Connecticut
The Longest-Delayed BBQ Joint in Connecticut Officially Opens Today
Open your car window and take in the sweet smell of hickory-smoked meat along 84 near the 691 interchange in Cheshire/Southington today, or coming down Southington Mountain. Finally, over three years after their second location was announced to the public, Wallingford’s Pig Rig BBQ’s long-awaited second location is opening up to the public today.
I wrote about Pig Rig’s expansion plans way back in December of 2021, at the time it was expected that the new location at 1843 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Southington would open sometime in Spring 2022. The new restaurant is located in an old Dunkin’ building on Rt. 322 in between the TA Travel Center (Which I still call 76 Truck Stop), and AMC Southington (Which I still call Apple, Regal, or Starplex).
Pig Rig – Wallingford gets good online reviews, it’s average on Yelp is a 4.4 out of 5, 4.6 out of 5 on TripAdvisor, and a 3.7 out of 5 on Google. Most of the commenters mention the great smoky flavor, and generous portions, a few negative reviews mention the temperature of the meats or sides was too cold, or too expensive. The menu at Pig Rig BBQ features what you would expect from a BBQ restaurant in 2025- a few varieties of Pulled Pork, Baby Back Rib entrees, Brisket, Burnt Ends, BBQ Chicken, Hummel hot dogs, a few sandwiches, and burgers, with traditional sides like cole slaw, Hickory-smoked mac&cheese, cornbread, collard greens, potato salad, and Cowboy beans.
Why was the second location delayed by three years? Look at the restaurant industry in Connecticut, it’s pretty impossible to turn a profit.
Take a Stroll Along the Hudson Valley – Catskills Walk of Fame
Did you know that there is a Walk of Fame in Woodbury Common Premium Outlets? It’s the Hudson Valley – Catskills Walk of Fame, and I took photos of the most recognizable honorees and their stars over the weekend, take a stroll with me
Gallery Credit: Large Dave
The Friendliest Places to Live in Connecticut
Amtrak says it will not close any railroad bridges along Connecticut’s shoreline during the 2026 World Cup, backing away from a potential proposal that had sparked concerns from boaters, harbor officials, and marine businesses.
In an email Tuesday to NBC Connecticut, Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams said: “At this time, in coordination with the Coast Guard, we will not be closing any bridges on the Connecticut Coast Line during the tournament.”
The statement is a shift from a plan previously circulating among members of the boating community. That proposal outlined possible hourslong closures of several movable railroad bridges on the Connecticut shoreline on dates tied to World Cup matches in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The affected bridges would have included the spans over the Connecticut River, Niantic River, Shaw’s Cove, Thames River and Mystic River.
The proposal had raised alarms among charter boat operators, harbor masters and marine industry leaders, who warned the closures could disrupt navigation during the height of the summer season, create safety risks on crowded waterways and hurt businesses that depend on fishing and recreational boating.
Amtrak also said is “exploring all options to move travelers safely and reliably during the World Cup with minimal interruption and inconvenience to local communities, visitors, and other stakeholders and travelers.”
Fans are expected to use rail service along the Northeast Corridor to travel to matches in the Northeast, including in the Boston area, where passengers would use connecting service to reach the stadium in Foxborough.
Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard told NBC Connecticut it was reviewing Amtrak’s request related to the bridge proposal.
“The Coast Guard has received Amtrak’s request for the bridge closures and are reviewing it to reach a final decision. When that decision is made, the Coast Guard will work with Amtrak. We are also aware of the mariners and boating communities concerns regarding this,” the Coast Guard had said.
It was not immediately clear whether Amtrak had formally withdrawn that request or whether the rail operator’s latest statement means the bridge closures are no longer under consideration.
NBC Connecticut reached out to the Coast Guard to request additional information.
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