PHOTOS: Former Meriden restaurants and bars through the years

Jay Bee Luncheonette (on the corner of Pratt Street and East Main Street) is set to close its doors for good. RJ file photo, 2000.

Original location of the Cabin restaurant, 22-27 State St., Meriden. The restaurant moved to Colony Street in 1965 to make way for downtown redevelopment.

The former JB's seen from the roof of the former Fleet Bank on the corner of Pratt and East Main Mon., May 12, 2003. Both buildings are slated for demolition.

Members of the Paguni Family at a ribbon cutting stood with then Mayor William T. Shea at the Cabin Restaurant which in the summer of 1965 had just opened its new location on Colony and Brooks Streets. Left to right: Philip Paguni; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Paguni; Mayor Shea and another son, Sebastian Paguni. Published in the Morning Record September 1, 1965).

State Street, Meriden.

The Commercial Building on Colony St. This building also is home to the Cabin Restaurant Fri., Feb. 4, 2005.

A worker cuts down lettering from the former Jacoby's restaurant as renovations continue for a Taino Smokehouse at 1388 E. Main St. in Meriden, Friday, December 23, 2016. | Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

Ron Vumback, a bartender at The Cabin restaurant in Meriden waits for patrons during Happy Hour (5:50pm) Wednesday evening January 28, 2004.

In this 2000 file photo, Marilyn Richards, owner of Jay Bee Luncheonette with long-time patron Martin Lable , also of Meriden. Jay Bee closed its doors for good in 2000.

State Street, Meriden.

Construction crews from G. Madore Excavation of Higganum clean out a building formerly known as The Spot on East Main Street in Meriden Wednesday March 15, 2006. The structure could be demolished in two to three weeks. (dave zajac photo)

The building formerly known as The Spot on East Main Sreet in Meriden could be demolished in two to three weeks. Construction crews have cleaned the remnants of the interior. (dave zajac photo)

Painted logo of a once popular bar known as The Spot on East Main Street in Meriden Wednesday March 15, 2006. The structure could be demolished in two to three weeks. (dave zajac photo)

The bar area of a building formerly known as The Spot on East Main Street in Meriden Wednesday March 15, 2006. The structure could be demolished in two to three weeks. (dave zajac photo)

The former Jacoby's Restaurant at 1388 E Main St. in Meriden September 16, 2010. (Dave Zajac/Record-Journal)

Paul Giacobbe, owner of Jacoby's restaurant in Meriden recently competed in the World Poker Tour finals at Foxwoods Casino. (dave zajac photo November 18, 2004.)

The former home of Jacoby’s Restaurant at 1388 E. Main St. in Meriden, Thursday, May 14, 2015. Taino Smokehouse, a Texas-style barbecue and smokehouse is opening up a location there, City Economic Development Director Juliet Burdelski said Thursday. | Dave Zajac/Record-Journal

The former Jacoby's restaurant at 1388 E Main St in Meriden is likely to be auctioned off to the highest bidder next month. (Dave Zajac/Record-Journal)

Sheila Salafia serves Rachel Ash local teacher at Fischer's Fine Foods on Colony Street in Meriden Friday afternoon. Record Journal Photo/ Johnathon Henninger 11.30.07

Used cars for sale in the vacant lot next to Il Forno Restaurant on Hanover St. Mon., April 11.

Rustem Gjonbalaj, owner of IL Forno is selling the family restaurant on Hanover Street in Meriden. The business will remain open in the interim. (dave zajac photo)

Rustem Gjonbalaj, owner of Il Forno Restaurant on Hanover St., adds a new coat of paint to the building, anticipating a re-opening in about a week.

The Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce held a "Pizza, Pasta, & Politics Night" at Il Forno Restaurant on Hanover St. Mon. night, Feb. 10. Jan Mello is at the left, with Matthew Dominello, center, George McGoldrick, 2nd from right, and Michael Rohde, right.

John Rombel, new owner of the Bradley Diner located at 376 W. Main St. in Meriden.

Tables outside of Fischer's Fine Foods on Colony St. Mon., May 10.

Fischer's Fine Foods exterior shot. Photographed June 24, 2002.

Rob DeRosa is selling Fischer's Fine Foods. Photographed June 24, 2002.

Fischer's Fine Foods waitress Jean Lawrence serves up a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup to awaiting customers during Thursday evening's Celebrity Night at Fishcher's. Mike Ross Record-Journal.

Lynn Ryder, owner of Ryder's On Main, Friday, September 18, 2015. Ryder is a We the People party candidate cross-endorsed by the Republicans for City Council Area 1. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

Dave Salafia, in his front window at Fischer's Fine Foods on Colony St. Fri., Dec. 8. He has cleaned out the usual displays to leave room for people to fill it up with donations of food, clothing, and toys which he will donate to Chrysalis.

Record Journal Photo/ Johnathon Henninger 7.14.08 - left to right, David Salafia, Ross Gulino, John Garlock, co-owners of Pies Ons Pizzeria in Meriden stand for a photo in the new business where Fischer's Fine Foods once stood.

