'House of Friends' Mexican restaurant opens in Tilton

Camarones Vallarta, brochettes of shrimp and vegetables, served with rice, pico de gallo and a salad. The menu at Casamigos includes well-known Mexican dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas and burritos, as well as some recipes that will be new to many New Englanders. (Courtesy photo)

By ADAM DRAPCHO, LACONIA DAILY SUN

TILTON — Last month, when the doors of Casamigos opened on Main Street, Eduardo Leon realized a dream that he had been working toward since he was 14 years old and got his first job.

“I started saving my money since I was working part-time; it was all I had in my mind all the time, having my own restaurant,” said Leon.

Leon, who grew up in a small town in the Mexican state of Jalisco, emigrated to the United States as soon as he was old enough to work in one of the restaurants that his relatives either operated or worked in. He started working in Tennessee, and worked in many other neighboring states until he moved to Michigan to work in the restaurant owned by the parents of his girlfriend, Maria Arellano. When he was 17 and she 16, they married and then moved to New Hampshire, where they settled down in Tilton.

Now 22, Leon is joined by other members of his family in opening Casamigos, a Mexican restaurant and grill at 276 Main St. In addition to Eduardo and Maria, the restaurant is staffed by Leon’s father, Javier; brother Javier Jr.; and uncle Ezequiel Leon. The restaurant opened for the first time on Dec. 5.

Leon said he was initially planning to go back to Tennessee to open his first business, but after five years of living in Northfield, he and Maria decided to take advantage of an open storefront on Main Street.

Unlike many of the local businesses that try to make a living by catering to tourists and seasonal visitors, Casamigos was conceived as a place that local residents will frequent. That’s why Leon picked the name, which he said means, “house of friends.”

“Mi casa es tu casa,” he said. “We want people to feel like they’re in our home.”

Menu prices are set to make diners feel comfortable. Many dishes are available in the $10 to $12 range, with lunch specials starting at $6.75. More elaborate entrees run up to El Molcajete, which will serve two for $25.

“We’ve got prices for everybody. Our price range is really affordable, so they feel comfortable to come here and spend not much money and have nice dishes,” said Leon.

Their recipes are authentic to Mexico, but with some of the spiciness dialed back for American palates.

Even with the snow and prohibitively cold weather that coincided with the restaurant’s opening, Casamigos has enjoyed a warm reception from the town, said Leon.

“We are pretty happy; we already have regulars. We are really happy with the town. They are supporting us,” said Leon.

Casamigos seats 90, and is open for lunch and dinner every day except for Monday.

Eduardo Leon, Maria Arellano, Javier Leon Jr., Javier Leon and Ezequiel Leon opened Casamigos, on Main Street in Tilton, last month. (Adam Drapcho/Laconia Daily Sun)