The Three Forks Review

The Three Forks Review The Three Forks Review takes a thoughtful approach to evaluating dining spots

Now that it’s September, some will say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. For me, it’s still summer, though I can appr...
09/02/2026

Now that it’s September, some will say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. For me, it’s still summer, though I can appreciate the lovers of early autumn. 🍂

For years, a friend of ours has thrown the best Halloween gatherings. Not only is his yard decorated to the max, becoming a drive-by destination in itself, but there are so many other details he puts into the gathering that make it an event we look forward to each year. Among all of the cool Halloween snacks, he often has trays of delicious food from Bear's Smokehouse BBQ. So good that, for years, visiting Bear’s in person has been on my restaurant must-visit list.

We recently checked that box with a Saturday evening visit to Bear's Smokehouse BBQ in South Windsor, CT.
Bear’s is counter service, and with much of the food prepared ahead, service was quick. We were at our table with our food within minutes. The cashier was welcoming and cheerful, and with the pleasant weather, we chose to sit at the covered outdoor picnic tables. Both the indoor and outdoor spaces had a subtle country BBQ vibe.

I love BBQ and wanted to try everything on the menu! The Bear Attack is a combination plate that includes your choice of meat, macaroni & cheese, and cornbread. We tried one with brisket and another with pulled pork, along with an order of fries and pickles. There are a few varieties of bbq sauce to try as well.

The brisket was amazing — tender, with a nice smoked flavor and a generous portion. The meat is served on top of delicious, creamy mac & cheese, which sits on top of crumbled cornbread. The mac & cheese was a little lukewarm, but still flavorful and creamy. My dining mate enjoyed his pulled pork but was hoping for a bit more meat. The fries were hot, fresh, and had that homemade taste — definitely worth adding on.

Bear’s is a popular BBQ restaurant with several locations, and we really enjoyed the brisket, fries, mac & cheese, and creative menu offerings. For this visit, Bear’s receives 2 out of 3 forks, but I think a few small tweaks could easily bump that rating up on our next visit.

The biggest opportunity was simply making the restaurant easier to spot. With the building and exterior appearing quite dark when we arrived at 7:00pm, turning on some additional outside and roadside lights would make it much clearer that the restaurant is open. While we were dining outside around 7:20, the main dining room lights were turned off. While I’m sure this was simply part of getting ready to close at 8:00pm, it did make me feel a little rushed.

Overall, we enjoyed our visit and finally got to experience a place that had been on my must-visit list for years. I’d love to check out the Windsor or Hartford locations next, and Bear Balls, Spicy Cheese Curds, and Moink Balls are definitely on my list for the next visit!

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09/01/2026

As August slips away into a moment in time… reminiscing on some Cape Cod moments

🌳 Located in Sunderland, Mass., BridgeSide Grille is a lovely spot to meet up with friends for an enjoyable meal. Servin...
08/29/2026

🌳 Located in Sunderland, Mass., BridgeSide Grille is a lovely spot to meet up with friends for an enjoyable meal. Serving pub fare with fresh, local ingredients in an elevated atmosphere, the setting is inviting, with open areas, twinkling white lights, a stylish bar area, and a seasonal outdoor patio.

A Blueberry Lemon Drop started off our meal — icy cold, tart, with a hint of blueberry and a sugar-sweet rim.

There were many delicious sounding appetizers to try, and we went with the Gorgonzola Bread: a crunchy toasted Italian bread with garlic butter, Gorgonzola and Parmesan cheese, finished with a drizzle of honey. Surprisingly amazing, with such a creative mix of flavors. Definitely a must-order.

The Blue Maple Burger was topped with maple-caramelized onions, a bleu cheese blend, and bacon, served on a grilled roll. A good burger, and our only wish might have been for a stronger maple and bleu cheese flavor to come through. The homemade chips served with our burger, which we dipped in the side of aioli, were outstanding.

The Turkey Ciabatta sandwich was stuffed with slices of turkey, lettuce, avocado, bacon, and a garlic aioli. A nice summer sandwich served with fries. The Lobster Roll was overflowing with fresh lobster meat and plenty of golden fries.

The Crispy Chicken Sandwich was a large, crispy fried, breaded chicken breast topped with a secret sauce, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes on a grilled roll. The first few bites were so enjoyable and the chicken was very delicious. As it can sometimes happen, the heat of the freshly fried chicken steamed the roll quickly and caused it to lose its strength to hold the inner parts of the sandwich resulting in more of a fork and knife sandwich. The side salad topped with a creamy Gorgonzola dressing was a nice option.

Dining at Bridgeside was relaxing, with plenty of time to enjoy catching up with our dining party without feeling rushed. The server was very attentive, and the atmosphere was, dare I say, kinda romantic if it was date night.

