Ridgewood’s dining scene continues to thrive with Hellbender, a vibrant Mexican-American restaurant, gearing up to celebrate its one-year anniversary.
Located at 68-22 Forest Ave, the popular eatery has quickly become a community favorite, known for its bold flavors and cultural flair. Partnering with the well-established Rolo’s bar and grill at 853 Onderdonk Ave, Hellbender is poised to deepen its connection to the local community and expand its influence on Ridgewood’s evolving culinary landscape.
Hellbender is close to celebrating its one-year anniversary via Instagram @hellbendernycWith its playful fusion of Mexican ingredients and New York’s diverse influences, Hellbender has quickly become a beloved neighborhood favorite. However, according to Chef Yara Herrera, this is only the beginning of the restaurant’s journey.
“It’s inspired by Mexican cuisine and ingredients, with a New York touch and how it’s just a giant pool of different cultures and traditions,” Herrera explained. “Everything we cook is Mexican or comes from some type of Mexican ingredient, but they’re not very traditional dishes. They’re more like fun plays on Mexican dishes, a little bit of mix and match.”
Hellbender, which opened its doors on Feb. 29, 2024, has spent its first year developing a steady foundation in the community.
“It took us a year and a half to open. September 2023 is when we started planning everything out,” Herrera said. “Ours was probably one of the shorter projects I’ve seen because we took over a location that already had restaurant equipment and gas connections. If we didn’t have all of that, it probably would’ve taken another year.”
Since its opening, the restaurant has become more than just a place to eat – it’s a space for cultural exchange and local community involvement. For Herrera, who comes from a Mexican-American background, creating jobs for locals is just as important as serving great food.
“A lot of our employees live in the neighborhood. We offer jobs and benefits to people who are already local,” she says. “For my culture, I believe that’s important—to be able to share my experience of coming from a Mexican background and being raised in America.”
However, Hellbender’s community engagement doesn’t stop at offering employment. As the restaurant celebrates its first year, Herrera and her team are looking for ways to give back to the neighborhood and the broader Mexican community.
“The last year for us, being the first year we opened, has been challenging not to drown. Opening a business is really hard, so a lot of our focus has been on making sure our business could run,” Herrera admitted. “But now, heading into turning a year old next month, our focus will be a lot more about how we can give back to the neighborhood.”
Hellbender is deepening its commitment to giving back with new initiatives aimed at fostering community and cultural visibility. Starting in February, the restaurant plans to host drag brunches, filling a gap that Chef Yara Herrera believes exists in Ridgewood by providing a platform for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Beyond the drag brunches, Hellbender is also launching fundraising events to support schools in Mexico, furthering its mission to honor and preserve Mexican traditions while making a meaningful impact.
“We’re raising money to fund these schools,” Herrera stated. “One thing that is really important, and something we really focus on at Hellbender, is not letting a lot of the traditions in Mexico die out. We’re constantly informing people about them and teaching our guests about why our tortillas look or taste different and where they’re coming from.”
As the restaurant approaches its second year, Herrera is excited to continue using food to connect people while honoring her heritage and supporting both her local community and Mexico. Its unique blend of flavors, values, and community spirit has cemented its place in Ridgewood’s heart, and this is just the beginning.
Hellbender operates from 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, remaining closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Closing hours are 11 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 p.m. on Sundays. For more information and to make a reservation, visit here.
