Second Poquonock Giant Grinder Shop

Called on a Sunday night about an hour before closing time. I saw the hours posted on Unilocal but wanted to make sure they were still open, since most areas of CT simply shutdown after 8pm on a Sunday night. The gentleman who answered confirmed that they do indeed close at 9pm and told us to call in a pizza order about half an hour before closing. I explained that we were interested in picking up a grinder and perhaps an Italian dinner or two, and he offered to take our order over the phone. I happily gave him the order and assured him that we’d pick-​up the order in about 10 – 15 minutes; he responded that they need at least half an hour to prepare the order. I appreciated receiving that time estimate by phone.
When picking up the order, the grinder shop was empty, except for two people behind the counter. I was a bit wary as I wasn’t greeted or even acknowledged until I took the initiative to say hello and caught the eye of one of the gentlemen behind the counter. We arrived half an hour after we called the order in, and it took about another 10 minutes or so of waiting. We ordered a good deal of food, so this was to be expected — and our order was very carefully packed for the travel back home.
The pastrami grinder (with all the fixings) didn’t really have much of a flavor, which was a bit strange. The salads were very fresh, however — and everyone enjoyed their side salads and a Greek salad, that oddly had lots of canned mushrooms in it which is not a usual Greek salad ingredient. We picked it out, but enjoyed the rest of the salad. The creamy Caesar dressing was very good — although we were hoping for a Greek salad dressing (for the Greek salad), but it appeared to be nonexistent among the choices in the self-​serve glass fridge next to the counter.
The meatball and eggplant meals were both piping hot, and it was obvious that these were prepared relatively fresh when we called in our order. They were HUGE portions that we’re still trying to finish, several days now. The meals came with side salads (mentioned above), garlic bread, and a hearty (very hearty) serving of pasta. In fact, most of the meal was the pasta, which was generously topped with cheese. The meals were very tasty, and again HUGE. We enjoyed the meals for the most part, and they are worth getting (if you have a huge appetite, very hungry and want leftovers for days).
Overall, the experience and food was a solid three-​stars. There’s plenty of parking in the lot (especially late Sunday nights!), and the restaurant — while small — is clean and comfortable. As other reviewers noted, the grinder shop is mostly a delivery/​take-​out establishment. Perhaps, next time we’ll try the jo-​jo potatoes and chicken. We’ll skip the grinders (ironically) and will order a meal only if we are splitting it between at least two to three people.

This is a great place that has kept the old style it had in 69′ when it opened per their menu. Even though old it’s a clean place. Huge portions — fresh real cold cuts not the warm fake meat you get from «crapway». I travel to this area several times each year and will definitely be coming back here for lunch.

Wonderful family business. Great customer service awesome prices and superb quality. Everytime I am craving pizza this is the first place I think of.

I have fallen in love with the baked chicken. The chicken is always prepared in advance so you can walk in and grab some great tasking healthy food. They also have already prepared fried chicken, potatoes and slices of pizza.
The grinders are the best ever. Chicken parm in particular.
The pizza I don’t care for because it is very thick crust bready, I prefer the NY style thin crust.

Nice little local grinder shop. Wallet-​friendly prices, easygoing service, and good portions make Second Poquonock a neighborhood favorite.
Around since the ‘60s, I recall coming here as a kid for the chicken dinners. With a side of jo-​jo potatoes and a roll — these were a childhood favorite. The jo-​jo potatoes especially, really make the meal. Cajon-​style seasoning, these large chunks of potatoes are fried to crispy perfection. Pizza slices are cheap and usually there’s a large assortment of choices. The 8-​inch ($ 8) and 16-​inch ($ 14) are good sized grinders too. I like the Philly, Italian Combo, meatball and chicken parm. They also offer salads, and daily/​dinner specials — definitely give these guys a try if you’re in the area or flying out of Bradley.
9am-​9pm, Poquonock’s delivers and caters too. Family run and operated, there are about a dozen tables inside, and some outside when it’s warmer.

Family owned place which is great. The grinders are huge in size and in my opinion are very good. I typically always get the genoa grinder here along with a few hot wings as well. They pizza they offer is very hearty, thick Chicago style pizza.
Prices here are very reasonable especially with the amount of food that you good.
I’d say this place is worth a shot, reasonably priced and prompt courteous service.

This is my go to place for a combination grinder.

Worst pizza ever… Thick gummy crust. Plain tomato sauce. If you have children who don’t like any flavor in their food this place is ideal. The Greek salad was equally abysmal. If you like giant portions and bland food this place is perfect. I feel badly giving you one star so I will give you two for effort.

