South Windsor is currently in the midst of a business boom, with residents eagerly tracking the progress of several high-profile arrivals. The town’s culinary landscape is set for a major upgrade as popular franchises and independent start-ups alike prepare to debut their unique cuisines. As developers share more details on timelines and grand openings, the community’s excitement is palpable.
One of the many eatery options that has provoked attention is the popular Benson’s Bagels, signed to install their third location on 1014 Sullivan Ave, to the right of Subway. Additional locations of the franchise can be located in Springfield and Enfield, though the upcoming building in South Windsor is one of a kind as the bagel shop looks forward to offering an easily accessible drive through in early 2026.
Some of the most popular options at Benson’s Bagels include bacon egg and cheese sandwich, Benson’s loaded tots, buffalo chicken sandwich, various coffees and smoothies, steak and cheese wrap and bacon cheeseburgers. The shop also offers an extremely wide variety of bagel options anywhere from a classic plain to jalapeno and coconut.
“I am very excited that we are adding a new breakfast place that can be a place where I get to hang out with friends and eat delicious bagels,” South Windsor resident, Ava Parente, told The Prowl. “I think it will be a great option before and after school for students at South Windsor High School, since the building is so close to the school, to pick up something to enjoy. I think the drive through is a huge plus as well.”
Chester’s Fried Chicken is an additional eatery that is expected to come to the town of South Windsor in the near future. It has been announced this restaurant will be located inside the soon-to- open Phillips 66 gas station on 249 Oakland Road. Chester’s is known for their breaded chicken options and side dishes.
The notorious shopping center, Evergreen Walk, has continued to gain popularity with new coming companies and stores presenting themselves in unoccupied parts of the building. One of these, anticipated to be found on 5 Cedar Ave in replacement of the previous Moe’s, will be Qdoba Mexican Eats. The establishment recently filed for the building permits in hopes of having their grand opening in the summer of 2026.
This fresh-Mexican style food place has over 800 locations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico and over 15 in the Hartford-Springfield area. The customizable bowls, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tacos and salads are huge in popularity due to the wide variety of inclusions. The restaurant is easy for customers to create their meal for an every day meal, but they also have group and party options available as well.
Additionally, two new places are opening at 948 Sullivan Ave and 942 Sullivan Ave, which will be opening in 2026, with one of them opening in February and the other one, which has been under construction since 2024, but still plans to open. These new places are a coffee shop called the Wicked Press that will be open in February, and a Mexican restaurant called the Three Amigos Mexican Taqueria which is still under construction but is planned to open soon.
Additionally, a new pizza place is opening at 5 Cedar Ave, called Sally’s Apizza. There are additional locations of this franchise in Wethersfield, Farmington, New Haven, and Stamford CT. Sally’s Apizza serves a variety of pizza options, ranging from potato & rosemary special to Mozzarella & tomato sauce pie. Sally Apizza doesn’t just serve pizza, they also serve Italian specialties like Lasagna rollatini, rigatoni vodka, and eggplant parmesan.
South Windsor residents are delighted to welcome these new additions to the area. The restaurants have gained popularity on social media which will only increase as opening dates approach.
