Sonny's Tavern opening new location in Rochester as Mooyah moves out at The Ridge

Karen Dandurant, Foster's Daily Democrat
·2 min read

ROCHESTER — Sonny's Tavern, long a popular eatery in Dover, is about to open a second location, at The Ridge Marketplace shopping plaza in Rochester.

The new Sonny's will take over a space that had been occupied by Mooyah. A sign posted this week states the burgers and shakes franchise location is permanently closed.

"The lease has been signed, and we are excited to get in and start making the space our own," said Dean Baltulonis, one of Sonny's three owners. "We are hoping to open in May, once we get all the renovations done."

Amanda Gouin and Dean Baltulonis, a husband and wife team, are two of three owners of Sonny's Tavern in Dover, seen in 2021. They are expanding to Rochester.
Amanda Gouin and Dean Baltulonis, a husband and wife team, are two of three owners of Sonny's Tavern in Dover, seen in 2021. They are expanding to Rochester.

The other two owners are Amanda Gouin, who is Baltulonis' wife, and Tyler Lessard.

Lessard has been the general manager at the Dover location for seven years and will join now as a partner. The popular restaurant and tavern has been in its 328 Central Ave. location in Dover for about 10 and half years.

Mooyah has closed its burgers fast food chain location at The Ridge Marketplace in Rochester.
Mooyah has closed its burgers fast food chain location at The Ridge Marketplace in Rochester.

The expansion to Rochester is coming after working with Waterstone Properties, which manages The Ridge, where more development is planned in the future.

"We were thinking of going into the second phase of the development but when this opening came up, we thought — why not now?" Baltulonis. said. "The community has been great to work with, so welcoming."

Previous story Oops! Cinema, restaurants, fitness centers for The Ridge phase 2 announced too soon

What to expect at new Sonny's in Rochester

Sonny's Tavern, a popular restaurant in Dover plans to open a second location, in Rochester, at The Ridge
Sonny's Tavern, a popular restaurant in Dover plans to open a second location, in Rochester, at The Ridge

Lessard said the new location will offer many of Sonny's favorite dishes and signature cocktails. He said it will be a more casual type of dining, with people placing their orders in one spot and food being delivered to their tables when ready.

"It's the same concept of style with the food and drinks, just a more casual atmosphere," Baltulonis said. "We will have a 29-seat bar and will parlay our top-selling cocktails to a draft form of delivery. We will offer our staples such as truffle fries and our Brussels sprouts dish."

The management of Sonny's hired a new chef, Jake Marsh, who will be the executive chef for both locations.

"He is really talented, and we are looking forward to working with him," said Baltulonis.

When it opens, around mid-May, Sonny's Rochester will be open seven days a week, with plans to offer lunch. dinner and a weekend brunch.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Sonny's Tavern opening in Rochester as Mooyah moves out at The Ridge