Magnolia Grill comes to B.R.

Magnolia Grill on Coursey Boulevard is no relation to Magnolia Grill in New Orleans, nor is it affiliated with Magnolia Cafe in Baton Rouge. But if you’re looking for its link to another restaurant, you have only to look to its chef, Gus Pagoulato, who’s been cooking in kitchens all across the country for decades, and its owner, Christina Pagoulato, who has been elbow-deep in her family’s various restaurants since she was old enough to bus tables. “Restaurants have been my whole life,” says Christina. After 333 Bistreaux, her father’s last restaurant, was sold earlier this year, the family set their minds to creating a whole new concept. Read the whole story by clicking here().

“I wanted a local, independent, neighborhood-type place,” says Christina. “The sort of place you could come and get familiar food. Things you love but can’t get at one restaurant—or any restaurant anymore.” Familiar is right—populating Magnolia Grill’s eclectic menu are a collection of Baton Rouge favorites. Fried green tomatoes appear on the appetizer menu alongside roasted garlic hummus with grilled pita bread. There’s chicken shawarma, hamburger steaks and buffalo wings. Chicken fried steak and chicken parmesan. “We tried to condense all of Baton Rouge onto one menu,” Christina explains. “We can please any palate.”

The neighborhood seems to appreciate it as well—according to Christina, Magnolia Grill has gotten an enthusiastic reception from area diners. “We’ve never gotten such a great response as we have here,” says Christina. Weekly specials help bring diners in night after night. Check out a photo gallery of Magnolia Grill by clicking here.