'Mac' is back with new Fairfield restaurant

As the song says, "Look out, old Mackie's back."

Back in the restaurant business, that is, as Mac Groetzinger opened his latest eatery Monday night, MacKenzie's, in the building that once house the Black Rock Tavern and, before that, Pizzaria Uno on Black Rock Turnpike.

If the restaurant's name sounds familiar, there's a reason for that -- Groetzinger opened the first MacKenzie's about 30 years ago on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport's Black Rock section. He later moved to the Hi-Ho Motor Inn, a spot now occupied by Barcelona's. He went back to his first Black Rock building two more times -- the last time the place was known as Paddy Mac's. He started the Redding Roadhouse 16 years ago and was involved in starting Shenanigan's, which was the place to hear live, local bands in the heart of South Norwalk for many years.

Groetzinger also still owns an interest in MacKenzie's on High Ridge Road in Stamford.

"I've been around for a long time," he said. "I'm really happy to be back in Fairfield. I'm very familiar with the clientele, though they've all grown up a lot."

The newest MacKenzie's will feature an "eclectic American cuisine," he said, with offerings like shepherd's pie, pot pies, big steaks and burgers along with a bit of a Latin flair.

For more details, check the new restaurant's website -- www.mackenziesfairfield.com -- which is expected to be online by Tuesday, Groetzinger said.