The Origins
After 25+ years of delivering warm smiles as a server and lighting up the Farmington Valley with her lively karaoke hosting, Carol Wilusz has turned her dream into a reality by aligning her life’s mission of spreading joy with her love for food.
Though Carol made her mark in the world of fine dining, it was the humble hot dog that truly captured her heart. Whether shared at a baseball game with friends, a cookout with coworkers, or a day at the beach with family, hot dogs have a way of making every moment more memorable. Simply put, in Carol’s terms, “hot dogs are fun!”
In 2018, Carol’s Lunchbox opened its welcoming window in a cozy, standalone building along a scenic stretch of Route 4, dishing out comfort food with a generous side of fun.
2018: The Original
Carol’s Lunchbox
In 2018, loyal karaoke fans and longtime customers followed Carol to her new spot on Route 4, quickly helping her establish a dedicated following for Farmington’s favorite hot dogs.
Fast forward six years, and the buzz reached all the way to Taste of Home, which spotlighted Carol’s Lunchbox as having the best hot dogs in Connecticut! “You’ll find steamed franks, tasty toppings like chili, melted (cooper cheese), homemade hot pepper relish,” Taste of Home raved. “And you may just get a song.”
That’s right! You didn’t think Carol would just stop singing, did you? Beyond the irresistible franks, Carol’s Lunchbox earned a reputation for its playful social media posts, in which Carol took popular song lyrics and turned them into hot dog-inspired parodies, inviting everyone to “come on down and make it a dog day!”
2025: The BIG move to Westwoods Golf Course
When one door closes, another one opens: The Town of Farmington has selected Carol’s Lunchbox as a partner at the public Westwoods Golf Course, offering both parties an opportunity to expand in new and exciting ways.
The collaboration is a major step in Farmington’s plans to enhance its public golf course and surrounding property – with a splash pad and pickleball courts opening soon – while Carol’s Lunchbox at Westwoods is everything you loved about the original and so much more!
Picture this: stunning views of the golf course, where you can order wine, local beer or a seasonal cocktail from a roaming beverage cart while soaking in the scenery and golfing on the green. Don’t feel like golfing? You can enjoy the same drinks and the full food menu on the patio or at a table inside our new indoor space, complete with our first full kitchen.
The Lunchbox also has a new family focus, with Carol’s nephew Michael Wilusz – “Chef Mike” – joining the Lunchbox’s star-studded team as a partner to lead all things back-of-house. Mike brings with him years of experience running some of Connecticut’s most flavorful kitchens. Together, they’ve expanded the menu with fresh salads, one tasty burger and a variety of delicious handhelds.
Thanks to years of support from countless loyal customers and a commitment from staff to always deliver on service and smiles, we think you’ll agree: Carol’s Lunchbox at Westwoods is “by PAR, the best spot in town!”
carolslunchboxct.com 