Burritos will be on the menu at 98 Mineola Blvd., with the Mineola Village Board approving Burrito Blvd to open near the Mineola Long Island Rail Road Station on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Wong’s Noodle House had previously operated at the corner store but suffered a fire from unsanctioned plumbing work in 2014.
“I was raised in Mineola,” Burrito Blvd co-owner Joe Vetrano of Roslyn Heights said. He and his brother, Pat, of Mineola, own Spaghettini Pizza Trattoria at 106 Mineola Blvd. “About two years ago, we opened up Spaghettini. When this property came available, we saw an opportunity to further invest in Mineola’s downtown revitalization.”
The restaurant would operate Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and offer delivery service to the surrounding area and Winthrop-University Hospital. Vetrano pointed to rising and proposed apartment complexes near the downtown as potential boons for the local eatery.
“Even though it’s been difficult on the weekends, we’re excited with [apartments] coming to the area, that there will be walk-in traffic,” Vetrano said. “I see this place as a fun thing in a few years with people coming to the area.”
Vetrano’s developing menu plans to include healthy produce from Long Island farmers as well as non-hormone and antibiotic-free chicken and beef. Burrito Blvd plans to sell Mexican beer and wine on its drink list.
“We’re still working on recipes to get the authentic, Mexican flavor,” Vetrano said. “The location is prime for a revival.”
Wong’s had served as a corner hotspot for local workers and residents before the blaze. The building owner, 104 Mineola Blvd. LLC, did not have the required permits to do plumbing work before the fire, village officials said during court proceedings.
“Spaghettini is going well,” Mayor Scott Strauss said. “I wish [them] the best of luck.”
Two workers were sweating pipes with a torch in the second-floor apartment’s bathroom, which is next to a bedroom closet near where a tenant was sleeping in April 2014, according to Mineola Fire Department officials at the time. The closet, filled with clothes, caught fire and awoke the resident.
“I’ve known the Vetranos for most of my life,” Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira. “I think [they’re] hitting the downtown at the right time.”
Wong’s suffered severe water damage. Ceiling tiles were seen hanging while tables and chairs appeared destroyed.
“I see from two years ago when we first took on the Spaghettini project, and what [the downtown] is today, more restaurants are coming into the area,” Vetrano said. “There are really nice places and it’s going to help everyone.”
