Most everyone is familiar with the blue jjStacks food truck – the Stacks Mobile – that show up at various events in the area. After three years the owner, Joseph Attonito, is opening a new restaurant in the former Eggs & Co. location at 71 S. Main St. in Newtown in February.
jjStacks previously operated a location at 537 Federal Road in Brookfield that closed in December. The truck will still have a presence at breweries, wineries, private events, and festivals.
“I’ve been in the restaurant industry since I was 13 years old,” said Attonito, who is ready to take on the challenge of a full-time brick-and-mortar location while also keeping the truck running. “I worked my way up from busser to waiter, bartender, kitchen manager, bar manager, GM, chef and owner. It’s in my blood – what I know and love.”
According to John Voket, the Town of Newtown’s economic and community development director, Attonito already made a name for himself and his brand across Newtown and beyond. “I’m happy to see he’s graduating back to a food service environment he has already run successfully in other communities over the years and is doing so in a location already familiar to many as a restaurant,” he said.
“I believe Joe’s foray into Newtown’s already robust restaurant scene will contribute to a tide that will help keep all of our food and beverage service establishments afloat and ultimately sustainable.”
Although not professionally trained, Attonito honed his culinary skills from years of working in the food industry.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with and becoming friends with some of the best chefs in the area, which led to a desire to bring a higher level of quality to the burger, wing, and sandwich scene,” said Attonito, who started his foray into the food business as owner of Tiger’s Den in Ridgefield and jjStacks in Brookfield, which spawned the truck. “Now that’s the concept we’re bringing back to life in Newtown. It will be a primarily scratch kitchen and we will do our best to source locally as often as possible.”
After a remodel, the family-friendly restaurant will include a bar and lounge, a dining room, a patio area, and a small game room with a claw machine, Pac-Man video game console, coin pushers, and locally handcrafted wooden table games. “We’re aiming for a fun, rustic vibe with a little chic,” he said.
The menu will feature its signature Big Stack burger – a special blend cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, thick cut country smoked bacon, and jjSauce on a soft toasted brioche bun. There will also be sandwiches, 101 wing flavors, 10 specialty hand cut fry options, and eventually a full brunch menu. Beverages will include sodas, shakes, beer, wine, and cocktails. Attonito will be sourcing local ingredients.
“Ninety percent of our beer menu will be Connecticut-based, as will a majority of our cocktail program,” Attonito said. “Our ice cream will come from Big Dipper in Prospect and we will source soda from Freaky Dog or Hosmer Mountain, both Connecticut-based companies. Our larger vendors will primarily be Danbury-based Omaha Beef and Brewster, NY-based Ace Endico.” Desserts will be made on-site.
“With the achievements Joe has already experienced in former brick and mortar sites elsewhere, I have no doubt that his astute decision to open with his locally familiar branding should bode well for continued success,” Voket said. “Joe’s patience and perseverance has paid off with a tenancy in the very highly traveled Route 25 South corridor.”
