New Restaurant Opens at Binghamton Grotta Azzurra Site

The lights are back on at the location of a beloved Binghamton West Side restaurant that closed suddenly last summer.

Royal Fried Chicken started operating at 52 Main Street a few days ago.

The eatery opened at the site of Grotta Azzurra, the Italian restaurant and pizzeria that had been a fixture in the neighborhood near Binghamton High School since 1982.

Grotta Azzurra ceased operations after the business was seized by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance in July 2018.

Royal Fried Chicken owner Mohammad Hussain said he had worked for several months to get the site ready for the new restaurant.

In addition to chicken, the restaurant's halal menu features salads, sandwiches and seafood. Ice cream and other desserts also are available.

The business is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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