When you think of cuisine in New England, you probably think of things like pizza or seafood, but the region is expanding its culinary horizons.
More BBQ restaurants are starting to pop up here in Connecticut.
The latest venture is in downtown Manchester, where Rockhouse BBQ & Wings is getting ready to open its doors next month on Main Street.
UConn grads Joe Micoletti and Matt Runko have been hard at work on the restaurant since last summer, preparing to serve their menu of ribs, pulled pork sandwich, chicken wings (with a dozen flavors) and other Texas-influenced barbecue favorites, the Hartford Courant reports.
Micoletti told the Courant that barbecue has been his hobby for years.
"People are always telling him at his Fourth of July party that he should be selling this," Runko, of Vernon, said. So, Runko left his job at FedEx to manage the restaurant and Micoletti is splitting his time at the restaurant and an insurance company.
The partners, who are both in their mid-30s, say they've sunk about $110,000 into their new business, and they'll have plenty of competition for Manchester diners.
Rockhouse BBQ & Wings is hoping to open its doors by early June.
