My journey to the center of "A Dong"

If there is something that West Hartford has an abundance of, it is dentists. If there is something else the town is not lacking, it is pugs. And, if there is a third thing that this fair hamlet has in copious quantity, it is supermarkets. Everywhere you turn, there are shops selling foodstuffs, from Shaws to Stop and Shop to the two Whole Foods and the awesomeness that is Hall's. In fact, if you are in West Hartford, there's a good chance you can find a market while blindfolded. Though, having experience in such experiments, I do not suggest such extreme attempts. They often end in tragedy and hurt feelings.

And, when it comes to unique supermarket experiences, one need only head over to Shield Street. There, you will find A Dong Supermarket, a market with an easy to ridicule name (for an example, see the title of this post) and a treasure-trove of items behind its windows.

"Holy mackerel!" you might exclaim as you stare at the full mackerels for sale at the fish counter. Or, if you are a carnivore, "Holy pig head!" as you stare at the roasted porcine noggins at the meat stand that greet you as you enter the market.

Interested in candy? A Dong has two aisles of it! Noodles? Name your size, shape, and kind. All will be found inside. Fish oils? Gigantic sacks of rice at ridiculously low prices? Massive woks? Intricate glassware? A Dong. A Dong. A Dong. A Dong.

It is an environment both familiar and foreign to the newcomer. A suggestion, however: do not visit an Asian supermarket to buy typically "American" food like peanut butter. Though you may find it on a shelf, it will most likely be covered in dust.

On a recent visit, after securing my necessary supply of Pocky (Did you know that in Vancouver, there's a store with a massive Pocky box on its roof? Strange but true!) and noodles, I tried to find the exact center point of the market. Acting as subtle as possible, I took a picture using a cell phone.

Here, for the first time ever, is the picture of the center of A Dong:

Though it is blurry, I believe such a photo will help many scientists studying the field of human anatomy for decades to come.

In all seriousness, however, A Dong Supermarket is really a treat to visit and is something many should only wish to have nearby. If you have never been, it is worth a visit. Buy some noodles. Buy a porcelain dog. Buy some candy with adorable animals on the packaging. Just stay away from the Skippy.