‘It’s a living piece of history’
Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant, a Bethel ‘icon,’ celebrates 75 years
At the Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking you’d be transported back to the 1950s, with its black-and-white tiled floor, neon signs, jukebox and retro-style tables, chairs and stools.
The restaurant, known for its steak burgers, root beer and classic car nights, celebrates 75 years in business this weekend.
“I love the Sycamore. It’s a living piece of history,” said Jennifer Larsen, who’s been a patron of the local landmark eatery on Greenwood Avenue since moving to Bethel 30 years ago. “Thanks to the Austin family for keeping history alive and delicious.”
The Sycamore first opened in 1948 and changed owners several times before Patrick Austin and his family took over.
“It’s because of the support from the town of Bethel and the surrounding area over the years that we’re still here and still successful,” said Austin, whose family has owned and operated the Sycamore DriveIn Restaurant since November 1997.
For its 75th anniversary, the Sycamore planned to host a celebratory event Saturday. Among those who planned to attend were First Selectman Dan Carter and state Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, D-Bethel, who Austin said would speak during the event.
“All of us and Bethel are so excited to see that Sycamore has made it to 75 years,” Carter said Wednesday. “It’s really been an icon of the Bethel community, and we’re wishing them 75 more good years.”
Austin said a few things have changed, but much about the restaurant has remained the same over the years.
“Our homemade root beer, French-style steak burgers and our milkshakes have stayed the
same, and we still use all premium products,” he said, noting that the recipes for the root beer and burgers were handed down from the restaurant’s original
owners.
While its menu has changed over the years with the addition of “more contemporary items” like salads, chicken tenders and
sandwich specials, Austin said the Sycamore’s steak burgers continue to be one of its most popular items.
“They’re unique because they’re French-style, so they’re thinner than a normal size burger but have a lot of flavor because it’s ground steak meat,” he said. “They’re really one of a kind. There’s nothing else really in Connecticut that compares.”
Larsen said she and her family are fans of the Dagwood burger, as well as other items on the Sycamore’s menu.
“Everyone loves the milkshakes — all flavors, but especially the black and white,” she said. “The fries are amazing … and you can’t go to the Sycamore without getting a homemade root beer.”
Austin said the Sycamore’s homemade root beer and handspun shakes are definitely popular.
“People come from all over for those,” he said.
Patricia Morin, a Massachusetts resident who grew up in Bethel, said she’s long been a fan of the Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant.
“My family would go there at times and when I was old enough to drive, my friends and I would hang out there during the weekends,” she said. “Their hamburgers were the best. Their grilled cheese would come in a close second, and I always loved to order the root beer floats.”
Morin said she moved to Massachusetts a few years ago but always makes time to go to the Sycamore when she visits family in Bethel.
“There are many happy memories for me at the Sycamore and I’m happy they are still there,” she said.
In addition to quality food at reasonable prices, the Sycamore hosts Summer Cruise Nights every Saturday, May through September.
“The 50s were really the heyday of car culture, and we stay true to that,” Austin said, noting that the Sycamore’s cruise nights “draw classic cars and customers from all over the state.”
Part of what separates the Sycamore from other restaurants is originality and authenticity, according to Austin, who said his goal has been to “stay true to the original core of what made the restaurant successful.”
“It’s old, but an original,” he said, noting that the booths and countertops in the Sycamore date back to 1948. “It’s kept its historic charm, and we’ve tried to keep it in the best shape possible. If it were modernized, I think it would lose its appeal and its uniqueness. We try to keep things original.”
Looking ahead to the future, Austin said he hopes the Sycamore will see another 75 years and believes it will happen with the community’s ongoing support.