Eat Local! A W's Steakhouse Review

A review.

Last night Steve and I branched out to a new restaurant: we are creatures of habit and usually stick to two or three restaurants that we really like when we eat out.  We avoid chains and franchises when we can with the exception of Texas Roadhouse which we like.

We live within sniffing distance of W's Steakhouse on E. Kings Highway and the smell of charbroiled steaks has beckoned long enough so we gave it a try last night.  Fabulous!

Any longtime Shreveport resident knows the building -- the beautiful, art-deco building next door to George's Grill.  I ate many an order of Snapper a la Brocato in that building -- the tender, flaky red snapper smothered in a rich cream sauce with shrimp, oysters, and crabmeat and served in a parchment bag.  I had many an order of crab claws and made many trips to the salad bar in that building for "Wop Salad" and that home made bean soup.  Oh, how I miss Brocato's.

So, returning to the building for a fine meal last night was fun, and we weren't disappointed.  The

Old Brocato's Menu

owners have taken care to preserve the karma and atmosphere of Brocato's while dressing it up just a little in modern clothes. We ate in the restaurant side last night, but upon leaving, we looked into the bar area and that looks more my style for next time. The bar side still has the exposed brick walls that I remember from Brocato's and a sort of 1960s vibe.

We both had the 12 oz ribeye; I had the famous augratin potatoes while Steve went with the veggies.  Both of us had the wedge salad with blue cheese crumbles.  The steaks were perfectly seasoned and cooked as ordered.  The augratin potatoes can't be beat anywhere -- except maybe by The Cub which is where I first had them.  They are not your typical augratins: it's a secret recipe with maybe some pepperjack, and a richer, creamier sauce than I've ever had anywhere.  Divine.

The service was great -- not overpowering and not absent.  Our server visited with us and told us she had served at Don's and at Sansone's and that made me happy because I loved those local places, too.

And so that's the point, really, which is how important it is to support local eateries. East Kings used to be one long strip of classic local dining; from Sansone's to Murrell's, from Brocato's to George's Grill, from Cobb's BBQ to Strawn's to Don's, one right after the other.  All local. Mostly gone, now.

W's might be a little pricey for some, but our steaks came with salad and side, and they give a 10%

discount for active and retired military and law enforcement (even though their Facebook page said 20%, most service members are grateful for any discount at all!)

We loved our experience at W's last night and will return. As you are driving along Youree Drive and looking at one chain restaurant after another with one vacuum packed processed meal after another in their freezers, ready to microwave or slap in the broiler on the way to your table, remember your local eateries and support them. The Anvil on Line Avenue, next to Superior, is excellent; The Blind Tiger downtown, excellent. We still have George's Grill and Strawn's.  And there are several local Mexican places, of course -- Nicky's is our favorite.

Thanks W's Steakhouse for reminding us the importance of supporting local endeavors and thanks for an excellent dining experience!

Eat local!

W's Steakhouse

189 East Kings Highway
Shreveport, LA 71104

Phone: 318-861-1571

Last Call

I could not stand it and had to go just one more time to Don's before it closed. And because Steve loves me, he took me. We got there about 5:30 and it was so crowded that Steve had to park across the street at Brookshires. While he parked, I made my way inside and left my name with the hostess and she said "An hour and a half."

I have to say, it was thrilling to see how Shreveport came out to say goodbye to the old landmark. People of all ages were there and everyone had memories. I overheard one gentleman say, "I'm trying real hard to be cheerful but it's not easy." Lots of folks were walking around with cameras, myself included. I can't even think about how emotional it will be there tomorrow night and then on Sunday as they turn out the lights. I know from working in restaurants myself that those people you work with like that become family. There will be some tears shed before the door closes for the last time on Sunday.

Steve and I made our way to the bar and one of the waitresses was sitting there; she'd just had knee surgery and could not work but just "had to come say goodbye" to her customers that she knew would show up. And they did - in droves. We visited with her for a bit and she said people have been coming in like that ever since the news broke that Don's is closing on Sunday. You just couldn't help but think, "Where WERE all these people before?" and I'm guilty myself. I haven't been to Don's as much as I should have. It's been something I just took for granted and figured it would always be there. I talked to several people that said, "We come EVERY Friday night!" Our waitress friend told us that they had been struggling for a couple of years and just could not make it any more.

Of the artifacts in the place, I hear that Apollo has been sold already. Everything else will be sold. Steve and I shared a final dozen raw oysters at the bar, and I had a draft beer. He had to go to work so he had a coke. And as we left, I must admit, it was with a little tear in my eye that I said goodbye to Don's.

