El Tepeyac Café is an authentic Mexican restaurant that was founded in 1942 by the Rojas family. It was originally named El Tupinamba Café and was located near downtown Los Angeles. The family later relocated to the Lincoln Heights area, just north of Boyle Heights, and opened a restaurant, La Villa Café. In 1952, the Rojas family relocated the restaurant to Boyle Heights, the current location of El Tepeyac Café.

After the death of his grandfather, Salvador Rojas, Manuel Rojas took over El Tepeyac Café and built it into the historic Boyle Heights landmark it is today. Manuel was known to his loyal customers as “Manny” or “Don Manuel” and is the well known creator of El Tepeyac’s most famous dishes, “Manuel’s Special Burrito” and the “Hollenbeck Burrito.”

The restaurant also boasts other authentic Mexican dishes including chile verde, fajitas, tacos, rice, beans, and many more. However, the “Manuel’s Special Burrito” and the “Hollenbeck Burrito” are the most well known additions to the El Tepeyac Menu.[

“Manuel’s Special Burrito” is a five pound burrito that is the star of the Manuel’s Burrito Challenge, which has been attempted by many and successfully completed by few. Manuel’s Burrito Challenge was featured on Man vs. Food.[3]

The “Hollenbeck Burrito” is another one of El Tepeyac Cafe’s most famous dishes. It is over five pounds and contains pork, red chile, rice, beans, guacamole, and is covered with chili verde sauce. It is said that this burrito was created specifically for LAPD officers, from the local Hollenbeck Division, who often frequented El Tepeyac.

On February 12, 2013, El Tepeyac’s beloved owner, Manuel Rojas, died at age 79.