West Hartford is adding a little more Garlic to its thriving dining scene. Joey Garlic’s owner Nick Romano confirmed today that he’s bringing the famous eggplant fries, fresh-ground 10-ounce hamburgers and brick-oven pizzas to the former Barb’s Pizza building at 353 Park Road.
The new restaurant, Joey Garlic’s third location, is tentatively scheduled to open during the second week of June, Romano said. He said it will serve as an “express” version of the other restaurants, with a slightly scaled-down menu of appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas, grinders and hand-dipped milkshakes.
“We’ve been wanting to get into West Hartford for a while,” Romano said. “And considering how horrible the economy is, this street actually is thriving. There are a lot of new restaurants here.”
Romano and business partners Anthony Sullo and Gary Gello have built the Joey Garlic’s brand in Farmington and Newington over the past few years. The small chain evolved from Joe Pizza in Canton, which Romano opened in 2002 and has since sold. His resume also includes experience at Bricco, Carbone’s and Civic Cafe.
Joey Garlic’s eggplant fries were inspired by a dish Romano enjoyed while working at Carbone’s years ago. “I put it on the menu, figuring I’d take it off in a week,” he said. “And it stormed. Right now, we’re doing about 40 cases of eggplant a week. It’s by far and away our signature dish.”
The casual dining atmosphere especially appeals to families, Romano said, with a something-for-everyone menu and large portions of Italian classics.
“Italian food is crazy,” Romano said. “Even in the bad times…you open an Italian restaurant, the public wants you to succeed.”
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