'A Taste of Kaynor' at Kaynor Tech in Waterbury

One of my favorite things to do during school vacation weeks that don't coincide with the state technical high school calendar is to visit Kaynor Tech's public dining room called A Taste of Kaynor for lunch. I decided to celebrate my birthday this year by dining there with my youngest son.

In the old Kaynor Tech building, the restaurant was housed in a large room that was hung with black drapery (a la a black box theatre... and there is my theatre connection!) A very long time ago, I took my newborn son in his car seat along with me to lunch when my oldest son was attending Kaynor to be a machinist. The chef/instructor came out of the kitchen to check in with every one of the diners. It is usually a mix of senior citizens and faculty members. Now I returned with the aforementioned "newborn" in tow; he is currently an eighth grader with a much larger appetite and his other older brother is at Kaynor studying to be an electrician.

In the beautiful new school building, the culinary department has been given a well-planned location that has the look of a small informal restaurant with carefully chosen wooden tables and chairs, unique white china with matching flatwear and black linen napkins. A new chef/instructor is still a presence in the dining room; the students fill all the necessary positions in restaurant operations with professionalism.

And then there is the wonderful food. The menu changes daily. Guests order from a printed menu and special needs can be noted right on it. Fresh baked rolls promptly arrive. Three entrees are offered, as well as salads, soups, specials, two sandwiches and two desserts. The entrees on the day I visited were bacon wrapped meat loaf topped with sauce and onion rings and served with mashed potatoes and green beans (all for $4.75), baked macaroni (rigatoni) and cheese served with a side salad (for $3.50), and roasted pork loin topped with a demi-glace served with the potatoes and beans (for $4.50).

Last year I tasted the special grilled chicken breast salad on a huge roll (for $4.75) and it was delicious. The additional two sandwiches offered this day were a ham club served with fries and a spicy southwest chicken sandwich. The two desserts du jour were rice pudding and chocolate chip cookies. The chef makes certain that every dish leaving the kitchen is perfect and the students take good care of the patrons.

Clearly you can't beat the price; the entire bill for my son's club sandwich and my mac and cheese was exactly $10. Neither one of us could finish our lunches and we came home with styrofoam carriers. The menu indicates that you can call in your order if you wish and I saw some patrons carrying out. I wish that the school website better publicized A Taste of Kaynor as it does the other services that it offers to the public. If I were webmaster, I would have the daily menu uploaded.

If you decide to try one of Waterbury's best-kept secrets (and I highly recommend that you do,) bring your appetite. Try one of the entrees, especially if there is a fish dish offered.

The lovely Kaynor Tech public dining room is called A Taste of Kaynor and is open during the school year. Hours are Tuesday - Friday 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bookings are available for up to 50 people. You can call the school at 203 596-4302 ext. 340 to find out more.

Kaynor Technical High School is located at 43 Tompkins Street, Waterbury, Connecticut 06708. From Naugatuck, take Route 8 North, bear left on Route 73, Exit 35. Continue on Route 73 past two (2) traffic lights; at the second traffic light take a right. At the first stop sign, turn left and school entrance is on the right.

Parking is a bit of an issue because school is in session; I recommend that one drive around to the back of the school and enter through the back entrance to the main office. Sign in at the security table and take a right towards the cafeteria. Look for the door that says Public Dining Room.