At The Point Mexican-American Cafe in Schenectady, diners get the "best of both worlds," according to owners Humberto Cruz and his wife, Francesca. Visitors can choose increasingly popular Mexican dishes or more traditional American diner-style favorites.
"When a family of four comes in," says Francesca, "adults can get what they want and children can choose food they're perhaps more familiar with."
This menu of two cultures mirors the remarkable journey to Schenectady of its husband-and-wife operators. Humberto and Francesca Cruz met in their native Oaxaca, Mexico and travelled together 24 years ago, with $40 in cash between them, to a new life in America.
A serendipitous bus trip
Restaurant work brought them from New York City to Connecticut and then to East Greenbush. On a bus trip to Albany (lacking a car), the couple inadvertantly wound up in Schenectady. They fell in love with the city and soon made it their home.
The Cruzes began working for previous owners of The Point in 1996. They puchased the restaurant in 2001, giving their new business a cultural and culinary makeover. Retained were standard and popular dishes, including bacon and eggs for breakfast, hamburgers (including bison burgers) for lunch, corned beef and cabbage and macaroni and cheese for dinner. Added to the menu were burritos, salsa, tamales, and fajitas--authentic dishes from the owners' native culture.
Updated menu, open seven days--early and late
Traditional dishes at The Point are being complimented with more vegetarian fare. The Point hums along seven days a week, from early breakfast to late night dinner. Humberto and Francesca spin the many plates of running an eatery, from ordering fresh food from suppliers at the best prices to fine-tuning the menu for customer tastes, to preparing home-made soups daily.
Nestled at 964 Helderberg Avenue in Rotterdam, The Point offers specials, take-out orders, and "great food, service, and value" say the Cruzes. Visit their Web site and learn more on Facebook.
Dave Balog works with families and businesses on financial plans. dbalog99@gmail.com. 355-0967.
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