Deuce McAllister used to run all over the Superdome turf as the running back for the New Orleans Saints. He was a fan favorite, and he truly appreciated his time in the Big Easy. After his football career, he threw some skin in the business game, trying his hand at a few ventures in his home state of Mississippi. These ventures (car dealership, hotel, etc.) never really took off for him. Being the shrewd man he is, he decided to come back to the place where he has a proven fan base for his next endeavor. The Deuce is currently lending his name and ideas to a new restaurant venture on Royal Street in the Wyndham Hotel.
Deuce McAllister's Ole Saint Kitchen & Tap will open in early January 2014. The restaurant will have Jared Tees presiding over the kitchen as executive chef. He comes from the back room of Commander's Palace and Dickie Brennan's, and he'll bring with him a specialty in Creole and Southern-style tastes and foods. Some of Tees' menu items include pecan wood smoked baby back ribs and a Louisiana crab cake BLT.
Deuce's newest business foray promises to be a big hot spot — Photo courtesy of Deuce McAllister's Ole Saint Kitchen & Tap
The joint will be casual, and also have a bar component. That area will focus on craft beer, where 37 varieties will make up the over 50 taps boasted by Ole Saint. Locals will notice a plentiful amount of Abita taps, of course rotating by season and availability. Ole Saint will by far have the most draft beers of any place in the French Quarter, which should make it a hot draw right out of the gate.
The gastropub will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. It advertises itself as a place where eaters/drinkers can "come as they are." Whether guests are straight from work in a suit and tie or clad in Who Dat Nation gear, the Ole Saint welcomes them all. This will be nice for Royal, as the area isn't too diverse in its dining options these days.
The interior is truly a spectacle. The bar and ceilings are built using 19th-century wood re-purposed after the Katrina shellacking. The walls are lined with Deuce memorabilia, as well as regionally inspired artwork from artist "Frenchy."
So, if you find yourself in the French Quarter area, specifically Royal Street, and you're looking for food and or drink, then look to Ole Saint. The joint will surely be bent on making an impression during its first few months of business. You can count on Head Chef Tees to bring the taste, and Deuce to provide the comforting aura and atmosphere.
Glad to have you back, Deuce.
