El Bandido, which temporarily closed in November 2023 and then reopened in December, closed permanently in mid-June.
Spring Valley Restaurant, a long-standing Mexican eatery, has been in business for more than 48 years and is owned by the Tello family.
Their Middletown location, which operates under the name Viva Bandido, remains open.
While there’s no official title, one of the owners (managed by brothers Tony and Angel) told The Journal News/lohud that financial reasons were behind their decision.
New City resident Eti Znamirowski LeMoullec was one of many visitors who took to the Spring Valley Folks Then & Now Facebook page to share their memories. “I was at El Bandido on opening day and Manny treated us like family from day one,” she said. “We’ve had so many family celebrations there and are so sad it’s closing.”
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LeMoullec also mentioned how when he was president of the PTA Board for the East Ramapo school district, his job was to increase membership so he decided to start holding their meetings at El Bandido and their membership tripled.
For Steven Schloss of Chestnut Hill, a 35-year customer, it’s a shame. “The service has always been great, the staff has always been friendly, and the food has been delicious.
“We really had a great time.”
More than 200 comments on the Clarkstown Community Facebook page echoed similar sentiments with many reminiscing about birthdays and the restaurant’s “booming chimichangas.”
El Bandido is not the only one citing rising rents and financial problems as reasons for closing.
In Sparkill, Denis Whitton, owner of the longtime Rockland restaurant, closed his short-lived secret bar on June 8, while Hartell’s Jukebox Deli in Upper Nyack announced its closure in a Facebook post on June 29. “Happy Summer to All,” he wrote. “Thank you for your support and kindness. We will announce when we find a new location.”
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Know of an opening or closing? Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her latest articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
