Our History

1795

John Cooke purchases the building and land for 36 pounds. Upon opening Cooke’s Tavern he wrote in his diary that he wanted to “purvey food for man and beast (horses!).” As time went on business flourished and Cooke’s Tavern became a well-known stagecoach stop for travelers along the College Highway. It was the center of social life in central Connecticut.

1978

A fledgling local cable TV network based in Bristol, CT  – The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network – holds its first press conference here, announcing itself to the world. Only two local reporters attend. ESPN is born and then broadcasts its first event on September 7, 1979. Fun fact: The first event covered by ESPN was a Slo-Pitch Softball World Series game between the Milwaukee Schlitzes and the Kentucky Bourbons.

1980

The restaurant opens on February 26, 1980, still named Cooke’s Tavern. The first night’s sales are dismal. The restaurant is formal; white linen tablecloths, servers in bow ties, and a menu that is a bit highbrow. Our Kitchen Manager is John Huwe, who previously worked with Tim and Jim in Pennsylvania. John worked with us since Day 1 until his passing in 2017.

1988

The name is changed. As time went on Tim, Jim, and then-Kitchen Manager John realized they wanted a more casual, welcoming environment. The decision was made: retire the name Cooke’s Tavern and establish a new identity. J. Timothy’s Taverne – a combination of the two owners’ names  – was born in 1988. The hallmark of the new J. Timothy’s was great pub food and beverages with professional, but friendly service; perfect for families and friends in a more causal environment. No more white linen tablecloths and bow ties.

1991-ish

Dirt Wings are created! Not purposely, it was an accident, a wonderful accident!

Dirt wings were created by one of our guests, Barry, who was on our softball team. After the games he would come in with the rest of the team and order wings. He was nicknamed “Dirt” because he was the oldest one on the team, i.e. “old as dirt”. Ha. Barry was very sociable; he would talk and talk and tell great stories. His wings would sit while he finished his stories. By the time he was done talking the wings would be cold. He said to our Chef, “Just add some more sauce and re-fry them.” What? Ok, we’ll give it a try. Everyone realized they tasted really, really good when double fried and double sauced, making the wings crispier and caramelized.  Voila! The “Dirt” Wing was born. Thanks Barry!

2010 – 2011

We now have 100 employees and have expanded seating. With 3 private rooms for private events, the restaurant can seat over 400 people.

The restaurant is inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame.

A small tornado hits the building, knocking down our chimney and two of our 250 year old trees. Luckily no one is injured. We turned portions of the trees into large carvings inside the restaurant.

2016

The Food Network names our wings “Top 5 Bar Foods” in the country. They called us in late 2015 to say they wanted to feature our wings. We thought it was a joke, a prank. We didn’t believe them! Not until they sent a contract did we think it was real. They arrived with a huge crew to film (for over 10 hours!) in October 2015. We were sworn to secrecy and had to hold that secret until the show aired in February of 2016. What an honor! You can watch the 4-minute segment here.

2018 – 2020

The Travel Channel visits to feature our Dirt Wings and Chicken Pot Pie for a show featuring the “country’s choicest chicken dishes.”

Our 40^th Anniversary Year! We are humbled, a bit surprised, and grateful we’ve been in business for 40 years. We close the restaurant 40 years to the day since we opened – February 26, 2020 – to have a celebration party. The party benefits the newly established, annual John Hume Memorial Scholarship at Plainville High School. Over 400 people attend the party and the Governor declares it “J. Timothy’s Taverne Day” in the state of Connecticut.