Mr. Gatti’s Pizza 3522 Ryan St., Lake Charles
As this edition hits the newsstands, it will be exactly one year since we Southwest Louisianans made our final preparations, evacuated and prayed for the best before Hurricane Laura made landfall. In the wake of the storm, a decimated Lake Charles and the surrounding communities would endure hardships as we tried to recover and pick up the pieces.
During that storm, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza — an anchor, a staple, a slice of Lake Charles history since 1969 — was damaged and unable to resume operations in its building. This did not stop Danny Courville and his crew from continuing to provide Lake Charles and the outreaches of Southwest Louisiana with Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. They gathered up supplies, ingredients, and a crew to take the Gatti’s pizza wagon on the road. This crew religiously set up posts in various towns. Danny began a regular schedule of appearances and rotations so people could still enjoy good hot pizza.
Nobody was going to let a storm end the Mr. Gatti’s saga. With a gutted building and a new set of plans and ideas, the Sam Istre Construction Co. put Mr. Gatti’s back together. Trudging through material shortages and supply chain downfalls, Sam Istre pulled through to present an updated Mr. Gatti’s Pizza.
With a modern ordering station and buffet, a redesigned private party room, and a state of the art Gattiland Arcade and entertainment zone, Mr. Gatti’s is better than ever. My wife and I were fortunate enough to join in on one of the crew training days just before the ceremonial grand opening. The crew was friendly, full of smiles and ready to get back to business. We were handed drink cups and a couple of gaming cards which we would use later.
We were treated to a buffet of fresh hot pizza with various toppings, from all meat to veggie and everything in between, and pastas and sauces. There was also a fresh and cool salad bar. All of it was designed to keep handling to a minimum.
Once we finished our multiple trips to the buffet, my wife and I engaged our strategies in several Gattiland video games. I don’t care how old you are, you’re going to have fun in Mr. Gatti’s, and so will your kids. Welcome back, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. We missed you.
As a kid, brunch was a once a year event. Reservations were made months in advance. The family gathered at large round tables, dressed in our best, to surround my grandmother and honor her for Mother’s Day.
As the years have gone by, brunch has become more commonplace. Sunday brunch has gained a tremendous amount of popularity among late-morning eaters, with the options in the styles of food and venues becoming more diverse. Whether it’s a classic white linen tabletop, seasonal flowers in a clear vase at the center of the table, a jazz brunch on the terrace, or a meal dockside by the bay, each brunch is unique, and I admire the departure in each.
Meek’s is located across the street from the mall on Prien Lake Road in a quaint two-business building.
My wife and I made a date to go there to experience a little late-morning grub.
As we walked toward the dark tinted front window, we were met with the sudden aroma of a slow smoke rolling out of a steel barbecue pit just off to the side.
As I opened the door for my wife and we made our way inside, we detected a moderate hustle and bustle feel inside. DJ Chef Jeff was piping an upbeat track through the speakers, setting the tone. It wasn’t smooth jazz or elevator music; it was hip and active.
Just off to the left, we noticed there was a bar and asked to be seated there, as it was a great position from which to observe and take it all in. There were a few people behind the bar, some funneling ice into glasses, others taking orders. Everyone was friendly and welcomed us to Meek’s. Jerrica introduced herself and slid two small menu cards to us as the mimosas were poured.
The staff admitted they were more busy than they’d anticipated due to a class reunion that had converged on the restaurant. No worries, we assured them; it all added to the overall experience. We weren’t there for a fast meal; we were there to enjoy a nice Sunday brunch.
Although the menu is not extremely expansive, all the options sound appealing. I was a bit surprised when my wife decided to order the shrimp and grits. In all our years together, I can honestly say she’s never ordered this as a primary meal. I typically lean toward the savory side; I decided on a grilled steak and an omelet with ham and cheese.
The restaurant was nearing capacity. There was a birthday party crowd having the time of their life in a reserved area with balloons and streamers, fancy and formal. Near the front, several people were seated at various tables throughout. It was a packed house. Yet we were checked on often, asked if we needed anything, offered refills — all with nothing but smiles.
Meek’s, a business owned by a Lake Charles family, gets its name from the owner, Tomika, who checks on every guest, while her husband Tommy pops out every so often to gauge the front, catch a breather and say hi to everyone.
Our orders arrived and the visual was mouthwatering. My wife wasted no time in diving her fork into her food, piercing a shrimp and dredging it through the butter and herb sauce. She offered a bite to me. The grits were creamy with a classic texture.
My seasoned ribeye was a perfect medium rare, tender and juicy, sitting alongside a large fluffy omelet, topped with ham and melted cheese.
Between the two of us, there was a lot of head-nodding in agreement about the taste of the fantastic food. I believe my wife said it best: “Meek’s is like going to your grandmother’s house after church.” Everyone is cooking and eating an abundance of amazing food, cutting up with conversation and having fun in that large family setting. It’s comfortable, it’s inviting and you’re treated like family.
