- The City Council and the people of Los Santos de Maimona, through a letter from the mayor, have joined in the many congratulations for this event.
The Los Santos de Maimona City Council has joined in the congratulations to the restaurant “El Hogar Gallego” in Calella (Barcelona) on its 50th anniversary. It is run by Antonio Gordillo Lavado, a great entrepreneur of Santeño origin, who emigrated to Calella when he was just 16 years old, but who still maintains ties and family in his hometown.
Hogar Gallego opened its doors in Calella in 1975. Three generations have passed through its kitchen. The first were Sara Bugallo Lois and Saúl Bernárdez Alonso, who arrived in Calella from Forcarei, Pontevedra, with their children, Carlos and Emilia (who later married Antonio Gordillo), and founded the bar Los Gallegos, a name it kept for 11 years.
Emilia and Antonio continued the business and have now been operating as “El Hogar Gallego” for another 50 years. Antonio Gordillo worked as a farmer as soon as he arrived in Calella and later became a bricklayer. He built the apartment building and the restaurant on the ground floor himself when the family decided to expand the Los Gallegos bar. He later left construction and worked in the kitchen with his mother-in-law. He was completely self-taught, using high-quality products. With his efforts and contributions, he grew the business and expanded its facilities to offer its customers a parking lot and a summer terrace.
Chef Toni Gordillo (one of Antonio and Emilia’s children) is the third generation of the family to run this seafood restaurant, and has maintained it as a benchmark establishment, recognized with a Repsol Sun and recommended by the Michelin Guide.
A family that has made a success story a reality and now wants to celebrate, among other things, with a special edition of a book that will be published in physical and digital formats, and which will compile all the congratulations, writings, and reviews from institutions, journalists, prominent figures in public, cultural, and social life, and their own clients.
Greetings from the Saints of Maimona
Among the congratulations was that of the mayor of Los Santos de Maimona, who, representing the City Council and his people, sent the following letter entitled “A home away from home,” which summarizes what this family business project has meant:
“It is an honor and a profound joy for me to address you, as Mayor of Los Santos de Maimona, to celebrate together the 50th anniversary of the ‘El Hogar Gallego’ restaurant in Calella.
Today, distance fades, and our hearts draw closer to pay tribute to a story of hard work, overcoming challenges, and deep roots. A story that, although written far from our homeland, is born from the soul of Extremadura.
It was the 1960s when a young man from Santa Cruz, a resident of Río Verde Street, left home in search of a better future. In his luggage, limited in material things but abundant in hope, he carried the values that define us: courage, perseverance, and love for what’s ours. He also carried in his heart the indelible memory of his mother, María Lavado, a courageous woman, a great cook, and a model of dedication, who knew how to support her family in difficult times.
Together with his wife Emilia and with the support of his in-laws, originally from Forcarei (Pontevedra), Antonio Gordillo Lavado built much more than a new home in Catalonia: he built a bridge between lands and cultures. What began as a modest bar, “Los Gallegos,” became, five decades ago, “El Hogar Gallego,” a culinary icon that has taken the names of Calella, Forcarei, and, with particular pride, Los Santos de Maimona, to the top.
The success of “El Hogar Gallego” goes far beyond accolades—such as those awarded by the Michelin Guide or the Repsol Guide. It is a human triumph, a reflection of hard work, family commitment, and talent passed down from generation to generation. Today, that legacy lives on thanks to the passion of Chef Toni, who continues to write this story with the same dedication as his father.
From Los Santos de Maimona, we want the family of “El Hogar Gallego” to know that their success is also a source of pride for all of us. Antonio and his family are a living example of our diaspora: of those brave residents of Santa Fe who, without renouncing their roots, have carried the name of our town beyond our borders. We remember them all by using the popular saying: “Even if you are away, feel that you are at home.” Here, in your homeland, you will always find open arms and a place to return to.
For all these reasons, on this important date, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Gordillo family and the entire team at “El Hogar Gallego.” Thank you for honoring the work, effort, and legacy of an exemplary citizen of Santa Fe; for keeping the tradition alive with excellence; and for being a beacon of inspiration for us all.
With all my affection, on behalf of the people of Los Santos de Maimona.
