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Feast your eyes on these bad balls. Because can it get any better than mouthwatering homemade mac ‘n’ cheese spherical delights?
Serving up these beauties will be rookie entrepeneur Danielle Pelaez, who is set to open the Greater Sayville area’s first Island Empanada, in Oakdale, next month.
And there’s a bit of significant news that comes with the opening of Long Island’s 10th Island Empanada: It will be the first one to offer beer (on tap from local breweries), wine and (homemade) sangria.
“I am excited to be a part of the Oakdale and Sayville communities,” said Pelaez, 26, a Connetquot High School graduate. “I looked at many locations before this one and this one was the perfect fit.”
Pelaez’s parents Roy and Kathy are the founders of the Island Empanada empire, opening the first of their Puerto Rican style food eateries a decade ago.
“I have worked in the business for the past 10 years, learning all of the areas of the business to prepare me for this venture,” said Danielle Pelaez, who is Island Empanada‘s corporate trainer and has helped open the last seven franchises over the last 18 months.
“I am very excited to follow in my parents footsteps,” she said. “I am elated to finally be owning my own location. Seeing what Island Empanada has grown into over the years, and to now be owning a location, is surreal.”
Island Empanada’s skyrocketing success is easy to explain for Pelaez. She said it’s the combination of “great food, reasonable pricing, good service and location.”
“We are so thankful for Long Island’s love of empanadas and our loyal customers,” she said.
The new Island Empanada in Oakdale will be located at 1551 Montauk Highway. It will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
GreaterSayville.com will continue to update this story.