Before we left, we had our dinner plans wrapped up. We purchased two of the plate lunches that were slow-cooking on that smoke pit: a smoked pork steak with mac and cheese and a smoked chicken with potato salad and dirty rice.
It was a day full of Meek’s, and we couldn’t have been more pleased.
As my wife and I left, I got the chance to speak to Tommy as he was manning the pit. He was excited to say there are plans for a new Meek’s being built on Ryan Street. We’re looking forward to the new restaurant coming in 2022. I will certainly let you know when Meek’s is ready to transition.
Meek’s Bistro And Lounge 409 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles, LA
As this edition hits the newsstands, it will be exactly one year since we Southwest Louisianans made our final preparations, evacuated and prayed for the best before Hurricane Laura made landfall. In the wake of the storm, a decimated Lake Charles and the surrounding communities would endure hardships as we tried to recover and pick up the pieces.
During that storm, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza — an anchor, a staple, a slice of Lake Charles history since 1969 — was damaged and unable to resume operations in its building. This did not stop Danny Courville and his crew from continuing to provide Lake Charles and the outreaches of Southwest Louisiana with Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. They gathered up supplies, ingredients, and a crew to take the Gatti’s pizza wagon on the road. This crew religiously set up posts in various towns. Danny began a regular schedule of appearances and rotations so people could still enjoy good hot pizza.
Nobody was going to let a storm end the Mr. Gatti’s saga. With a gutted building and a new set of plans and ideas, the Sam Istre Construction Co. put Mr. Gatti’s back together. Trudging through material shortages and supply chain downfalls, Sam Istre pulled through to present an updated Mr. Gatti’s Pizza.
With a modern ordering station and buffet, a redesigned private party room, and a state of the art Gattiland Arcade and entertainment zone, Mr. Gatti’s is better than ever. My wife and I were fortunate enough to join in on one of the crew training days just before the ceremonial grand opening. The crew was friendly, full of smiles and ready to get back to business. We were handed drink cups and a couple of gaming cards which we would use later.
An exuberant owner, Rick Shetler, was on hand to greet everyone, as was Sam Istre Jr., representing the construction company.
We were treated to a buffet of fresh hot pizza with various toppings, from all meat to veggie and everything in between, and pastas and sauces. There was also a fresh and cool salad bar. All of it was designed to keep handling to a minimum.
Once we finished our multiple trips to the buffet, my wife and I engaged our strategies in several Gattiland video games. I don’t care how old you are, you’re going to have fun in Mr. Gatti’s, and so will your kids. Welcome back, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. We missed you.
As a kid, brunch was a once a year event. Reservations were made months in advance. The family gathered at large round tables, dressed in our best, to surround my grandmother and honor her for Mother’s Day.
As the years have gone by, brunch has become more commonplace. Sunday brunch has gained a tremendous amount of popularity among late-morning eaters, with the options in the styles of food and venues becoming more diverse. Whether it’s a classic white linen tabletop, seasonal flowers in a clear vase at the center of the table, a jazz brunch on the terrace, or a meal dockside by the bay, each brunch is unique, and I admire the departure in each.
While I was doing the thumb scroll, Meek’s caught my attention some time ago with their Friday seafood pasta and various specials going on throughout the week. Whether it was food or drink specials, ladies’ night, or some form of entertainment, they always had something to offer, and their Sunday brunch was calling out to me.
Meek’s is located across the street from the mall on Prien Lake Road in a quaint two-business building.
My wife and I made a date to go there to experience a little late-morning grub.
As we walked toward the dark tinted front window, we were met with the sudden aroma of a slow smoke rolling out of a steel barbecue pit just off to the side.
As I opened the door for my wife and we made our way inside, we detected a moderate hustle and bustle feel inside. DJ Chef Jeff was piping an upbeat track through the speakers, setting the tone. It wasn’t smooth jazz or elevator music; it was hip and active.
Just off to the left, we noticed there was a bar and asked to be seated there, as it was a great position from which to observe and take it all in. There were a few people behind the bar, some funneling ice into glasses, others taking orders. Everyone was friendly and welcomed us to Meek’s. Jerrica introduced herself and slid two small menu cards to us as the mimosas were poured.
The staff admitted they were more busy than they’d anticipated due to a class reunion that had converged on the restaurant. No worries, we assured them; it all added to the overall experience. We weren’t there for a fast meal; we were there to enjoy a nice Sunday brunch.
Although the menu is not extremely expansive, all the options sound appealing. I was a bit surprised when my wife decided to order the shrimp and grits. In all our years together, I can honestly say she’s never ordered this as a primary meal. I typically lean toward the savory side; I decided on a grilled steak and an omelet with ham and cheese.
