Our Story

Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine was founded by owners and brothers Jose Castillo and Pedro Castillo, along with Carlos and Felipe Arellano, chefs and brothers. The Castillo’s and Arellano’s started out in the restaurant industry as dishwashers 23 years ago, and began to envision bringing authentic Oaxacan cuisine to New York.

The goal – to guarantee a wonderful meal with authentic cuisine and fabulous margaritas, serve over 50 artisanal and ancestral mezcals, and over 100 different types of tequila brands in a vibrant unique atmosphere that boasts excellent service. Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine opened in Astoria in 2021 with such a wonderful and successful home run that a second location opened in Patchogue in March 2022.

Ruta Oaxaca means “Road to Oaxaca,” a historic state in the southern part of Mexico. Mr. Castillo and his Partners are keenly focused on honoring Oaxacan culinary traditions, whose fame is derived in great part from its many varieties of moles. By legend, these ancient recipes are more than sauces, they are the very focus of the meal. Ruta Oaxaca proudly features four moles, each prepared using the Oaxacan mole recipes that have made the cuisine world famous.

The menu, however, is not limited to Oaxacan cuisine. On the road to Oaxaca, you pass Mexico City, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Morelos, and when you arrive in Oaxaca you taste the best of the best. The chefs Carlos and Felipe were born and raised in Oaxaca (pronounced “was-HAH-kah”), and they harken back to many of their mother’s much-loved recipes, particularly the intricate moles they cook to perfection and the handmade corn tortillas made fresh daily. They consider their food “home gourmet,” using old-fashioned methods while serving dressed-up plates.

Mr. Castillo says of his chef partners and best friends from childhood - “They have the passion and love to cook everything and make it feel gourmet and authentic. We love what we do, and seeing our guest leave happy is the most important thing for us.”