Restaurant Junction - New London, Connecticut

Jason M. (.

Really not sure how to feel about it, kind of bewildering. We were curious because the sign showed so many (seemingly) separate restaurants but all in one building. I’ve lived in New London for decades so I’ve watched this place go from Outback, to Shaking Crab and now this. With how many puppet restaurants have popped up on UberEats where say a Chili’s is also a “It’s Just Wings”, or Gus’s Pizza is also “Cupid’s Wings” and “Juicy’s Cheesesteaks” and “the hot Italian” and “freaking good pizza”… we thought maybe this was similar. It was not what we expected.

To start, the staff were all very nice, attentive, and answered the questions we had.

I ordered the “Fisherman’s Punch Series” that they say has: Captain Morgan, Malibu Coconut, blue Curaçao, and House Mix… but it was basically just blue juice. Came in an awkward fish shaped glass mug with no handle, two hand lift essentially. And the usual Swedish fish dropped in. Again, near zero alcohol, if any, for $10.

We ordered some items from the “Rice Bowl” section (hot & sour soup, chicken rice bowl, paneer rice bowl) and a couple from the “Cocina de Mama” section (fish taco and chicken tostada). But as we read the Google reviews we became increasingly concerned about what we got ourselves into. 7 reviews had all come from 22hrs prior, all very robotic or just copy/paste from an ad and written mostly by accounts with very few reviews. Some are written in the first person as if the restaurant was writing it but not disclosing it and then there’s a response from the official account of “thanks for the positive feedback”, lol. Their website shows crossed out higher prices to show the actual on the menu. Menu is like a magazine glossy paper, and all the blue lights made it hard to photograph.

The Hot & Sour soup was not bad, the garlic chunks seemed larger than you’d expect, and while my partner didn’t share the same feeling I thought it tasted like the Thai chili sauce I’ve had on wings but add water to turn it into a soup. There was lots of veggies, didn’t seem like they were cooked with the broth - likely just how they make it. It would work pretty well as a spicy alternative to the normal chicken noodle for a sick day.

The rice bowls were more like platters in that you get what you’d expect at a Thai place, sauce with protein and white rice. This white rice was very bland and kinda mangled. The Royal Punjabi in Norwich has much better flavor complimenting what you scoop into it, and the texture is better. But the flavor of the sauce was very good, definitely a medium spice level (they didn’t ask us for what level we wanted) and was exactly the same for both platters. We asked what level it was and she said that was the normal recipe and it’s mild… which was surprising. They were in a wide bowl, but just not at all matching the image on the page. The chicken was really really good, tender, flavorful, etc. it’s what you’d expect to get if you ordered Chicken curry… so our expectations and images they showed us just didn’t match. Digging deeper into their website I found the rice bowl section does have a better representative image of what they give.

The fish taco had more fish strips than expected, can’t explain it but they tasted kind of “airy”, but in general it was good and would get it again if it gets a little cheaper, $5 for one street sized taco is a bit high. The tostada was also pretty good, same sauce on top as the taco, $3 is a good price for this.

A few places on the menu were eye popping with regards to the item and price, $12 for 16oz of “fresh squeezed juice”?

The place didn’t really have a cohesive decorating theme, I’m sure it must be hard to mix so many cultures together. Apparently they’re a night club too? Big empty dance floor. It was adequately cleaned, with the exception of our shoes sticking to the ground as we walked out of the bathroom.

For now, maybe we’ll try again for takeout, but it’s going to be a while for dine-in. I hope things improve soon, sorry for the quality of the menu pictures, the blue lights were overwhelming.

Becca F.

