Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us What does Baton Rouge need? | Food and Drink
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What does Baton Rouge need?

Posted on 2/6/26 at 6:17 am
Posted by DukeKaboom
Florida
Member since Jan 2026
7 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 6:17 am
Hey yall, longtime lurker. Im in a position to have the opportunity to open up something in the next 2 years. I’m moving from Florida to the BR area for family….go figure. Anyways, I’ve got 12 years as a chef in fine dining, but have been out of the industry for 5 years. Leaning towards something of a meat maket, sandwich concept similar to Iverstines. Breakfast concept to maximize profit, and some sort of NY style Deli. Any and all suggestions are encouraged.

TLDR. I want to open something in the service industry, what would succeed in BR?
Posted by Smeg
Member since Aug 2018
15162 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 6:29 am to
Posted by moontigr
Fall Branch, TN
Member since Nov 2020
7185 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 6:58 am to
A Korean fried chicken place like Bonchon would do well I think
Posted by RunninReb
Member since Feb 2023
420 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 8:33 am to
wings
burgers
fried stuff

that's all that works here. unless your name is Superior Grille.
Posted by HebertFest08
The Coast
Member since Aug 2008
6479 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 8:43 am to
Well there is already Iverstines in BR proper as you’ve stated, then The Meatatory in Prairieville. You’d have to be somewhere in the middle of those 2 location wise to have access to the people who are willing to spend those prices for meat. Which basically means somewhere in the St George area.

One basically focuses on locally sourced meat (I don’t think Iverstines has their farm anymore for some reason) and the other focuses on cuts of Wagyu and prime.

There is Sagrera Farms north of BR that you could source from. They have good meat and Supper Club has a couple of cuts from them on the menu.

That’s all I got for you though.
Posted by DukeKaboom
Florida
Member since Jan 2026
7 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:05 am to
Yeah this was my thinking too. Appreciate the feedback
Posted by DukeKaboom
Florida
Member since Jan 2026
7 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:07 am to
That’s really helpful! I’m not dead set on it. It would be my preference, but I’m not going to ignore a better chance for maximum profits because I want to be stubborn and think everyone wants what I want
Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
16769 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:11 am to
First you need to be Somali so that you can get loans you don’t have to pay back.


Whatever you do. Have mimosas. The women lose their mind over that.
Posted by ragincajun03
Member since Nov 2007
28215 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:12 am to
A legit good Thai food joint.
Posted by KamaCausey_LSU
Member since Apr 2013
17360 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:14 am to
A Chipotle/Izzos downtown

An Italian deli like Anthony's or Cannatella might do well if you avoid the Government St. area.

Or copy the Kolache Kitchen model and run it competently.
Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
16769 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:38 am to
If you open a sammich spot make sure you have a nice veal parm on the menu.
Posted by BigDropper
Member since Jul 2009
8483 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:51 am to
What's your niche? Complete from scratch kitchen-baking your own bread, fresh made sides, condiments, pickles? In house charcuterie, sausage, roasted meats?
Posted by Alt26
Member since Mar 2010
34716 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 9:52 am to
BR doesn't have what is widely recognized as a great BBQ spot. (I don't know how profitable that type of restaurant is).

The Istrouma brewery/farm in St. Gabriel (just across the EBR border) recently shut down. It's a good property, but (IMO) they never really nailed the potential. It seemed like it never really figured out what it wanted to be.

Perhaps a Texas style BBQ spot could do well out there. One of those spots where people line up to wait for the food and hang out and drink beer.

Posted by SixthAndBarone
Member since Jan 2019
10833 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 10:09 am to
No love for…

Salt Pepper Oak
BRQ
Offset
Smoke Bayou

???


BR isn’t Texas. People aren’t going to line up consistently for BBQ in this city. Most of yall forget a restaurant is a business. Yall crap on the local restaurants that have been in businesses 30+ years yet when a new concept opens up, they close within a couple of years.

The Meatery doesn’t seem to be killing it. Irvinstines is unique and doing well but will another similar restaurant do well too?
This post was edited on 2/6/26 at 10:11 am
Posted by Tree_Fall
Member since Mar 2021
1151 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 10:12 am to
Restaurant startups in Baton Rouge are like every other city, most fail. Galen Iverstine sold frozen meat out coolers on the curb at a farmers market for a long time. His new restaurant success came after he moved in a well-equipped space with only moderately terrible traffic.

First pick a location like Perkins & Siegen, then target a price range ~$50/person. Then focus on a well-prepared Southern-dining menu with some changing specials for variety. Your competition will either be cheap or overpriced alternatives.
Posted by LuckySo-n-So
Member since Jul 2005
22563 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 10:21 am to
quote:

First you need to be Somali so that you can get loans you don’t have to pay back.


Man, frick off to the PoliTard Board with that shite.
quote:

Have mimosas. The women lose their mind over that.


That’s not wrong.
This post was edited on 2/6/26 at 10:22 am
Posted by DukeKaboom
Florida
Member since Jan 2026
7 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 10:28 am to
Not looking to do BBQ. My niche is definitely house pickles, charcuterie, boudin and sausages. But can’t stress enough, I want to stay away from a BBQ joint type place. I’m not well versed and the cost is going to continue to climb. Really want to limit the use of “beef” as much as I can for cost purposes
Posted by DukeKaboom
Florida
Member since Jan 2026
7 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 10:30 am to
Everything in house. Would like to do fresh bread, but may not. All depends. Really just getting opinions on what the are needs/wants
Posted by robot55
Member since Dec 2008
930 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 10:34 am to
We need a new Poboy spot. I like your deli idea. Somewhere in between these 2 maybe
Posted by BitBuster
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2017
1673 posts
Posted on 2/6/26 at 11:24 am to
Poboys. I don't know if Pop's Poboys in Lafayette is profitable or not, but they kick arse.
This post was edited on 2/6/26 at 11:26 am
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