Press release example: 'Favorite Port Aransas seafood restaurant thrives during pandemic, plans 2021 growth under new ownership'

Castaways restaurant, one of Texas’ favorite seafood getaways on the Port Aransas Gulf Coast, has weathered many storms since it first opened in 1993. Hurricane Harvey couldn’t beat Castaway’s spirit and popularity, and neither has COVID-19.

Over the last year, the friendly coastal spot famous for its daily catch specials and other full-menu items saw an increase in business as more vacationers sought safe driving trips around the state, fishermen continued enjoying their passion on the waters, and locals found both the takeout and patio dining options to be excellent ways of socially distancing during the pandemic.

The seafood is big at Castaways, and fishing runs deep in its history. It was fishing, in fact, that brought the restaurant’s new co-owners together.

Longtime Texas restaurateur and avid fisherman Chef Adam Gonzales, who has been successful in the food and beverage industry since the mid 1980s, first met his new partner, Domingo Hernandez, when he brought in his own catch for dinner and the two struck up a friendship. Uniquely, Castaways is known for frying, blackening, grilling and preparing the restaurant’s own fish, as well as the catch brought in by customers.

Hernandez began working there as a line cook in 2001, moving up to Kitchen Manager and then General Manager in 2007, where he has been a mainstay all these years. Castaways has been his profession for all of his career.

Over time, Hernandez and Gonzales became fishing buddies. Now they have purchased Castaways and plan to further grow the business together.

Chef Adam built a reputation in Austin Tex-Mex dining as a partner in the Serranos/Mama Ninfas restaurant chain for many successful years, later moving into other entrepreneurial ventures in the food and beverage industry. As creator of many of Serranos’ original recipes and upscale dining style, he also developed a line of retail salsas, launched a margarita mixer brand and opened doors into the popular food truck business. During his career, he also combined a favorite personal hobby with media syndication, producing a cable fishing show in the Texas market.

Since the early 1990s, Chef Adam has been an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), previously called the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA). Hernandez, too, is a longtime member of the organization, spearheading Castaways’ privately catered seafood boil parties for many years as a donation to CCA benefit auctions. Chef Adam raised his children on the Port Aransas waters, and Hernandez is today doing the same with his young family.

“There is a real charm to Port Aransas, with something for everyone – a laid-back, welcoming environment, places to shop, take in nature and enjoy great moments with friends, family and the new people you meet,” Gonzales said. “With more people working virtually during the pandemic, the peak times to visit have stretched beyond the usual spring break and summer months to year-round. This forecasts well for continued growth in the future.”

“Having been with Castaways for all of my career and being a part of this community for so long, I’m excited about the great promise this new partnership brings. We have exciting plans, and we invite both visitors and our loyal local customers to come enjoy a meal, join us for happy hour and stop to say hello,” Hernandez said.

Castaways features an island-like setting with a spacious, pet-friendly outdoor bar and patio, daily specials including fan-favorites like hand-breaded fried shrimp, snow crab, lobster and more, and shops and galleries just steps away. The restaurant is located at 337 North Alister Street in Port Aransas.