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Insect-Loving Chef Brings Mexican Street Food to Eighth Avenue

By Rosa Goldensohn | April 22, 2015 1:54pm | Updated on April 24, 2015 4:55pm
 Chef Mario Hernandez makes authentic street food from his home country.
Chef Mario Hernandez makes authentic street food from his home country.
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Facebook/The Black Ant

CHELSEA — The former Tello's spot on Eighth Avenue will finally reopen as a Mexican street food joint from a chef who specializes in bug cookery, according to city documents. 

El Temerario — Spanish for Daredevil — will be the third authentic Mexican outpost from Chef Mario Hernandez and partner Jorge Guzman.

Hernandez famously introduced New Yorkers to grasshopper-topped tortillas and ant-sprinkled guacamole at the East Village's The Black Ant. The owners did not confirm details of the new menu.

The Chelsea joint, located at 198 Eighth Ave. on the corner of West 20th Street, will be open until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. weekends, according to documents filed with Community Board 4.

Hernandez learned to cook at his grandmother’s side in Cuernavava Morelos, Mexico, according to the team’s website, immigrated to New York at age 16 and worked his way up the back kitchen ladder from dishwasher to executive chef. 

 

A photo posted by Black Ant Cocina de Autor (@blackantnyc) on

Hernandez learned to cook at his grandmother’s side in Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico, immigrated to New York at age 16 and worked his way up the back kitchen ladder from dishwasher to executive chef, according to his website.

The owners did not respond to a request for comment.