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Rural Palates: Comfort Foods Abound!

Restaurant Reviews JUDY’S BAR & KITCHEN Stamford, CT From down home to low country, there seems to be a wave of comfort food restaurants sweeping the region, and Judy’s is one of the best of them. A low-keyed, storefront eatery,

A cavernous, barnlike space split between bar and dining room is adorned with raw wood paneling, flags, hunting trophies and neon beer signs. Down home, finger licking dishes include slow cooked BBQ; fried chicken wings drenched in honey, Guinness, Siracha, garlic parmesan, or even peanut butter and jelly with a Fluff dipping sauce; hush puppies and deviled eggs; fried green tomatoes and Philly cheese steak egg rolls. But the restaurant may be loudest, and proudest, of its over the top, ginormous milkshakes: among them a chocolate peanut butter milkshake topped with an entire Hershey’s chocolate bar, Reese’s peanut butter cups, (not pieces) whipped cream and roasted marshmallows; the Blueberry Muffin Milkshake rimmed and topped with blueberries, whole blueberry muffins and whipped cream; and a vanilla milkshake topped with bacon, whipped

Should you still have room, finish off with freshly baked desserts such as chocolate peanut butter pie, North Carolina lemon tart, or warm apple skillet cake with brown sugar cinnamon ice cream. Culinary Institute of America trained chef/ owner Judith Roll beams and bustles around the place. She welcomes you into her kitchen, and makes sure you leave happy. Live music Saturday nights. Outdoor, seasonal patio. 927 High Ridge Road, Stamford. judysbarandkitchen.com

JOHNNY UTAH’S South Norwalk, CT

Want to ride a mechanical bull, enjoy country western music, line dancing, burgers, brews and other South Western pub grub right in

Judy’s piles on the buttermilk fried chicken, awesome cornbread, fried chicken livers with spicy onion jam, shrimp and grits, crab cakes with Louisiana remoulade and slaw, pot pies and frickles (fried dill pickles with ranch sauce). Hickory house-smoked meats include St. Louis ribs, beef brisket, and BBQ half chicken. If you just can’t choose, try a combo plate of pulled pork cubano and bacon cheddar waffle with fried chicken topped with maple siracha mayo; or the smoked BBQ trio of chicken, rack of ribs, pulled pork or sliced or chopped brisket. All, of course, served with sides like mac n cheese or collard greens, and artisan baked breads by Good Breads Bakery in Port Chester, NY.

Fairfield County? Yeehaw, then grab your hat, boots and jeans and head down to Johnny Utah’s in SoNo, at the opposite end of the street – and spectrum – from the Italian, Mediterranean and Continental restaurants that line popular Washington Street. “Country Proud & Living Loud,” is the restaurant’s theme, and in-your-face state of mind.

cream and French fries! All coming in non- alcoholic or alcoholic versions. Half priced drinks during Happy Hour: 4-7 pm. Open for lunch and dinner daily, events, parties, and game nights. 80 Washington St., Norwalk 203/299-0711 johnnyutahssono.com

130 WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM

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