Simsbury Small Business Spotlight: Antonio's Restaurant

Simsbury Small Business Spotlight is a new weekly feature that will highlight a vital piece of the fabric of any small town—small businesses.

The following is an interview with Steven Antonio, owner of Antonio's Restaurant in Simsbury.

This week's spotlight business was recommended by Simsbury Main Street Partnership.

When did your business open? Is it locally-owned?

Antonio's was opened on June 28, 1964 by Thomas and his wife Estelle Antonio of Simsbury. They had 3 children, all of whom worked at the restaurant. Their Son Steven (always residing in Simsbury) continues to run the restaurant to this present day with the help of many long term staff members (also from the local community).

What types of services/products do you offer?

In 1964 we opened with a menu of simply Pizza's and grinders. In 1965 we added Spaghetti and Meatball dinners. In 1974 we moved the restaurant across the street to its present location and enlarged the offerings to include a full menu with the help of my great uncle Bill Antoniou (Connecticuts first 5 star chef from The Marlborough Tavern in Marlborough, CT. We continue to review our Special menu offerings on a weekly basis and review the entire menu with each season. All of our products are made from scratch and ingredients come from local farms whenever possible.

Why did you decide to open your business in Simsbury?

My father (Tom) did some research and narrowed it down to 2 choices (the other was New Hartford) in the end Dad simply fell in love with the town of Simsbury.

What is your mission/goal as a Simsbury business owner?

Our mission/goal is to stay in business! Our official goal is to serve good food, at a good price, with cordial service. On a more specific note we have always attempted to give our customers what they ask for, and we have also tried to give back to the community in many ways as a symbol of how appreciative we are for the lives the people of Simsbury and its neighboring communities have afforded us.

How did you get your start?

My grandparents on both sides came to this country in the 1920 and 1930's. They both worked their ways up from washing dishes to owning their own restaurants. To our family America is very much the land of opportunity (with a fair amount of hard work). It was a natural for my parents to dream of owning their own restaurant themselves. They started with alot of family help (and recipes).

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I've got a bag of M&M's you can have some of them.

BUSINESS INFORMATION

Business: Antonio's Restaurant
Owners: Steven & Lisa Antonio
Address: 1185 Hopmeadow Street Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone number: (860) 651-FEED (3333)
Hours: Open every day at 11:30 a.m. Closing Sunday thru Thursday at 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday at 10 p.m. Late night take out is available till 12:30 a.m.
Website: AntoniosofSimsbury.com