Storrs, CT: Verdant, Small, And With A Surprising Appetite For Ethnic Food
A Connecticut village home to the University of Connecticut — and three Indian takeaways
This summer, I spent a few weeks travelling around the US — visiting in-laws, trying to avoid catching the plague, and, as befitting any tourist spending time outside of Israel, purchasing as many Amazon orders as could be compacted into a suitcase.
Along the way we managed to spent a few days in Storrs — which was the first time in my life I set foot within the State of Connecticut (the previous extent of my knowledge: it’s small and located somewhat close to New York. My knowledge now: there’s lots of grass and Storrs is in the state).
After a few days plodding through New York City, my wife and I took the Amtrak to Hartford. And arrived in … “the insurance capital of the world” (note for future travels: in 2016, Aer Lingus began serving Hartford ex. Dublin but the route — like so many others — appears to have frosted over into a permanent COVID hiatus).
From there, it was a short half hour drive to Storrs — a census designated place (CDP) best known for being home to the University of Connecticut (referred to by locals almost always as ‘Uconn’), being named after two brothers called Storrs and not for its abundance of commercial premises, and… apparently housing a bewilderingly large variety of ethnic restaurants for a village of scarcely 16,000 people.
Storrs — somewhat like Cork, Ireland, where I grew up — is very much a university town.
Its population of permanent residents is swelled by the ranks of students studying there. Uconn began as an agricultural school and its prospectus still has a strong focus on agriculture and the environmental sciences.
Unfortunately, Storrs wasn’t exactly brimming with life during our five day stay in town.
Uconn was out of session, Storrs is tiny anyway, and — minus a few students holding what sounded like riotous house parties — there didn’t seem to be much of anything much a-do.
On the positive side of things: Although undoubtedly small and cosy, Storrs is located within a short drive of lots of natural attractions.
Worth a visit: Codfish falls, who unusual name apparently owes its origin to a tall tale once circulated by fisherman staying out drinking. Also apparently worth a visit: Willmantic, which Connecticut-based students hype as Storrs’ more exciting southern neighbor.
Other things to do in Storrs?
Storrs is apparently also home to a puppet museum (the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry)!
While their staff did their utmost to facilitate a visit outside of their normal opening hours (my pitch: I have a tiny YouTube channel and would like to film your puppets) the itineraries unfortunately didn’t match up. Alongside visiting Willmantic, it’s on my list of places to check out next time.
Absent those delights, I fell back on two categories of business that I’m always interested in checking out virtually regardless of where I find myself on this planet: places to sample craft beer and Indian food.
While I didn’t have much luck in the former category (TOAST, at Four Corners, seemed like the best option but their hours of operation were limited), I did manage to find a surprisingly full-hearted variety of ethnic food for a town of Storrs’ diminutive size.
Kathmandu, an India/Nepalese hybrid located in Storrs’ small downtown, is worth checking out.
For a town that seems small on the surface, Storrs seems to be home to a surprising amount of drama — if Heather Lake’s reportage in The Chronicle are anything to go by.
The relationship between Uconn and Mansfield County has sometimes proven testy. Currently, Mansfield Mayor Antonia Moran is pushing for funding that would greatly improve pedestrian access along Route 195, which runs through the town.
Uconn’s plans to buy up land at the bustling Four Corners commercial crossroads has also drawn the ire of some residents who fear what the sprawling web of campus accommodation might mean for the town’s future.
Fun Storrs Fact
Slate Magazine bestowed upon Storrs the dubious honor of being the best place in the US to take shelter in during a natural disaster.
Which makes total sense.
Besides an unrelenting supply of Amazon deliveries and food and water, Indian food and beer are just about everything anybody needs to stay happy.
What To Do And See
The University of Connecticut
Codfish Falls
Where To Drink
Toast at Four Corners
Huskies’ Tavern — named after Uconn’s athletic teams
Where To .. Find Indian Food
Kathmandu Kitchen and Bar
Wing’s Express
