Both skilled carpenters, the couple tackled most of the renovations themselves. They spent recent years renovating and flipping houses.
“We were like Chip and Joanna Gaines,” Diana said, referring to the power couple of the popular HGTV series “Fixer Upper.”
The Espiritus co-founded Radish and Dill with their longtime friend, Nick Eaton, a vegan chef who had been a fixture at their dinner parties for over a decade. Inspired by the establishments they frequented during their travels—particularly through Amsterdam—the friends wanted to offer fresh, ready-to-eat food in a casual setting.
Chris’ brother, Ted Espiritu, a former executive chef at top hotels in Dubai, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and New York, is one of the co-founders and bakes the bread on the premises daily. He describes the fare as “fast-casual without being fast food.”
A year after opening Radish and Dill Fine Food Market in September 2021, they run their business using the same hands-on approach: every sauce, meatball, and dressing is made from scratch, with seasonal changes to the menu depending on available produce.
All the ingredients are responsibly sourced and sustainably grown, Chris Espiritu said. Nothing is processed, frozen or contains additives. A list of 35 carefully selected local vendors—all women-owned, family-owned, or minority-owned businesses—supplies everything from fresh-baked pastries to produce. Customers can order sandwiches and breakfast items from the menu or grab a fresh pressed juice, Greek salad or prosciutto sandwich from the chiller.
Before Radish and Dill, San Marcos residents wishing to purchase vegan flour, organic oat milk or even just a toasted panini would have to brave the traffic on I-35 to get to Austin or find goods at the Saturday farmers market at San Marcos’ downtown square.
Diana said the value proposition of fresh, farm-to-table foods is hard to resist.
“We have noticed that no matter what economic bracket people are in, at one time or another, they want to treat themselves,” she said.
Radish and Dill Fine Food Market
102 Wonder World Drive, Ste. 201, San Marcos 512-667-7276. www.radishanddill.squarespace.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
