SEYMOUR – Ten months to the day after an electrical fire damaged Hot Grill & Pizza, the popular pizzeria reopened July 7.
Owner Sheki Sodoli, along with his father, Kjazim Sodoli, and employee Sosa Salazar welcomed Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis back to the newly renovated restaurant at 59 New Haven Road (Route 67) with a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the progress.
“I’m very excited to be back,” Sodoli said.
On Sept. 7, 2025, a fire gutted much of the interior of the 1,000-square foot space. The electrical fire was determined to be an accident by the fire marshal.
Seymour Garden, a Chinese restaurant next door, suffered smoke damage but was able to reopen not long after the fire. Three other businesses in the plaza – Jerry’s Meat Market, Crown Liquors and St. George Barber Shop – did not suffer any damage.
The building’s landlord handled the renovations, according to Sodoli. While the layout is still the same, the upgrades include new tile flooring, a new ceiling, new granite countertops, new copper lighting fixtures, some small tables and new appliances.
In addition to pizzeria staples, Sodoli added jumbo arancini, boom boom shrimp, chicken Florentine, and homemade hot grill potato chips with a side of truffle oil and gorgonzola dipping sauce.
Sodoli and his family will celebrate their tenth year in business in August. The restaurant employs five people. They’re open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m.
Alex Horensavitz, who worked at Hot Grill & Pizza for five years but was out of a job after the fire struck, was the first in line Tuesday (July 7) to get his favorite pizza with bacon and sausage.
“The fire was tragic,” Horensavitz said. “I’m so happy to be here today and wanted to be their first customer. It’s definitely changed inside and it looks beautiful. They did a great job.”
Horensavitz is now working elsewhere but plans to remain a regular customer.
Kent Tremblette, who lives in Plymouth but works in the area, was also one of the first in line to welcome Hot Grill & Pizza back to Seymour.
“I’ve been coming here for seven years. It’s nice and clean and he (Sodoli) is the greatest guy. They’ve got good food and good customer service,” he said.
Drugonis said she was glad to see the restaurant reopen.
“I know myself and our residents and the surrounding communities have been waiting for them to open back up,” Drugonis said.
In addition to its extensive menu of pizza, pizza slices, grinders, entrees, appetizers, salads, calzones and even sauce to go, Hot Grill & Pizza offers catering, too.
Hot Grill & Pizza can be reached at 203-881-2444. More information can be found on their website and on their Facebook page.