Bringing a taste of Mexico to Seeley Lake

SEELEY LAKE – Large, brightly colored paintings decorated the walls, upbeat Spanish music played and customers were welcomed with chips and salsa. Despite the snow flurries outside, inside the atmosphere rivaled stepping into a Guadalajara restaurant.

The Caro family moved quickly between tables, effortlessly switching between Spanish and English and bringing out hot plates with Mexican specialties. After months of waiting, Casa Caro Mexican Restaurant was finally open.

"We want to offer quality and service," said owners Ailed Caro-Arteaga and Luis Caro. "We want to bring a little bit of Mexico into Seeley."

Luis migrated to the United States in 1997 to work for the Mexican restaurant Fiesta en Jalisco in Orofino, Idaho. The owners were from his hometown in Jalisco, Mexico.

Luis started doing dishes and worked as a bus boy. Due to a shortage in the kitchen, the owners quickly moved him into the kitchen. He worked as a cook for three years before Fiesta en Jalisco opened another restaurant in Missoula.

Luis transferred to the Missoula location where he worked as a chef. Months later he was a server and then became the manager.

In 2005, Ailed came to Missoula for the summer to work at Fiesta en Jalisco on a six-month tourist visa. Her goal was to practice English and return to Mexico to attend college. However after meeting her future husband Luis, her plans changed.

"Since I met him he always talked about the idea of one day having his own restaurant," Ailed said. "I always supported his idea"

Plans for the restaurant were put on the back burner in 2006 when Luis was invited to Seeley Lake to try out drywall with John Ruyle of Sunburst Drywall.

"Things went well and kind of put the idea of the restaurant on the side for a while," Ailed said.

The Caros were married in 2007. Luis became a US citizen in 2008 followed by Ailed in 2016. They worked together with their business Caro Drywall and Paint in Seeley Lake. However they never lost the dream of opening the restaurant.

"I guess God's plans are perfect and last summer we decided to pull the trigger and go for it," the Caros said. "We want to put all our effort to make the restaurant a successful business."

The journey has not been easy due to issues with the septic at the Lazy Pine Mall. However, Casa Caro hopes to resolve the issue soon. The family-style Mexican restaurant opened its doors May 7 with limited seating.

Caso Caro offers fresh ingredients, prepared by expert chefs and served by professional staff. The menu features specialties including: chile rellenos, tamales, street tacos, tostadas, chile verde, mole, carne asada, pork carnitas, menudo and much more. Some of the recipes are from the Caros' hometown Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Casa Caro also offers Mexican desserts and a Kids Menu with American options for the less adventurous palate.

The Caros are looking forward to getting their liquor license. Once they get that, Casa Caro will offer delicious margaritas, micheladas, palomas and other drinks to satisfy any thirst.

"We would like the business to grow and are hoping to be accepted and supported by the community," said the Caros.

Casa Caro is located in the Lazy Pine Mall, 3027 Highway 83. They are open daily from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and closed Wednesdays. Seating is by reservation only. To make reservations call 406-677-CARO (2276).

For more information follow Casa Caro on Facebook or email Casacaro22@gmail.com.