If you ever find yourself in Wallingford on 45th Street and you’re dying for an authentic, classic restaurant that will fill you up and not leave you broke, the Rusty Pelican Cafe is the place to be.

With more than 60 years of restaurant experience between them, the owners of the Rusty Pelican know how to satisfy their customers. They have a wide selection of food, from seafood to pastas, steak, burgers, fries (cooked in non-hydrogenated oil so there’s no trans fat or cholesterol), salads and pizzas, so it’s easy for a large group of people to be pleased.

Looking for a good Happy Hour? Rusty Pelican’s got you covered, with dozens of drinks like martinis and margaritas, countless fruit flavors and even some original mixtures like Heath Bar and chocolate chip cookie. From 3–6 p.m. and 9–11 p.m., burgers, pizzas and appetizers are all $2.50, with drink specials as well.

Normally, the prices aren’t incredibly cheap ($10-15 an entré), but the portions are well worth it. A $10 specialty chicken burger, with the works and a choice of either fries, one of the two soups of the day or one of the three salad options, is hard to finish.

If you’re feeling up to it, the desserts are amazing. For starters, they’re all homemade from scratch. Tip: If you like carrot cake, get it. The owner makes it every Monday, and on an average week, it’s gone by Wednesday, so time yourself accordingly if it sounds tasty. For chocolate lovers, there’s the brownie cake à la mode that’s heated and topped with whipped cream and easily shareable with your accompanying date or friends.

— Ben Schock