Overall, Bridgeside Grille offers a welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, and a menu with some creative standouts — especially that Gorgonzola bread and those homemade chips. It’s a comfortable spot where you can settle in, enjoy a good meal, and actually take your time.

The Three Forks Review awards 2.5 out of 3 forks to Bridgeside Grille.

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🦞 Each year when we visit the Cape, I love hitting the stretch of Route 6 once you get to Eastham. To me, I always feel ...
08/28/2026

🦞 Each year when we visit the Cape, I love hitting the stretch of Route 6 once you get to Eastham. To me, I always feel a shift in the energy of the Cape into a more relaxed vibe. The National Seashore visitor center signs come into view, the businesses seem more spaced out, and familiar favorites begin to appear. So many spots instantly bring back memories of vacations past, making me realize how special visiting the Cape continues to be over the years.

Our family has fond memories at PJ's Family Restaurant in Wellfleet, and we hadn’t stopped for a meal there on the last several trips. With easy access right on Route 6, PJ’s gives you that classic New England roadside stand charm. Family-owned since 1971, this well-known Cape Cod staple serves all the crowd-pleasers, from seafood to chicken tenders to ice cream.

Whether you’re ordering outside at the window or indoors at the counter, PJ’s is a fun, vacation-worthy dining experience for small or large groups. Our party of 10 easily found seating together inside and placed our orders at the counter very quickly. The staff was friendly and helpful, and before long, our table was filled with exactly the kind of food you hope to find on a Cape Cod vacation.

One of the teens in our group had the goal of trying a lobster dinner while on vacation. With the bib proudly tied, he cracked and hacked all the lobster meat to meet its end in the warm, melted butter. Served with a baked potato and corn on the cob, he survived his first lobster dinner—and even had the battle scars to show for it (tiny bits of lobster on his arm and eyelid 😂).

The other teen in our group chose the path of a landlubber and went with the chicken tenders platter, served with fries, coleslaw, and dipping sauce. The tenders were lightly breaded, fried golden, and juicy inside.

The fried Wellfleet clam strips were crispy on the outside and tender inside. The Creole Fishwich was a generous-sized sandwich with a nicely fried fish topped with Creole sauce and served with golden fries.

Further down the table, more lobster was enjoyed along with a delicious fried seafood platter served with whole belly clams, scallops, shrimp, fish, fries, coleslaw, and an added cup of creamy clam chowder. Everything tasted exactly how we expected—delicious!

When you’re looking for great seafood on the Cape, PJ’s is a great spot to visit. It’s the kind of place that fits right into a Cape Cod vacation—casual, family-friendly, nostalgic, and filled with the classic foods everyone seems to be craving. My only regret? Running out of room for ice cream. 🍦

For a great meal when seafood (or chicken tenders!) is on your mind and you’re looking for that classic Cape Cod summer stand vibe, the Three Forks Review awards 3 out of 3 forks to PJ’s. 🍴🍴🍴

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We are about halfway through our Cape Cod edition of restaurant reviews! More reviews to follow that take us around the...
08/27/2026

We are about halfway through our Cape Cod edition of restaurant reviews! More reviews to follow that take us around the lower and outer Cape 🦞 🍷 🍕 🐟

If you could enjoy a seaside dinner tonight, what would you be ordering?

☕️ After souvenir shopping ’til we dropped at Cuffy’s on a rainy, busy summer day, the best kind of pick-me-up to rechar...
08/26/2026

☕️ After souvenir shopping ’til we dropped at Cuffy’s on a rainy, busy summer day, the best kind of pick-me-up to recharge is a nice iced coffee. Lucky for us, we were very close to Three Fins Coffee Roasters in Dennis, Mass.

Upon entering, the large space gives off a relaxing coastal coffee warehouse vibe. With cool chalk drawings on the walls, baked goods, both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as plenty of coffee to stock up on, we were in love with this coffee house. The coffee aroma that greets you upon entering was heavenly, which makes sense since here they brew top-graded, small-batch, fair-trade coffee. Rocket espresso machines, which are handcrafted in Milan, Italy, proudly greet you at the counter.

The summer specials board immediately caught our eye upon entering. Each one sounded enticing, but it was the Almond Joy Iced Latte that was our choice — espresso blended with Mexican spice, mocha, coconut, and almond flavor. It was a great pick-me-up after a busy day of shopping and touring lighthouses.

We didn’t get a chance to try any of the baked goods, but when you’re in need of a good coffee pit stop, be sure to check out Three Fins.

