by Terri Wiebold

Although the interior is still decorated as an old-world Irish pub, the dining room area of Celtic Crossing has been converted to an authentic Mexican restaurant.

La Carreta, or “the chuck wagon,” features a full menu of Mexican appetizers, salads, specialties, and traditional Mexican entrees. The restaurant’s chef was born and raised in Mexico and prepares everything on the menu from original recipes made from scratch. “Nothing that is put on the table comes out of a can,” said restaurant owner, Noel Coyne. “Our recipes do not come from the internet,” he continued in a thick Irish accent.

Customers who have been coming to Celtic Crossing since it opened in November, 2000 seem to have embraced the change according to waitress and Special Functions Coordinator Connie McBroome. “At first people were curious how it would be. It didn’t take long before our regulars were ordering from both menus.” When asked why he chose a Mexican menu inside an Irish Pub, Coyne’s response was, “It is what people are eating, and it is affordable. I would serve Mongolian food in an Irish Pub if that is what people were buying. Mexican food the way we prepare it is healthy and not too spicy. The meats are cooked on a flat-top grill and it tastes good.”

The first restaurant to open in the Castle Pines North Community, Celtic Crossing has succeeded where many other businesses have failed. “It is sad to see so many businesses leave this community,” Coyne said. “We are doing what we hope will bring customers in.”

The restaurants feature Texas Hold ‘Em in the Cigar bar on Tuesday nights, Trivia Night on Thursdays, and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Hours ofoperation are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight (full menu served until 9 p.m.), Friday and
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

La Carreta and Celtic Crossing are located at 363 Village Square Lane.

For additional information, visit www.celticcrossingpub.com or call 303-663-6414.