32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 11-17, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com On a Friday afternoon, Castro’s Surf N Turf is buzzing with customers. The restaurant is appealing for different reasons. It looks like a sports bar, with several large TVs. Or perhaps an arty, laidback space, thanks to stencils of celebrated creative women including Frida Kahlo, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Marilyn Monroe and Selena decorating the walls. But stepping through the doors also brings a beachy vibe. There’s a boat on the ceiling, and wooden tables and benches. The varied atmosphere suits the place. Castro’s is a Mexican land and sea restaurant, with an array of options, from tacos to salads, burritos, fries, sandwiches and more. Castro’s started at the farmers market as Outside Food Court King City every Wednesday, specializing in burritos. It quickly became a love affair between regulars and proprietor, Juan Castro. “The reaction from the people was great,” he recalls. “We kept on getting people coming back.” In fact, they began to nudge Castro, telling him that once a week left them yearning. So in 2017 the young chef found a more permanent location. He moved to the Valero gas station on Broadway and refined the operation over a couple of years—or no time in restaurant years. “It happened really, really fast,” Castro says of the transition from food truck to brick-and-mortar. By the time the pandemic came in 2020, he had settled into his own space, a storefront on Broadway. Regulars followed, despite the disruption to restraurant businesses. Castro and been around bakeries and professional kitchens since he was a child. His father, Luis Castro, is a career baker and owner of Castro’s Bakery and Deli in the heart of downtown King City. “He would take me to work with him,” the younger Castro recalls. In addition to bread, Luis and his team—managed by another son, Isaac— prepare burritos, tortas and other traditional Mexican meals. His sons were avid learners. “I love cooking,” Juan says. During a spring break in Mexico, Juan Castro fell in love with Baja-style tacos. He couldn’t find anything similar in King City and that motivated him to launch his own business. “I started messing around with the recipes,” he explains. “It’s been a work in progress, honestly.” To expand upon his menu, Castro also traveled around California sampling burritos. At a stop in San Diego, he found the California burrito. “I came back and I said, ‘This is a home run.’” The California burrito is a standout in a lineup of popular burritos—arguably the best burritos in South County, and perhaps in all of Monterey County. The offerings range from the pedestrian classic of beans and rice to elevated versions, such as the mango, habanero and shrimp burrito. Such a gourmet burrito becomes a revelation, each taste an explosion of colors, flavors and textures. The deepfried shrimp crunch on the outside, and are tender inside. Slices of mango are bright and juicy. This is set against finely chopped purple cabbage, cilantro and a sweet and fiery mango-habanero sauce. Fried shrimp features in the namesake Surf N Turf taco, alongside carne asada, jack cheese, avocado and creamy Baja sauce. The same sauce sparks the bomb taco. The restaurant makes its own seasonings and sauces, including their creamy serrano and chipotle sauces. “We put a lot of time into making them,” Castro says. “We use the finest ingredients we have at our disposal.” But Castro likes to expand on more than just Mexico’s culinary staples. One popular item is the “wedding fries,” a platter of French fries weighted with grilled chicken, shrimp and jack cheese. To this he adds a drizzle of sour cream and honey barbecue sauce. The name was inspired by two onion rings placed on top. “That was something we just made up in the kitchen one day,” Castro says. “It was during Covid, actually. We were trying to get people to come in.” Whatever he’s doing, from burritos to tacos to overloaded fries, it’s clearly working and people are coming in. Castro’s Surf N Turf, 721 Broadway St., King City. 3861266, surfnturfn831.com. FIRST COURSE Brothers Juan (from left) and Isaac Castro, with their father, Luis Castro, represent two generations of King City restaurateurs. Isaac helps run Luis’ downtown restaurant. RING BEARER…This year’s Whalefest takes place Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14, and is filled with fun, educational events—the most delicious of which are surely the free calamari cooking demonstrations sponsored by Del Mar Seafoods. Chef Tene Shake will be showing spectators how to prepare calamari three different ways outside Kokomo’s/Grotto Fish Market on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm. Those in attendance will also receive recipes to take home to recreate these delicious dishes. (For more event details, see Hot Pick, p. 22.) 42 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. whalefest.org. CHECK IT OUT…Several of Monterey Bay’s restaurants are being featured on KQED’s local eats show, Check, Please! Bay Area. Tune in Thursdays, April 18 and April 25 at 7:30pm to see if you agree with the guests’ take on the best dishes. The April 18 episode features The Butter House in Seaside, Cafe Fina in Monterey and Carmel Valley’s Corkscrew Cafe. kqed.org/checkplease. EARTH MONTH…Why stop at Earth Day? Let’s show Mother Earth some love all month long by raising a glass—or a bottle—of Scheid Vineyards’ Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certified, sustainably sourced wine. Through the entire month of April, Scheid is donating 10 percent of proceeds from all website sales and select bottles at both tasting room locations to CSUMB’s Sustainable Hospitality Program. San Carlos and 7th, Carmel, 626-9463; 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield, 386-0316. scheidvineyards. com. CHEERS TO MONDAY…Mondays are arguably the worst, but Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette is doing its part to make them a little better. From 5:30- 9pm on Mondays, guests can enjoy a burger and a pint of beer for $18. Make the most of your Monday by sticking around for a craft cocktail or a dessert to really start the week off right. 3295 Dunes Drive, Marina. 883-5535, saltwoodkitchenandoysterette.com. WALK IT OFF…Monterey Bay Food Tours has decided to conclude its era of tour service due to the difficulties of running the show from overseas (the owners moved to the Middle East). Whether you are local or visiting, these are—for a little while longer—a great way to experience a variety of the area’s greatest food and drink offerings. Check online for final tour dates and your last opportunities to stroll with them. montereybayfoodtours.com. By Jacqueline Weixel MORSELS Send a bite to eatanddrink@mcweekly.com The best burritos in South County. EAT + DRINK DANIEL DREIFUSS Inland Surfing A King City Mexican restaurant offers a twist on traditional Mexican cuisine. By Celia Jiménez
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