BRISTOL, Connecticut, U.S.A. — Like any amusement park, Lake Compounce has all of the standard eats.
You have your pizza, which is quite tomato-tasting, your french fries — plain or with cheese, but stay away from the spices — and of course, Icees.
If you would rather stray from traditional snacks like nachos, hot dogs and fried dough, try something futuristic.
Dippin’ Dots, “the ice cream of the future,” is available at various booths dispersed through the park.
These tasty little morsels aren’t really like ice cream. They are little dots the size of mini M&Ms that come in flavors such as vanilla, strawberry and chocolate mint.
If you aren’t an ice cream fan — modern or futuristic — satisfy your sweet tooth with some fudge from Lake Compounce Fudge & Sweets.
They have every kind of fudge you could ever imagine. Vanilla, peanut butter, cookies and creme — try them all. Just not at the same time.
This fudge is so rich and creamy, a quarter pound is more than enough for one person. Plus, at $7.99 per pound, it isn’t cheap.
If you don’t feel like sitting outside or having another fast food meal, Lake Compounce has two sit-down restaurants that offer good food at very nice prices. Neither restaurant allows smoking.
At one end of the park is the Rock `n Roll Diner, a pink and blue restaurant with old 7″ records and pictures of 50’s icons James Dean and Elvis scattered on the walls.
There is even a jukebox filled with music from bands like the Beatles and Beach Boys.
In the diner you order from a menu of sandwiches, chips, soda and cookies before you sit down.
On the other side of the park is the Crocodile Cafe‚, a theme restaurant where you are seated and served by someone. To eat here you have to be hungry because the portions are large, but
they are priced nicely.
Because it is a theme restaurant, you can’t just say “I’ll have a hot dog or a hamburger and a pickle.”
You have to order a Pirate Dog or a Ferris Wheel Burger and a Crocodile Tail. Though the names are cute, I felt really stupid saying “I’ll have the Boomerang Chicken please.”
One problem with the sit-down restaurants is their lack of vegetarian choices. Salads aren’t enough.
But on the whole the food is quite good for an amusement park.
The prices aren’t bad for individual items, but as you eat your way through the day they can quickly add up.
Kathleen Haynes is a Reporter for Youth Journalism International.
