A Florida-based Mexican restaurant chain has announced plans to open its first Long Island location.
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar plans to open a 5,500-square-foot restaurant at Walt Whitman Shops this winter, according to a company statement.
The new restaurant is a return of sorts for the chain’s founder Rocco Mangel, who grew up on Long Island. His late father operated the restaurant Michael in Hauppauge for many years.
“Coming back to where it all began is incredibly special to me,” Mangel said in the statement. “Long Island is where I grew up, went to high school, and formed so many of the memories that shaped who I am. Opening a Rocco’s here isn’t just about bringing great tacos and guac to New York — it’s about coming home and giving life and energy to my 18-year-old brand, sharing the energy and culture with the community that helped raise me.”
Mangel, who grew up in the restaurant business, is opening the chain’s Long Island location under the culinary direction of chef and partner Lisabet Summa.
Rocco has partnered on the new eatery with Racanelli Construction, the same company that built his late father’s namesake restaurant on Long Island. The restaurant at Walt Whitman Shops will feature 200 seats with an all-season outdoor patio space.
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar got its start in 2007 with one restaurant in West Palm Beach, and has since opened eight more Florida locations, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach Gardens, Sarasota and Tampa.
Rocco’s has a Mexican-inspired menu featuring guacamole prepared table-side, hand-pressed corn tortillas cooked onsite, salads, quesadillas, burritos and bowls, enchiladas and more. The restaurant also boasts a selection of more than 200 tequilas and signature margaritas.
David Winzelberg
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