SAN ANTONIO — Robb Kelly has lived in Texas for nearly 20 years but his home is across the pond. He grew up in England. His dream was to bring authentic English cuisine to the Lone Star State.
"I would go into what they were calling English cafés or Irish pubs. It wasn't authentic. There wasn't an English guy or Irish guy around. And they served a normal burger with fries and called it a London burger," said Kelly.
He is opening The Old English Tea Shoppe in San Antonio. He believes its the only one of its kind in Texas. Everything is authentic, from the food to the freshly brewed tea.
"We have English chefs. We have English waiters. Everybody in here is English," said Kelly.
His own sister works at the tea shoppe. Sandra Marley visited the area about a year ago and decided to stay. She gave up her job in Manchester, England, to cook at the restaurant.
"It took me a little bit to drive on the opposite side of the road, but I've mastered that. I love the weather. Manchester is very rainy!" said Marley.
The restaurant serves all the food Marley and Kelly grew up with.
"It takes me right back to when mom used to cook for us. Of course afternoon tea was too posh for us, but it's just like being at home to me," said Kelly.
The Old English Tea Shoppe opens Nov. 21.