Traditionally, the red shack located on Danbury Road in northern Wilton, CT —which has housed many a restaurant over the years—would be closed by now.
But Red's Roadside Attraction at 713 Danbury Road, is the exception to the rule.
"We are planning on staying open until the pipes freeze," owner Amabel Chan told Patch.
The roadside eatery has been open since September.
"I never thought this little endeavor I took on would involve so much of my time," Chan said.
Chan had hoped the food stand would be open earlier than it was.
"The town of Wilton was extremely slow in giving us our permit," Chan said. "We began renovations in May, but did not acquire the permit until the end of August."
Passersby might be familiar with Marvin Gardens, the antique shop located next to Red's which has been open in Wilton since 2003.
"Originally Marvin Gardens originally only sold reproductions and modern production garden elements, but over the years [we've] focused on being a purveyor of interesting and difficult to find and one-of-a-kind garden elements," Chan said, adding it "carries a variety of vintage and antique architectural elements and garden adornments and statues as well as garden gates and fencing."
The prices at Red's range from about $4 to $8, Chan said.
"We're serving up southern and southwestern flavors like marinated hangar steak tacos, pit smoked pulled pork tacos, fish tacos, fried oyster po'boys and jumbo fried shrimp, just to name a few," Chain said.
Red's also offers homemade salsa and sauces, spicy Lone Star Chili and New Orleans bread pudding.
"We're looking into exotic meat hot dogs, such as rattlesnake, alligator, venison and wild boar, just for fun," Chan said. "We are tweaking the menu daily."
Chan said Red's offers daily specials, such as Louisiana Gumbo, shrimp etouffe and bouillabaise.
Outdoor seating is available, and even though it's cold, Red's has fire pits to keep diners warm. Chan said Red's is currently trying to coordinate "a couple of vendor weekends between now and Christmas, as well as a nighttime takeout and delivery service."
"Red's was created to be a extension of Marvin Gardens, as well as to be a free platform and no-fee site for entrepreneurs and artisans that carries [our] philosophy of sharing resources and client base with others," Chan said. "Pay it forward."
