The Newington restaurant community will lose a staple eatery this weekend. Plaza Azteca has announced that it will close its doors permanently on Saturday, June 27.
“We are deeply grateful for the loyalty, support, and friendships that have made these years so memorable. It has been our privilege to share meals, celebrations, and special moments with each of you,” the restaurant shared in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
The restaurant noted that it is exploring new restaurant concepts and will still operate Plaza Azteca’s sister restaurant, MexiPHO in Glastonbury. Antonio Melendez is the local operator of both eateries. Plaza Azteca is located on the Berlin Turnpike, where it has served customers for 15 years.
The Newington location is one of the many Plaza Aztecas around the country. There are Plaza Azteca locations in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia, according to its website.
Notable menu options include Enchiladas El Jefe (ortilla filled with grilled chicken, chorizo, rice, and beans, topped with cheese sauce, pico de gallo and sour cream), tableside guacamole, fajita nachos, Oaxaca bowl and camarones mojo de ajo (sautéed shrimp, with garlic mojo sauce, onions, tomato, fresh avocado, topped with fresh cilantro and served over a bed of rice).
In 2023, the Plaza Azteca chain was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor for failing to pay full wages to more than 1,000 employees and failing to pay the required minimum wage for some employees who worked up to 40 hours a week. The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $11.4 million in back wages and liquidated damages from the chain.
The Newington spot is the only Connecticut location of Plaza Azteca.