Photo by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
The ribon-cutting ceremony at Taco Central in Ansonia last week.
ANSONIA — Whether you’re craving a taco and a margarita or an Italian combo sandwich with a bag of chips, downtown Ansonia is the place to be.
City officials on Thursday (Sept. 9) welcomed two more new restaurants to town: Taco Central at 317 Main St., and Ansonia Deli & Catering at 344 Main St. The two new eateries are the latest to join Ansonia’s growing restaurant row.
Taco Central:
Taco Central owner Jose Lara, of Meriden, is thrilled to welcome customers to his newly remodeled 3,330- square-foot space, which was the former home of longtime Valley favorite, Eddy’s Bake Shop.
Lara, a U.S. Army veteran, 30, was pretty much born to be in the restaurant business.
Lara’s father was the longtime head chef at Tre Scalini in New Haven. It was there where Lara honed his chops as a bus boy, waiter, valet, bartender and more.
“It was only natural that one day I would get my own place,” Lara said.
When the opportunity arose about the vacant space in downtown Ansonia, Lara jumped at the chance to open up Taco Central, where he and his staff will be serving authentic Mexican fare.
Lara and his family and friends spent about five months transforming the former bakery, gutting the entire space. The interior boasts warm brown tones from the hardwood floors and the reclaimed wood panels and white stucco adoring the walls to the spacious booths. The white stucco exterior pays homage to Mexico, Lara said.
There’s even a small stage in front of the restaurant, flanked by a backdrop of curtains in Mexico’s flag colors of red, white and green to provide space for live music.
“We’re very excited to be in Ansonia and be part of this great community,” Lara said. “It’s been a real team effort, and we hope to be here for many years to come.”
Mayor David Cassetti, on hand for the official ribbon cutting ceremony, said Taco Central will become a destination spot, especially with hundreds of new apartments slated for downtown in the former ATP and Palmer buildings, filled with hungry tenants looking for some good food.
Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, also in attendance Thursday, was also pleased to welcome Taco Central to Ansonia’s downtown scene. He said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced some 600 restaurants across Connecticut to close their doors.
“We lost a lot during the pandemic, but on the flip side, it’s start-ups like you guys, who are helping to ‘recharge’ Ansonia” and bolster the restaurant industry,” Purcell said.
More information about Taco Central can be found on their Facebook page.
Photo by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Henry Rodrigues in his new Ansonia Deli on Main Street.
Ansonia Deli & Catering:
Located pretty much directly across the street from Taco Central is the new Ansonia Deli & Catering at 344 Main St. Cassetti and company welcomed the new owners Henry and Jacqueline Rodrigues, of Southbury, to town, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.
The deli took up shop in the former DiGiovanni’s Café & Catering space, a great deli that fell victim to COVID’s economic hardships.
The Rodrigues’, who originally hail from El Salvador, and their two daughters, Valery and Hillary, come to town armed with plenty of experience in the deli/catering business. They also own Monroe Deli & Catering.
With the opening of their second location in Ansonia, the Rodrigques’ are excited their business has officially become a chain.
“I love Ansonia, and all the people, from the mayor’s office and beyond, have been very nice and good to us,” Henry Rodrigues said.
Ansonia Deli boasts a vast menu that Cassetti said “you’d have to come here every day for at least six months in order to try one of everything on the menu.” Offering quality Boars Head meats and cheeses, the menu also has plenty of sides, chips, beverages and desserts to satisfy all palettes.
Alderwoman Diane Stroman was fortunate to sample “The Godmother,” a sandwich piled high with prosciutto, turkey, ham, cheese, roast beef and all the fixings, during the deli’s soft opening a few days ago.
“It was really good,” Stroman said.
The Rodriques’ said they were excited to lease the space that was occupied by a former deli/catering space, which already had deli cases in place. The family did some remodeling, painted the walls a warm yellow, installed a trendy chalkboard menu and revamped the 1,300-square-foot space into their very own American dream.
“I’ve worked in the deli business for more than 20 years, and figured it was finally time to go it on my own,” said Henry Rodrigues.
Purcell was also glad to welcome Ansonia Deli to town, and quipped about the vast variety of offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“So many choices, so little time,” Purcell said.
Ansonia Deli is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
