Ever wondered what making a difference tastes like? One bite of The Cast Iron Grill’s from-scratch pies or delicious, deep-fried entrees, and you’ll have your answer. 

Owner and founder Teresa Stevens has been serving up hometown hospitality to her customers for over seventeen years, and Downtown Lubbock is certainly better for it. 

Where It All Began 

Before The Cast Iron Grill, Teresa was a stay-at-home mom who felt a calling to do something different. She scribbled in her prayer journal one Monday morning. “All I simply wrote was, ‘Lord, use me to make a difference in one person's life,’” recalled Teresa. While she had no idea what that might entail, she was open and listening. Then came the wait—a year-long wait. 

When her brother-in-law mentioned wanting to open up a restaurant downtown, Teresa was curious and went to take a look at an old building off of 18th and Avenue K. 

“We pulled up, and, you know, it was about dusk, and I peeked through the windows…And it was like something clicked. I was like, this is it.”

With no restaurant experience and just $13,000 from her husband, Teresa took a leap of faith.

"I never doubted one time that this was what I was supposed to be doing," Teresa recalls, reflecting on the moment she realized her prayers had been answered. 

17 Years of Weathering Storms and Home-style Success

Since that time, The Cast Iron Grill has weathered many storms, including the economic recession of 2008. Not long after that, in 2012, their building was bought out, and Teresa had to figure out how to relocate the restaurant and her crew of 28 hard workers. 

For Teresa, the answer was simple: they belonged downtown. “Downtown Lubbock has taken care of the Cast Iron Grill. They've loved us. They've taken care of us. The city of Lubbock loves us and takes care of us,” said Teresa.  

Teresa’s care for her customers is evident in every aspect of the business. As you take your seat at The Cast Iron Grill, you’ll notice the cowboy boots hanging from the rafters and the license plates covering the walls. Each one tells the story of a life the family of Cast Iron Grill has touched.

“A young man's grandpa passed away. And this truck meant the world to his grandpa,” Teresa recalled. “And now he has the truck, but he had to change license plates. And so he asked if I could put them up where he sat at the bar for breakfast so that he could have breakfast with that license plate, with memories.”

From the exceptional quality of buttermilk chess pies to how her customers' license plates and memorabilia hang from the walls to honor their memories, she bakes love into the whole operation.  

Lead By Faith and Lubbock’s Love of Pie

Through it all, Teresa's faith and the support of the Downtown Lubbock community have been constant. It’s no surprise her prayers were answered. After making the 620 19th St location their home, Cast Iron Grill remains the local hotspot for home-baked pies and southern comfort food.

“Last year, we sold 28,000 slices of pie, and that is not including our massive amounts of whole pies.” And they’re still whipping up the best for their customers, including orders for Thanksgiving. 

As the holidays quickly approach, you can place your order and have the smell of a Cast Iron Grill pie wafting throughout your home. 

Teresa asks for 24-hour notice throughout the year, but releases special order forms for Thanksgiving. This year, she’ll post that order form on November 1st. 

When asked what advice she has for business owners hoping to also call Downtown Lubbock home, she responded with, “Just do it,” giving all the credit to her faith. 

“I just started it, and I guess, hoped for the best because I knew my heavenly Father was in control of it.”

Follow Teresa and Cast Iron Grill’s journey on their Facebook page, or stop in for a piece of pie.