Business Profile - Malabito Street Catering & Cha a Teahouse
How did you get your idea or concept for the restaurant?
The idea came when my kids are still young, I wanted to be more flexible with my time. Restaurant is a 24 hour job, having a catering kitchen, I am able to choose the how much hours I work for each day. The teahouse has always been an idea of mine for my kids to work with me as teen, and learn how hard and fulfilling this industry can be.
As I evolved as a Chef/Business Owner throughout the years, the clientele I've cooked for had always described my cooking as healthy with great flavors and clean cooking. I love that!
What made you choose this type of business?
Restaurants had always fascinated me as a kid in Cubao, Quezon City, I would sit on a busy walk through bridge watching this particular Restaurant full of diners, being serviced with such class and flow throughout its entire Restaurant. I wanted that, but in reality it takes so much to do what they do. So I'm doing it in a very small scale, just one at a time.
How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business?
My only marketing is word of mouth, always being referred to another client.
When people like my food, they can trust me enough that I will create and execute their event and vision. Also, having free range of creativity of ideas gives me such passion to do more.
What made you choose your current location?
My location was a blessing, for 2 years I've been looking for any spot just to cook in. But this 2nd generation cafe found me, as soon as I walked in the door, I knew this location was it for me. The space needed some love and care so that's exactly what I did. I'm very proud of how it came together and I hope everyone will enjoy my small place.
What is unique about your cafe?
Just a small neighborhood teahouse Serving Organic Blended Teas, Freshly made Palamig, while adding Boba in their drinks. Housemade fresh halo halo ingredients, made from scratch pandesal bites and ube pandesal bites served with sweet butter cheese, empanadas, Baked Siopao are always available on weekends
A Chef will also cook their best dish for that weekend. No menu needed, whatever is in season we will create one dish with side dishes to complete the meal. Taste and Flavors are made from all cuisines, Filipino, Cajun, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, American and many other traditional dishes.
What is your best selling item on the menu?
Lol. My Cajun Fried Catfish with Pan Seared Asian Greens in Ginger. Just simple cooking but executed well.
Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?
Next five years.... I will have opened another neighborhood teahouse and so on. I'm already looking for the second location now. In ten years, one of my kids will elevate it to whatever they think it should be. I'm very excited in the future!
How does your company stay engaged with the Filipino community?
As I've joined this Filipino Business Association I would love to engage more in our Filipino community. I would hope all Filipino business no matter small or big should come together and create an all Filipino-American Annual Festival and let that become our way of engagement to our community. If we all pitch in sponsoring and volunteering this would be such a great success 5 years from now! I believe it and I volunteer now and let this grow to hand over to the next generation of Filipinos in San Antonio Business Leaders.
How has COVID-19 impacted how you conduct business?
Definitely slowed my business down but covid also made me rethink that less is more in my catering business. I've actually been working for less offices but larger orders. This way I can truly focus and execute an event perfectly.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Make sure you have the heart to keep it going, always make time for yourself and family. Always believe in yourself,
Embrace to experience failure and learn from it. And most of all always thank God for all his blessings everyday.
Malabito Street Catering & Cha a Teahouse
Address: 2813 Thousand Oaks Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78232
Phone: (210) 636 - 5025
Website: malabitostreet.square.site