La Fiesta Mexican Food and Tex-Mex Restaurant, a family-owned and operated establishment, continues to serve authentic Tex-Mex cuisine using decades-old family recipes, honoring the Castillo family’s 85-year-old legacy in Central Texas. The Castillo family first introduced Tex-Mex cuisine to the area in the early 1930s, when patriarch Antonio P. Castillo Sr. opened The Aztec Cafe in downtown Waco.
The Aztec Cafe became a popular dining spot for the local community, including Baylor students, who enjoyed the attached dance hall known as “The Patio.” Antonio and his wife, Josephine, had seven children, all of whom participated in the family business and learned the traditional art of making pralines, a Mexican candy.
In 1963, Sam Castillo Sr., one of Antonio and Josephine’s children, opened La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina on the corner of 18th Street and Washington Avenue. The restaurant is currently run by Sam Castillo Jr., Vicki Castillo, and their mother, Wanda Patlis.
La Fiesta is known for using only the freshest ingredients and preparing all menu items daily. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including their original family recipes for chile con queso, chili con carne, and world-famous hot sauce, which is requested and shipped worldwide.
For over a decade, La Fiesta has been voted Waco’s favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, and the Castillo family takes this award-winning tradition seriously, offering a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. In addition to their legendary frozen margaritas, La Fiesta provides live music weekly, maintaining a lively atmosphere for patrons of all ages.
Central Texas Reporter 