For our short visit, the Three Forks Review awards 2.5 out of 3 forks

🌭 One of my favorite parts of visiting Provincetown is strolling along Commercial Street. I love popping into the variou...
08/25/2026

🌭 One of my favorite parts of visiting Provincetown is strolling along Commercial Street. I love popping into the various shops, visiting the little art alley, and making my way to the pier to see all of the boats and check out the art shops (be sure to check out Irene Lynch's Cape Cod Art — I really enjoy following her on social media and seeing the day-to-day life of a Cape Cod artist, as well as her beautiful paintings). The charm of the red neon lights of the Lobster Pot, picking out which ice cream shop to visit later, and of course enjoying the scene, makes for a really fun few hours.

There is one seasonal outdoor counter spot that gives that classic seaside vibe — John's Footlong. There are nearby benches or a small, hidden upstairs seating area. Our family enjoys stopping here, as there is something for everyone and the prices are reasonable.

On our recent visit, we enjoyed a variety of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, fries, and a linguica roll, which is a Portuguese pork sausage grilled and served in a grilled New England-style hot dog roll (the elite and only acceptable kind of hot dog roll).

Our group of five enjoyed the upstairs, umbrella-covered tables to take a break from walking and the bustle of Commercial Street.

John’s is a classic spot for a quick, easy bite that fits perfectly into exploring the vibrant and fun downtown area of Provincetown. The food is always good, and it’s an enjoyable spot to visit.

The Three Forks Review awards 2.5 out of 3 forks to John’s.

🍴 A rainy Saturday morning calls for going out for breakfast. If you’re looking for a classic New England spot, be sure ...
08/24/2026

🍴 A rainy Saturday morning calls for going out for breakfast. If you’re looking for a classic New England spot, be sure to plan a visit to Homeport Restaurant in Orleans, Mass., on the Cape.

Homeport has been serving up breakfast and lunch for more than 50 years. With a homey, cozy setting, there is something comforting and familiar about dining at Homeport, even if it’s your first visit. The tables in our section were tucked in close together, and the quarters are tight.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a Bloody Mary with your breakfast, two of my dining mates declared this was “probably the best one they’ve ever had.” Simple, classic and good.

Everyone in our group enjoyed their meals, which tasted like freshly prepared, home-cooked breakfasts.

Homeport’s Hearty Breakfast comes with a short stack of pancakes, three farm-fresh eggs, toast, home fries and corned beef hash.

Noah’s Two by Two comes with two eggs, two pancakes, bacon, home fries and toast.

The Breakfast Cheeseburger is a charbroiled cheeseburger served with an over-hard egg and bacon, along with a side of home fries.

You’ll find plenty of classic, good breakfast food at Homeport. The menu also has some tempting items we’ll have to try next time, such as the Cinnamon Croissant French Toast and Apple Crisp French Toast.

The service is friendly, with staff working hard to move lots of customers from the waiting list to the tables. Overall, Homeport is a cozy and comfortable dining spot we’d happily revisit. The Three Forks Review awards 2.5 out of 3 forks to Homeport.

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08/24/2026

For a full review of one of our favorite spots on the Cape, please check out our page

🦞 When visiting the Cape, the Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis, Mass., is a must-do on vacation. Not only do you get waterfr...
08/24/2026

🦞 When visiting the Cape, the Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis, Mass., is a must-do on vacation. Not only do you get waterfront dining, but there is a bit of seaside magic about finding this seafood shack, somewhat tucked behind and hidden in the boatyard and marina. Decked out in buoys and lobster traps, this is quintessential Cape Cod restaurant vibes at their best.

After ordering inside, head outside for an umbrella-covered picnic table with lovely water views. Around the back is the raw bar order counter, if you are looking for oysters on the half shell or clam chowder.

While enjoying the view and awaiting our meal, we enjoyed a hot cup of clam chowder—creamy, with nice bits of clams and potatoes.

The Cape Cod Reuben was a hearty and tasty sandwich with fried haddock topped with Swiss cheese, tartar sauce, and coleslaw, served on a toasted bulkie roll.

The Fish Sandwich platter is served with fries and coleslaw. More delicious fried haddock on a roll with tartar sauce, tomato, lettuce, and onion.

On our family vacation, we had a younger diner who hadn’t tried much seafood before and decided to be adventurous since we were in the ideal setting to try something new. The Fried Shrimp Platter was a success, with golden, large shrimp served on a bed of French fries with a side of coleslaw. Fresh lemon wedges squeezed on the shrimp were his preference over cocktail sauce.

Next up—Whole Belly Clams. More mounds of crispy fried seafood perfection. Fresh, tender, and flavorful.

No trip to the Cape feels complete without a visit to Sesuit Harbor Cafe. For fresh and delicious seafood, a classic seaside setting, and waterfront views, it’s no surprise The Three Forks Review awards 3 out of 3 forks to Sesuit Harbor Cafe.

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