QUIET CORNER BUZZ FIELD GUIDE
I've always said some of the best food around the Quiet Corner comes from places you'd never think to stop. A family-owned feed store serving an incredible Italian grinder? A little market turning out sandwiches that rival dedicated delis? That's what makes exploring this part of Connecticut so much fun.
We went looking across Windham and Tolland counties for 21 sandwiches worth getting excited about. Some come from longtime favorites, others from little spots hiding in plain sight. There are the classics, a few creative combinations, and some places you might not even realize serve sandwiches. Plus, readers sent in four more spots worth adding to your lunch list.
Fair warning: You might want to eat before reading this one. And if we missed your favorite, make sure you tell us!
These picks are based on local suggestions and published menus unless noted otherwise. I personally tried the spicy Italian at G.M. Thompson & Sons. Menus and specials can change, so double-check before you head out.
Jump to a category
The Classics (1–7)|Hidden Gems (8–14)|Something Different (15–21)|Reader Picks (+4)
The Classics & Local Legends
Old-school grinders, legendary delis, and sandwiches that have earned their reputation.
1. G.M. Thompson & Sons | Mansfield Depot
ORDER THIS: Spicy Italian Grinder
FIND IT: 54 Middle Turnpike, Mansfield Depot, CT
If you told me one of the best sandwiches around would come from a store selling animal feed, hardware, and farm supplies, I probably wouldn't believe you. But here we are. I recently grabbed the spicy Italian from this family-owned shop, and it was fantastic. Great local bread, quality meats, and plenty of flavor. It's exactly the kind of unexpected find that makes exploring the Quiet Corner worthwhile. Don't drive past this place just because you aren't shopping for chicken feed.
2. DiFiore Ravioli Shop | Ellington
ORDER THIS: Chicken Cutlet
FIND IT: 287 Somers Rd, Ellington, CT
DiFiore is known for its fresh pasta and Italian specialties, but the sandwiches deserve just as much attention. The chicken cutlet comes with lettuce, tomato, and lemon aioli, a combination that brings a little brightness to a classic Italian sandwich. Simple ingredients, thoughtfully put together, from a shop that knows its Italian food.
3. Rein's New York Style Deli | Vernon
ORDER THIS: Pastrami Reuben
FIND IT: 435 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT
There's a reason Rein's has been a Connecticut institution since 1972. This classic New York-style deli is famous for its overstuffed sandwiches, particularly the pastrami. Go for the Reuben, with hot pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, and dressing. Between the warm rye bread, piles of meat, and the deli's signature pickles, it's a proper old-school deli experience.
4. Millpond Country Store | Stafford
ORDER THIS: The Thanksgiving Sandwich
FIND IT: 220 East St, Stafford Springs, CT
A country store tucked beside a pond might not scream sandwich destination, but Mill Pond is a genuine Stafford hidden gem. The Thanksgiving sandwich brings together turkey, stuffing, and cranberry for that leftover-Thanksgiving-dinner experience, without waiting until November. The store is also known for its corned beef and smoked brisket sandwiches.
5. Tolland Pizza Family Restaurant | Tolland
ORDER THIS: Italian Cold Cut Grinder
FIND IT: 225 Merrow Rd, Tolland, CT
Serving Tolland since 1969, this longtime family restaurant is about more than pizza. Its grinder menu covers the Connecticut essentials, and the Italian cold cut is a good place to start. Sometimes you don't need a trendy sandwich with ten ingredients. You just want a proper grinder from a place that's been feeding the neighborhood for generations.
6. Mainely Seafood & Deli | Putnam
ORDER THIS: Lobster Roll
FIND IT: 3 Bates Ave, Putnam, CT
You don't have to head to the Connecticut shoreline for a good lobster roll. Mainely Seafood in Putnam is a no-frills seafood market and takeout spot with a loyal following. The lobster roll is the sandwich to try, but don't overlook the clam chowder and fried seafood either. It's one of those places where the food gets far more attention than the decor.
7. The Broken Crust | Putnam
ORDER THIS: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich
FIND IT: 185 Kennedy Dr, Putnam, CT
Right in downtown Putnam, The Broken Crust is known for its scratch-made food and locally inspired menu. The cranberry pecan chicken salad combines white-meat chicken, cranberries, pecans, and arugula on toasted cranberry pecan bread. It's a creative take on a deli staple that fits perfectly with the restaurant's cozy café atmosphere.
Hidden Gems & Unexpected Finds
Some of the best sandwiches come from places you wouldn't think to look.
