Branford Rotary Club's Fundraiser Braffle Is Back, Bigger Than Ever

BRANFORD, CT — After selling out its first four years and raising more than $200,000, the Branford Rotary’s restaurant raffle, Braffle, is back. And for its fifth year, organizers said the town's largest fundraiser is "bigger than ever."

Last year, there were 50 participating restaurants, this year there are 55. "In fact, name a Branford restaurant, and they’re probably in Braffle," a Rotary news release noted. "And with more restaurants, the absurd prizes become even more, well, absurd."

*Absurd Grand Prize: $5,500 in gift cards to each of 55 Branford restaurants.
*Ridiculous Second Prize: $2,750 in gift cards to 55 Branford restaurants.
*Somewhat Reasonable 3rd-10th Prizes: a $100 gift card to the restaurant of your choice.

The gift cards do not expire.

"Braffle is the wildest, most fantastic thing," said Vincent Valentino, winner of the Absurd Grand Prize in 2024. "I won $100 gift cards to 50 restaurants, and I still haven’t gotten through them all. I’ve taken friends out to dinner, I’ve given some away, but there are so many. I tell people, Braffle is good for the community, it’s good for restaurants, and even before I won, I thought Braffle was the greatest thing ever."

Braffle tickets, $25 each, are available now at Braffle.org.

The majority of the proceeds to go Branford Counseling & Community Services’ Basic Needs program, which helps families in need with food, rent, and utilities.

In other words, every ticket bought is a win for Branford.

"Rotary is so grateful to the people of Branford and the surrounding area who buy Braffle tickets, not just to try and win, but to help their neighbors in need," said Branford Rotary President Ellen Carucci. "Since the first Braffle, we’ve raised more than $200,000, and this year we can pass a quarter-million-dollars! It’s kind of a crazy number."

Want another crazy number? The first- and second-prize winners for Braffle 2025 will be able to eat in a different Branford restaurant every month until late 2029, the Rotary Club noted.

But get in early, the Rotary Club advised: Braffle’s 2,500 tickets have historically sold out in just two weeks.

The Braffle drawing will be held May 8 at 6 p.m. at The Stand restaurant, 196 S. Montowese St., and will be and live-streamed at Braffle.org and on Branford Rotary’s Facebook page. First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove will once again pull the winning numbers.

The 2025 Braffle restaurants are:

* Lockworks Tavern

* Rossitto’s

* Pasta Cosi

* The Stand

* Bui

* Arturo’s

* Eli’s

* Rosso Vino

* Marco’s

* Saltbrick Prime Steakhouse

* Thimble Island Brewery

* Doma

* Takumi

* Indian Neck Pizza

* Nellie’s

* The Eel Pot

* Guacamole’s

* Dockside

* Kampai

* Siam Orchid

* Longley’s

* Breakfast Connections

* Pearl Wine Bar

* Tommy Sullivan’s

* Home

* GW Carson’s

* Capone’s

* Lenny’s

* Cafe Fiore

* Darbar India

* 9 East

* Nonna Gina’s

* Shoreline Café

* Il Forno

* Pacileo’s

* Crostini

* Parthenon Diner

* Genaro’s

* The Essex

* Little Riggs

* P&M Deli

* Lomonaco’s

* La Luna

* The Oxford

* Jalapeno Heaven

* Ashley’s

* Mi Bella

* Sky Diner

* China Garden

* P&M Deli

* Branford Townhouse

*Kamana

* Archie Moore’s

* Hornet’s Nest

* The Tasty Yolk *