Workers at La Villa de Jerez, one of Hollister’s newest
eateries, don’t just feel like family
– they actually are one.
Hollister – Workers at La Villa de Jerez, one of Hollister’s newest eateries, don’t just feel like family – they actually are one.
Since opening for business on Jan. 1 in the old Thai restaurant on the corner of East and Hawkins streets, the Castro family said response to their traditional Mexican cuisine has been very positive, keeping the restaurant full of new customers eager to try a new meal in Hollister’s limited dining options.
But the Castros are no strangers to the restaurant industry, their experience spans five decades. Maria and Jose Castro, the parents, first opened restaurants in the family’s native town of Jerez in the Zacatecas province of Mexico over 45 years ago. After moving to California in the early 70s, the couple continued to operate restaraunts while raising their four sons Armando, Ricardo, Marcos and Eric – all of whom now work La Villa de Jerez. The boys grew up surrounded by the delicious smells from their parents cooking and the hustle and bustle of restaurant life. The family still returns to Zacatecas at least once a year for vacations and to catch up with the relatives.
Just like the old days, Maria and Jose continue to serve up their traditional fare which they say is based on true home cooking instead of novelty. Meanwhile Armando and Ricardo manage the daily operations, serving as waiters, ordering supplies and overseeing the hundreds of other details that keeps the restaurant up and running.
Though the restaurant now provides a quaint ambience of a softly lit, simple room with several rows of tables spread with pastel cloths, the family spent considerable time renovating the building.
As for the food, the menu mainstays are traditional sauces from Maria’s familiar repertoire she’s perfected over the years. Starting in the morning and simmering throughout the day, the sauces allow the numerous types of chiles and other ingredients to combine perfectly.
“It’s all made from ingredients, nothing canned or frozen,” Armando said.
Other dishes depend more on quick preparation, such as a shrimp and oyster cocktail served with a green onion-tomato and seafood broth or mesquite-grilled fajitas and steaks. La Villa de Jerez specializes in Beef Birria, beef stewed in a tomato sauce, Red Mole with pork and an unusual “Red” Chile Verde. Armando explained that their recipe for chile verde includes tomatoes to cut the heat of the chiles while keeping the tanginess that complements the pork. The homemade tortillas add the perfect compliment to the unique flavors La Villa de Jerez prides itself upon.
La Villa de Jerez is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most of the menu items are available for take-out and there is also a children’s menu.
And so far, the family says they’re very pleased with the warm reception they’ve had from local residents – though it’s kept them very busy.
