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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is St. Charles County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Restaurant Spotlight Archive |
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La Carreta Is A Great Place To While Away The HoursBy Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
 The
image of salt on one hand and a bite of lime ready and waiting is the stuff
Hollywood is made of when it comes to appreciating fine tequila.
Just ask Jesus Casillas, a tequila aficionado of sorts who stocks more than 50 varieties in his La Carreta restaurants. Casillas owns two La Carreta restaurants - one on Veteran's Memorial Parkway in O'Fallon and the other on Old Hwy. 94 in St. Charles. Casillas has all of his bases covered when it comes to serving fans of his food, and when it comes to tequila, he is incomparably ahead of the crowd. Tequila, like a fine wine, must be sipped slowly and served at room temperature, Casillas said. "There are so many kinds," Casillas said. "Some people buy shots and we're always ready to make recommendations." Casillas is a native of the Mexican state, Jalisco, a place where the agave plant grows to create the main ingredient of tequila. He opened his first restaurant on Old Hwy. 94 South in 2004, early this year his second restaurant in O'Fallon was up and running. Tequila bottles - a reminder of his roots - nearly circle the restaurant in shapes unimaginable and shades in colors of the rainbow. Most guests, however, come not just for the fabulous tequila selections or the homemade Mexican entrees like grandma Casillas used to make; they come for the variety - not just in the tequila, but with nearly everything on the menu. Begin with a beer: Corona, Dos Equis, Amber, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Tecate, Curta Blanca or Bohemia. Examine the menu's list of enchiladas and you'll find enchiladas verdes, yolandas and enchiladas supreme. ($6.75 -$7.25). If you are craving chicken, the options are endless. Try pollo con vegetables featuring grilled boneless chicken breast, marinated with special house sauce and served with rice, beans and vegetables. There is pollo a' plenty with pollo a la parilla, a premium chicken delicately seasoned with fresh sauce, charcoal grilled to perfection and served with rice, beans and a fresh guacamole salad and corn or flour tortillas. ($9.45). Steaks are always specially made at La Carreta and for the youngster in the group, there is a great children's menu that features a Mexican option or an American cheeseburger, chicken strips and fries. Pork, soups, salads and even vegetarian dinners fill La Carreta's extensive menu. Sure, there are familiar fajitas, tempting tacos, dynamic quesadillas and some of the best burritos in town (about $5). But for the indomitable diner there are authentic Mexican seafood entrees like camarones al mojo de ajo ($11.95), featuring shrimp laced with garlic, grilled and served on a bed of rice and lettuce; camarones a la diabla, a hot and spicy shrimp served on a bed of rice and lettuce and fillet a la diabla, white fish grilled in a spicy sauce and served on a bed of rice with a side salad or vegetables. Casillas is proud of the following he's found for his extensive selections. He welcomes guests openly and greets everyone at the door. "Many of the recipes are from my grandmother who is still living in Mexico," Casillas said. "We visit her twice a year and are always ready for her special meals." Casillas says for special visits, he's sure she'll prepare something like her chili verde - the same recipe he uses for the entrée in his restaurants." "Mom is here helping us make homemade tamales," Casillas said. "We use only massa, a fresh ground corn to prepare our entrees. Many places use flour, and then, it's just not authentic." Casillas also insists on fresh avocado for his guacamole sauces and salads. The tomato salsa is always fresh and the tortillas entrees are made by hand. "Nothing comes from a can. If it's from a can, it's not authentic," Casillas said. "We welcome our guests as we would to our home - with homemade foods." La Carreta is a comfortable spot for a dinner for two or a banquet for 10 or a night out with friends for a tequila tasting party. "Look around at all the bottles. Each is a different tequila," Casillas said. There's the best, the expensive ones like Romance ($14.95 a bottle), and the least expensive, Agavero at $6 a bottle, but all are smooth - with a bite not a burn - as you while away the hours enjoying the atmosphere at La Carreta. La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine has two locations: 4203-05 Old Hwy. 94 South in St. Charles (phone 636-922-7775 and at 8600 Veterans Memorial Parkway in O'Fallon (phone 636-474-2543). Carryout is available. Large groups can be accommodated at both locations.
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