Summer is in full swing in Baton Rouge, and Overpass Merchant is celebrating the season by transforming its restaurant and menu into Camp Merch, complete with nostalgic summer camp vibes and special treats that would put any mess hall to shame.
This is the second year the Perkins Road eatery introduced this summer camp-themed display. The month-long campaign started on Monday, July 17, and will run until Saturday, Aug. 12.
“Instead of last year, where we had different specials each week, we kind of really locked in on a specific camp menu,” Jeff Byrnes, director of marketing for Hufft Marchand Hospitality, says. “And, then, we’ll have different specials and rollouts that are camp-inspired with a Merchant twist.”
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Executive chef Winston Chase birthed the menu of camp-themed snacks and meals and is still coming up with ideas for the weekend specials to come. The special selections include snacks like Chili Cheese Tots and Mississippi Mud Pies along with meals like Country Pork Sandwiches and Fireside Sloppy Joes.
“I never went to summer camp, so I based it off of the early 2000s and ‘90s movies that I grew up watching of kids at summer camp,” Chase says.
Chase says though these treats may seem simplistic, each treat is done with Overpass Merchant’s flair, making them more elevated than fast food tots and canned Manwich.
The Country Pork Sandwich uses Chase’s Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce and is topped with Overpass Merchant’s sweet and refreshing honey mustard slaw. Chase says other elements, like the chili and queso on the Chili Cheese Tots and the smothered barbecue beef tucked in the bun of the Fireside Sloppy Joe, are house-made too.
“I don’t know if I’d say it’s a unique twist, but it’s more just our recipes elevated a little bit,” Chase says. “So it’s camp food evolved.”
In addition to the retro food options, Overpass Merchant is also debuting a camp cocktail this year: the Blueberry Mint Margarita. This icy beverage is sure to cool anyone off during these steamy summer days. The margarita uses a house-blended base which is then mixed with fresh blueberry mint compote.
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Byrnes says the campaign will also feature camp-themed trivia nights and special happy hours dubbed Camp Hours where patrons can come to enjoy the summer menu items at a lower price every weekday from 3-6 p.m.
Playing even more into the summer camp theme, Overpass Merchant staff will don shirts that say “counselor” across the back. The restaurant is even decorated with homemade banners and tiny lantern lights on each table. Outside, a big yellow banner reads “Welcome campers” to invite customers in for the fun.
Check out Overpass Merchant’s Instagram to stay up to date on Camp Merch events and special food offerings. Overpass Merchant is at 2904 Perkins Road and is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m; Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.