A LITTLE PLACE WITH A GREAT DEAL OF TASTE
By Kevin T. Czerwinski
It's been five years since Victor Jimenez and Rene Terron opened Tequila Sal Y Limon and in that time, the little restaurant on Orange Avenue has become a big hit in the Village.
While Mexican restaurants abound in Suffern none brings with it the flair and ambiance that can be found in this spectacular eatery at the junction of Orange and Wayne Avenues. It's tucked away and not often noticed but it should be because what Jimenez and Terron have been able to accomplish since coming to the Village has been special.
Jimenez and Terron had been working in restaurants for much of their adult lives when they decided it was time to open a place of their own. They had both worked together at Fiesta Cancun and knew it was time to become their own bosses when the building became available.
Free two-hour parking is available on the street in the Village while the Parking Authority's lots are free for three hours. The lots nearest to Tequila Sal Y Limon are the A Lot directly across the street on Orange Avenue and the C Lot on Orange Avenue next to the Kennedy Insurance building.
"It's taken a lot of work and a little bit of courage," Jimenez, 37, said. "But it was fun and it's been good so far. We're not getting rich but we have a decent salary and we're able to pay the bills. It's really something I enjoy doing. We're people persons so we enjoy the job.
"For the last 10 years it was a dream of ours to own our own place. I grew up in Mexico and when I came here I worked as a busboy and I liked it [being in a restaurant]. I never thought about owning a restaurant until about 2001. I actually wanted to be an accountant when I was growing up because I thought it was cool wearing a suit and tie. What did I know?"
What Jimenez and Terron know is how to prepare great Mexican food. Their menu is authentic and varied with daily specials. Jimenez is partial to the enchiladas verde - he says he eats that a lot - but that is quick to point out the seafood on the menu. It's somewhat of a specialty at Tequila Sal Y Limon on a menu that features nearly 50 dishes.
While the thought of good food will bring most customers into the restaurant, it's the quality of service and the atmosphere that keeps bringing them back. The building is sometimes hard to spot on the busy corner across from Parking Lot A. There's a traffic light and railroad tracks and if you're not looking you'll drive right by it.
Once you're inside, though, soak up the atmosphere. A warm, rich, wood-paneled interior makes for a relaxing dining experience. There's original Mexican art and soft music playing in the background. There's also the staff, which has left its mark on the Village.
"It's a hard corner on which to do business," said Jimenez, who lived in New City for 14 years before moving to Suffern. "What saves us is a good quality product. We would have been out of business a long time ago if we didn't have that. And I've gotten to know so many people. My customers have become my friends. As an owner, it's a little different than being an employee. I guess people treat you a little different.
"Suffern is definitely an up and coming town. I think it will just become better as time goes by."
Tequila Sal Y Limon can handle private and corporate parties as well. Its website is TequilaNY.com, where you can check out the menu and get a glimpse of what the restaurant's interior looks like.
It may appear little on the outside but there are big things going on inside Tequila Sal Y Limon.
Free two-hour parking is available on the street in the Village while the Parking Authority's lots are free for three hours. The Orange Avenue lot across the street is the closest to Tequila Sal Y Limon's while the Orange Avenue lot next to the Kennedy Insurance building is a few doors down.