That depends on what Tele you wre wanting...and what music you are playing.
I assume that if you have the cash to get an American Tele, you would have the cash to go for a Gibson, not Epi, so I will also assume you mean a standard or mex tele.
I own a Gibson Les Paul and love it so much,but if it were a choice between those two tho, I would probably go with the Tele, always have loved them, even tho I own none,I think they are awesome guitars.