Categories: Articles
      Date: Dec 22, 2009
     Title: The Caribou Grill

With scenic Valemount as its backdrop, The Caribou Grill restaurant is an impressive log building full of mountain charm. The food is excellent and the feel upscale with cozy candlelit tables and windows looking out to the mountains.

Rudi and Patricia Thoni opened The Caribou Grill in 1999. The couple had been in the restaurant business in Jasper for many years and Rudi is a European-trained chef, so when they found reasonably priced property in Valemount (an area they'd always loved) they decided to take the plunge. First clearing the land, the couple built the log restaurant themselves. In the midst of building the couple needed additional funds and Community Futures was able to provide support. Patricia explains that "without CFDC's support when the banks wouldn't help us we wouldn't be here today."

The restaurant is known by tourists and locals alike for its top grades of beef and high quality food. The menu, which includes steak, prime rib, seafood, pasta, and an excellent kid's and light menu is enjoyed by many sledders in the winter and tourists in the summer; however, it is clear that, over the past ten years, the restaurant has also received great support from the community.

Despite the occasional frustration or set-back, both Rudi and Patricia are proud of their restaurant and enjoy seeing the rewards of their hard work. They are also are thankful for their reliable employees who allow the couple to (finally) take a few days off at the same time.