Popular Restaurant Destroyed By Midnight Explosion

An explosion early Monday destroyed Johanna’s Restaurant, a Sandy staple for nearly half a century. No injuries were reported. The eatery, opened by Joanne Nielsen on Valentine’s Day 1971 as Johanna’s Kitchen, became a favorite breakfast spot, offering teddy bear pancakes and deep-fried scones. Nielsen sold the place in 2001. She died in 2013. Sterling Smith was a regular morning customer at the restaurant. "They had great omelets, and their scones were amazing," he said. "But it was their servers that made the place.