With vibrant salad and grain bowls and freshly made agua frescas, Fresco in San Marcos aims to offer the community a tasty experience that leaves customers feeling fulfilled.

The inspiration

Fresco owner Andrew Silver opened the restaurant in January 2021 within Springtown Center. Before moving to Central Texas with his family, he owned and operated a fine dining restaurant called Zocalo in Charlottesville, Virginia, for 15 years with a business partner he met in culinary school.Silver said he wanted to create a fast-casual concept that served food inspired by the bright Latin and southwestern flavor profiles he has always loved.

“I'm a French-trained chef, but I've never been attracted to subtle flavors or plain flavors,” Silver said. “I've always liked heat and brightness and acidity and flavors that pop. So that's why we offer lime squeeze on your bowl, or why all of our dressings, and everything that’s made here in-house are bright and flavorful and have lots of herbs and citrus and things that elevate the experience on the palate.”

On the menu

Fresco offers eight different signature bowls and a build-your-own-bowl option. Each bowl begins with a base like arugula, baby spinach, cilantro lime rice and more. Next, the menu’s hot items range from proteins like citrus chipotle-glazed tofu and mojo pulled pork to veggies like roasted sweet potatoes and sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts.

Customers can also choose up to five toppings like avocado, cucumber, masa croutons, marinated garbanzo beans and more. Each item’s nutrition information is on the Fresco website.

Silver said their “secret sauce” is serving craveable, delicious food that “happens to be healthier for you.”

“We have a mixture of hot and cold and crunchy and soft and textures, and I want you to discover new things throughout the bowl and have it be exciting in your mouth,” he said. “Most importantly, it's delicious, and then you notice when you're done, because it's a lot of food, that you still feel good.”

Fresco bowls are topped off with a dressing of choice. Optional freebies include a fresh lime squeeze, cilantro and hot sauce. Housemade agua frescas and teas include pineapple-cucumber, mango limeade, hibiscus mint tea and more.

Staying local

Silver said serving the San Marcos community means everything to the Fresco team, from locals and families to students. In a sea of fast-casual chain restaurants, he said he hopes Fresco can stand out for its quality and service to the community.

“We have a happy team working here of people who love and respect each other and work hard alongside each other," Silver said. "That translates into a positive customer experience, where the customer walks through the door, they're greeted, treated well and asked about their day and served delicious food that's consistent every time they come in."

• 200 Springtown Way, Ste. 120, San Marcos
• www.frescoeats.com