Culinary Empire-Builder Honored in Recognition of Cinco De Mayo in Rockland

NEW CITY, NY — Wishing all Rockland residents of Mexican heritage a feliz Cinco de Mayo, County Executive Ed Day honored the creator of a restaurant empire with a Certificate of Achievement.

Businessman Santiago Manuel Tello opened one of the first Mexican restaurants in the region in Spring Valley more than 40 years ago. El Bandido is still there, the first of more than 20 restaurants in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida opened by Tello, his family or employees.

"Manuel wanted to bring the food of his homeland to America," Day said in a ceremony during which Tello was presented with the Certificate of Achievement. "That was the beginning of a culinary empire that has led to thousands of jobs all over the East Coast."

The County Executive praised the economic contribution made by Tello, 79, who immigrated to this country at the age of 25, and his family through their restaurants.

"They have made investments in communities and jobs that sometimes lead to more new businesses and more investment in communities," the County Executive said. "This is a true testament to the perseverance and talent of the Mexican people."

Tello said he is forever thankful for the opportunities he found in Rockland County, where families have been enjoying his restaurants for more than 40 years.

"Manuel is a true example of achieving the American Dream through hard work, perseverance and kindness" the County Executive said. "And for that we honor him today and wish him and all our residents of Mexican ancestry a Happy Cinco de Mayo."

PHOTO: Deputy Rockland County Executive Guillermo Rosa, Santiago Manuel Tello, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Lucy Redzeposki, Rockland Director of Economic Growth and Tourism/contributed