El Gordo Smash and Chop always open doors for MC students
to pass by and stop inside. ANGELINA PEREZ/THE QUADRANGLE
By Angelina Perez, Asst. Features Editor & Web Editor
Located on the corner of Broadway and Manhattan College Parkway, El Gordo Smash and Chop is a unique establishment in the Riverdale area that always keeps its doors open. Described as an ‘authentic American restaurant’, the vibrant atmosphere and the sound of Spanish music can be heard up and down the block, making it an inviting spot for the MC community.
Cashier Lourdes Moncayo-Luna has been working at El Gordo as a cashier for a little over a month now following their grand opening in May of this year.
“One of the owner’s, his name is Yemen and he helped decide on this place.” Moncayo-Luna said. “The name el gordo actually comes from the nickname he has which means fatty in Spanish! He made the entire menu and it took them a long time to open the store.”
Moncayo-Luna reassured The Quadrangle that this is probably not the first time a MC student has tried the owner’s food, if students are Riverdale foodies.
“They have several businesses around the area, but they decided to open up this one because it is an attractive place on a fairly busy corner,” said Moncayo-Luna.
Moncayo-Luna explained how she had tried most items on the menu, but her favorites will always lie with burgers and fries, both bursting with a mix of seasonings only the cooks can know.
“I would recommend almost everything,” Moncayo-Luna said with a laugh. “But my favorite is definitely the double smash burger.”
The double smash burger is described on El Gordo’s menu as 100% angus beef with lettuce mayo and tomatoes, however burgers are not the only menu items available. Customers have the ability to also indulge in breakfast and homemade slushie flavors such as pina colada and strawberry all throughout the day.
Edward Mendoza, a senior electrical engineering major, went with his roommates to checkout El Gordo upon their arrival back to campus earlier this month.
“They had a sign outside that said pancake sandwich, and we thought it would be funny to go in and try to order it,” said Mendoza. “My roommate ordered it and they didn’t even give him that. They just kind of gave him pancakes and then the stuff that was supposed to be inside the sandwich on the side. So, that was a bit weird.”
Mendoza explained how one of their most advertised menu items did not satisfy what he was looking for that day.
“I got a chopped cheese, and it was a little bit on the greasy side,” Mendoza explained. “I only ate like half of it. Personally, I couldn’t finish it, so I put the other half in the fridge.”
Junior Elisa Ortiz, a psychology and environmental studies major, had a different experience than Mendoza and actually praised the menu’s diversity and connection to her Puerto Rican roots.
“I think that turnoff for other people is probably the fact that the servings aren’t what you would traditionally think they’re going to be.” Ortiz explained.“When I went there with a few of my friends the lady was super responsive and the [breakfast] taco was good. I can see if you’re thinking you’re gonna get something that’s not what you ordered, but the experience is what you make of it.”
Ortiz explained to The Quadrangle how excited she is to see El Gordo get the recognition it finally deserves from students here at MC. According to their website, El Gordo Smash and Chop is open Monday through Sunday and can be ordered on Uber Eats, Doordash, and Postmates.