8. Bob's Windham IGA | Windham
ORDER THIS: Italian Combo Grinder
FIND IT: 422 Windham Rd, Windham, CT
Here's another reminder not to overlook the deli counter at your local grocery store. Bob's Windham IGA has built a reputation for its grinders, with the Italian combo among the most popular orders. This is old-fashioned sandwich making at its best: generous portions, traditional deli meats, and the convenience of grabbing lunch while picking up groceries.
9. Uptown Sandwiches | Putnam
ORDER THIS: Steak Bomb
FIND IT: 178 Providence St, Putnam, CT
If you're looking for a hearty hot sandwich, Uptown Sandwiches deserves a stop. Its menu covers the classics, from Italian grinders to chicken cutlet parm, but the Steak Bomb is the one to put on your list. A hot, filling alternative to the usual cold-cut grinder, from a local sandwich shop that knows its way around a toasted roll.
10. Motta's Pastry & Bake Shop | Columbia
ORDER THIS: Ask about the available grinders
FIND IT: 244 US-6, Columbia, CT
Most people know Motta's for its pastries, cakes, and Italian baked goods. The Town of Columbia also lists grinders and calzones among its offerings, making this bakery worth a lunchtime stop. I couldn't confirm the current grinder lineup online, so ask what's available before making a special trip. And yes, check the pastry case while you're there.
11. The Deli Market on Maple Street | Danielson
ORDER THIS: Chicken Salad Grinder
FIND IT: 371 Maple St, Danielson, CT
A neighborhood deli that's easy to miss if you aren't from the area. The Deli Market on Maple Street keeps things straightforward, with classic sandwiches and generously filled grinders. The chicken salad grinder is a solid choice for something a little different from the usual Italian or meatball order. Exactly the kind of local lunch counter this guide is meant to uncover.
12. Willimantic Brewing Company | Willimantic
ORDER THIS: Short Rib Melt
FIND IT: 967 Main St, Willimantic, CT
Willibrew is famous for its beer and pub food, but there's a sandwich on the menu that deserves attention. The Short Rib Melt combines braised pulled short rib, provolone, caramelized onions, arugula, and horseradish cream on house-baked Brewer's bread. It's rich, savory, and a little more ambitious than your average lunchtime sandwich.
13. Heirloom Food Company | Danielson
ORDER THIS: Veggie Reuben
FIND IT: 630 N Main St, Danielson, CT
Who says a Reuben has to contain corned beef? Heirloom Food Company specializes in fresh, organic-focused food and puts its own twist on the deli classic. The Veggie Reuben combines grilled marinated cabbage, carrots and onions with sauerkraut, fresh vegetables, cheddar or vegan cheese, and Heirloom's special sauce on sourdough. A creative meat-free sandwich that deserves a spot on this list.
14. Midway Restaurant | Ashford
ORDER THIS: Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich
FIND IT: 174 Ashford Center Rd, Ashford, CT
Midway has one of those menus that seems to cover just about everything, from pizza and grinders to Greek dishes and Indian specialties. The chicken souvlaki sandwich is a nice departure from the usual deli offerings, bringing chicken together with tomato, onion, parsley, fries, and tzatziki sauce. A good pick when you're in the mood for something different.
Something a Little Different
Creative combinations, local café favorites, and sandwiches that go beyond the traditional grinder.
15. Red Rock Café | Storrs
ORDER THIS: Bay Scallop Po' Boy
FIND IT: 591 Middle Turnpike, Storrs, CT
Here's something you don't see on every grinder menu: a scallop po' boy. Red Rock's version features seasoned, fried scallops with provolone, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo. It's a fun seafood alternative to the usual chicken parm and one of the more unusual sandwich options around Mansfield.
16. The Flour Girl Café | Hebron
ORDER THIS: Pickle Grilled Cheese
FIND IT: 12 Main St, Hebron, CT
Sometimes the best sandwiches are the simplest ones with a clever twist. The Flour Girl makes its own artisan sourdough, and its Pickle Grilled Cheese is a fun twist on the classic. The ordering menu lets you choose cheddar or American cheese, with pickles, bacon and ranch among the available toppings. Make it your own, but definitely don't overlook the pickles.
17. Coventry Public Market | Coventry
ORDER THIS: The Priscilla (Vegan)
FIND IT: 1721 Boston Turnpike, Coventry, CT
Another grocery store with a deli counter worth visiting. Coventry Public Market has an impressive specialty sandwich menu, including the Priscilla, a vegan grinder with spicy fried tofu, dairy-free ranch, hot sauce, shredded lettuce, pickles, and onions. Even if you aren't vegan, this is an interesting option for anyone who likes a little heat and crunch.