Another Sad Restaurant Tale

I was sad to hear about the closing of Don's Seafood Restaurant in Shreveport. They will be closing this weekend after 43 years. They just aren't getting the business anymore. Ironically, they've been busier than ever since the closing was announced - evidence of the adage, you don't appreciate what you have until it is gone.

The restaurant business in this town is over saturated and it will be the local places that go first. When Brocato's and Sansone's closed I thought it might be the end of the world. Now the last of the trio, Don's is going. Ernest's is left and it seems pretty solid for now but we better wake up and support our local restaurants or all we will have left will be freeze dried "grilled chicken" reheated by a broiler and served on a bed of lettuce from some chain restaurant on Youree Drive.

Don's, I will always remember you for great Bloody Marys and lump crabmeat salad, great service and atmosphere, and that huge blue marlin on the wall in the bar.

(Photo credit: KTBS.com)

Crazy for Crab Cakes

Steve and I went to The Blind Tiger last night for dinner. Every now and then I get an uncontrollable urge for crab cakes and I love the ones at The Blind Tiger. While they aren't as good as home made ones with fresh lump crabmeat, they are definitely worth the trip. I don't think they make the crab cakes on site because they are a little too uniformly round and all the exact same size, but I'm going out on a limb and suggest that they make that decadent crawfish sauce on site. The crawfish sauce is what MAKES the crab cakes! It's got just enough spice to remind you that you're in Louisiana. The sauce is thick and rich, like a roux base. We started out with the most excellent crispy fried mushrooms with a horseradish sauce.

The Blind Tiger was hoppin' last night and it's always good to see a local place doing so well. We got there pretty early but by 6:30 there was a short waiting time. We've never EVER had a bad food experience there but our waitress last night was a little surly. She rushed through our order, spent maybe fifteen seconds at our table, and when the food came out she literally slung it on the table and said, "Enjoy!" over her shoulder as she dashed away. I'd try to make the case for her just being slammed but we had to wait a long time for our check while she stood around visiting with her co-workers and twirling her hair; finally the hostess ran over and got our ticket and tabbed us out. I gave her part of our server's tip.

We struck up a conversation with a couple that was waiting for a table. They were from Arkansas and had come down for dinner. Turns out we were all about the same age and had hit all the same hot spots back in the 70s and 80s. Small world! But, that's one of the reasons I love the Blind Tiger - you meet nice people, share local stories, have awesome food, and support the local restaurant folks!

Key Lime Love

So after my going on earlier this week about how vile chain restaurants are, Steve and I went to Outback last night. In my defense, we had a gift card that was begging to be used. I have always liked Outback, despite my dislike of chains, and consider them an exception. On our visit last night I was thrilled to see that they were offering Key Lime Pie for dessert which is one of my all time favorites. I know a lot of people that don't care for it, but I totally love it if it's made properly.

There is a place in Sandestin, Florida called Elephant Walk. It's a fabulous restaurant but when we used to vacation down there with my mom and one of her friends, we'd sit by the pool and sip Key Lime Freezes. It was not-at-all like a margarita but more of a creamy, key lime pie, frozen into a slush with a hefty shot of rum. There was another restaurant that served the most delicious Amberjack sandwiches you can imagine (a big hunk of marinated, grilled amberjack on a toasted bun with coleslaw) and I'd pick one up to go, bring it back to the Elephant Walk and sip on a Key Lime Freeze while eating my sandwich and staring at the fabulous gulf and the white sand. It just doesn't get any better than that.

When I ordered my pie, Steve was all "Hmmm I don't really care for Key Lime Pie, but you go ahead." When it got there he picked at it a bit and then is like "Hey, this is pretty good!" He liked the graham cracker and pecan crust. Steve always eats his pie backwards, starting with the crust first. He made a pretty healthy attack on the pie and believe me, it was enough for us both!

So I'll retract my disdain of chain restraurants, but only a little bit. Only for Outback. And their pie.

Tea Time

Steve and I went to eat at Yeero, Yeero tonight. It's only 103 degrees outside today so I decided to boycott the kitchen. Thus, Yeero, Yeero. A nice Greek salad sounded really good, but to be honest, the main reason I go there is for the Exotic Iced Tea. It rocks! Through the years we have asked a parade of servers for the recipe but it is apparently closely guarded. We surmised on our own that it was just iced tea with raspberry jello dumped in there, but of course, we are morons.

The closest we've come to breaking anyone down about it was our last server who told us it is a secret mixture of those flavorings they put over snow cones. He said they use raspberry (we were RIGHT!) and banana and cherry.... It is just embarrassing how many times the server has to come refill my glass. I will NEVER be able to duplicate this at home! But trust me, it's the best tea you'll ever drink.