Passion for Food at the Suffield Inn

With one year under his belt as the owner of the , Miguel Mendoza brings a passion for cooking, people and family to his restaurant business. With an extensive menu, a banquet room, and full bar complete with televisions, the Inn has been completely renovated and updated.

Mendoza learned his trade in Oaxaca, Mexico, at the Eta culinary school. Learning not only the art of Mexican cuisine, he gained skills in all forms of world cooking. He said Italian food is his favorite, both the authentic cuisine of the mainland of Italy as well as the “Americanized” Italian fare.

Mendoza designed his menu to feature many options and flavors but maintaining the simplicity, allowing his chefs to make each meal to order. Dozens of dinner options run the gamut of French, Italian, Greek and American flavor combinations.

Business ownership runs in Mendoza's family, as his extended family owns restaurants in Mexico, as well as in Bridgeport, Middletown and other parts of Connecticut.

But his roots in the food business extend further back. He and his father own a chocolate factory in Mexico called La Soledad. For 26 years, the factory has manufactured, packaged, and sold various chocolate products for distribution to local stores in Mexico, as well as repackaged for the American market. The business also manufactures a popular mole sauce, featured in Mexican cooking.

Residing in Enfield with his wife Angelina and three children, Concepcion, Michelle, and Michael, Mendoza recently opened Angelina's Restaurant in Enfield. The breakfast and lunch style restaurant has been open for three months.

Splitting his time between the two restaurants, Mendoza enjoys working as a chef in both, but insists that running a restaurant is dependent on having the right people.

He describes the process as creating a family in each establishment, building a base of loyal employees allowing him to leverage his time.

“They are not just employees to me, they are like a family. The most important thing about running a restaurant is the people,” he said.

He has not ruled out opening more restaurants in the future.

His nephew, Edwin Hernandez, helps run . “He's the head guy in the bar. He's like my son,” said Mendoza.

Beginning next week, Tuesdays will take on a Mexican flavor as the Inn will offer fajitas in many varieties for special prices.

“We will have chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, and veggies, all kinds of fajitas, ” said Mendoza, “a lot of people come in asking for Mexican food, so we will have the fajitas and tacos.”

Mendoza prides himself on his cooking, and delights in making special orders if customers should ask for it.

The Suffield Inn features live music, roughly once every month. The local band Off the Clock will be playing at the Inn on Feb. 11, in advance of Valentine's Day. Every Friday features karaoke, and the restaurant will offer specials for those watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.

“From the day I started here, the people have been very respectful,” Mendoza said of Suffield. “It's a very nice town.”

is open for dinner Tuesday thru Thursday from 4 p.m. It opens for lunch on Fridays, and for breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday.