B.R. natives make ‘Jamaican dream’ come true

They sheepishly admit that the idea was hatched during a late-1990s hangover-induced eating frenzy while they were college students on vacation in Jamaica. But Baton Rougeans Kelly Ponder and Michael Buchert never imagined their vision would result in The Rum House, a thriving “Caribbean Taqueria” on trendy and busy Magazine Street in New Orleans. Think islands. Think eclectic menu. Think rum … lots of rum. And those tacos, with delectable fillings such as fish, curried lamb, jerk chicken, scallops and pulled pork. “We started doing well right away,” Ponder says. How well? Reviewers at urbanspoon.com usually gush. Here’s a typical post by a neighborhood resident: “This place can and often does get totally packed. I’ve walked by here on Friday nights where not only is the restaurant totally full, but you can’t even get a spot at the bar.” Click here to find out how these B.R. alums made their dream a reality.