Print Issue: September 26, 2002

Providing The Right Ingredients: Rodriguez Family Cooks Up Successful Recipe Of Food And Faith

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

ALPHARETTA - "I must say that I'm really not a restaurateur," Carlos Rodriguez said.

"I don't even know how to cook the rice," he whispered, laughing.

As president and CEO of La Cazuela Mexican Restaurants, Carlos Rodriguez owns and operates restaurants at eight different locations. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

That may seem an ironic statement coming from the owner of a chain of eight successful La Cazuela restaurants, but first and foremost, Rodriguez is a family man.

His devotion to family began at an early age, growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico, as the fifth of eight children.

"I had a great childhood, and a very supportive family," he said.

His father owned his own business and constantly stressed to his children the importance of education. His fervent commitment to his children's schooling led him to move his family to the larger city of Monterrey, where they could attend college.

Carlos Rodriguez came from Mexico in 1982 to pursue a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech, but in 1987 he opened his first Mexican restaurant. His wife Gabriela helps with the restaurant design.

Rodriguez went on to receive a degree as a mechanical engineer from Monterrey Tech, and later, some friends from school decided to go to graduate school at Georgia Tech. The young Rodriguez followed, after studying English for a brief time in Mexico. After receiving his master's degree, Rodriguez returned to Mexico, but after working as an engineer, the Mexican economy took a turn for the worse. It was then that he received a phone call that would change his life.

"My friend called me and said, 'what do you think about going back to Atlanta and opening a Mexican restaurant?'" he recalled. "I remembered the Mexican restaurants from my time in Atlanta. They weren't too good, but they were always packed."

In 1987, Rodriguez and his friend opened the first La Cazuela in a shopping center on Jimmy Carter Boulevard. La cazuela is a clay pot, known for producing the best tasting food.

"It is said that anything cooked on la cazuela is good," he said.

When Rodriguez decided to open a second La Cazuela, his partner separated from him. There are currently eight La Cazuelas, from Canton to Lilburn.

"I wanted to have a restaurant that really represents our Mexican heritage, that's nice and clean and that has good food and different options," he said. "I want it to be in good taste."

The good taste is not only in the food, but also in the interior decorating, provided by Rodriguez's wife of 11 years, Gabriela. At the Alpharetta location on Old Milton Parkway, a festive atmosphere prevails in the large stand-alone restaurant. The restaurant, which cost $1.6 million to open, is a far cry from the first La Cazuela opened for $30,000.

The father of four children, all of whom (except his 1-year-old son) attend Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, counts his blessings each day and uses his good fortune to make the community a better place.

The Rodriguez family lives across the street from St. Benedict's Church in Duluth.

"We used to be just a regular Sunday Mass family," he said.

But not anymore. Carlos, 45, is a member of the parish's men's group, while Gabriela helps with the Spanish-speaking Mass. Both are members of Regnum Christi, the lay order of the Legionaries of Christ, whose priests serve at Pinecrest Academy.

At Pinecrest, they are active supporters of the Parents' Association and have been a big part of the school's growth, having started their children in the school in its temporary location at All Saints Church in Dunwoody. He is grateful that his children are able to receive an education centered on their faith and said that he and his wife have found a true family there.

"It feels so good to have so many families who have the same values as we do," he said. "We don't miss anything from Mexico as far as community."

Rodriguez is also on the board for Southern Catholic College, scheduled to open in 2003 in Dawsonville. He has recently begun to work with Georgia's Make a Wish Foundation.

"As a Mexican, I can do a lot of things to represent my people, but I never identified with politics," he said. "What I identify with is education and things central to my faith."

Although his restaurants have won several awards, including the "Best Mexican restaurant in Gwinnett County" five years in a row, Rodriguez's biggest pride is his family.

"As I see (my children) growing and I see the nice bond that has formed, it brings back memories. It's pretty much the way it was in Mexico," he said.

He trusts the 220 people who work for him to help keep his business running smoothly, so he can still be there for his family. His eyes light up when he talks about his wife, who calls him every day so they can have lunch together.

"My family likes to come to the restaurants," he said. "It's not like a job, the restaurants are just a continuation of my life."

"I like to live a life of no regrets," he said. "I want to say

I did what I needed to do at the time I needed to do it. I don't want to look back and see that I wasn't there (for my kids)."