Galatoire’s revives tradition in time for LSU-Florida game

Galatoire’s Bistro is working to revive its tradition of Friday lunches before home LSU football games, the last of which took place in 2013 before the restaurant moved locations.

Galatoire’s President Melvin Rodrigue says the tradition began in New Orleans, at the original Galatoire’s location.

“It’s part of a bigger tradition, which is to take extended lunches on Fridays in New Orleans,” Rodrigue says. “Our traditional clientele makes a big deal about a long lunch at Galatoire’s as a start to the weekend.”

The lunch guests typically don’t have any intention of going back to work, Rodrigue says, meaning Friday lunch at Galatoire’s is truly the first event of their weekends. The “Friday Before” term was coined when the restaurant’s regulars would reference holiday weekends or special events.

“An example would be ‘Are you going to Galatoire’s for the Friday before Halloween?'” Rodrigue says.

The tradition grew, and Friday lunches before Mardi Gras, Easter, Christmas, Superbowl games and other big events became popular.

When the bistro opened in Baton Rouge 10 years ago, Rodrigue says many Capital City residents were aware of the tradition and sought to start it at the new location.

The lunches gained popularity in Baton Rouge, but lost steam when Galatoire’s closed briefly to move from its original location out near Perkins and Highland roads to its current spot in the Acadian Village Shopping Center.

Rodrigue says he started receiving inquiries about the lunches recently, and now the Galatoire’s team is working to spread the word.

The first of the dinners is Friday, Oct. 16, at 11:30 a.m. before the LSU vs. Florida game.

Of course, gator is on the menu, including blackened alligator with horseradish cream, fried alligator bites with remoulade, alligator boudin and alligator sauce piquant all available for lunch.

Rodrigue says Galatoire’s is planning Friday lunches before Halloween and Christmas, and LSU games throughout the remainder of the season.

Reservations can be made by calling Galatoire’s Bistro at 753-4864.