Ground Round Grill and Bar in Mystic, Connecticut

The famous free popcorn, large movie screens, and movie memorabilia that once made The Ground Round Grill and Bar stand out are gone but me and my girlfriend agreed the food was good at a recent visit to The Ground Round Grill and Bar in Mystic, Connecticut. I ordered the Chopped Steak and she ordered the Sirloin Steak and both steaks were cooked the way we ordered them and while the restaurant does not have steak to the quality of Outback Steakhouse, it is more reminiscent of Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday.

While the service was a little bit slow, the waitress was nice and did come back to check on our orders.

The restaurant is located at 9 Whitehall Avenue in Mystic inside the Best Western Hotel near the exit 90 Interstate 95 ramps.

A connection allows hotel guests to walk to the restaurant without walking outside and parking for the restaurant is separate from the hotel guest designated parking.

The restaurant and hotel are not far from Mystic attractions like Olde Mystic Village, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Factory Outlet, and Mystic Aquarium.

As a child, I remember dining at The Ground Round Grill and Bar in Groton, CT which had a unique atmosphere oriented toward families with cartoons playing on a large screen and free fresh delicious popcorn delivered to your table.

In fact, the restaurant chain first started operations back in 1969.

Those aspects made The Ground Round Grill and Bar stand out and unfortunately The Ground Round Grill and Bar has transformed into a more "adult" restaurant making the chain blend in with other popular restaurant chains.

Specifically, I noticed the menu features more alcoholic beverages than in years past including a complete selection of bottled and draft beer, wine by the glass, and specialty drinks varying from margaritas to Long Island iced teas.

Non-alcoholic beverages consist of lemonades, smoothies, milkshakes, raspberry iced tea, regular iced tea, and soda.

In Mystic, one enters the restaurant and sees a kiddy claw machine and, directly straight ahead, the bar/lounge with full menu service and eight televisions.