Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Unique Eats: Seafood

Written by Amanda Quimby, Marketing Director

Dining out can be an experience all its own, especially when you get to enjoy unique menu items and twists on traditional favorites. Check out this list of ten dishes you may not be able to find anywhere else than Ruston, LA! 


Shrimp in Grits at Portico

Shrimp IN Grits at Portico Bar & Grill
This twist on the southern favorite is a must-try! Asiago cheese grits and sauteed shrimp are fried into balls and covered with a mushroom and roasted red pepper cream sauce

Shrimp Corn Dogs at Portico Bar & Grill
Corn dogs are for kids? No way! Try these large shrimp dipped in Portico's homemade batter, deep fried, and served with remoulade sauce. Share as an appetizer or enjoy all to yourself!


Stuffed Catfish at Ponchatoulas

Stuffed Catfish at Ponchatoulas
Ponchatoulas has taken traditional fried catfish to another level with this popular dish. Hand-battered catfish fillets are loaded with their homemade crawfish stuffing, covered in crawfish etouffee, and served alongside hushpuppies and homemade onion rings. 

Catfish Louisianne at Scott's Catfish & Seafood
Another spin on the fried catfish dish is Scott's Catfish Louisianne - tender catfish fillets served over a bed of dirty rice topped with shrimp etouffee.

Blackened Alligator at Beau Vines Steakhouse
Now here's a dish you can't get just anywhere in Ruston - blackened alligator. Louisiana alligator is seasoned with Beau Vines' house blend of Cajun spices and served with Creole butter. Try it grilled, fried or stuffed inside a po-boy!


Selection of Sushi at Raw
Photo credit: @nommingthroughthesouth

Baked Salmon at Raw Restaurant
No list of unique seafood items can overlook Ruston's most popular sushi restaurant. This small plate at Raw is made up of baked salmon and crabmix topped with eel sauce, masago, green onions, and sesame seed. 

The Ruston Roll at Raw Restaurant
You can't go wrong with a roll named after the city itself! Tuna lovers will enjoy this spicy tuna and shrimp tempura roll topped more fresh tuna, fried onions, and eel sauce. But don't stop here; the chef's specials never disappoint.   


Crawfish Bread at Dawg House

Crawfish Bread at Dawg House Sports Grill
How do you put into words how delectable this app from Dawg House is? This savory French bread covered in Dawg House's house-made etouffee and topped with Monterey jack cheese will have you skipping your entree altogether. 


Camarones Diablo at La Bamba

Camarones Diablo at La Bamba 
La Bamba is known for delicious Mexican cuisine AND for going off-the-menu to provide customers with an authentic dining experience. Ask for the camarones diablo - fresh jumbo shrimp, grilled, smothered in their signature diablo sauce, and served with queso rice and the works!

The Lillian at Lillian Veau's
This eatery is located right outside of Ruston in Dubach, LA. They serve up tasty southern and Creole dishes, but a must-try is The Lillian - a fish fillet, fried golden brown, and topped with rice pilaf and homemade shrimp Creole. 

In the mood for some familiar favorites? Check out this list of 10 popular seafood dishes in Ruston! And be sure to share your photos using #RustonEats.


Full-time destination marketer, part-time gardener. Amanda has a love for travel and tourism, event planning and showcasing #RustonLA. She's also very serious about coffee, cocktails, true crime novels and The Walking Dead. Amanda implements the sales, marketing, advertising and public relations plans for the CVB. 


"Be the Leslie Knope of whatever you do." 

Local Seafood Favorites

Written by Amanda Quimby, Marketing Director

Ruston, LA is in no short supply of great seafood options. Whether you're looking for good old-fashioned fried catfish, an all-you-can-eat buffet, or something a little less battered and fried, this list of local seafood favorites has you covered. 

Shrimp & Grits from Rosemary's
Shrimp & Grits at Rosemary's Kitchen
Step into this local eatery and ask for their homemade version of this southern classic. Grilled shrimp piled on green chile, cheese grits and topped with a spicy tasso cream sauce. The menu changes daily; grab this tasty dish on Wednesdays!

Catfish Orleans at Scott's Catfish & Seafood
Quite possibly one of the tastiest things on the menu, Catfish Orleans is angel hair pasta topped with catfish and crawfish Orleans sauce. Also popular are the crab cakes and Scott's own seafood buffet. 


Fiery Fin at Portico
Fiery Fin at Portico Bar & Grill 
This popular handheld is made with Caribbean jerk grilled Mahi, , fresh cilantro aioli, and mango salsa served on a kaiser bun. We highly suggest ordering with a side of roasted asparagus or red onion rings!  

Salmon at Beau Vines Steakhouse 
In the mood for finer dining? Make dinner plans for the grilled salmon with a satsuma glaze. The restaurant highly recommends ordering with the grilled asparagus or steamed vegetables. Be sure to ask about their wine pairing or a signature cocktail.    

Catfish Plate at Sundown Tavern 
This dive is a local hot spot for many reasons. One is their surprisingly great seafood options that include tuna salads, oyster po-boys, and the popular catfish platter. Try these crispy catfish fillets are served with the fixings - fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. Locals will tell you no matter what you order, go enjoy it out on the patio!   