Let me just start by saying the food is SO good you could find Jesus in it. I happened to stumble upon this place, searching for food in maps. I looked at the menu and ordered to-go. I was DELIGHTED to see that I could get seafood, pasta, burgers, Indian and spanish cuisine, as well as Ramen and milk/Boba tea ALL in the same place! There was even pigeon pea rice on the menu! After a difficult decision, I ordered Shrimp Mofungo. It came with probably the BEST salad I've ever had. I am quite particular about my greens, often picking out a lot of pieces. However, I ate every single leaf and vegetable in that delicious thing. And the Mofungo was SO good, I forgot to eat the shrimp with it. Not to mention, when I was done, I discovered there was sauce! Right next to it! 😂 Hands down, the best take out dish I have EVER ordered. Best decision EVER. I will DEFINITELY be returning. Frequently. I am eager to order a drink from the bar next time!

K G.

Beautiful place and everyone was extremely nice and welcoming .Food was delicious and very good prices. We had the chicken tostadas and they were delicious. We also had the chicken mofongo we asked if they could make it without the pork and they did and it was delicious as well ,very good portions and price. We were extremely excited to see the robotic servers. Very cool place to come to , we will definitely come back here with the whole family . Very friendly staff.

Ravish M.

We all had a great time I went with my family and my friends family . The food was super delicious what we all were waiting to have in new London it's had been so many years that we were finding a better place but we could not . We also visited Mirchi masala but the Indian food taste was not what we expected but restaurant junction reached out stands.
Recommended dishes (must try)
1) grilled salmon salad ( if you are a health freak)
2) chilly chicken bowl ( if you like something in spicy)
3) hummus with pita bread
4)chicken mofongo
5) BBQ bacon burger
6) pork chop
They also server alcohol so we tried couple of cocktails fishmans punch series &
For kids bubble tea
They also have seating outside on request basis.

Allison W.

Seriously one of the best food and relaxing place ever!!!! What an absolutely brilliant concept. Three of us relaxed and enjoyed multiple selections for well over 2 hrs. Excellent staff. We ended up leaving with some Dry Butter Paneer that was to die for! Try this place. You wont be disappointed.

Krystal R.

This place was a pleasant surprise with a wide variety of choices. My family and I were a large group of 12 and the staff were very accommodating as well as friendly. The food was delicious and so worth it. We arrived late and had a large order but we were not rushed out and we're allowed to enjoy our meals. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a place to eat but not sure what to eat, this place has it all. We had everything from burgers, pasta, fries, to seafood broils.

Hrithik R.

I have visited this amazing restaurant with my friends and we had a very delightful experience.
The menu boasts a delightful fusion of flavors, expertly crafted to cater to diverse palates.The appetizers are a true revelation, offering a perfect balance of textures and tastes. From the crispy calamari to the mouthwatering scallops, each bite is a journey of taste sensations.

The main courses showcase the chef's special, with options that range from delectable seafood creations to hearty meat dishes. The pan-seared salmon is a standout, beautifully cooked and accompanied by a medley of seasonal vegetables that add a burst of color to the plate. For meat lovers, the perfectly grilled ribeye steak is a carnivore's dream, tender and full of robust flavors.

Restaurant Junction's commitment to using locally sourced ingredients is evident in every bite, enhancing the overall dining experience. The attentive staff adds to the charm, ensuring your needs are met with warmth and professionalism.

Don't forget to save room for dessert! The dessert offerings are a sweet conclusion to your meal, with options like the decadent chocolate lava cake or the rice pudding, all of which provide a delightful ending to your culinary journey.

The Restaurant Junction is a true blend of innovative dishes with a cozy ambiance and impeccable service. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, this is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and anyone looking to indulge in a remarkable culinary adventure."

Moon F. M.

Duped by fake five star reviews. Chicken mofongo. Tasted like the chicken was off, the plantain patty was dry and strange, the side salad tasted like greek salad which was weird. It was small and kind of soggy. My kids liked the chicken tenders though. I should have known when we pulled into the parking lot and there was just one car at 5:30 on a Sunday night. The place was empty except for one table. It smelled like air freshener and felt really depressing. The man working there was nice. Hard to go by Google maps when you're on a road trip. Can cross this place off the list. Bummed i don't have anything to eat for dinner. Pretzels for me....