Hidden Gems of Hartford and Tolland Counties

CANTON, CT — The latest trek to a Hidden Gem in Hartford and Tolland counties takes us west to the outer reaches of the realm. Welcome to Beau's Burger Shack in Canton, an old-school oasis in the ever-modernizing Route 44 corridor.

It's located at 228 Albany Turpike to be exact, the local address for that section of Route 44.

Because it's tucked back from the road a bit and because of the not-so-big signs along the corridor, it took a few trips to finally get the landmarks down and the driveway cut memorized.

And finally finding Beau's was a good thing. It not only features traditional comfort foods like burgers and whole belly clams (served year-round), but daily specials that rival anything in the area.

One example was posted on Beau's Facebook page last week ...

• House-made smoked chicken salad, cheddar cheese on grilled sourdough

... and on Jan. 23 ...

• Beau’s Inferno Shrimp Wrap: spicy coated shrimp, lettuce, tomato, ranch

Beau's serves a variety of soups as well — and in bread bowls.

One Facebook review summed up Beau's:

"A burger hop for sure! Good seating inside and out. Very solid consistent menu with some specials peppered in. Great lobster rolls and clams. The new owner is more than friendly. Home made cole slaw and potato salad if thats your thing. I never leave dissatisfied."

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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:

• Daniel Glazier Tavern
• Mount Southington Ski School
• Awards & More
• Marquis de Lafayette Monument
• The Little Red Store
• 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