The Bradley Diner on West Main Street in Meriden, Monday, September 14, 2015. The state Department of Transportation is planning to replace a bridge next to the diner starting in spring of 2018. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

This is the new facade of Il Forno at 126 Hanover Avenue in Meriden. The door on the right is the new front door to the restaurant. Chris Angileri/Record-Journal.

Sherry Long, left, waitress, with new owner of the Bradley Diner Mark Hartman, Tues., Dec. 21.

This building on the corner of East Main and Broad St. next to Milner's Cafe served as bus depot for Greyhound which will suspend service to Meriden. March 30, 2006

Jan. 21 file shot at Milner's Cafe of patrons smoking.

Crews continue work on new sidewalks along W. Main St. next to Cassidies Diner Monday, November 3, 2014. The diner was purchased for $47,000 by two partners earlier this year who are now working to bring it back up to code to sell or rent. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

(R) Jay Eagle DeLaney is the owner of Cassidies where Justin Time Diner was located. In the background on the left is Steve Prescott, the former owner of Justin Time. DeLaney is planning on keeping the music playing outside the diner.

Jay Eagle DeLaney is the owner of Cassidies the former Justin Time Diner talks to customers as he finishes up the lunch rush on Friday February 14, 2003. Cassadies has opened where Justin Time Diner was located on West Main Street in Meriden.

Jay Delaney, owner of Cassidy's Diner in Meriden talks to Brian O'Rourke, left, while eating lunch at O'Rourke's Diner in Middletown Tuesday June 3, 2008. O'Rourke's diner was destroyed by fire but rebuilt due to the help of the community. Delaney was reassured by O'Rourke that everything would work out.(dave zajac photo)

Jay Eagle Delaney explains how he came to have to close his business, Cassidy's Diner, on West Main Street in downtown Meriden Wednesday afternoon, March 27, 2013. The business officially closed on Tuesday. Delaney explained that after a car struck the diner car in 2008, he had to take out a second mortgage to pay for repairs and business declined over the years, so he couldn't afford to keep paying off the loans. (Christopher Zajac / Record-Journal)

The Brookside Cafe on North Broad St. is up for sale . January 16,2002.

The new Quality Time Food & Spirits LLC on Broad St. Tues. night, June 25. The former Brookside will reopen soon, according to owners Sharon and Paul Vumbaco. Sharon Vumbaco's grandfather Robert Gilluly was born there in 1909 when it was the family's home.

Frontera Grill Mexican Restaurant at 800 East Main Street in Meriden, August 5, 2014. The building will be demolished after the restaurant closes in order to build an auto parts shop on the property. | Derek Torrellas / Record-Journal

The former Frontera Grill on E. Main St. in Meriden, Friday, February 6, 2015. After a slight complication this week, demolition of the building is set to begin in earnest next week. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

An excavator parked next to a debris pile in the back lot of the former Frontera Grill on E. Main St. in Meriden, Friday, February 6, 2015. After a slight complication this week, demolition of the building is set to begin in earnest next week. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

Lynn Ryder of Meriden purchased Mauri's Cafe and two buildings in the rear for 600,000 on West Main Street in Meriden July 15, 2008. Ryder has changed the name to Ryder's on Main and has made several upgrades to the interior and exterior of the business. (dave zajac photo)

Record Journal Photo/ Johnathon Henninger 5.20.08 - Lynn Ryder, owner of Ryders on Main has been using the internet social tool, facebook to generate interest in her bar on West Main Street in Meriden.

Justin Bourassa, of Wallingford, spends his weekends as Chuck E. at Chuck E. Cheese in Meriden. The Xavier High School junior is also the Xavier school mascot. Justin spends most of his time walking through the restaurant greeting children and having his photograph taken. on Sunday February 23, 2003 Megan Minkara, 3, of Meriden, followed him around the restaurant saying hi on numerous occasions.

Jay Eagle Delaney, owner of Cassidies Diner on West Main Street in Meriden is hoping to have the business re-opened in middle November. The diner has been undergoing extensive renovations after a motor vehicle accident damaged the exterior and much of the interior. New booths, stools, and flooring are part of the renovations. (dave zajac photo)(November 1, 2009)

George DeGennaro of Meriden, who has worked behind the bar at Milner's Cafe at 521 Broad Street in Meriden for 14 years, holds a celebrity signature. Two weeks ago John Ratzenberger who used to play the charactor of Cliff on the television sitcom Cheers. Made a surprise visit into Milner's Cafe as part of his Made in America series on the Travel Channel. Chris Angileri/Record-Journal.

Chuck Hesseltine speaks his reactions to the space shuttle explosion Saturday afternoon while inside Milner's Cafe on Broad Street in Meriden.

July 09, 2018 10:01AM

The Cabin, Jaybees, Jacoby’s, Verdolini’s… Take a look back at some of Meriden’s more popular former food and drink establishments by clicking or swiping through the gallery. What were your favorites? Share your memories in the comments.

View Comments