CINCINNATI, Ohio—Getting hired on the spot is no easy feat. But for the Mesa Loca general manager in Cincinnati, he knew after meeting Matthew Castro, that it was an easy decision to hire him.
What You Need To Know
- Mesa Loca opened in November in Hyde Park in Cincinnati
- When the general manager was looking for employees, he was looking for a good attitude and personality. He found that in Matt Castro.
- Matt is a 25 year old that loves food and fitness. He also has Down Syndrome, which he doesn’t let stop him.
- Castro helps around the restaurant with running food, folding napkins, filling drinks and helping in the kitchen
Mesa Loca opened back in November in Hyde Park Square. And when General Manager Ken Desai was looking for employees, he was looking for two traits, good attitude and personality. And when he met Matt Castro, he saw just that.
“The way he talked about restaurant business, the way he talked about food, what he liked to do,” Desai said. “You can hear passion in somebody’s voice and that’s what I heard.”
So, Ken decided to hire Matt on the spot.
“I looked at his resume and his application and I said when can you start man?” Desai said.
“He said that you’re hired here,” Matt said. “And I feel really open about myself and he really wants me to work here.”
Matt is a 25 year old who loves food and fitness. He also happens to have Down Syndrome. But those closest to him don’t let that define who he is.
“We didn’t really treat him any differently than any other kid and I think that helped him to eventually be in the workforce,” Les Castro Matt’s dad said.
“That’s part of his life and we’re okay with that,” Desai said. “But it doesn’t affect anything he does here at all.”
His parents say they had him playing sports with others kids growing up and held him to the same standards as his sister. That’s why they’re glad to see him working in an environment like Mesa Loca.
“We appreciate that Ken and his staff don’t treat him any differently either,” Les said. “So that’s important in his growth and development.”
“I feel welcome here,” Matt said.
Matt loves his job too- so much that he never wants to take a day off.
“I feel alive and I feel amazing at what I do,” Matt said.
Between running food to tables, folding napkins, and helping out in the kitchen, Matt has become an invaluable asset to Mesa Loca.
“My staff is built on a family environment like restaurants are,” Desai said. “To him, he’s a part of our family.”
Matt says he hopes his story inspires others to continue to go after their dreams.
“Down Syndrome is actually what I have and a lot of people with Down Syndrome can achieve their goals just like me,” Matt said. “So, if they want to chase their dreams, go ahead.”
