24-year-old Wilton Native Opens "Connecticut Sandwich Company" in New Canaan

Written by DJ McAneny
New Canaan residents have one more option for grabbing some tasty grub these days following the official grand opening of the Connecticut Sandwich Company, open now at 78 Pine Street. 

Occupying the former space of Tony's Deli—who, consequently, has moved directly across the street—the Connecticut Sandwich Company's first location opened its doors downtown on Wednesday, Nov. 20, by 24-year-old Wilton native Eugene Chun. 

"I've always wanted to open up my own sandwich shop," Chun said. "After college, I pursued that idea further and started attending culinary school."

Chun graduated with a degree in economics first, but found his heart wasn't in it. Instead, he joined the ranks of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan to further his knowledge in the art of cooking and began working in restaurants, delis and sandwich shops wherever he happened to be. 

"I was working at a sandwich shop in [Washington,] D.C.," he said. "I had sandwiches on the mind. And I knew I was going to come back to Connecticut to open up a shop."

Chun said Wilton wasn't the environment he was looking for and said New Canaan was an obvious choice for its walkability and strong community. And the idea of opening up his own shop was not a foreign one, as it's kind of a family mindset.

"New Canaan is a great place, the own is really tight here," said Chun. "My parents own the cleaners right next door."

Chun said his parents, Moon and Sanda, helped him get his feet on the ground in New Canaan, one of the many places where they've operated the service Sanda's Cleaners throughout Fairfield County. His older sisters have also been pitching in. Sheila, 30, a lawyer, was lending a hand at the shop Monday, Dec. 2, while his sister Sue-Jean, a publicist for celebrity chefs in D.C., has been pitching in remotely. 

The food is delicious and fresh. Ciabatta bread comes in from Boston and a number of baked goods are obtained through Norwalk's Wave Hill Breads, including some delicious cookies that, of course, were sample for scientific purposes Monday. And while the ingredients are all fresh, Chun has managed to keep his prices reasonable, with fare costing between around $2.50 for croissants and the like to $10 for full experience sandwiches like the Ultimate Roast Beef. 

"I've had lots of good feedback. I think people are always looking for a place where the focus is on ingredients," he said. "I'm trying to be honest with my food and, instead of over doing it on spices or something like that, focus on making sure it's cooked the right way."

The Connecticut Sandwich Company, with a website still being built out at ctsandwich.com, is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m..