Our Story | Casa del Sol Kitchen

Est. 2012

A Dream Seasoned Over Decades

Maria Reyes grew up in her grandmother's San Antonio kitchen, learning that food is the language of love. After 15 years cooking at Austin's top restaurants, she saved enough to open a place of her own on South Congress Avenue.

On October 14, 2012, Casa del Sol Kitchen opened its doors with 12 tables, a wood-fired grill, and Maria's grandmother's enchilada recipe. The line stretched around the block by noon. It hasn't stopped since.

Today, Casa del Sol seats 80 guests, employs 28 people — many of whom have been here from year one — and has catered over 500 events across the Austin metro. The recipes are still handwritten. The tortillas are still hand-pressed every morning. That will never change.

What We Believe

Our Mission & Values

Cook With Love

Every dish is prepared as if we're feeding our own family. No shortcuts, no pre-made shortcuts — only honest, from-scratch cooking made with fresh, local ingredients.

Honor the Community

We source locally, hire locally, and give back locally. 2% of annual revenue goes to the Austin Food Bank. We believe a restaurant's success is measured by its neighborhood's success.

Respect the Earth

We compost all food waste, use biodegradable packaging for takeout, source from farms that practice regenerative agriculture, and have reduced our water usage by 30% since 2019.

The People Behind the Food

Meet Our Team

MR

Maria Reyes

Executive Chef & Owner

Third-generation Tex-Mex cook. 25+ years in Austin kitchens. James Beard semifinalist 2023. Teaches weekend cooking classes.

CR

Carlos Reyes

General Manager & Co-Owner

Maria's husband and the hospitality heart of Casa del Sol. Ensures every guest leaves feeling like family. Expert in wine and tequila pairings.

MR

Marco Reyes

Sous Chef & Grill Master

Maria's son and the wood-fire artist behind our signature grill program. Trained at CIA San Antonio. Specializes in smoked and grilled meats.

DM

Diego Montoya

Head Bartender

8 years behind the bar at Casa del Sol. Craft cocktail specialist with encyclopedic knowledge of agave spirits. Created our signature Casa Paloma.

Our Journey

12 Years of Milestones

2012

Grand Opening

Casa del Sol opens with 12 tables and Maria's grandmother's recipes. Sold out every night for the first 3 months.

2014

Bar Expansion

Expanded to include a full bar program with 40+ tequilas. Diego Montoya joins as Head Bartender and creates the Casa Paloma cocktail.

2016

Wood-Fired Grill Installed

Closed for 2 weeks to install our signature mesquite-wood grill. Marco Reyes returns from culinary school to lead the grill program.

2018

Sunday Brunch Launch

Sunday Brunch becomes an Austin institution. Bottomless mimosas sell out by 11am every week. Added covered dog-friendly patio.

2021

First Austin Chronicle Award

Voted Austin's Best Tex-Mex Restaurant for the first time. The team cried. Maria called her grandmother immediately.

2024

500th Catering Event

Celebrated our 500th catered event — a corporate gala for 200 guests at the Long Center. 28 full-time staff, 800+ Google reviews, and going strong.

Family, Food & Passion