Revamped Verona Inn Maintains Traditions

The reinvented Verona Inn has been through quite a few changes in its 65 years in business.

When the popular restaurant opened its doors in June 1947 on Bloomfield Avenue near the Annin Flag Company, it remained there for 62 years before moving to its new home at 642 Bloomfield Ave. in the center of town.

The contemporary yet comfortable restaurant and upscale bar manages to maintain a warm, pub feel, striking the perfect balance between old and new, family-friendly and free agent.

Reopened just a few months ago, the restaurant is “packing them in,” according to owner John MacEvoy, who for the past 20 years owned and operated the business at its previous location. Teaming up with his brother-in-law, Brian Mazzie, an engineer and builder for this venture, the two created the revamped restaurant.

“We took advantage of one another’s talents and put the place together,” said MacEvoy who owns several other restaurants in surrounding towns including Cleveland’s and Hola Cantina in the Caldwells and Murphy’s Bar and Grill in Dover.

In relocating the restaurant, MacEvoy and Mazzie were adamant about staying in town.

“We picked Verona because of the people of Verona and the powers that be in Verona. These guys have invested their lives in Verona.”

While the pair have revamped to look, they assert the ethos of the original restaurant has remained the same.

“For 50 years we were known as having the greatest burgers and coldest beer so we kept that framework.”

In addition to burgers, the restaurant serves up sandwiches and wraps as well as an assortment of salads, tacos and their “signature spuds” in eight varieties. And it’s all served up by a staff almost entirely from town.

“It used to be 20 years ago my friends worked for me.” MacEvoy laughed, “Now it’s my friends’ kids.”

With the madness of relaunching a restaurant behind them, MacEvoy and Mazzie have turned their attentions to perfecting the menu, tweaking their offerings and spreading the word. They have already begun opening for lunch on the weekends, and MacEvoy said he hopes to extend lunch service to weekdays “eventually.” In the fall, the partners plan on introducing brunch, and will roll out a new menu. 

MacEvoy, a former Verona resident who recently moved to a neighboring town, asserts his loyalties still lie with Verona, and he's pleased his business is keeping it's Verona roots. 

“I did my first 46 years here,” MacEvoy said. “I love Verona. I still say I live here.”

As for the restaurant, he said, "We’re going to be here for a long time.”