After years of running the last ‘Big Bowls Little Plates‘ left standing, Mr. Anthony “Big Cojones’ ‘ Defino, owner, operator, and entrepreneur, is bringing Rutherford a next-level Asian fusion eatery – Dumpling Dojo. 

In his pursuit of a good time with good food, Defino’s original idea was to open a laidback skirt steak restaurant, but bumped into the BBLP owner at random and was offered the concept and location. Being that Defino’s passion in life seems to be mastering new challenges, he used this as an opportunity to learn, not only how to kill it in the kitchen, but how to become a restaurateur. Defino was the dishwasher, the busser, the waiter, and every other position in the place until, little by little, it got busier and busier. Between his staff and his customer base, a family was formed and the place became established.

The more people came in, the more they wanted. The requests his customers were making began to shape the restaurant, even more, making it something that went way beyond the concept of BBLP. As COVID-19 entered the scene, Defino was astounded by the support he received. Customers were showing they were not just loyal to the menu, but to his endeavor to serve them.