New Restaurant Opening At Former TGI Fridays In Hamden: Report

HAMDEN, CT — A new Chinese restaurant chain will open in the former TGI Fridays on Dixwell Avenue, according to the Connecticut Scoop.

The Connecticut Scoop reports Ugly Dumpling will occupy 6,380-square feet at the former TGI Fridays at 2335 Dixwell Ave. TGI Fridays abruptly closed in early January.

An opening date hasn't been set, according to the Connecticut Scoop.

Ugly Dumpling serves “local recipes inspired by the bustling streets of Shanghai,” according to its Facebook page. One of the Ugly Dumpling specialties is its Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings).

“From a modest street snack to a statement dish representing Chinese culinary culture in the world stage, the history of Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings) resembles the tale of an ugly duckling turning into a swan,” reads a post on the Ugly Dumpling website. “At Ugly Dumpling, our commitment is to go beyond its boundaries and cultivate a new gastronomic journey, with the most authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine blended with contemporary creativity and a little extra imagination.”

Ugly Dumpling currently has two restaurants open in New Jersey, with several other locations planned.

Read more about Ugly Dumpling at its website here, and on Facebook here.

Read the full post at the Connecticut Scoop here.