It was fabulous...

...except I burnt my tongue on the alligator.

(Howzat for a....surreal...remark?)

Though we've been on vacation for the last two weeks, I really haven't cheated too bad on my diet. Well...if ya don't count that Key Lime cheesecake, anyway. But don't it just figure? Just when vacation's almost over and I'm about ready to really buckle down again...

We tried the new restaurant here in town this evening. Po' Boy's. It's a little taste of New Orleans in just about every way. Even better, it's right here in landlocked central Illinois. Even, even better, it's just a short trip down Forrest Hill to get there...no driving all the way across town for us, no sir.

Though it's in sort of a strange place...right beside the local Bingo hall (watch out for the bluehairs in the parkin lot!), stuck kinda back off the beaten path...the minute you step in the door, you're in New Orleans. Honest ta gawd...it was like we were back there in that little joint on Bourbon. We both mentioned that, had it been located somewhere on the riverfront, it would have been absolutely, positively perfect in every way.

We were completely blown away by the decor. Crumbling brick and stucco walls; old concrete floors, complete with several covered manholes; wrought iron balconies atop mock-ups of Bourbon Street shop and bar fronts; more black wrought iron in the tables and chairs; a great bandstand and blues playin on the sound system; great bar area.

The atmosphere alone is a good enough reason to hang out there. Well, that and the extensive beer list. Damn. Something like 30 different kinds.

Add to the great atmosphere, great food at great prices and you've got a winner. At least in my opinion. Oh, and did I mention they have live blues and jazz every weekend? It was too early for us to stay for the band (us old farts were there for the early-bird special, doncha know?), but we're planning on tryin to hit it again tomorrow night...after our naps.

Anywho, the food. Ohhhh, the food. We ordered the deep fried 'gator as an appetizer. It was the third or fourth time I've had 'gator, and it was the best I've ever had. Better than fresh-caught in Florida, even. The coating was cornmeal based, which was something a little unusual, I thought, but it worked well even if it was just a tad bit salty. The remoulade sauce was just about perfect.

After much deliberation, we both settled on the shrimp/oyster baskets with fries, and neither of us was a bit sorry. The shrimp and oysters were cooked to perfection (even better than what we had in the real New Orleans). The fries were skinny and crispy and had a bit of a coating on 'em.

At 9.25 per basket, it was more than we could eat...and we can eat us a lotta shrimp and oysters, lemme tell ya. We hadda get a doggie bag.

We even got to meet the really nice chef, Anthony, who says he's never even been to 'Nawlins. Coulda fooled me. He cooks like he's a native.

The menu isn't exactly extensive. But there's a good mix of the traditional Cajun food...jambalaya, crawfish etouffe, red beans and rice, barbecued shrimp (which really isn't 'barbecued', btw...more like a Cajun shrimp scampi), several different kinds of po' boys (of course) and even muffalettas. I can't wait to try something different the next time.

Damn ole diet, anyway.