Meet The Family (And Try The Tacos) At Twin Towers Bagel Express
Herit Bello is living the American Dream. She moved from Mexico to America in 1986. In 2001 she opened Twin Towers Bagel Express on McDonald Avenue and began selling $3 breakfast sandwiches to F train commuters. By 2006, she expanded next door to her current location.
Herit took on this work and responsibility to provide for her three children. JR, Estrella, and Abraham help their mother when they aren’t studying at their respective schools.
“We chip in where and how is needed,” JR explained. “Nothing crazy. Just go buy groceries, clean up around the store. Small things.”
JR referring to his and his siblings’ contributions as ‘small things’ proves they consider their work as par for the course. In fact, their ‘small contributions’ coupled with their mother’s entrepreneurial example, teaches the children how to succeed in life.
Succeeding they are. JR is entering his junior year at York College of Pennsylvania majoring in Mass Communication and minoring in Music Industry/Recording Technology. He was recently promoted to head director for the Public Affairs department of the student radio station, WVYC 99.7FM York, PA.
Estrella will be a freshman at John Jay High School in Park Slope and is an active member of her award-winning volleyball team. Abraham is a rising 8th grader at St. Athanasius Catholic School in Bay Ridge. Herit is able to support their educational pursuits financially because of her success in owning and operating Twin Towers Bagel Express.
Don’t let the moniker “Bagel Express” fool you. Twin Towers may best be known for its authentic $2.50 taco topped with fresh avocado, a favorite of the staff at the Kensington Library just around the corner.
“We make everything from scratch,” said JR. They rotate a daily lunch special between chicken, pork, and beef with rice and beans.
“We have a grill,” explained JR, “and Chef Paco will grill up anything, even the sandwiches.”
David, a customer we spoke with who said he’s been going to Twin Towers Bagel Express for breakfast just about every morning for more than two years, highly recommends it.
“They know my order, and that it’s a little different on Fridays, and I don’t even have to ask for it,” he said. “I walk in and we nod at each other, and then my order is ready five minutes later.”
While the business is doing well where it is, they would love for it to grow even more, and so Twin Towers Bagel Express is looking for a larger location. Their current spot, literally under the 18th Ave Station on the F train, has six stools. Most food is wrapped for takeout.
“We used to be next door, but we outgrew that space,” JR said. “We are having a hard time finding a larger location with enough foot traffic to make it viable.”
Twin Towers is a culinary oasis, a real treat for epicureans looking for tasty food at a great price. It’s also turned out to be a helpful tool in raising smart, hard-working children. Hopefully Herit will find a larger spot here in Kensington so we can continue to enjoy her fabulous pollo over rice.
Twin Towers Bagel Express is located at 975 McDonald Ave near 18th Avenue, 718-871-4418. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7am-5pm; Friday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.