Long Island Restaurant ReviewsGallo Tropical: A Restaurant That Is A Family Affair
On October 14, 2002, the restaurant, which used to be George’s Luncheonette, opened up. Before going into the restaurant business, the Bustamantes had their own jewelry store in Bay Shore. But after a brazen robbery, the family moved out to Medford and decided to open their own restaurant. “We had no experience,” said David Bustamante, manager of Gallo Tropical. “We just jumped into it, so it was a big risk because [running] a restaurant is not cheap. The first couple of years [of running a restaurant], you fail, but if you stick it out past three to four years, then you can make it.” When the restaurant first opened, Bustamante said, it had 50 seats. Since then, the capacity has doubled to 100 seats. Half of the restaurant has indoor seating, while the other half has al fresco dining so people can enjoy a view of the outside while enjoying their meal. And with the interior decorated in a South American design and Latino music playing in the background, “it gives you the feeling like you are somewhere else,” Bustamante said. “It’s a nice feeling.” Gallo Tropical specializes in Colombian cuisine, in which the main staple is rice and beans, according to Bustamante. There is a Caribbean influence in Colombian food because of the sweet plantains in their diet. The restaurant does not only offer Colombian fare, but also Mexican food as well, and other food such as vegetarian dishes, gyros, sandwiches and wraps. “When I first opened, we didn’t serve Mexican food, or other items [we serve now],” he said. “Now we have great nachos and quesadillas. We also have gyros, wraps and sandwiches. We fell that says a lot. It’s good to when you have a diverse menu.” For those who want to stick to Colombian fare, the Colombian sausage appetizer ($3.50) is spicy and delicious, but not too spicy. For an added kick, a side dish of aji sauce — comprised of jalapenos, avocados and scallions — will suffice. For lunch, the chicken-styled rice ($7.95) with carrots, peas, red peppers and onions, proves to be a hearty meal. The mix of chicken, yellow rice and vegetables makes this worthwhile to come down during your lunch break. Although the menu describes what is offered with each lunch or dinner item, Bustamante said each item is individually served. Although rice and beans are usually offered as a side dish, customers can substitute that with potatoes, green or sweet plantains, vegetables or a salad. “Everything is made to order. We like to take care of our customers.” For those who want to enjoy a mojito (made with fresh sugar cane and fresh mint) or any tropical cocktail, they can sit at the newly built bar. “We got the bar installed four months ago,” Bustamante said. “We have a granite top and two flat screen TVs. It’s a new addition to the family.” In addition to tropical drinks, Gallo Tropical offers different domestic an imported beers, and juices such as passion fruit, blackberry, mango and guava. These juices ($3.50 each) can also be ordered to be made into smoothies, or have water or milk added. “People usually don’t come here to drink,” Bustamante said. “They look to have a nice cocktail with their meal.” Although they serve very large portions, Bustamante said, Gallo Tropical also offers heart-healthy selections, and is part of Mather Hospital’s “Just Ask Us” program. “Instead of a huge portion, maybe we’ll suggest half a portion.” He said. “We bring out salads. You can also eat half here, and take half of it home for later.” This family-owned business is run by David, his parents and his sister. On the menu is a biography of their ancestor Vicente Bustamante, who was a prominent military commander in Colombia and Valenzuela in the 18th century. A statue of him adorns the famous Avenue of Liberators in the Valenzuelan capital of Caracas. That, David said, personifies family pride, at both a personal and business level. “We pride ourselves on being a big, tight family,” he said. “It’s not easy. It’s a lot of hard work, but, because we are a family, someone’s always here.” Besides being the manager, Bustamante also cleans the windows, waits table and checks up on the customers. “I want to go to every table and make sure everything’s OK,” he said. It could be a napkin, it could be a fork, it could be a spoon. … Even if the food is good, if the service is [terrible], it really stands out.” Bustamante orders the foods himself. “I like to pick it out myself,” he said. “I’m hands-on. I’d rather do it myself, or else it’s done wrong.” The success of the restaurant could also be traced to the customers themselves. “Everybody’s on a first-name basis,” Bustamante said. “It’s a big, homey, comfortable kind of atmosphere.” Gallo Tropical offers take-out and catering. For more information, call (631) 475-4667, or visit www.gallotropical.com. Gallo Tropical of Patchogue |
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Making a transition from one business to another can be quite a gamble. But going into the restaurant business can be even riskier. But it was the risk that the Bustamante family wanted to take when they opened up Gallo Tropical, a Colombian restaurant, in Patchogue.
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