You can lead a horse to water, but can you convince it to eat squid?
Amelia Robinson talked to Bill Castro for the latest episode of the "What Had Happened Was" podcast.
Bill and his family have been serving the world up to Dayton for more than 40 years at their restaurant, El Meson, at
903 E. Dixie Drive in West Carrollton.
>> El Meson’s 40th birthday celebration continues with four more epic anniversary events
Bill talks about being raised in West Carrollton by the Hispanic Ward and June Cleaver and how his family's business grew from a pizza joint to one that serves the tastes of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. (Yep, some dishes include squid.)
The accomplished horse rider tells Amelia how legendary Dayton Daily News food critic Ann Heller changed the game for the restaurant now located partly in the former site of a barbershop and a famed dark and dingy biker bar.
Do you remember the pork tenderloin at Pett’s?
>> Related: What you should know about Bill Castro
El Meson got its start in 1978, under the leadership of Bill’s parents, Herman and Gloria Castro.
Now the third generation of the family is learning the ropes and the paella from Bill's husband, chef Mark Abbott.
>> RELATED THROWBACK: The top 10 Dayton-area restaurants of a quarter-century ago
WHERE TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
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ABOUT THE PODCAST
"What Had Happened Was" is a podcast for Dayton, powered by Dayton.com. You won't believe the stories that come from right here. Host Amelia Robinson shares the best tales from the Gem City, Land of Funk and Birthplace of Aviation: Dayton, Ohio.
This podcast is brought to you by Cox Digital Marketing.
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