New Restaurant To Replace Johnny Utah's In Norwalk: Report

NORWALK, CT — A new restaurant offering tacos and "tropical-inspired bites" will be opening soon at 80 Washington Street in South Norwalk. The tropical eatery will be moving in to the former location of Johnny Utah's, which closed after over 100 underage people were found at the bar during an April raid.

According to their website, Cantiki Taco Deck will offer guests a place to unwind and relax in a setting where "the outside comes inside." Cantiki also teases a menu that offers inventive cocktails made with fresh-pressed juices, premium spirits and house-made syrups, as well as extensive rum an tequila lists.

Food-wise, Cantiki will feature a variety of tacos, poke bowls and more cantina-style favorites, all of which promise to be "flavorful, funky, fresh" and pay tribute to island cuisine.

While the website does not offer an opening date, it does tease the tropical oasis as coming soon to 80 Washington Street.

See also: Norwalk Bar Shut Down Following Underage Drinking Bust: CT DCP

According to police, representatives from the Norwalk Department of Police Service, the Department of Consumer Protection's Liquor Control Division and the Norwalk Fire Marshal's Office entered Johnny Utah's on April 19 at 11:45 p.m. to address a report of underage patrons.

Police said a total of 103 underage persons were found at the bar, 93 of which were Fairfield University students.

In June, the Department of Consumer Protection announced the country western bar would not reopen after their permit was cancelled. Though establishments receiving suspensions of their permit is common in Connecticut, it is not often an establishment will close permanently after violations.

"It is rare," Connecticut DCP spokesperson Lora Rae Anderson said in an email to Patch in June, "however the incident that led to the alleged violations in this settlement agreement are very serious. Violations typically involve a liquor permittee serving a suspension for a period of time, and/or paying a fine."

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Photo credit: RJ Scofield