Restaurant recommendations in central MA?

[rmd]

Anyone have a recommendation for a restaurant for a party of about a dozen, very close to an exit on the Mass Pike, ideally around Sturbridge?

Sorry, taking 84 to Rein's is RIGHT OUT.

Comments

[schmengie.livejournal.com]

i had a nice meal here a few years back but i see it has changed ownership since then...was very cozy
http://www.theducksturbridge.com/

[muffyjo]

As a big fan of the mini sundaes at Applebees I would mention they are RIGHT off the turnpike there in "The Center at Hobbs Brook" but I can't say I would recommend them as a general rule. For that matter, they have an Unos there as well. And they suit the location/group needs if what you are looking for is simply a stop-over/gathering place.

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

What kind of food / price range?

There is always Cracker Barrel ...

[wrog]

The Howard Johnson's in Sturbridge was always a landmark on our trips back and forth between NJ and Maine (where my oldest brother went to college). It was one of the better ones and we'd usually try to stop there for lunch or dinner if we could.

Never mind that this was, like, 1975, and this place was not one of the 3 or 4 that survived the collapse of the franchise in the mid-80s. Oh well.

[frotz.livejournal.com]

The Sturbridge Coffee House is awesome (for food and drink) and has a bunch of space as well. Downside is that they close up mid-evening so it's not a great lingering dinner spot.