1 /5 Perry Rodrigue: Title: A Time Capsule of Culinary Confusion—Now with Extra Disappointment
Walking into this restaurant felt like stepping into a museum exhibit titled “The 1960s: Mold Edition.” The décor hasn’t been updated since bell-bottoms were in style, and the smell of old mold was so strong I half expected to see spores on the menu. Every chair had a gray smudge where countless hands have pushed off over the decades—think of it as their version of “patina,” but less charming.
I understand the original owner, Melvin, has passed away, and since his children have taken over, the standards have apparently gone the way of rotary phones.
Appetizers:
The Oysters Bienville were a mystery—mainly because I’m not sure an oyster was involved in their creation. The mixture was cold, flavorless, and could have doubled as wallpaper paste. Next came the honey-glazed pork belly, which was 90% fat and topped with what tasted like microwaved Sweet Baby Ray’s mixed with honey. If you’re into culinary plot twists, this was one.
Salad & Soup:
The Melvin’s Salad was decent—nothing to write home about, but at least it didn’t fight back. The shrimp corn soup was also passable, though I had to call in reinforcements (Tabasco) to give it a pulse.
Entrées:
The hamburger with onion gravy? Let’s just say McCormick’s gravy mix would have been an upgrade. The meat fell apart like my willpower at a dessert buffet. Then came the Chicken Francaise, which is supposed to be a delicate, lemon-butter masterpiece. What arrived looked like a chicken breast that had been seasoned in a lawnmower bag and required a samurai sword to cut. Chewy doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Sides:
The creamed spinach was the grand finale—a dish so confusing it deserves its own Netflix documentary. The top layer looked like someone attacked it with a blowtorch set to “industrial,” and the watery spinach beneath had me scanning for koi fish.
Verdict:
If you’re nostalgic for the ’60s and enjoy culinary surprises (the kind that make you question your life choices), this is your spot. Otherwise, bring a snack for the ride home.
