Damn Covid! As part of my recent diner exposé, I was really excited to try the Hoppy Days Diner in Willimantic, Connecticut. With travel restrictions and Covid protocols still in place, my ability to get to Connecticut has been difficult, to say the least. For this article, I had to hire two of my highly paid assistants to scope out this breakfast spot. My podcast co-host, Jim recommended Thread City Diner to me, and if you’re familiar with the podcast, Jim’s recommendations are always spot on.
Hop on Down to Hoppy Days Diner
Recently, Thread City Diner changed its name to Hoppy Days Diner, in reference to the Windham frog connection. Back in 1754, in what locals thought was either a battle or the rapture, was actually a massive croaking of frogs (both in sound and by dying). The frog has been forever tied to the town with its place on the town seal and, more famously, with four giant frogs sitting atop thread spools on each corner of the bridge that welcomes visitors from the south to Willimantic.
Thread City, the former name, is in reference to Willimantic’s nickname due to the textile manufacture that put Willimantic on the map from the mid-1800s with the last textile factory closing in 1985. The Hoppy Days Diner is owned by a former employee of the Thread City Diner. Although it was purchased two years ago, the name was recently changed, so recently that the sign outside still says Thread City!
No matter that the name has been changed, this diner still does what Thread City was known for, giant delicious breakfasts! Their pancakes are so huge that they actually cover a dinner plate!
It’s Breakfast Time!
The breakfast menu is quite large, with lots of sides and bread choices to pick from. Assistant number one enjoyed a breakfast of biscuits with gravy, two eggs and home fries. The other dish was a sausage, onion, and cheese omelet with biscuit and home fries. The assistants knew that they might not have made the healthiest of choices, but realized they had to take one for the team! Both dishes did not disappoint.
Sunday, Monday, Hoppy Days
Hoppy Days Diner is definitely a diner to hop over to the next time you’re in Willimantic. It’s a perfect spot for everyone. It is large inside which makes it comfortable to dine during the pandemic. It is popular with families, senior citizens, and very hungry college students of the nearby Eastern Connecticut State University and UConn.
Visit Hoppy Days Diner at 931 Main Street in Willimantic.
Definitely one of my favorite local diners regardless of the name! Once you’re able to hop back over to Connecticut, you’ll definitely have to try it out as not only is the food very tasty and the servings very large (you definitely don’t go away hungry!) but the staff is very friendly and the coffee is goooodd! Highly agree with your friend Jim!