Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Castro.
Hi Casey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Wow. Where do I start! I come from South Africa to America to go to law school 18 years ago, as the original plan. But God had a different plan for me. 5 yrs. ago I decided to open a small Argentinian bakery and cafe restaurant where we can sell some good coffee and pastry and some Argentinian well know dishes. the crazy thing I didn’t know how to cook Argentinian food. But I’m very stubborn and I was determined to open this restaurant. So I decided to rent a small space of 800 sf to get it started. Oh boy, I didn’t know what I was getting to. I got the building that use to be a medical office with 5 rooms and I had to transform that to a restaurant, I didn’t know what I was doing but the only thing I knew was I’m building this. With no experience started the cleaning up, remodulation and the construction of Astor.
It was a lot work, designing a floor plan was crazy because I designed my own with a pencell and I took to the permit place and there were like, What is this? I’m Like this is my floor plan for my restaurant that I’m building He looked at me like I was crazy and told me you need to go and find yourself an architect to designed your floor plan. I called one and he was like it would cost you 10 gran and I was like I can do it myself so I went online and I find this website where there is an architect and I paid $25 to get it done and took to them and it was approved. Now starts the dinging, put walls lights, vent hood and everything else. there Astor was born and build.
We opened Nov 2017 and the first 2 years was the hardest year ever. they were days that I wanted to cry because it was so hard and challenge with no way to see the light. I honestly believe that we are here today because of my faith to God and Believe. You have no idea the struggles and hard times I went thru to get here. Even when my friends and family were nowhere to find, I still keep going and believe. When I had no money and I was $80 thousand on red with no bank to borrow you money, I still stood up and never give up, even when I had to let go my chef because was either him or the restaurant, I still never give up. I use to live by paycheck by paycheck to pay our bills. I use to pray and that Friday don’t come yet because I had no money to pay but with hope and faith, determination and believe. I took over as the head chef with no schooling or any kind of experience as cook and thought myself on the go and start cooking and now I’m a self-made chef.
It took us another 1 year, two name changes, adding 2 cuisine and that’s how we got here. But most of all, I have to thank God and my community for the support and for believing in me. I came from Africa with $2oo and not knowing no one and now I’m a part of the community that we are helping to build and grow and building a legacy for the new generation.
Where we are today? We are doing better and looking to grow and make a difference to our community by giving back and support. We are learning and growing slowly, We moved to a new location last year, Bigger building, 4 times the space we use to be and I just build a new Patio, that can seat 140 customers with outdoor bar and beautiful view. We are one of the top brunch place in Katy and Houston, famous for our penny mimosas and the best waffle in the country not forgetting our amazing South African cuisine is the best with a lot of flavors thanks to the combination of my Argentinian and Venezuelan cuisine that makes our Lunch and Dinner unstoppable. Where am I? We are living the American dream. Thank God.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Dealing with Covid 19 was very hard. Closing the restaurant and not knowing what to do next and until now, it still affecting every restaurant but we gonna keep our heads up and keep trying and not give up.
We’ve been impressed with Astor Farm to Table, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are global cuisine specializing in South African, Argentinian and Venezuelan cuisine. I’m the head Chef and owner. Me and my staff makes one of the most flavorful global dishes. Espetadas, Churrasco’s, Fish and empanadas in Katy. Plus, we have amazing South African wines.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, budget, be able to adapt and find way to make it by being creative and thinking of the box but most of all have faith and support your community.
Pricing:
- Breakfast from @12 to $21
- Lunch from $13 to $25
- Dinner from $14 to what you want
- Wine from $4 wine down to the best wines
- Penny Mimosas Brunch $12
Contact Info:
- Email: astorfarmtotable@gmail.com
- Website: https://astorfarmtotable.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astorfarmtotable/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Astorfarmtotable
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/astorfarm2table
