HYDE PARK, Ohio (WKRC) – After countless applications and job interviews, a Cincinnati man with Down syndrome felt like giving up, but he didn’t.

When a brand new restaurant, Mesa Loca, opened up in his neighborhood, Matthew Castro took in his application. What happened next surprised him.

“I leave my ego at the door and I come with a positive attitude,” said Matthew.

He is learning a new recipe in the kitchen. He is frying fresh tortillas and giving them some flavor. Matthew’s passion is cooking. He wants to be a chef, but the opportunity to learn and earn a paycheck did not come easily.

“Usually, we go through the process of putting in resumes, filling out online applications and it just seems like it’s always a miss for him. They think he’s a great kid, but there’s always a ‘but,'” said Clair Castro, Matthew’s mother.

For once, he said there was no hesitation during his interview at Mesa Loca.

I literally looked at Matt and I asked him one question. I go, ‘Matt what do you like to do?’ And he goes, ‘I love food.’ Hired. Done,” said Kinjal Desai, owner of Mesa Loca.
“He looked at my resume and hired me right on the spot,” said Matthew.

His new job gives him independence and purpose.

“I’m just like other people. I manage Down syndrome really well,” said Matthew.

But, most importantly, Matthew feels included and equal to everyone on the team.

“It made me feel welcome, and this place made me feel home,” said Matthew.

Mesa Loca opened officially Friday at the Old Cock and Bull in Hyde Park.