NEWINGTON — Taco John’s has opened its first Connecticut restaurant in Newington, bringing its Mexican-inspired menu to the state as part of the company’s East Coast expansion.
The restaurant, located at 56B Costello Road, officially opened Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and residents.
The Newington Town Planning and Zoning Commission previously discussed traffic concerns related to the proposed drive-thru. The plans were revised to allow up to 16 vehicles to wait in the drive-thru line before traffic would extend onto Costello Road. The town also required traffic reviews six and 12 months after the restaurant received its certificate of occupancy.
Founded in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1969, Taco John’s operates more than 300 restaurants across 21 states. The chain is known for its West-Mex menu, which combines Mexican-inspired dishes with American fast food.
The menu includes tacos, burritos, breakfast items and Potato Olés, which are seasoned potato rounds that are among the company’s signature products. Another popular item is the Taco Bravo, which the company said received recognition in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year.
The Newington restaurant offers dine-in, drive-thru and delivery services. The company says the dining room is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Drive-thru and delivery services are available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., while breakfast is served from 7 to 11 a.m.
To celebrate the opening, Taco John’s offered special promotions, including Golden Tickets for the first 50 guests. The tickets allow customers to receive one free small Potato Olés or beef taco each week for a year. During the ceremony, customers also had an opportunity to enter a drawing for one free combo meal each week for a year.
