Butch’s Luncheonette Breakfast Club

I first ate at this place in 1986 when I lived in Norwich. Thirty years later and this place is exactly the same. I don’t smoke anymore, but I’m glad it is still allowed here since they became a private club. Butch’s Luncheonette is what all of America used to be like. Notice how when a place is declared ‘something-​free’, you lose freedom. Not here. Light up, read the paper, enjoy a hot coffee in a real mug, eat your breakfast with real flatware. They have the bowling game with the metal puck, worth the trip alone.
The food is typical Americana, nothing fancy, no ‘gluten-​free’, or ‘low sodium’, or ‘organic’, or ‘free range’, or any of that socialist communist tree hugging crap. Just good olé American fare. Always done well as any classic diner. Our plates are always clean.
Just one minor negative: the bathroom is small. It is clean, fully stocked and in good repair, just small, and probably not so handicap accessible.
We always try to get to Butch’s when our travels allow it. My wife says she feels like she is breaking the law when she lights a cigarette at the table and that my fellow Americans, is a damn shame, but at least you can enjoy the simple Liberties of American life at Butch’s

If you can overlook the outdated décor (total DIVE, circa 1950’s), smoking on premises (only restaurant in CT that it is legal because it is considered a private club), the food is actually very good and prices are reasonable.
This is a place where a non-​member walks in and everyone drops their utensils, the music on the jukebox comes to a screeching halt and everyone in the place looks to see who you are… LOL. That was how we felt entering as non-​members (apparently this small hole-​in-​the-​wall has 1900 dues paying members?! I think the whole city of Norwich must be a member here!) There is a doorbell which you buzz to be let in, although there is signage outside, so you can easily find the place when driving by. I think my sister and I were a little put off and might have turned around and walked out, but that would have been too obvious and rude. (We also had sign-​in to the guest book upon walking in and be approved by a paying member).
Turns out, the owner Butch himself, was on site along with his sister, aka the cook. He apparently has been running the place for 40+ years and opens it every night starting at 11 pm through the early afternoon hours of 1 pm (he is a self admitted insomniac). This place clearly does not follow the standard rules! Jukebox was pumping with Elvis hits and other various songs from the 50’s and 60’s (Mr. Sandman, etc.). Food was surprisingly good… had a pancake (for $ 1.95!) and corned beef hash. My sister had a egg/​bacon/​cheese on a hard roll with a side of home fries. They also have a pool table which probably gets a lot of use in the late night hours of operation.

Friendly Mom and Pop type of operation. Fair prices and decent food. Oddly door is locked and they buzz you in. Chatty counter help and service with a smile and good cheer.