Locals and visitors love Breadmen’s Restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1974 by Roy Piscitello. The Piscitello family ran Breadmen’s until 2020 when they sold to long term employees the Castro Family. Omar Castro, his father Luz, mother, brother, grandfather, and two sisters have all worked at Breadmen’s over the years and today they are proud to own the relocated restaurant which is more popular than ever. They are now known as Breadman’s, same menu, new location.

In the beginning:

For decades, Omar Castro-Juarez and his family have been as important to Breadmen’s as the restaurant has been to Chapel Hill. In 2020, Omar stepped out from behind the scenes to take over as owner.

“We have really tried to keep things the same as much as we can,” Omar says. There were some changes to accommodate the new space, but the Breadman’s experience will be familiar to regulars, from the all-day breakfast menu to the UNC sports photos adorning the walls.

“People come to Breadman’s because it’s a place where they feel comfortable,” Omar explains. “I can say that most of my customers know the menu very well and know what they are having by the time they pull up to the parking lot.”

Omar moved to Chapel Hill with his family in 2000, when he was 10 years old, and got his start at the original Rosemary Street location working weekends after he graduated from Southern Alamance High School. “I really didn’t have a lot of background in the restaurant industry [when] I started working at Breadmen’s,” he says.

“I can say that I did every job at Breadmen’s from washing dishes to working the line and worked my way up to manager,” he says.

Breadmen’s employees Omar Castro and Luz Castro, along with Bill Piscitello and Roy Piscitello, former owners of Breadmen’s, pose together. Photo 2015

Today the new Breadman’s is a family affair. “My family plays a big part of this journey,” Omar insists. “I get a lot of credit for keeping the restaurant going, but I could not have done this without them.”

Omar’s father, Luz Castro-Lopez, has worked at the restaurant for more than 20 years, and Omar credits him with keeping the kitchen running smoothly and serving as the go-to problem solver. “He can fix just about anything,” Omar says.

Omar’s two sisters, Cris Castro-Juarez and Yesi Castro-Juarez, work as servers, and his grandfather Francisco Castro-Vazquez helps out in the kitchen with food prep.

“We are truly a family-run business and are very thankful for all the support we have received from our customers.

“I don’t know what the future holds,” Omar adds, “but I know that Breadman’s will be part of Chapel Hill for many years to come.”

http://breadmens.com
261 South Elliot Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 967-7110
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7:00 am – 9:00 pm