Today we’d like to introduce you to Aylon Cohen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After growing up in Israel, Aylon moved to the US when he was 23. He was a working musician in California and then moved to Austin, where he met the love of his life, Laurie. After starting a family, they decided to move back to her hometown of Fredericksburg and Aylon wanted to bring the flavors of his home and family to the Hill Country. He grew up watching his grandmother cook and learned a great deal from her and still calls her to discuss recipes. Cafe Dimona was inspired by her dishes and her love of cooking. Now central Texas can enjoy authentic and homemade dishes straight from the heart of Israel.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When we first opened Cafe Dimona, Aylon didn’t want to advertise, he wanted people to know about Cafe Dimona through word-of-mouth and personal recommendations, letting the food and quality speak for itself instead of ads. This resulted in a slow beginning, but we knew that quality is more important than quantity, and customers turned into loyal fans and friends.
Like most good things in life, it took time for more people to hear about the little Mediterranean restaurant off of Main Street., but the organic growth represented our no short-cuts approach to business and food. Now, the reputation that Cafe Dimona has delicious, fresh, and consistently amazing food is well known, and days at the restaurant are full of life and joy.
It has become a special place where people have proposed, celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, and shared new memories at the table.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Aylon was a touring musician based in California and then in Austin, so pivoting to owning, operating, and cooking in a restaurant was a big pivot, but one that still sparked a lot of creativity.
Food is an art form for Aylon, more than just fuel, he wanted Cafe Dimona to feel like having guests over at our home for Friday night dinner. His dishes are a joy to see, taste, and discover, with flavors that are unfamiliar to many in central Texas. He still calls his grandmother often to talk about flavors and her insights into cooking, while he also adds his own creative flare. The hummus, shakshuka, or Safta’s fish are all made traditionally, whereas his pita bread, challah french toast, or his short-rib pastry cigars are all creative endeavors that are modern twists on classic dishes that leave people always coming back for more.
We are most proud of how fresh the food is, always made the same day, whereas in the industry something can be frozen for a couple of days and they call it “prepped” whereas when we say “fresh” we mean it. It’s more work, but worth it when you can taste and enjoy the difference.
We are also incredibly, proud of our team. We want to treat each team member well and want them to feel appreciated and heard. We are so proud and grateful to have cultivated a team that cares about the food, the customer experience, and one another. Customers constantly tell us how amazing the customer service is, and that speaks to the amazing individuals that we worked hard to find and are fortunate to have working with us.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Fredericksburg is a special place where you can drive a little slower, breathe a little deeper, and savor the moment a little longer. It’s a town that takes us back in time to remind us that the most important things in life are to spend time outdoors, to enjoy the company of family and friends, and to delight in a cheerful glass of wine and a delicious dish of food. We love that people come to Fredericksburg to feel more connected to their most joyful selves.
Personally, we’d love for it to rain a few more inches every year. And on a different note, jaywalking across Main Street is a sure way to annoy the locals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cafedimona.com
- Instagram: @cafedimona
- Facebook: Cafe Dimona
