Just off of Route 37 in New Fairfield, tucked behind the Veterans Memorial, sits Ole Route 37 Patio & Grille. The bright red exterior shouts New England -farm house, cozy and sheik, complimenting the fresh, local produce served from within. The menu boasts 100% grass-fed Angus beef from a local farm in New York. Hot dogs are made in natural casing and without Nitrates, a common, cancer-causing ingredient found in nearly all processed meats (but not at Old 37!) Sodas do not contain high-fructose corn syrup and they offer gluten- free buns.
Owner Carl Huben's commitment to serving old classics with a modern twist does not stop at burgers and dogs, but even the fries are made in a special oven and are never fried in hydrogenated oils.Carl is proud to serve "back to the future" foods; natural twists on classic pub food, he explains. Food never used to be eaten with all of the hormones, chemicals and preservatives we add to them today, and now that people are becoming more and more aware of harmful food additives, Carl would like to be able to provide for and promote conscious eating habits.
Their 5 oz. burgers are served on a plump, Brioche bun in an array of styles which include toppings like mushrooms, sauteed onions, bacon and eggs. Vegetarians are also welcome to try their Bella Burger, portabella mushroom marinated served with sauteed onions, fresh salads, grilled cheeses and house- made vegetarian chilli. Burgers are all served with the Route 37 Special Sauce which one employee, Michelle Sanches, suggests should be called "lazy sauce" because it already contains everything you would want to put ON a burger IN it including onions and mustard and a few other "secret ingredients."
While New Fairfield has seen several businesses come and go from the little food shack at 25 Route 37, Carl has some tasty ideas to keep them running throughout the winter. He plans to do some kind of drive-up service offering hearty soups and stews, as well as family take-out meals including his special ribs and butterfly chicken. They will serve an array of soul-warming comfort foods until the patio can be opened once again.
After learning all about the menu at Olde Route 37, I had to go and try it out myself. A self-proclaimed "foodie," I love to see a menu that is well thought out and delicious. Walking into the small, cozy space with my sister on a bright and breezy summer day, we were greeted promptly and graciously. Displayed on the wall to the right is art done by local high school students, and the staff is made up of local students as well, some recently graduated and home for the summer. We ordered the Mushroom and Swiss Burger combo with sweet potato fries and the Chipotle Chicken Sandwich and just to be bad, a black and white milk shake. The ice cream they use comes from a carefully selected source. The shake was perfectly thick and addicting! The burger and toppings fit perfectly into the bun and the burger was seasoned just right, not too salty as most fast-food burgers are, and was cooked to a spot-on medium- rare. The Chipotle Chicken Sandwich had a good kick and was not dry at all. The patio is lined in grape vines and decorated nicely with plants and flowers, feeling more like a magic garden than a roadside eatery. The combo, at $10 dollars, was on the high side price- wise but well-worth it for the quality and taste. Olde Route 37 is the perfect place to enjoy a summer day and a meal that you don't have to feel guilty about afterwards.