Anna Mancuso Naquin
April 30, 2008
Edna Mae Westbrook Smith Guilfore
May 2, 2008
Sometimes finding a good dining option outside of our normal comfort zone can be difficult, but there are a number of interesting eateries in the Tri-parishes. This month’s selection, What’s Brewing, down Bayou Lafourche in Cut Off, is a prime example.
What’s Brewing has been open since 2000 and has developed a strong following among locals.
The restaurant/coffee shop is located on Louisiana Highway 3161, the area known as downtown south Lafourche. It is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., and is closed on weekends.
What’s Brewing has a warm feeling from the moment you enter. To the left, you’ll find the dining area. To the right, the self-service order and pick-up area are located. And on sunny, non-humid days, a patio opens to the rear.
The place gives you the impression of what Starbucks would have been like if it had been created “down the bayou.” They serve several variations of hot and cold coffees and caffeine concoctions throughout the day, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, café au lait, mocha, iced coffee, cappuccino frost and even chocolate caramel latte.
For those who prefer tea, fresh brews and a flavor-of-the-day are also available.
My visits have been only for lunch and I must say that the disappointment has been that I simply cannot order each item on the menu each time. My personal favorite has been the classic club sandwich ($8) – a monstrous conglomeration of turkey, ham, bacon, American and Swiss cheese, served with lettuce, tomato and Dijon mustard on toasted bread. Bread selections include white, wheat, rye or a bun.
The sandwich is enough for two meals and/or two people. In fact, I generally save the second half for dinner. All of the sandwiches are good, filled with fresh ingredients and large enough to satisfy even the most ravenous appetite.
The Reuben sandwich ($7), piled high with freshly cut corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut and topped with Thousand Island dressing on rye bread, is simply outstanding.
The shredded roast beef sandwich ($8) is smothered in gravy and as good as it is messy. You can also purchase a homemade muffaletta ($13 whole, $9 half) that takes one back to that famous sandwich’s origins at Progressive or Central Grocery in the French Quarter.
Another hit is the portobello mushroom sandwich ($6) combined with provolone cheese. I am somewhat a glutton for portabella mushrooms and typically will combine it with a grilled chicken breast sandwich.
Although I haven’t tried these sandwiches – yet – What’s Brewing also offers an “Up the Bayou” ($8), grilled tuna ($7.50), tuna or chicken salad ($6), a BLT ($6) and the familiar staple, a ham and cheese po-boy.
The “Up the Bayou” consists of corned beef, pastrami, Swiss cheese and Creole mustard on wheat bread.
It’s hard to get excited about a sandwich, but What’s Brewing pays attention to its ingredients and serves a sandwich that makes you wonder if Rachel Ray is being held hostage in the kitchen.
The salads stand up well to the sandwiches, too.
Again, the ingredients are fresh. The salads are prepared while you wait and are more than one meal.
The Caesar salad ($7.50, $9.50 with chicken) has crisp romaine lettuce, toasted croutons and Parmesan cheese.
I have been unable to figure which I like best, the “Down the Bayou” or the “oriental chicken.” The Down the Bayou ($9.50, $11.50 with chicken) is a medley of lettuce, apples, sun-dried and fresh tomatoes, golden raisins and sunflower seeds covered with crumbled blue cheese and a honey balsamic dressing. The contrast of flavors in this salad makes it memorable and different with each bite. The oriental chicken ($9.50) adds shredded cabbage, roasted almonds, fried noodles and grilled chicken to romaine lettuce sprinkled with an Asian dressing.
Similarly, the chef salad ($9.50) hits the spot with an abundance eggs, ham, turkey, tomatoes, cheese and cucumbers on a bed of romaine lettuce.
For those of you who don’t share your food with others or who aren’t able to take a doggie bag with you, What’s Brewing does offer half-sized portions at a $2 discount off the original full price. If you are like me, though, I pay full fare and take the other half home. It is worth it.
In case you don’t already get the point, this isn’t your average sandwich shop. What’s Brewing claims the sandwich/salad menu as its own, places its own “brand” on its fare and provides a lofty goal for other establishments in the area. Truly, this eatery provides as quality a sandwich or salad as you can find in the region. What’s Brewing isn’t the place to merely consume for sustenance. It is where you go to enjoy a sandwich or salad as art. The community of Cut Off is richer for this gem.