Connecticut has a ton of sub/​grinder shops. I’ve been to a number of other states and have not seen any other state with such a high concerntration of such places. I’m not really sure the reason for it, but the result is that there is a wide variation in quality.
For some odd reason, I’d never been to Second Poquonock despite the fact that I’ve lived in this area of the state for over 7 years. Hearing good things about the place, I decided to stop by on my way home from out of state.
Overall, I was impressed. The shop itself is a small storefront in a strip mall in Windsor Locks. TThere are a handful of seats, but you can tell the location is primarily for take-​out. There are displays with fried chicken and pizza by the slice. I haven’t tried either so I can’t speak to either.
The subs, however, were solid. I tried the veal cutlet (which is more of a veal patty), and the steak and cheese. You get quite a bit of meat and toppings, so the 8 inch is enough for a meal. In both cases the meat had good flavor, as did the toppings (sauce, cheese, peppers and onions). Both subs were ready in 10 – 15 minutes when I called ahead, and the staff was very friendly.
This is one of the better sub shops north of Hartford, and I’ll be back again.

Awesome little place that wreaks of family owned charm. Laid back and friendly. Don’t come here if you think «gourmet» and «sandwich» belong in the same sentence. Grinders are a working man’s food. Classic, filling, and cheap. A whole grinder will feed two easily. I ate a whole Italian combo by myself but I admit, I eat way more than most. There’s wings and fried chicken too. Definitely worth a visit.

Ordered a half Italian combo grinder. It was huge at least a pound of meat. Good food and price.

You cannot go wrong with the whole Pizza Grinder! It comes with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, but I usually swap it out for ham. If I’m not mistaken the price is 5 and change and the thing is huge!

A really nice little place with great food. First time here, I had an Italian sausage on a roll, chips and a soft drink for around $ 8. What a delicious sandwich– perfect texture, taste, sauce, peppers and cheese.
The place was packed with a true demographic cross section of America — office workers, blue collars, young, old. I didnt see any servicemen like someone else did– but I did see two of Windsor Locks finest at a table eating lunch.
The menu is amazing –eleven grinders in an 8″ $ 7.99 or 16″ $ 14.99 size, sandwiches as wraps, gyros, or on rolls, 4 sizes of pizza, fried chicken galore, pasta dinners. salads, daily specials, side dishes and a humongous GIANT GRINDER selection for your party needs.
One funny anecdote, although they deliver– be careful. I was an ear-​witness to half a dozen phone calls involving one ill-​fated delivery (somewhere near the Air Museum) that went astray, and there were calls from the driver looking for better directions and calls from the intended customer looking for the food. I left before the saga was resolved.
I suggest they get a GPS or get an exact street location next time.
Nevertheless, the food was very good.

Love this place! I come here about almost every other day and the food is amazing! Their grinders are a great price for what you get and everything tastes so good! I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone!!!

The service here sucks! They don’t keep it staffed enough for deliveries and they are slow. Don’t waste your time, unless you have time to waste! Stay away!

Never again! I have lived down the street for 10 yrs now. Ordered a pizza once, didn’t like it. Ordered a grinder and it was decent but a little pricey for what it was. Just last week I decided to give it one more shot. I ordered an 8 inch chicken cutlet grinder. What I got was an over-​toasted sandwich made from chicken strips, under-​ripe tomatoes and wilted lettuce for $ 8. I can’t believe this place is still in business. It’s a shame I will never get take-​out from town again, nothing is worth it.

Oh man… I had forgotten how good this place was. Got the half roast beef grinder. The bread was nice and soft, and the meat a nice dark pink and good quality cut (tender and not stringy at all), and more importantly, there was a lot of it. By far the best roast beef sandwich I’ve had in a long time. It’s a lot to eat, but I challenge you to be able to put it down.
Service was very good too… politely and eagerly took my order, and the sandwich was ready in no time.
If you’re in the area often and don’t periodically stop in here for a sandwich, you’re really missing out. There were 10 or so service men in line when I got there, they know what’s up.
I find the review calling it «more of a take-​out place» amusing. What about «Grinder Shop» didn’t imply that? It’s perfect for a sit-​down lunch during the work day, or perhaps dinner with the kids, but certainly not a restaurant setting.

Outstanding food and service. Here on business, Unilocal led me here and didn’t let me down.

Got the pizza for take out.
They don’t have any specific specials on pizza like other places (Hawaiian, all meats, veggie etc.) Essentially its per topping.
I ended up getting the everything pizza which essentially is a supreme.
Crust was very good but soaked based on the juices of all the toppings.
Toppings tasted fresh.
Overall, very good pizza and filling.
Next time I am trying the grinders

Overall = 3.29 stars. More of a take-​out joint than a sit down restaurant, food comes in very generous portions and the price is downright cheap.
Food:
Meatball sub: 2.5 stars
Philly cheese steak: 3.5 stars
Fries: 3.25 (seasoned and yummy)
Otis Spunkmeyer cookies: 3.5
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
— The half-​subs are HUGE (and stuffed with meat). I mean I’m a big girl and I literally ended up eating the half sub I ordered (both times that I have been there) for both dinner and lunch the next day. For the amount of food you get, the $ 6.50 for a half sub is a deal.
— A lot of family pride evident (which was why I bumped up the atmosphere/​décor an extra half star), service was actually really good — very friendly folks.
Negatives:
— The meatball sub was more like a meatslab sub and the ground meat had a lot of filler (bread?) that made it very bland. The marinara sauce on top wasn’t that much better and tasted somewhat canned.
— The Philly cheese steak was good but waaay too greasy. It would have been a 4 star sub if not for the grease.