New restaurant set for Johnny Joe's

Source: Monroe Evening News
The recently closed Johnny Joe's restaurant at 391 N. Telegraph Rd. is being transformed into Dolce Vita Italian Grill, an 8,500-square foot dining establishment that should be operating by August.

"It'll be Italian basically with lots of sauteed and seafood dishes," said Tonny Sacco, one of four investors in the new business. Mr. Sacco of Monroe, who owns the Tiffany Pizza chain, is partnering with Joe, Vince and Tony Cangialosi, who operate the Dolce Vita restaurant on Fort St. in Riverview.

They acquired the restaurant from Monroe brothers John and Joe Rendina who started it in 1992 as a Mexican-Italian establishment. Mr. Sacco had been looking for a location for a new restaurant and in conversations with the Rendinas struck a deal for Johnny Joe's.

The building is being gutted and will be combined with another 3,000 square feet that once was part of the River City Cinema complex next door. The former movie theater since has been converted to a Panera Bread bakery-restaurant.

Mr. Sacco said the new restaurant's menu will be similar to the Riverview operation but also will have steaks and prime rib.