Taste 2 Towns is back for its fourth year in Mansfield and Windham, Conn. At 20 restaurants, from now through Feb. 9, you can find takeout deals for $10, alongside fixed-price meals and platters between $25 and $45 highlighting each restaurant’s best options.
This restaurant week is a collaboration between the towns of Mansfield and Windham, the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and the Windham Downtown Neighborhood Association.
“I find it a really supportive community, business wise,” said Todd Unkefer, owner of TaCo, Connecticut Magazine’s Hidden Gem of 2025, which is located at 871 Stafford Road in Mansfield.
Unkefer said that he joined Taste 2 Towns because it was about supporting the town.
Unkefer added, “They do a lot locally, and the downtown partnership, it’s also nice to see an effort,” added Unkefer. “It’s nice to see that, from the administration, the mayor and the downtown partnership, they all support, [and] the mayor eats lunch in [TaCo] frequently.”
Windham Town Manager Jim Bellano mentioned that the first few months of the new year are often slow for business.
“Considering that January and February are typically a slower time for restaurants due to the post-holiday hangover,” said Bellano. “In that respect, Taste 2 Towns provides a necessary boost to local restaurants during this time.”
TaCo’s menu item this year is a $30 sampler of almost everything Unkefer has to offer. His option includes six tacos, a side of rice and beans, chips and pico and three cups of Mexican hot chocolate.
TaCo first joined Taste 2 Towns last year, before Unkefer said he even had a sign out, and his previous menu item of eight tacos for $30 went better than expected.
“[Taste 2 Towns] encourages people to try things they may not notice,” said Unkefer.
Taste 2 Towns isn’t just a benefit for the restaurants. The deals also bring attention to the businesses around them.
“I think it’s great for us to do that for businesses around, get recognized, from everybody, and that helps out a lot of stuff,” said Khaldoun Mahmoud, owner of the Gansett Wraps in Downtown Storrs.
According to Mahmoud, his special menu hasn’t changed since the start of Taste 2 Towns.
“My menu option, because I’m a takeout [restaurant], has stayed the same,” Mahmoud added. “Actually, people ask for the special in the middle of the summer or whatever, but we don’t have it. I keep it just for this date.”
The $35 platter at Gansett Wraps has “a blend of everything [the restaurant has]. You can sample everything Mediterranean when you get that plate,” said Mahmoud.
Bellano also talked about the benefits for nearby businesses.
“By bringing ‘feet to the street’ for the Taste 2 Towns event, other businesses near and adjacent to the restaurants can see additional foot traffic,” said Bellano.
Cheryl Preston, founder and head baker at A Cupcake for Later, located on Main Street, agrees that businesses can benefit.
Preston said she joined Taste 2 Towns when it first started because she knew it would be good for all businesses.
“You never know, people might want to come for a cupcake and find dinner somewhere,” added Preston.
Bellano commented on the way this event benefits both towns.
“It is a positive to work regionally with a neighboring town,” stated Bellano. “We don’t live in a vacuum and people seek out restaurant options without particularly thinking about geography. This is a way to highlight restaurants in two towns that people tend to frequent seamlessly.”
Preston agreed that Taste 2 Towns was an event about collaboration.
“I think we all work well together, we all complement each other and what we do,” said Preston.
Preston mentioned that Eastern Connecticut State University and UConn students should visit Windham’s Main Street area more.
“College students, get down to Main Street, come show us some love,” said Preston.
Unkefer said that Taste 2 Towns is good as a collaborative community effort to engage students in local businesses.
You can find more information about each participating restaurant and their menus at Taste2Towns.com.