El Tepeyac Café facts for kids
El Tepeyac Café, often just called El Tepeyac, is a very old and famous Mexican restaurant. It's located in a neighborhood called Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles. People know it best for its super big burritos! Two of the most famous are “Manuel’s Special Burrito” and the “Hollenbeck Burrito.” You can find the original restaurant at 812 North Evergreen Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
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A Taste of History
El Tepeyac Café started way back in 1942. The Rojas family first opened it. It was originally named El Tupinamba Café. It was near downtown Los Angeles. Later, the family moved the restaurant. They opened La Villa Café in the Lincoln Heights area.
The Move to Boyle Heights
In 1952, the Rojas family moved the restaurant again. They chose the Boyle Heights neighborhood. This is where El Tepeyac Café is still located today.
Manuel Rojas's Legacy
Manuel Rojas took over the restaurant. He was the grandson of the founder, Salvador Rojas. Manuel, known as “Manny” or “Don Manuel,” made El Tepeyac a famous spot. He created the restaurant's most popular dishes. These are the giant “Manuel’s Special Burrito” and the “Hollenbeck Burrito.”
Famous Burritos
El Tepeyac serves many tasty Mexican dishes. These include chile verde, fajitas, and tacos. But the two special burritos are the most famous.
Manuel's Special Burrito
The “Manuel’s Special Burrito” is huge! It weighs about five pounds. There's even a "Manuel’s Burrito Challenge." Many people try to eat the whole thing. Only a few have finished it! This challenge was even shown on the TV show Man v. Food.
The Hollenbeck Burrito
The “Hollenbeck Burrito” is another famous dish. It also weighs over five pounds. It's filled with pork, red chile, rice, and beans. It also has guacamole and is covered in chili verde sauce. People say this burrito was made for LAPD officers. Officers from the local Hollenbeck Division often ate at El Tepeyac.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Around 2009, there was worry about the restaurant. There were issues with the land lease. But the Rojas family promised to keep the restaurant open. They wanted their famous burritos to stay in Boyle Heights. And they did! The restaurant never moved.
Growing Popularity
El Tepeyac Cafe has been a favorite in Boyle Heights for many years. In 2011, the Rojas family opened a second location. This new restaurant was near the City of Industry.
Manuel Rojas, the beloved owner, passed away in 2013. He was 79 years old. In September 2020, Manuel's grandson, Carlos Thome, opened another El Tepeyac Cafe. This one is in Pasadena. He also created a new dish called the "Pasadena Bowl." It quickly became a favorite there.
Copycat Restaurants
Sometimes, other restaurants try to copy famous places. In 2015, this happened to El Tepeyac. A restaurant called El Tepeyac Hacienda opened near Syracuse, New York. It had very similar menu items. It even served the "Hollenbeck Burrito."
The Rojas Family's Response
The owner of the copycat restaurant, Sean Martinez, claimed he had an agreement with Manuel Rojas. But the Rojas family strongly denied this. They said they never agreed to any copies. Martinez said his restaurant was not a franchise. He also claimed it was very popular. The El Tepeyac Hacienda in Syracuse has since closed.
The Rojas family also said Martinez tried to open a copycat before. This was in 2010 in Chino Hills, California. That restaurant also closed soon after it opened.
On Television
El Tepeyac Cafe has been featured on several TV shows.
- On February 18, 2009, it was on the Travel Channel’s show Man v. Food.
- On July 24, 2014, it was on Esquire TV’s show Best Bars in America.
- On January 15, 2017, it was on the Travel Channel’s show Food Paradise. The episode was called “Best Mex.”
