Members of the Bayside community gathered at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center on Monday, Jan. 9, to celebrate the opening of its newest addition, the restaurant Avo Taco.
Among those in attendance for Avo Taco’s ribbon-cutting were representatives from the offices of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, state Senator John Liu, Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Cord Meyer Development Vice President Joe Forgione, Bayside Business Association President Ed Probst, members of Community Board 7 and the Bay Terrace Civic Association.
According to David Hersh, the restaurant’s owner, opening a location at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center had been in the works for almost a year. He felt the Bay Terrace Shopping Center would benefit from the inclusion of a restaurant that offered Mexican food and specialized in drinks.
“We saw that there was an opportunity in this area to be of service to Bayside,” Hersh said. “We thought the stuff we’re bringing with our products and our fresh-squeezed drinks and cocktails and vibrant food, we just saw that being a great opportunity for here. So far, Bayside has been loving it.”
Hersh said the juices for the drinks Avo Taco serves are freshly squeezed each morning. He also said they make their own sour mix in-house, crediting these factors in helping to differentiate the taste of their margaritas and cocktails compared to those at other bars and restaurants.
“I’ve worked in restaurants my whole life, since I was 14,” Hersh said. “It’s all I’ve known. One thing that’s always been my underlying value is if we’re going to serve something, it’s got to be the best version in town. If you stay true to that value, everything usually goes really well.”
This marks the third location for Avo Taco. They also have a location in New Orleans and in New Hyde Park on Long Island.
Forgione credited the chain’s success on Long Island for contributing to the decision to allow for a location to open up at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center. Considering how busy it was there during the grand opening, it appears things are off to a promising start.
Avo Taco is participating in Taste the Greats, the food and drink event of the year which features the greatest restaurants on Long Island, drinks and music at the elegant Mansion at Oyster Bay on March 2. For tickets and more information please visit TastetheGreats.com.
