From Visit Billings

Most Billings locals know the story of Khanthaly Keutla and her delicious egg rolls. But now, the creator of Montana’s first –ever food truck and Khanthaly’s Egg Rolls, and her family, are being recognized on the national stage, honored as part of New York City’s Path of Liberty exhibit at Freedom Plaza.

Path of Liberty at Freedom Plaza is a self-guided walking tour on Manhattan’s East Side, offering a look at what it means to be American, told through portraits, stunning landscapes and interviews.

Khanthaly, along with her children Tobee Keutla, Khuanmany Foley and Lukas Seely, were selected to be a part of the exhibition by the Path of Liberty crew as they traveled throughout the U.S. asking people what it means to be an American.

Khanthaly is the matriarch of her family, a woman whose journey embodies resilience, love and determination. After arriving in the United Sates as a refuge from Laos, she and her husband, Sisavath, worked tirelessly, taking on various odd jobs such as delivering newspapers and selling canned goods to support their family. She later began distributing egg rolls to local church members –an act of generosity that would later blossom into a thriving food truck and restaurant.

The family’s sacrifice and hard work didn’t go unnoticed by their children. Khanthaly’s oldest son, Tobee Keutla, opened his own restaurant in downtown Billings called Mia’s Wok, which is also featured in the Path of Liberty project. Daughter Khuanmany came to America in the mid 1990s on her own journey to America and opened the Noodle House. And Lukas Seely, the family’s only child born in America, chose a different path as he became the first Laotion American comedian to perform stand-up on national television. Lukas also created one of America’s best comedy festivals, The Big Sky Comedy Festival that takes place every October in Billings at the Alberta Bair.

“I love America. They give you the freedom to do what you want to do. I grew up in Laos – it was totally different; you cannot open your own business” Khanthaly says. “I really like [the] American system. If you want to do something they support you. It’s not easy, it’s really hard, but it pays off.”

In addition to being a restaurateur in Billings, Khanthaly is one of the city’s Tail Guides – a Visit Billings tourism ambassador program in which Billings’ locals share with visitors what they love most about their community and how the prefer to explore their hometown.

Tickets to the Path of Liberty are free of charge and available at www.visitbillings.com/billingsbuddies, where Khanthaly’s full story is told. Also view Khanthaly’s official Trail Guides video at www.visitbillings.com/billingsbuddies.