The restaurant was nearing capacity. There was a birthday party crowd having the time of their life in a reserved area with balloons and streamers, fancy and formal. Near the front, several people were seated at various tables throughout. It was a packed house. Yet we were checked on often, asked if we needed anything, offered refills — all with nothing but smiles.
Meek’s, a business owned by a Lake Charles family, gets its name from the owner, Tomika, who checks on every guest, while her husband Tommy pops out every so often to gauge the front, catch a breather and say hi to everyone.
Our orders arrived and the visual was mouthwatering. My wife wasted no time in diving her fork into her food, piercing a shrimp and dredging it through the butter and herb sauce. She offered a bite to me. The grits were creamy with a classic texture.
My seasoned ribeye was a perfect medium rare, tender and juicy, sitting alongside a large fluffy omelet, topped with ham and melted cheese.
Between the two of us, there was a lot of head-nodding in agreement about the taste of the fantastic food. I believe my wife said it best: “Meek’s is like going to your grandmother’s house after church.” Everyone is cooking and eating an abundance of amazing food, cutting up with conversation and having fun in that large family setting. It’s comfortable, it’s inviting and you’re treated like family.
Before we left, we had our dinner plans wrapped up. We purchased two of the plate lunches that were slow-cooking on that smoke pit: a smoked pork steak with mac and cheese and a smoked chicken with potato salad and dirty rice.
It was a day full of Meek’s, and we couldn’t have been more pleased.
As my wife and I left, I got the chance to speak to Tommy as he was manning the pit. He was excited to say there are plans for a new Meek’s being built on Ryan Street. We’re looking forward to the new restaurant coming in 2022. I will certainly let you know when Meek’s is ready to transition.
EXTRA DASH: COFFEE:30
127 W. College St., Lake Charles
Lake Charles, are you ready? No, seriously. I hope you’re ready, because this is something many of us have been waiting for. How does Cowboy Hashbrowns sound? Grilled hashbrowns, applewood bacon, cheese and two eggs over easy. Or Chicken Lake Charles — chicken tenders over buttermilk biscuits, eggs and bacon topped with house-made Hollandaise sauce.
Coffee:30 is a restaurant I’ve long anticipated and it’s come to fruition. Through hints and rumors, I got a sneak peek at what’s to come for Lake Charles. First, the teaser pics showed up; they generated a lot of interest from me, and I latched on hard. If the final execution of the food was going to be close to these test kitchen teasers, we were in for a serious treat.
As the minutes got closer to opening day, owners Josh and Taylor Smith began to test the operation and send out invites. I jumped at the opportunity.
Located near the corner of Ryan and College Streets, Coffee:30 is nestled in the center of a small business plaza. Passing by the few outdoor tables in the front walkway, I entered into a beautiful and well-designed coffee house. The colors, the layout and the overall feel were pleasant and appealing.
A digital monitor displayed the available foods. They all looked amazing. I took a menu and glanced through the possibilities. In addition to the many coffees, frappes, teas and designer drinks, there was also food for every eater: from breakfast to wraps to salads, sandwiches, burgers and beyond. Everything on the menu is made to order and is available any time Coffee:30 is open. If you’re craving an omelet at 2:30 in the afternoon or a burger at 7:30 in the morning, they will gladly accommodate.
I started with a caramel frappe, a Coffee:30 Club and a side of Parmesan truffle fries. I noticed other guests were receiving their food, and the amazement in their expressions suggested this was going to be good.
A plate of beignets was delivered to the table. They were three pillows of golden fried dough with a slight crisp to the exterior, pure fluffiness inside and a moderate dusting of powdered sugar.
In a short time, I saw a monstrosity of a sandwich coming to my table. I was in awe. This was one of the most beautiful sandwiches I had seen in quite some time. Thick cut ham, roasted turkey, bacon, romaine, tomato, avocado spread, shredded mozzarella were all layered between three slices of lightly grilled sourdough bread, piled to the ceiling. The aroma of the fries confirmed I’d made the right choice.
I had to cut this sandwich in half to even attempt to tackle it. It’s a big two-hander.
Sourdough can be kind of tricky. Some bakers make it a little dense, and if you over-toast it, it will destroy your mouth. There was no trick to the bread in this sandwich. It was soft, yet had a firmness and tug to it, with a genuine sourdough flavor.
Biting through the sandwich, I found it was everything I expected.
Fries are fries, right? No, not here. These thin cut fries were tossed in a generous amount of Parmesan and garlic and drizzled with truffle oil. It was a true flavor explosion. These fries put all others to shame.
My expectations were not only met; they were exceeded. I believe this is something Lake Charles has been waiting for a long time. Now that it’s here, y’all are going to love it. Welcome Coffee:30 to the neighborhood.
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