food making a transition to a bar/​restaurant. This is not a place I would bring my six and eight year old to get a bite to eat and watch some sports, the conversations are too colorful.
It is in a strange out of the way spot, so it is definitely a local’s dive bar the food prices are on the mainstream side. My wife had a grilled chicken wrap with waffle fries that was very tasty. The waffle fries were crisp.
I enjoyed eating and drinking here with a group of friends/​regulars. I will go again and I will definitely get take out soon.

Hard hat has the best wings around. Great bar with cool people who work there!
I can honestly say that their doob wings are comparable to none. The only place where I will get wings from!

Great little dive bar with good food. I ordered a cheeseburg and the doob wings which are their signature dish– and very good. Prices were a bit higher than I expected– service was fine. Now I have to try their expansion location in Wallingford to compare to the original in North Haven.

This place definitely has a no frills, local, dive bar feel. Most of the people there are local regulars and the crowd, at least the night I was there, was a bit older. There are a ton of tv’s to watch football etc. I agree that it’s a bit loud between the music and the patrons but that didn’t bother me. The people were all very friendly, patrons and staff. They have a decent beer selection on draft. The true star though was the food. The food was definitely much better than your typical «bar food». I agree with the reviews of the wings, definitely worth trying. The burger I had was also excellent. This place definitely has its niche and I’d certainly go back.

Came here last weekend and had an awesome time. There was a mixed crowd, some older and some younger. There was an array of music being played in the jukebox. We ordered their «Doob» wings and they were delicious!!! The bartenders and patrons were very friendly. I would definitely go back.

Stopped by for a couple of beers on a Sunday. Honestly we were just looking for a place for a couple of drinks open before noon and this was the place we found. Seems like a bunch of regulars. The bartender was friendly. Decent looking inside considering it seemed questionable as to where my gps was taking me. I didn’t try any food but it did smell good. We did seem some people picking up takeout orders. Decent selection of beers on tap. Looking for a quick drink and in the neighborhood you should stop by!

By far the worst afternoon bar for a couple of pops and food I Have ever been too. hands down…
The place had no soul/vibe.My dead grandmother in the ground has more personality than this joint. Maybe a off day but shit. had a better time at work eating lunch on the job.
Food was ok at best. just like any other bar with a bar menu.
Maybe just a off day… or bad timing on our part… I really wanted to like this place…

We’ve only done take-​out from this place, but they seriously have the best burgers I’ve had outside of the mid-​west. Great flavor and hefty portions. We usually get steak fries, which are excellent, but they have others that are tasty too. May seem a little pricey for a burger, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.

The music was so freaking loud, I thought my head was going to split.
The servers sing karaōke at the top of their lungs.
Its a very small place with zero atmosphere –the quintessential dive bar.
But…
The wings were absolutely tremendous.
The bar menu was pretty extensive.
My Grilled Shrimp Caesar Wrap was pretty good.
The service was very friendly.
They have a dining room in the back away from the bar volume.
I have to say I saw a ton of happy folks really enjoying themselves and having a blast.
Look, this place isn’t for everybody.
It’s just not my cup of tea.

Awesome bar food! Actually, just awesome food in general. The doob wings are out of this world good, and their fried pickles are top notch. Solid drinks, delicious bar food, all at a divey bar. Can’t get any better! It’s off the beaten path a bit, so I can’t imagine many people stumble upon Hard Hat accidentally which is a shame. It’s the perfect place to meet friends for a bite, a drink, and a laid back atmosphere. I’ve never felt pressured to order more or leave, like some other bars. Not much else to say, the décor is nothing special, the staff is friendly and quick, it’s whatever. the food alone the standout here.

This place is famous for their wings, specifically the ‘Doobs’. They are fried and then grilled. They are some of the best wings around, but they are way overpriced and definitely not worth the hassle.
Unfortunately, the service is so bad I will never go there again. On both of my visits (which were several months apart) the bartender had a NASTY cough and a VERY POOR attitude. She was coughing constantly and never once covered her mouth… On my most recent visit she botched the order twice and made some snide comments when I asked her to correct it.
The place is also dirty… I went to sign the bill and my hand stuck to the bar…

Doobs! The grilled wing, an experience.

Easily the best lunch around. While the office is only about a mile away, there”s really no reason to go any place else. Bar staff is friendly & personable. Great happy hour too.