Hidden Gems of Hartford and Tolland Counties

FARMINGTON, CT — Today's installment of the Hidden Gems series is actually located on a busy state route, but its position at the bottom of a recessed driveway which also serves a pair of automotive businesses makes it possible to miss for those who have never been there before.

Carol's Lunchbox is located at 1365 Farmington Ave., or Route 4 in Farmington., in a small freestanding building which shares a parking lot with a Midas Muffler shop and Auto Plus Auto Parts. Owner Carol Wilusz has entertained audiences as a singer, performer and emcee throughout the state of Connecticut for many years, but she has also been involved in the restaurant industry in many capacities for over 30 years.

Her passion for food, particularly hot dogs, led to the creation of Carol's Lunchbox in May 2017. The takeout stand features locally made hot dogs, savory smoked kielbasa, plump and juicy bratwurst and spicy hot sausage, with a variety of toppings including a housemade hot pepper relish, green pickle relish, chopped onions and sauerkraut.

Wilusz said the most popular offering is a chili cheese dog. The Lunchbox was named "Best Hot Dog In the State" by Taste of Home magazine, and builder Kemper Associates was presented a HOBI Award in 2017 for "Best Tiny Commercial Building" by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut.

Carol's Lunchbox is open March through January from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Learn more at www.carolslunchbox.net.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.

Other columns in this series:

• Country Casuals
• Dakota Restaurant
• Country Cobbler
• Beau's Burger Shack
• Daniel Glazier Tavern
• Mount Southington Ski School
• Awards & More
• Marquis de Lafayette Monument
• The Little Red Store
• River Bend Bookshop
• Gerry's Donuts
• Traveler Restaurant
• First Decorated Christmas Tree
• The Stanley-Whitman House
• Vernon's Santa House
• Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut
• Old Country Banquet Hall
• Brazilian Gula Grill
• Thomas' Smokey Pit Stop
• Congregational Church of Burlington labyrinth
• Noah Webster House
• The Bushnell's Green Room Wall
• Belding Wildlife Management Area
• The Aborn Castle
• Heublein Tower
• Birthplace of Jonathan Edwards
• Grave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman Baker
• Jessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream Shack
• Shade Swamp Sanctuary
• Ken's Corner Breakfast & Lunch
• Tolland Red and White
• The Packing House
• Cold Harbor Seafood
• Nye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove Park
• Hosmer Mountain Soda Shack
• Connecticut Trolley Museum
• Matterhorn Mini Golf
• Wood Memorial Library & Museum
• Hastings Farm
• Liquid Nirvana
• Iwo Jima Survivors Memorial Park
• Academy Hall
• Southington Drive-In
• Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall
• Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets
• New England Civil War Museum
• The Pinchot Sycamore
• Stafford Palace Theater
• Mansfield Hollow State Park
• Old Tolland County Jail and Museum
• Hill-Stead Museum
• Mark's Restaurant