"I
am saddened to learn that Manuel Rojas, of Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac
Café in Boyle Heights, has passed away. Mr. Rojas did more than run a
successful business, he was a generous patron of the community. My heart
goes out to his family and friends. It is not easy to lose a loved one."
A
bit of history about Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac Café. Founded in 1942
by the Rojas family; originally called El Tupinamba Café, located in
downtown LA; which then moved to Lincoln Heights, there known as La
Villa Café. In 1952 the family made its final move to Boyle Heights,
where it would be known as El Tepeyac Café, now the home of the ever
famous “Manuel Special” – - the FIVE POUND BURRITO! After the untimely
death of his father, Salvador Rojas, Manuel stepped in and along with
his mother Rebecca, took the restaurant and built it to become the
neighborhood restaurant of Los Angeles and for all who come. Manuel has
been involved over the years with several organizations such as the
local Optimist Club, Rotary Club and has generously contributed to most
local community and school events.
2009 was a banner year for Manuel and
El Tepeyac. Being featured nationally on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs.
Food” has brought in new customers from all over the country to try and
eat the Manuel’s Special Burrito – many have tried but few have
succeeded. Currently, the honor of being named #23 of the Travel
Channel’s 101 Best Chowdowns in America has brought renewed national
attention. Many websites such as Yelp.com, CitySearch.com,
Wherethelocalseat.com, AOLCityBest.com and others have rated Manuel’s
with 4 stars. In the Spring of 2009, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
Villaragoza who was raised in the Boyle Heights area and attended
Roosevelt High School, made El Tepeyac Café the last stop on his
campaign tour for reelection which was televised locally as the last
impression to the voters before his reelection.
Now 77 years old and at a time where
many would be retired, Manuel starts up the kitchen at 3AM, 7 days a
week and sticks around for breakfast through lunch doing what he loves
best, welcomes everyone with a kiss for the ladies and a hug for the
men. His appreciation and adoration for his friends and customers
continues through 4 generations. There have been many imitators but,
there is only one Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac. Future expansion is
being discussed and wherever it may be, Manuel will be there to assist
in carrying on the tradition that has become an icon to the City of Los
Angeles.
SOURCE: Manuel's El Tepeyac Cafe
A
bit of history about Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac Café. Founded in 1942
by the Rojas family; originally called El Tupinamba Café, located in
downtown LA; which then moved to Lincoln Heights, there known as La
Villa Café. In 1952 the family made its final move to Boyle Heights,
where it would be known as El Tepeyac Café, now the home of the ever
famous “Manuel Special” – - the FIVE POUND BURRITO! After the untimely
death of his father, Salvador Rojas, Manuel stepped in and along with
his mother Rebecca, took the restaurant and built it to become the
neighborhood restaurant of Los Angeles and for all who come. Manuel has
been involved over the years with several organizations such as the
local Optimist Club, Rotary Club and has generously contributed to most
local community and school events.2009 was a banner year for Manuel and El Tepeyac. Being featured nationally on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” has brought in new customers from all over the country to try and eat the Manuel’s Special Burrito – many have tried but few have succeeded. Currently, the honor of being named #23 of the Travel Channel’s 101 Best Chowdowns in America has brought renewed national attention. Many websites such as Yelp.com, CitySearch.com, Wherethelocalseat.com, AOLCityBest.com and others have rated Manuel’s with 4 stars. In the Spring of 2009, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaragoza who was raised in the Boyle Heights area and attended Roosevelt High School, made El Tepeyac Café the last stop on his campaign tour for reelection which was televised locally as the last impression to the voters before his reelection.
Now 77 years old and at a time where many would be retired, Manuel starts up the kitchen at 3AM, 7 days a week and sticks around for breakfast through lunch doing what he loves best, welcomes everyone with a kiss for the ladies and a hug for the men. His appreciation and adoration for his friends and customers continues through 4 generations. There have been many imitators but, there is only one Manuel’s Original El Tepeyac. Future expansion is being discussed and wherever it may be, Manuel will be there to assist in carrying on the tradition that has become an icon to the City of Los Angeles.
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