If you are cruising down Interstate 84 along the Connecticut-Massachusetts border and looking for a classic road trip pit stop with an unforgettable twist, look no further than Blondie’s Traveler Diner. Situated right off the highway in Union, Connecticut, this legendary local landmark seamlessly blends a cozy, down-home eatery with a massive book lover’s paradise. The restaurant’s signature charm lies in its beloved, long-standing tradition: every guest who orders a meal gets to choose three free books to take home from the upstairs shelves. Boasting a warm, welcoming rec-room vibe, scenic woodland and lake views, and a massive basement book cellar packed with affordable secondhand titles, it is the ultimate oasis to stretch your legs, enjoy a hearty meal, and discover your next great read.
Accepts reservations; Credit cards and Debit cards accepted
Children’s Amenities
Good for kids, High chairs available, Kids’ menu
Parking & Pet Policy
Ample free parking lot and free street parking; Dogs allowed both inside and outside
Why Visit? Key Highlights
Three Free Books with Every Meal: The diner’s standout feature allows every dining guest to select three books from the upper-level shelves completely free of charge.
The Basement Book Cellar: For those hunting for more literary treasures, the lower level houses a sprawling used bookstore filled with a hodgepodge of curated genres at very reasonable prices.
Charming, Literary Atmosphere: The walls are completely lined with bookstalls, and the classic comfort food menu is full of clever literary puns and author-inspired dish names.
Dog-Friendly Hospitality: Attentive and welcoming waitstaff accommodate furry companions both on the scenic outdoor patio and inside the diner.
Scenic Highway Oasis: Located right off I-84, the restaurant features giant window seating that overlooks the surrounding woods and a nearby lake, making it a beautiful stop to watch birds at the feeders or admire fall foliage.
Menu and Offerings
Weekly Specials
Item
Description
Traveler Pretzel
Jumbo soft warm pretzel served with craft beer cheese sauce and honey mustard. Enough for two.
Lobster Roll
North Atlantic lobster (claw and knuckle meat), lemon, and seasoned mayo in a brioche roll. Served with a choice of fries, cole slaw, or chips.
Something Diff’rent
7-ounce Angus chuck burger, lettuce, bacon, citrus salsa, habanero-jack cheese, hot pepper relish, and avocado stuffed between two waffles. Served with a choice of fries, coleslaw, or pub chips.
Cubano Dog
Grilled all-beef hot dog, ham, swiss cheese, spicy brown mustard, and hot pepper relish in a brioche roll. Served with a choice of fries, coleslaw, or pub chips.
French Onion Soup Pizza (Specialty Pizza available Friday & Saturday)
Prepared with demi-glace, caramelized onions, and mozzarella cheese. Available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes.
Appetizers
Item
Description
Bone-In Wings (10 per order)
Choice of Buffalo, BBQ, Cajun, Teriyaki, Sweet Asian Chili, Garlic Parm, or Bang Bang Sauce. One sauce per order.
Mac & Cheese Bites
Served with craft beer cheese. Contains bacon.
Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy sweet potato fries.
Onion Rings
Classic thick-cut fried onion rings.
New England Clam Chowder
Available in a Cup or a Bowl.
State Line Poutine
Crispy fries, chopped bacon, turkey gravy, craft beer cheese, and green onions.
Chicken Tenders (4 per order)
Choice of Buffalo, BBQ, Cajun, Teriyaki, Sweet Asian Chili, Garlic Parm, or Bang Bang Sauce. One sauce per order.
Mozzarella Sticks
Served with marinara sauce.
Coconut Shrimp
Served with sweet & sour sauce.
Bang Bang Shrimp
Crispy fried shrimp tossed in house-made Bang Bang sauce and topped with green onions and lemon.
Salads & Sides
All specialty salads are served with garlic bread. Diners can add Chicken, Shrimp, Salmon, or Bourbon Steak Tips for an additional charge.
Fresh greens, walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled bleu cheese.
Big Tossed Salad
Fresh greens, cucumber, tomato, onion, and peppers.
Avocado Bacon Salad
Fresh greens, walnuts, chopped bacon, avocado, and a hard-boiled egg.
Standard Sides Lineup
ColeSlaw, Baked Potato, French Fries, Green Beans (with garlic), Broccoli, Pub Chips, Side Salad, Sweet Potato Fries, Onion Rings, Rice Pilaf, Mashed Potato.
Dinners
All dinner entrees below are served with a choice of mashed potato, baked potato, or rice. Guests can substitute onion rings or sweet fries, or add a side salad for an additional charge.
Item Name
Item Details / Customizations
USDA Choice Strip Steak 12oz
Premium cut; options to add grilled mushrooms & onions or bleu cheese.
8oz Sirloin
Classic sirloin steak; options to add grilled mushrooms & onions or bleu cheese.
Bourbon Marinated Steak Tips
Juicy, well-marinated steak tips.
Boston Sirloin Steak
Hearty regional sirloin cut.
New England Turkey Dinner
Fresh white meat turkey served with stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Grilled Salmon
Prepared with a hint of garlic.
Baked Haddock
Tender baked haddock filet.
Baked Stuffed Haddock
Flaky haddock loaded with crabmeat stuffing.
Fresh Battered Seafood
Served with French Fries & Cole Slaw.
Item Name
Item Name
Haddock
Shrimp
Clam Strips
Fisherman’s Platter (Haddock, Clams & Shrimp)
Pasta
Served with garlic bread. Gluten-free pasta options are available for an extra charge.
Item
Description
Linguini and Sauce
Classic linguini paired with signature house sauce.
Linguini with Chicken Parm
Crispy chicken parmigiana served over a bed of linguini.
Linguini with Meatballs or Sausage
Your choice of savory meatballs, sausage, or a combination combo of both.
Pesto Pasta
Tossed with roast zucchini, artichokes, spinach, and red peppers. Options to add chicken, shrimp, or a 3-grain veggie burger.
Burgers & Wraps
Burgers feature a 7 oz. Angus Chuck patty, char-grilled and served on a toasted bulky roll with pickles and a choice of French fries, cole slaw, or pub chips. Sub onion rings or sweet potato fries for an extra charge.
Item
Description / Ingredients
Lonely Planet Burger
Standard burger served with lettuce and tomato. Custom build options include extra toppings (American, cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, or habanero-jack cheese; bacon, avocado, bleu cheese, onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, or an extra burger patty).
White Fang Burger
Loaded with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and crumbled bleu cheese.
Booklovers Burger
Topped with grilled onions, Swiss cheese, roasted red peppers, and horseradish sauce.
Mark Twain Burger
Topped with bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and Swiss cheese.
California Dreaming Burger
Stacked with avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Habanero cheese.
The Godfather Burger
Topped with caramelized onion, mushrooms, bacon, pesto, and melted mozzarella. Served with fries.
Red Badge of Courage Burger
A massive hamburger topped with corned beef, swiss cheese, and 5 strips of bacon. Served with fries.
Firecracker / Firestarter Burger
Spiced up with bacon, jalapenos, Habanero jack cheese, and chipotle mayo.
Secret Garden Wrap
Grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, wilted spinach, mozzarella, cheddar, and basil pesto.
Mystic River Wrap
Three-grain veggie burger, roasted corn, roasted red peppers, spinach, mozzarella, and horseradish sauce.
