I do love a good burger. Unfortunately, I have been spoiled by my time spent working in New Orleans, and thus cannot ever be totally satisfied with any burger in Baton Rouge again. If you love the hamburger like I do, then read the following very carefully.
When you are in New Orleans, you MUST go to Port of Call. Even if you don't find yourself going to New Orleans any time in the foreseeable future, it would be worth the trip just for this experience. Fight the initial urge to doubt me when you arrive and are forced to wait in a long line, even if it is a Tuesday afternoon. Also, do not rush to judgement when you enter and find the place to be a dive. You may reach a breaking point when encountering the less than friendly staff, and when you don't see fries on the menu, but relax and wait it out. Because when you get that huge, delicious, freshly cut burger delivered unto you, it will all be worth it.
I'm not sure exactly what they do, but they do it right. From the dimly lit kitchen emerge guys who look like roadies wearing dark sunglasses, but they are magical when it comes to meat. You will stare at the burger and huge baked potato and wonder how one could possibly consume it all, but not long thereafter you will again be filled with wonder, imagining how you were able to eat every bite.
Sure, there are other things on the menu, but there is no conceivable way that I could go there and not get a burger. Maybe one day, but I doubt it.
As for Baton Rouge, I have heard a variety of opinions. Some say Brewbachers is the place to go, others say Pasttime, Times Grill, Cheeburger Cheeburger, etc. Here is what I say - if you can't order a burger any way other than cooked to death, then scratch them off the list immediately. Meat that has been cooked to the dull grayish color of death will taste just that way. I'm not telling you to eat it freshly removed from the cow, but a happy medium is nice.
You may call me crazy, but to me, Hooters has a great burger. I am well aware that they are much better known for their two main dishes, wings and eye candy. But, they will cook to order your burger however you like it, and I have always been pleased with the flavor and quality of product. Quality of the burger that is....of course. Let's hear your thoughts.
UPDATE: Okay, so perhaps I was a bit premature in posting this entry, because I had not visited Mason's Grill. Food network deemed their shrimp burger best burger in Louisiana, so I had to try it. Fresh ground beef stuffed with jalapenos cooked to order however you like it done. Covered in a ridiculous amount of melted jack cheese, perfectly cooked shrimp and topped with more fresh sliced jalapenos. This is all placed upon a slightly sweet toasted bun. Very good, easily the best burger that BR has to offer.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Famous Sushi
Sushi seems to be the hot item in Baton Rouge area cuisine at the moment. At last count, I think I counted about 14 places where one can find this tasty Japanese delight. Famous Sushi in Prairieville just opened last week, and is located in the Ultima Plaza shopping center, very close to the Ascension/EBR parish line. This spot was the former location of China Chef II, but was never opened.
The interior is quite small, but nicely decorated with what you would expect to find at a Japanese restaurant. At the rear of the restaurant is a small sushi bar with a few chairs and two smiling sushi chefs. The staff all seemed very friendly and accommodating. I sat at the sushi bar and looked over the suprisingly full menu. They offer a variety of appetizers, Japanese staples, hand rolls, maki rolls, and specialty rolls. I sampled the Gyoza pork dumplings, which were quite tasty. Nothing out of the ordinary, but well cooked and flavored, with the typical accompaning sauce. I admit that I'm not the most hardcore when it comes to sushi, so I tried my typical two safe choices. The Philadelphia roll was very good, salmon was very fresh, and the toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on the pieces gave a nice flavor. The softshell crab roll was also quite good, the crab was fried perfectly and was not oily at all.
Obviously there are many more items that I am yet to sample, but this quick first visit proved to be a promising one. Another positive about this place is the hours. Open seven days a week, until 10PM every night, except until 11PM on Friday and Saturday nights. While it isn't yet my favorite Red Stick place for sushi, it is a good spot for quickly satisfying that late night sushi craving.
The interior is quite small, but nicely decorated with what you would expect to find at a Japanese restaurant. At the rear of the restaurant is a small sushi bar with a few chairs and two smiling sushi chefs. The staff all seemed very friendly and accommodating. I sat at the sushi bar and looked over the suprisingly full menu. They offer a variety of appetizers, Japanese staples, hand rolls, maki rolls, and specialty rolls. I sampled the Gyoza pork dumplings, which were quite tasty. Nothing out of the ordinary, but well cooked and flavored, with the typical accompaning sauce. I admit that I'm not the most hardcore when it comes to sushi, so I tried my typical two safe choices. The Philadelphia roll was very good, salmon was very fresh, and the toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on the pieces gave a nice flavor. The softshell crab roll was also quite good, the crab was fried perfectly and was not oily at all.
Obviously there are many more items that I am yet to sample, but this quick first visit proved to be a promising one. Another positive about this place is the hours. Open seven days a week, until 10PM every night, except until 11PM on Friday and Saturday nights. While it isn't yet my favorite Red Stick place for sushi, it is a good spot for quickly satisfying that late night sushi craving.
Welcome to Cuisine Rouge
Welcome to Cuisine Rouge, a restaurant and food blog based in the Baton Rouge metro area. Here you will find my reviews of of the many eateries in our fine city and the surrounding areas. I encourge your comments and feedback, with the hope of providing folks with some insight on where to find great food.
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