Back in the kitchen: Roman Castle celebrates one year since reopening

Jennifer Much

Contributor

March 17, 2025

MAUSTON – Owning a business can be a life-changing experience and sometimes includes starting a second chapter. 

Alexandros Tserkezis, owner of Roman Castle in Mauston, said his passion for both service and food has again been reignited as he celebrates a year since the restaurant’s reopening. 

Paired with fresh renovations and a deeper appreciation for his journey, Tserkezis said he is eager to welcome back customers for a hearty meal.

Pursuing his own dream

When he moved to the United States from Greece in 1977, Tserkezis said he never imagined his move across the world would inspire his future career as a restaurant owner.

“I grew up in a close-knit, Greek family where sharing food was at the heart of every gathering,” he said.

After marrying and settling down to start a family of his own, Tserkezis said he realized he wanted to pursue his own American Dream and share his cherished food traditions with his new community.

“I immediately felt at home in Wisconsin’s welcoming environment, and I knew I could bring a little bit of Greece – and a lot of family warmth – to my new hometown,” he said. “Wisconsin felt like the perfect place because of its friendly, small-town spirit and its deep appreciation for comfort food.”

Tserkezis said Roman Castle officially opened in 1995 at 532 Gateway Ave. in Mauston as a casual restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as wine, cocktails and beer.

“I opened Roman Castle because I wanted to create a space where everyone would feel like family,” he said.

The name, Tserkezis said, represents “both my Greek heritage and the sense of tradition, strength and history we’re trying to convey.”

Growing up, Tserkezis said mealtime was a time for families to share stories and strengthen their bond – “an old-world vibe” he hoped his restaurant would offer the same to others.

“I wanted to re-create that same experience for my customers here in Wisconsin,” he said.

Tserkezis said his real nudge to pursue business ownership, however, stemmed far beyond his passion for food and instead came in the form of encouragement from his son.

“My son, who has always been my greatest inspiration, encouraged me to follow my dreams,” he said. “He saved my life both figuratively and literally and gave me the motivation I needed to turn my vision into a reality.”

A tasty second chapter

A year ago, after several decades whipping up dishes, Tserkezis said he had decided it was time to hang up his apron.

“I closed the restaurant and wanted to retire,” he said.

Though he was expecting to spend more time with family and enjoy his well-deserved retirement, Tserkezis said he instead found he was really missing the food and his customers.

“My son stepped in and encouraged me to pursue the dream again,” he said. “He (showed) me that community and family aren’t just words – we can always rely on those we love for strength.”

Before reopening, Tserkezis said the restaurant underwent renovations, such as refreshed hardwood floors, additions of brick accent details and new elements, including a fireplace and original art pieces. 

“We wanted to modernize the dining space without losing that cozy, old-world feel,” he said. “We updated the interior with warm, earthy tones, improved the lighting to highlight our beautiful dishes and expanded the seating area for larger gatherings.”

In addition to updates to the dining area, Tserkezis said the kitchen was also revamped for more efficiency.

In all, he said the process of reopening over the past year has been a “humbling and incredible experience.”

“We’ve been welcomed back with open arms,” he said, “and I’m grateful every day for the support of our loyal customers.”

Tserkezis said customers, both new and returning, can expect the same “exciting dining experience” at Roman Castle.

“They can expect to be greeted like an old friend, treated to flavors they may never have experienced before and leave feeling like part of our family,” he said.

Tserkezis said the cuisine at Roman Castle isn’t just about eating – it’s an experience that nourishes the body and soul.

“We want our guests to feel the warmth that comes from a home-cooked meal surrounded by loved ones,” he said.

A taste of ‘back home’

At Roman Castle, Tserkezis said the hope is that customers feel as if they are sitting in an authentic Mediterranean bistro.

He said the menu contains classics like baked mostaccioli – a pasta dish made with cheese, meat sauce or sausage – and lemon pepper chicken, which features chicken breast marinated in olive oil, peppers and fresh lemon juice. 

There are also a variety of pizzas, fish and desserts on the menu, too, Tserkezis said.

“Many of our dishes are based on the recipes passed down through generations in my family,” he said. “Each recipe carries a piece of our family history, from the savory herbs my mother used to the fresh ingredients she insisted on.”

Tserkezis said when guests taste these dishes, they are tasting a little bit of Greece and his family’s love. 

“Our soups, breads, roasted chicken and several other dishes are a must try…,” he said. “The most popular dish must be our pastas, such as seafood alfredo.”

Tserkezis said customers can also experience his Greek dish of choice – “my personal favorite is the lamb” – which is occasionally offered as a special.

“It’s a reminder of Sunday gatherings back home, where we would grill lamb marinated in herbs and olive oil,” he said.

Alongside taste, Tserkezis said Roman Castle’s dishes offer a look back into his memories.

“Some of my most cherished memories involve standing in my mother’s kitchen while she taught me how to make phyllo dough from scratch,” he said. “There was flour everywhere, and she would explain each step with such patience.”

Tserkezis said those cooking lessons weren’t just about making food, rather, they taught him life lessons and the importance of patience, perseverance and love – values he looks to pass onto future generations.

Fresh ideas

Now that he’s back in the kitchen, Tserkezis said he’s looking forward to bringing new flavors to his menu for his customers to try.

“We’re always experimenting with new specials that fuse our Greek heritage with local flavors, and we love surprising our guests with fresh ideas and seasonal offerings,” he said.

In addition to adding new dishes on a rolling basis and evolving the menu, Tserkezis said he also has plans to host more community-focused events and experiences geared to bring everyone together around the table.

“My main goal is to continue bringing people together over good food and to strengthen the bonds within our community,” he said.

Tserkezis said he hopes to see more private events hosted at Roman Castle, too, including family reunions and fundraisers. 

He said he’s also excited to expand into catering, to bring the taste of Greece into people’s homes and businesses for their special occasions.

“Building connections has always been at the heart of Roman Castle,” he said.

Tserkezis said he would also like to collaborate with local schools and nonprofits to host charity events, cooking demonstrations and cultural nights.

“We’ll continue to use social media to share our family recipes, kitchen tips and stories behind our dishes,” he said. “Most importantly, we’ll keep our doors and hearts open to anyone who walks in, because Roman Castle is more than just a restaurant – it’s a family table where everyone is welcome.”

Roman Castle is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

For more information on the menu, follow Roman Castle on Facebook or visit its website at romancastlerestaurant.com.