Tag Archives: Big Top

Friday Flashback #507

Posted on June 12, 2026 | 17 comments

Last month, we flashed back to Chubby Lane’s. Readers commented rapturously about the fantastic burgers at his 2 locations: Compo Beach (where the volleyball courts are now), and Post Road East (current site of Willows Pediatrics).

There was another great burger spot in that 1960s and ’70s era too.

We’ve written several times about Big Top. Today it’s McDonald’s. For a while it was Roy Rogers.

But back in the day, it rivaled Chubby’s.

If Chubby’s was the Beatles, Big Top was the Rolling Stones. You know — scruffier, edgier.

This is not our first time honoring Big Top.

But we’ve got a great new photo to show:

(Photo courtesy of Jim Roderick)

As soon as you’ve finished salivating, click “Comments” to share your Big Top memories.

(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

17 Comments

Posted in Friday Flashback, Restaurants

Tagged Big Top, Chubby Lane's

Friday Flashback #204

Posted on August 7, 2020 | 10 comments

Nothing I can say about this 1980s (?)-era map of Westport — sent by Jill Turner Odice, and showing the stretch of ~~the Post Road~~ State Street East from Playhouse Square toward the Southport line — will be as good as what readers will write in the Comments.

From still-established businesses (Organic Market! Sakura! Fortuna’s!), to legendary spots (Big Top! Boat Locker! Arnie’s Place!), on to the all-but-forgotten (Everything Personalized! Beethoven’s! Video Source!), this map evokes memories.

Click below, and let’s hear yours! (PS: Hover over or click on, to enlarge.)

(Map courtesy of Sean Byrnes)

10 Comments

Posted in Friday Flashback, Local business, Restaurants

Tagged Arnie's Place, Big Top, Westport 1980s

Friday Flashback #166

Posted on November 1, 2019 | 65 comments

Over its long history, Westport has seen thousands of restaurants come and go.

Everyone has favorites. Here are a few. Click “Comments” to add your own.

Allen’s Clam House was a great place for celebrations and dates. It was demolished more than a decade ago. The site is now the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.

(Photo courtesy of Dave Stalling)

The Big Top was a beloved hamburger place that attracted everyone: doctors, lawyers, businessmen, high school students, stoners and (very famously) Paul Newman. Today it’s McDonald’s. If that doesn’t say something…

Here it’s the Ocean House. For many years though it was Chubby Lane’s — the first $1 hamburger restaurant in town. The meat came from Charpentier’s butcher across the street, and it was fantastic. Today, this is the site of Willows Pediatrics.

Pearl’s was a longtime Riverside Avenue favorite. It’s easily recognized now, as Da Pietro’s.

Who can forget the Arrow? For years, the Nisticos’ restaurant defined Saugatuck. These days, it’s Mystic Market.

West Lake on Main Street was Westport’s first Chinese restaurant. It was considered to be quite exotic.

(Photo/Fred Cantor)

Originally a stagecoach stop in the 1700s, the Three Bears closed after many years. It’s been remodeled as Chabad of Westport.

The Three Bears, in its heyday. (Postcard/Cardcow.com)

The Clam Box drew diners for its seafood. The location — on the Post Road by the Sherwood Island Connector — did not hurt. It was later Bertucci’s; now the spot is shared by Shearwater Coffee, and soon-to-open Ignazio Pizza.