Lobster Ravioli from Roma
Photo credit: @mood_for_food
Lobster Raviolo at Roma Italian Bistro
This delectable dish is a must try at Roma. Four large lobster-stuffed raviolis served in their signature pink sauce. Even better - when in season, crawfish can be substituted for lobster!

Boiled Shrimp & Crab Legs at Flying Burger & Seafood
This restaurant may serve a tasty burger, but they're on this list for their delicious boiled shrimp and crab legs. Have the shrimp chilled an appetizer or steaming hot for your entree. Order the sweet and flaky snow crab legs by the pound and enjoy with corn on the cob and new potatoes.   

Fish of the Day at Log Cabin 
Log Cabin is known for having one of the most expansive menus in town. Grilled or blackened, you can't go wrong with the fish of the day. If you're lucky, it will be the redfish or salmon.

Crawfish Shirley from Ponchatoulas
Crawfish Shirley at Ponchatoulas
This entree is one of the most ordered in the restaurant. Crawfish tails are sauteed in butter and green onions with white wine and cheese cause then tossed in fettuccine pasta. 
Bonus - Ponchatoulas is also the best place in town to grab some fried oysters!  

All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet at Landry's Marketplace
No seafood list is complete without mention of a buffet. It's so good they have to limit the crowds to weekends only! Stop by Thursday-Sunday for an all you can eat seafood feast and for dessert, maybe the largest cinnamon roll you've ever seen.

Like what you see here? Go a little more adventurous and try these unique seafood eats! And be sure to share your photos using #RustonEats. Happy dining!


Full-time destination marketer, part-time gardener. Amanda has a love for travel and tourism, event planning and showcasing #RustonLA. She's also very serious about coffee, cocktails, true crime novels and The Walking Dead. Amanda implements the sales, marketing, advertising and public relations plans for the CVB. 


"Be the Leslie Knope of whatever you do." 

Monday, October 2, 2017

Salad Crawl through Ruston, LA

Hi, Heather ðŸ‘‹
Written by Amanda Quimby, Marketing Director
Recommendations by Heather Bailey

Meet Heather Bailey, owner of Social Bites of Ruston. She spends her days in baking cupcakes, macarons, cookies, specialty cakes and more. You may be surprised to know Heather is also a salad enthusiast!

So you know where to get the sweets - Social Bites is located on Park Ave in beautiful, historic Downtown Ruston. But now Heather's going to show us where to get the healthier, but still extra tasty, stuff.

"Someone asked me where to get a good salad in Ruston," says Heather. "I had a lot of recommendations and mentioned I needed to compile a list and post it for people who don't know where to go. So here it is."

Log Cabin
Chef Salad - Ask for romaine lettuce. Any of their dressings are great, but the ranch is my favorite. I also ask for extra meat and half the lettuce, but that is my preference. Comes with cheddar cheese, eggs, tomato, green onions, croutons, ham, turkey and bacon.

Teriyaki Grill
Teriyaki Chicken Salad with Ginger Dressing- Comes with bell pepper and romaine lettuce.

Dawghouse Sports Grill
Teriyaki Chicken Salad with Mango Vinaigrette - This salad is another favorite right now. That mango vinaigrette is LIFE! Comes with pineapple, cheddar cheese, walnuts and mixed greens. 
Teriyaki Chicken Salad from Dawghouse

Dawghouse Sports Grill
Fried or Grilled Chicken Salad with either Thousand Island or Ranch - Comes with cheddar cheese, croutons, tomato and mixed greens.

Grilled Shrimp or Chicken Salad with Ranch - Comes with romaine lettuce. Also side note, this is not about salads, but they make tacos now and they are Baja style and AMAZING!

Roma Italian Bistro
Greek Salad with Chicken - My current addiction. Comes with romaine, tomatoes, mixed bell peppers, black olives, red onions and feta. Get the tomato basil vinaigrette (the most amazing salad dressing in the world.) 

Greek Salad from Roma
Strawberry Spinach Salad - Comes with baby spinach, fresh strawberries, feta, roasted pecans with a blush wine vinaigrette.

Newk's Eatery
Ultimate Salad - Sliced flame-grilled chicken breast, crumbled bacon, diced smoked ham, diced oven-roasted turkey, Arcadian mixed greens, sweet grape tomatoes, cucumbers, aged cheddar cheese, croutons and house-made honey mustard dressing.

Newk's Eatery
Favorite Salad - Sliced flame-grilled chicken breast, Arcadian mixed greens, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, sliced grapes, artichoke hearts, pecans, dried cranberries, croutons and house-made sherry vinaigrette.

Sundown Tavern
Grilled Chicken Salad with Ranch - Mixed greens topped with carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and shredded cheese. 

Grilled Chicken Salad from Sundown
Be sure to check out all the fresh #RustonEats listed here AND Heather's own salad creations! - That's right! Social Bites of Ruston is now serving up some tasty farm fresh salads for lunch! Because after all, we eat salads so we can eat sweets.


Full time destination marketer, part time gardener. Amanda has a love for travel and tourism, event planning and showcasing #RustonLA. She's also very serious about coffee, cocktails, true crime novels and The Walking Dead. Amanda implements the sales, marketing, advertising and public relations plans for the CVB. 

"Be the Leslie Knope of whatever you do."