STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A native of the village of Linderos del Sur in Puebla, Mexico, Santiago Roesundo uncovered how to cook dinner from his mother, who whipped up a plethora of cultural dishes.

“My enthusiasm for cooking started by observing my mom in the kitchen when I was young. She would provide so quite a few smiles to people’s faces with her cooking,” he reported, noting Linderos del Sur is a small village about 400 miles south of Mexico Town.

So at a younger age, Roesundo — who now lives with his spouse of 20 many years and their three children in Rosebank –preferred to produce these similar smiles for persons as a professional chef. He immigrated to The us at age 13, and commenced as a bus boy. Roesundo finally became the head chef at the Woodrow Dinner in Rossville and at Annadale Terrace in Annadale.

Avocado Mexican Restaurant

Co-proprietor and Chef Santiago Roesundo makes an omelet with beans and avocado. Dec. 8, 2022 (Staten Island Progress/Jan Somma-Hammel)

But he normally wished to stay the American desire of possessing his very own restaurant.

And just after recently assembly fellow Rosebank resident John Spagnoli — who was formerly in the cafe business and holds a bachelor’s diploma in resort and restaurant administration — that desire turned actuality.

The two men noticed an chance to partner in the cafe organization. They selected Rosebank to upstart the eatery the place they could cater to households — numerous of whom may well be having difficulties during tough economic moments — by serving up reliable Mexican delicacies at economical prices.

“Although there are a lot of high-quality, upscale eating places in Rosebank this even now remains a doing the job course neighborhood,” claimed Spagnoli. “We felt we would fill a require with a family members cafe with average price ranges or even individuals regarded ‘low’ in today’s financial system. … We wanted to present superior meals devoid of breaking the financial institution.”

Avocado Mexican Restaurant

Avocado Mexican Grilled and Coffee in Rosebank is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Staten Island Progress/Jan Somma-Hammel)

The pair opened Avocado Mexican Grilled and Espresso on Tompkins Avenue in Rosebank in September in the room that was previously an Italian restaurant.

And when the budding restaurateurs noticed the room was now intended with southern rustic decor, “it just fit” for their new Mexican eatery, reported Spagnoli.

“It already seemed like a Mexican Cantina. There are murals that seem as if they are scenes from Mexico,” he stated. “We added avocados and greens [decor] on the walls and Mexican and American flags. With the wooden beams on the ceiling, it genuinely looks like a hacienda.”

Avocado Mexican Restaurant

Manager/waiter Cesar Padilla serves their range a person buyer Sergio Fernandez at Avocado Mexican Grilled and Coffee in Rosebank. (Staten Island Progress/Jan Somma-Hammel)

MENU Items

Avocado Mexican Grilled and Espresso serves conventional Mexican fare. Some of Roesundo’s specialities contain creamy chipotle shrimp with bell peppers and environmentally friendly onions more than rice, and plato ranchero (grilled chicken with chorizo, fried cheese, onions jalapeno and nopales (cactus) with tortillas.

Avocado Mexican Restaurant

Avocado Mexican Grilled and Espresso serves common Mexican fare. Pictured is tortilla soup. (Courtesy of Avocado Mexican Grilled and Coffee).

“Santiago’s tortilla soup is to die for,” explained Spagnoli.

The restaurant’s menu also has a wide range of American fare favorites, these kinds of as burgers, grilled cheese and chicken fingers for the young children. And it’s open for breakfast, lunch and supper.

In addition to seating for about 45 men and women, the eatery has a back area that can host events of up to 60 people today.

Avocado Mexican Restaurant

Avocado Mexican Grilled and Espresso in Rosebank opened in September. (Staten Island Progress/Jan Somma-Hammel)

“We want persons when they walk in to not sense like they’re heading to a cafe, but like they are coming home,” mentioned Spagnoli. “And we have that ambiance with little ones are running all around and family members eating listed here. If you occur in with a frown on your encounter, we want you to depart with a smile.”

Avocado Mexican Restaurant

Avocado Mexican Grilled and Espresso serves common Mexican fare (Courtesy of Avocado Mexican Grilled and Coffee).

AVOCADO MEXICAN GRILLED AND Coffee AT A Glance

Handle: 452 Tompkins Ave., Rosebank

Web site: avocadomexicangrilledandcoffee.weebly.com

Fb: @MexicanAvocado

New Companies in Concentration is a weekly column that relates the tales of new Staten Island organization house owners.

If you have a new organization on Staten Island, e-mail [email protected].

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