New Restaurant Opens Near Paradise Green In Stratford

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford resident J.P. Vilarinho recently opened a restaurant in his hometown.

Chicken Piri Piri started serving up its signature Portuguese barbecue chicken about three weeks ago out of a storefront near Paradise Green Park. Town officials gathered Thursday at the business for a ribbon-cutting event.

"It's been extremely rewarding," said Vilarinho, who is from Portugal and owned two restaurants there.

Chicken Piri Piri offers simple but tasty takeout, he said, as well as seating for customers who want to eat in. In addition to the chicken, the menu includes suckling pig, pork shank and rice with chorizo. The wood-fire box used to cook the meat is imported from Europe. Also imported is the potato chip recipe, which features the same spice blend Vilarinho's grandfather used at a potato chip company he owned in Portugal.

"It's very unique," Mayor Laura Hoydick said of the eatery.

Hoydick is excited that Vilarinho chose to invest in Stratford, she said. The restaurant at 3530 Main St. is the first Chicken Piri Piri location, but Vilarinho hopes it won't be the last. He has structured the business as a franchise and plans to expand. Discussions are underway for possible restaurants in Milford, Shelton and Derby, he said.

"Towns nearby should all have one," he said.

For more information, call the restaurant at 203-383-2303.