Gigi’s Kountry Kitchen, a Monroe eatery provides traditional soul meals that your grandmother or mom used to make.Â
Owned by Keith McFarland, Gigi’s provides quite a lot of traditional southern dishes, equivalent to smothered porkchops, fried catfish, baked rooster, cabbage and black eyed peas.Â
It is named after McFarland’s mom, Gloria McFarland, who was generally known as “Gigi” by her his nieces and nephews. McFarland stated his mom taught him all the things he is aware of about cooking.Â
“I type of took the identify when she handed and highlighted it,” McFarland stated. “A variety of the stuff that I do, I watched her do it however I put my very own little twist to it.”Â
McFarland stated he determined to show his love for cooking right into a aspect hustle after being laid off from CenturyLink in June 2016. He started promoting plates out of his dwelling earlier than buying a meals truck finally buying a restaurant in January 2021. Â
“I simply began cooking as a result of folks all the time informed me that my meals was good,” McFarland stated. “I simply type of stepped out on religion and began promoting meals from my home. Phrase acquired round and it simply grew from there.”Â
The restaurant options each day entrée specials between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Different menu objects embody oxtails, pot roast, hamburger steak, lasagna, rooster and sausage combo, shrimp and grits, shrimp and sausage gumbo and seafood specialty offers together with crab legs and shrimp. The restaurant’s signature dessert menu consists of peach cobbler and banana pudding.Â
The restaurant has grow to be recognized for its fried catfish and pink beans and rice, and catfish New Orleans. McFarland stated in terms of cooking his dishes, he principally “free types.”Â
“I am not a by-the-measurement type of man,” he stated. “I’m going by style and odor.”Â
McFarland stated enterprise thrived throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be regular, however is at the moment being affected by inflation.Â
“Enterprise continues to be good,” McFarland stated. “Caterings are good however inflation has been carrying out us although.”Â
The restaurant caters occasions, weddings and events.
Gigi’s is open Tues. via Fri. and choose Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7129 DeSiard St., Monroe. For inquiries about catering choices, name (225) 223-4335
Observe Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Fb at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.
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