Orlando's Cafe In Hampton Bays Under New Ownership

Orlando’s Cafe, a Hampton Bays staple for nearly a decade for those looking to sink their teeth into a huevos rancheros breakfast burrito, is getting a makeover after its longtime owner recently sold the business.

Former owner Orlando Garbanzo, who declined to be interviewed this week, threw in his egg-and-salsa-stained apron last month after suffering financial hardships, according to Diego Bamberger, one of three new owners of the West Montauk Highway restaurant.

Mr. Bamberger, of Hampton Bays, who said he frequented the cafe as a customer when Mr. Garbanzo ran it, took over the lease for the 5,760-square-foot building in March, after partnering with Robinson Velez, the owner of Antojitos Bakery next door, and Fabiola Romero, the owner of a Peruvian style cuisine restaurant in Peru.

Mr. Bamberger explained that he has done business with Mr. Velez, and his bakery, in the past, while Ms. Romero was once an employee of Mr. Bamberger when he ran a cellphone store in Riverhead.

“I always wanted to have a restaurant,” Mr. Bamberger said on Monday. “I think that’s nice, my dream being realized.”

While the 25-year-old entrepreneur plans to leave most of the menu untouched, the same cannot be said for the restaurant’s name. He said he will rename it the Azao Cafe and Restaurant within the next month; he noted that azao means “roasted” in Spanish.

And with a new name comes new specialty dishes. Mr. Bamberger said he intends to add roasted chicken—a recipe he learned from his maternal grandmother, Hilda Rebilla—to his updated menu, describing it as an irresistible item for locals looking to taste classic Peruvian food, a cuisine that until now has been lacking in Hampton Bays, he said.

“Most restaurants tend to be Chinese or American classic food—we want to offer something different,” Mr. Bamberger said.

He added that his newly hired chef, George Romero, plans to add ceviche, a raw seafood dish, and lomo saltado, a Peruvian sirloin stir-fry, to the menu as well. “We want to offer that.”

While many locals were devastated to learn that Mr. Garbanzo would no longer be running the cafe, a change of events that he posted on Facebook, others like Vicki Marotta-Swanson said they are excited for a change. “I was never a fan of the food, so I am excited for something different,” she said.

John Jones of Hampton Bays added: “Orlando’s had a very unique vibe, one that I hope will continue with the new owners.”