Beer garden, lobster rolls, award-winning ice cream coming to banks of Farmington River

A new dining experience set in a beer garden on the bank of the Farmington River will offer buttery and Maine-style lobster rolls, classic burgers, hot dogs, fries and more.

For dessert there will be ice cream from the award-winning Big Dipper Ice Cream Parlour in Prospect , consistently voted one of the best in Connecticut.

Patrons will be able to order craft beer, wine, soft drinks, fancy coffees, floats and more.

It’s all unfolding in stages at the site of the legendary Bart’s Drive-in, 55 Palisado Ave., Windsor.

The Brault family and their business partner have bought the place and moved their popular Lobster Tales food truck to the site.

Lobster Tales, long stationed at Gastropark in West Hartford is already open at the site, as is the space for riverfront dining.

Bart’s is being spruced up while keeping it’s nostalgia and is expected to open in mid-June.

The beer garden is expected to open in fall, pending a liquor license.

Windsor Economic Development Director Patrick McMahon said once complete, the business will be a “great addition to the town” and a destination location.

“We’re looking forward to the Bart’s of old getting a refresh” he said. “We think this business will attract people to our downtown center and historic district.”

McMahon said the location on the Farmington River is great.

“It’s a beautiful, tranquil area,” he said.

While there are other restaurants that offer outdoor dining paired with alcohol, this will be the first in Windsor right on the river.

The historic Bart’s Drive-in was purchased by Paul Brault, wife Jennifer Brault, daughter Alyson Brault and a partner, Fran McCormack, who own a few Jersey Mike’s stores and have had other restaurants. Bart’s closed in November 2023.

Jennifer and Alyson have run Lobster Tales for five years, most recently out of Gastropark in West Hartford, until moving the trailer to Windsor.

“It’s going to be a place where families want to come to. There’s a lot of fishing out there,” Paul Brault said.

He said the family had been looking for a brick and mortar location for quite some time all over the state, including in Fairfield County and the Old Saybrook area.

They saw Bart’s, a Windsor institution was for sale.

“When we saw Bart’s was so important to the community, we put our trust in that,” Paul Brault said.

Bart’s went up in 1946 and moved into a new building in 1962.

He said they’ll “keep the nostalgia” but are refreshing the place.

A mural that’s been up for almost 30 years will remain, as will the old time ice cream machine and soda fountain.

The grill that came to be known as the “magic grill” by locals is being restored too, he said.

Jennifer Brault said the history is important to Windsor.

“We’re breathing life into it by having the outdoor experience,” she said. ” I think we’re going to end up being a destination place. With all we’re doing there…People are going to come there for us.”

The Brault mother and daughter, who had many fans at Gatropark, will continue to run the lobster truck and expand its offerings and will stop selling hot dogs when Bart’s opens. In addition to lobster rolls they will add whole belly clams to the menu, carry clam strips and a special grilled gruyere cheese sandwich with lobster.

They will also sell lobster and shrimp loaded tater tots with a house made sauce.

The women serve their Connecticut-style lobster rolls on an 8-inch New England split top roll buttered and toasted topped with poached lobster in butter.

They also sell Maine-style lobster rolls, meaning cold lobster tossed in mayo with their own special seasonings.

“We put a little extra love into it,” Jennifer Brault said. “I’m told it’s one of the best lobster rolls out there, so obviously we’re doing something right.”

She said of guests, “We tend to treat people like family.”

Alyson Brault, 24, said mom’s her “best friend” and she loves working with her and also, “I love making people happy by making them food.”

The beer garden in back will carry some national brands, plus a large selection of craft beer, Paul Brault said.

The beer garden will include covered seating areas, garden boxes, string lights and will accommodate live entertainment. Right now the lobster truck is open at the site beginning for breakfast Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Patrons can eat on the river bank even though the beer garden isn’t open yet.