Editor’s note: This list represents restaurant openings reported in 225 Daily before July 8. It has been updated to include Habaneros.
Here it is, folks: Our mid-year round-up of bars and eateries that have opened in greater Baton Rouge since January. From competition-style barbecue to Japanese rice balls, there’s plenty to get excited about.
A few patterns emerged in this biannual compilation, including a surge of smaller concepts, along with lots of new locations for existing brands. We also noticed a few brick-and-mortar upgrades for former food trucks. And we saw plenty of restaurants undertake expansions and renovations to stay relevant in a competitive market. Despite challenges in the current climate, the good news is, there’s plenty of innovation and energy happening in the Baton Rouge dining scene. Check out the latest.
Passé All Day Café (inside the Origin Hotel)
101 St. Ferdinand St.
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Opened: January
Set in a stylish new downtown hotel, Passé’s menu features dishes like grilled Porkchop Tchoupitoulas, topped with New Orleans barbecue shrimp, and finger-lickin’ Crawfish Bread made with loaves from famed Leidenheimer.
Toasted Comfort Food & Cocktails
5201 Nicholson Drive, Suite F
Opened: January; Temporarily closed
Boozy milkshakes and grilled cheese sammies are among the offerings at Toasted, a former pop-up concept at Pelican to Mars that developed a large following before opening permanent digs on Nicholson. Don’t miss the brunch-time Belgian waffles.
Oni Onigiri
Locations vary
Opened: February
Friends and former Chow Yum line cooks created a pop-up concept specializing in onigiri, Japanese rice balls stuffed with various fillings. The mobile business has appeared at festivals, bars and breweries in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
The Pink Agave
4001 Nicholson Drive, Suite B
Opened: March
Zany colorful cocktails served in a wide variety of novelty glasses are a must-try at this Ponchatoula-born concept, known for a trendy, high-energy vibe and Taco Tuesday specials.
Somewhere Neighborhood Bar
214 Third St., Suite 1B
Opened: March
Shoot pool and raise a glass at this new Third Street bar, located in the spot previously occupied Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s, now in a new location on Third Street. Somewhere’s moody-but-chill vibe is accented by lighted signs, graffiti-inspired art, dark furniture and industrial details.
Big River Pizza Co.
5725 Commerce St., St. Francisville
Opened: April
Enjoy wood-fired Italian pies and sharable apps at this casual eatery situated in a newly revitalized stretch of downtown St. Francisville. The rear of the family-friendly restaurant features the contemporary speakeasy, Proud Mary’s.
Milkshake Mack
437 Hearthstone Drive
Opened: April
Creamy treats made with nearly three dozen syrups in the heart of Mid City.
Okki Tokki
549 Main St.
Opened: April
Build your own bowl with customizable Korean ingredients at this downtown eatery, located in the storefront once occupied by The Jambalaya Shoppe.
Arceneaux’s on the River
9438 Highway 75, Geismar
Opened: April
Opened by husband-and-wife-duo Brett and Suzanne Areceneaux who got their start in catering, this breakfast and lunch spot is serving up rich breakfast plates and daily lunch specials.
1808
1808 Perkins Road
Opened: May
One of the city’s newest snoball stands revived an abandoned corner in the Garden District, where more than 30 flavors of snoballs are served from a repurposed horse trailer.
Chicken Wagon
1955 Staring Lane, Suite A
Opened: May
Sink your teeth into Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches and tenders in this Baton Rouge-born fast-food concept that’s sure to spread.
Chicky Sandos
7930 Jefferson Highway
Opened: May
The popular food truck specializing in hot chicken sandwiches with scratch-made sauce leapfrogged to a permanent location in the Jefferson Highway spot once occupied by Kolache Kitchen.
Big Cheezy
144 W. Chimes St.
Opened: May
Impossibly gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, made famous by the brand’s still operational food trucks, are now available at a permanent location on Chimes Street.
Habaneros
10000 Perkins Rowe, Building 100, Suite P
Opened: May
Perkins Rowe’s trendy Mexico City-inspired restaurant, a fast-growing brand originally launched by Omar and Dulce Lugo in Covington in 2014, is an ode to street food flavors.
Offset Smoker BBQ
5335 Government St.
Opened: June
Order Texas-style barbecue while it lasts at this authentic barbecue shop on Government Street, the first permanent location for the former food truck.
The Patio Tex-Mex Fusion
7655 Old Hammond Highway
Opened: June
The latest concept by Magnolia Restaurant Group (behind Geisha, Sushi With a Flair and Umami Japanese Bistro) brings Asian inspiration to Tex-Mex fare in the old Velvet Cactus digs.
Mustard Seed Creamery
111 N. Range Ave., Denham Springs
Opened: July
New eatery and retailer in the Denham Springs Antique District featuring ice cream, Southern small plates, wine, coffee and socially conscious retail items from brands that benefit vulnerable women.
Second Story
214 Third St., Suite 2A
Opened: July
Sophisticated second-floor bar on Third Street featuring terrace views, craft cocktails and exposed brick walls.
Var’s Pizza
3030 Perkins Road
Opening: July
New York-style pizza made with dough from St. Bruno Bread Co. in the location once occupied by Unleaded BBQ.
New locations and expansions
CounterspaceBR Mid City
5621 Government St.
Opened: January (Mid City location)
Offering dine-in seating, the new Mid City store features breakfast, coffee and the same peanut-free baked goods menu found at its Jefferson location, including famed salted chocolate chip cookies.
Mid Tap
660 Arlington Creek Centre Drive, Suite D
Renovation completed: February
Outfitted with a swanky new design, the Arlington Creek tap room now features full-service dining and drinking rather its former self-pull taps.
Sammy’s Grill
37306 Perkins Road, Prairieville
Opened: February (Prairieville location)
Known for boiled crawfish, heaping piles of fried seafood and juicy burgers, Sammy’s spread its wings in Prairieville this spring.
Basel’s Market
5951 Commerce St., St. Francisville
Opened: March (St. Francisville location)
The former Highland Road sandwich shop and market reopened this year in St. Francisville in a larger location.
Curbside Burgers
4158 Government St.
Renovation completed: March
The popular Mid City burger establishment now features an improved patio with additional shade features, fans and TVs, making it even better for outside dining and live music.
New York Bagel
4350 Highland Road
Opened: March (Highland Road location)
After closing its Lee Drive location, New York Bagel welcomed new digs on Highland Road featuring a fresh design and adult bevs on the menu.
Rally Cap Brewing Company
11212 Pennywood Ave.
Opened: March (new pizza kitchen)
A new pizza oven at the local brewery now means hot pies, calzones, Italian subs and more to satisfy thirsty customers looking for a nosh.
Zippy’s
3155 Perkins Road
Renovation completed: April
Now with double the bar space, Zippy’s new design is intended to be a fusion of an Irish pub and your favorite beach town watering hole.
Tsunami Highland
1 Smart Way
Opened: April (@Highland location)
Fans of the popular sushi concept now have a splashy option at Highland and Bluebonnet featuring a wave-inspired contemporary design by Tiek Byday.
Street Food Munchies
Inside the Mall of Louisiana
Opened: June (Mall of Louisiana location)
This Zachary-born concept now features a kiosk inside the Mall of Louisiana with signature dishes like seafood-draped flatbreads and nachos.
Chris’ Specialty Foods
18135 E. Petroleum Drive
Opened: June (Petroleum Drive location)
The fourth location of the popular Louisiana meat market features a fresh amenity: a fast-casual lunch cafe serving generous plate lunches.
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