Open for Business in the Village of Brewster
That’s Alotta Empanada
The Montague family at Alotta Empanada in Brewster. (l-r) Linnie Montague, Payton Montague, Tanya Montague and Shelby Montague. Photo, Eric Gross
The newest restaurant in Brewster is Alotta Empanada, at 141 Main Street in the Village.
Tanya and Chris Montague have created a take-out restaurant featuring a fusion of African American and Puerto Rican fare which Tanya called “Afro-Rican.”. She explained: “Our empanadas are packed with fillings that include everything from meats and fish to fruits and desserts. A vegan filling is also available.”
Family favorites include beef, chicken, shrimp, black bean, spinach and cheese, mac and cheese and an apple empanada.
The family relocated from the Bronx to Putnam a few years ago, and decided to open a local eatery as Tanya explained: “We wanted to put our money into our community by bringing something unusual and different into our home town, which will result in shoppers returning.”
Tanya, a nurse by trade, and her husband opened the restaurant because “my family loves my cooking. I have been told countless times over the years: ‘You need to open a restaurant!’ My five kids kept egging me on as did my husband.
Brewster Mayor Jim Schoenig stopped by during our visit and welcomed the new business to his community: “This is truly fantastic. It’s wonderful to see a family like this doing its part to aid in the rebirth of our village. They could have opened anywhere but they chose Brewster.”
Gross, Eric. 2024. That's Alotta Empanada. Putnam County Courier, March 19.