B.R. "The North Gates"

[peppersue]

Hi all,
Just got back for 3 days and 1 night helping the little one move to his new place in Baton Rouge (LSU).
We were a not much of a tidy trio with cleaning products as cologne, so we just ate close and easy. First meal was at Serranos Salsa. Very good food, great sauce, interesting verde rice. The service was just fine.
Second time out was at Raoul's Deli. This place has been voted the best burgers and Philly sandwiches for 5 years. It was real nice to see a large ball of fresh burger tossed on the grill and smashed into a very large and tasty burger. For $6.50 the the burger includes fries and a drink. Nice to have a close place like this.
We made it to Louie's for breakfast and have always enjoyed the counter-culture there. They have GREAT coffee!
Our last meal was at The Chimes. We had an app of stuffed mushrooms and hushpuppies. The special today was a blackened mango snapper with mornay sause. The fish was great although the mornay was a bit different. The seafood platter was generous and delicious. The crab bun is outstanding and a great value. This place is just nice and so LSU.
Well, old apartment is all perfectly cleaned spic and span. The new place, well, he's got time to get organized before fall term. All in all a nice trip for an hours drive.
BTW, all three (except Louie's which is close too) are right next to each other at the north gates of LSU and there's even the original Canes as the fourth place before that red light.
I look forward to exploring more of Baton Rouge and would appreciate any and all suggestions about great food.....

[Leo in B.R.]

Glad to hear you had a good experience.

First of all you almost can't go wrong at the Chimes - great food. In 20 plus years of eating / drinking there I've only had one semi-bad experience and that was simply my food had gotten cold. Great place.

Glad you had a good experience at Serrano's. I've always liked it, but the Metry location has regularly gotten bad cyber-reviews on boards like this.

Haven't tried Raoul's. I'm happy they're good - don't know who keeps voting them tops, unless it's the Reveille. I read most of the other rags in town and narry a mention of them.

For informal eats, you've hit maybe the best - Chimes. Lots of good middle eastern cuisine in the area, ranging from Atcha Bakery on Nicholson (very informal) to nicer restos like Arzi's and Serop's. Also near campus is Mellow Mushroom - very good, slightly different pizza. I rec their White Pizza - delicious.

For other ideas, check out 225's best of BR issue, currently out there http://www.225batonrouge.com/news/2008/jun/30/dining/?restaurants and Tiger Droppings message board on Food http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/default.asp?b=45, or post again here with specific question! Hope your young tigger has a good time.:cool:

[BTG]

Glad to hear you had a good experience.
Glad you had a good experience at Serrano's. I've always liked it, but the Metry location has regularly gotten bad cyber-reviews on boards like this.


Leo,
I hit up the Metairie Serranos this past Friday and it did indeed leave alot to be desired. That was my first trip there in three or four years and it has def. gone down hill.

I have always enjoyed my visits to the one in BR, but maybe that had to do with it always being LSU game days. Everything tasted better on a Saturday afternoon during football season. :)

[Turbodog]

Have been only to Serrano's in BR. Thought it was pretty good. No experience in Metairie.

The north gates still retain some type of college campus charm, but nothing like 30+ years ago when I was at LSU. The Chimes and Louie's rock, no doubt, but other than that, it feels very corporate there. I also liked the bar scene further north along Highland that was present in the late 1970's (White Horse, Brass Rail, the Bengal, the Cotton Club. Those were good days.

[café au lait]

college campus charm, but nothing like 30+ years ago when I was at LSU. . . Those were good days.

Can I get an Amen? :D

[hungryone]

The Chimes and Louie's rock, no doubt, but other than that, it feels very corporate there.
Oh, I wholeheartedly agree about the corporate feeling these days. Everything is so shiny & new. To me, the closing of the Library (bar) truly signified the end of an era.