18. Somers Pizza & Family Restaurant | Somers
ORDER THIS: Somers Special Sandwich
FIND IT: 106 Main St, Somers, CT
A local restaurant with a sandwich named after its hometown deserves a look. The Somers Special combines crispy chicken, sliced ham, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and olive oil on a hard roll. Part chicken cutlet sandwich, part Italian-inspired creation, and definitely more interesting than the standard turkey and cheese.
19. The Vanilla Bean Café | Pomfret
ORDER THIS: Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich
FIND IT: 450 Deerfield Rd, Pomfret, CT
A Quiet Corner institution since 1989, The Vanilla Bean is a favorite for homemade soups, sandwiches, and its relaxed country café atmosphere. The curry chicken salad sandwich combines chicken salad with dried cranberries, walnuts, red onion, tomato, lettuce, and honey mustard on toasted multigrain bread. It's a sweet, savory, slightly spiced combination listed on the café's lunch specials page. Those specials can change, so check before heading over.
20. Dog Lane Café | Storrs
ORDER THIS: Tasso Ham & Egg Sandwich
FIND IT: 1 Dog Lane, Storrs, CT
Located in Storrs Center, Dog Lane Café takes a more creative approach to breakfast and lunch. Its online breakfast specials page lists a Tasso Ham & Egg Sandwich with a fried egg, Tasso ham, house scallion cream cheese, smoked pepper jack and spinach on an everything bagel. It's a clever twist on breakfast, but check the specials before making a trip for this particular sandwich.
21. Egg and Cheese | Willimantic
ORDER THIS: The Hottie
FIND IT: 776 Main St, Willimantic, CT
We're finishing with breakfast, because a great sandwich doesn't have to wait until lunch. Egg and Cheese specializes in creative breakfast sandwiches, and The Hottie lives up to its name. Sausage, egg, and pepper jack cheese on a jalapeño cheddar bagel, with fresh and pickled jalapeños, Sriracha, and red pepper flakes. If you like some heat in the morning, this one's calling your name.
Reader Picks: Four More Worth Trying
We asked what sandwiches we missed, and you came through. Here are four recommendations straight from Quiet Corner Buzz readers. These are reader nominations, not firsthand reviews from me.
READER PICK
Gansett Wraps | Storrs
ORDER THIS: Falafel Wrap
FIND IT: 12 Royce Cir, Suite 101A, Storrs, CT
A reader put the falafel at Gansett Wraps on our radar. It's made with house-made falafel, lettuce, tomato and tahini dressing. A nice change of pace if your sandwich routine needs a break from meatballs and chicken cutlets.
READER PICK
Brooklyn Country View Restaurant | Brooklyn
ORDER THIS: Corned Beef Reuben
FIND IT: 170 South St, Brooklyn, CT
Another reader sent us to Country View for the Reuben. The restaurant's menu lists house corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss and Thousand Island on grilled rye. Come hungry, but plan ahead: lunch begins at 11:00 AM, and the restaurant closes in the early afternoon.
READER PICK | SEASONAL SPECIAL
The Crowe's Nest | Dayville
READER SUGGESTION: Fall Harvest Sandwich
FIND IT: 165 Hartford Pike, Dayville, CT
A reader nominated the Fall Harvest sandwich from The Crowe's Nest. It sounds like just the kind of seasonal discovery we love sharing, but the sandwich isn't listed on the current online menu. Call ahead to see if it's still being made, or check out the café's other specialty sandwiches.
READER PICK
Mamma Italia Ristorante | Woodstock
READER SUGGESTION: Pollo Parmigiana Sandwich
FIND IT: 283 Route 169, Unit 1, Woodstock, CT
One reader recommended Mamma Italia for its Pollo Parmigiana and Pollo Marsala. The lunch menu confirms a Pollo Parmigiana Sandwich with breaded chicken cutlet, house marinara and mozzarella. Pollo Marsala is listed as an entrée, not a sandwich, so call ahead if you want to ask about that option.
What's the One Sandwich We Missed?
Twenty-one sandwiches across Windham and Tolland counties, plus four reader recommendations, and I know there are plenty more hiding out there. Maybe it's a little country store nobody knows about, a family-owned grinder shop, or something completely unexpected.
Tell me the shop, the exact sandwich to order, and why it's worth the trip. Email [email protected], or reply to the next Quiet Corner Buzz newsletter.
I'm always looking for my next great lunch, and your recommendation might make the next Quiet Corner Buzz sandwich guide!
