Hidden Gems of North-Central Connecticut

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The latest excursion to a hidden gem in north-central Connecticut takes us to a neighborhood called Plantsville in the town of Southington.

It's the Little Red Store, an oasis of food, beverages and provisions in the shadow of Mount Shadow at 252 Marion Ave.

You'll see no signs for it approaching the Plantsville exit off Interstate-84, but, a short distance off the highway, amid a cluster of modest homes, there it will be. If you're a skier, snowboarder or even a parent in need of a quick pick-up, the Little Red Store is there.

There are also sandwiches ... sandwiches the public raves about.

Here is one testimonial on the store's Facebook page:

"Tried their sausage and peppers grinder today ... If the rest of their sandwiches are even half as good as this, I will never go to another "pizza shop" for a grinder as long as this place stays open ... Huge amount of meat and delicious sauce. Simply awesome."

Others echoed that sentiment by calling the sandwiches "generous."

____

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. 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:

• 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