It started as a trailer. Now it's one of Shreveport's best restaurants and named top in US
Makenzie BoucherFat Calf Brasserie in Shreveport celebrates the great tradition of French neighborhood eateries, but with a unique eclectic spin that honors its Southern roots.
This week, it has made national news: Along with 46 other restaurants from across the country, Fat Calf Brasserie was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.
"What we've created is what we've always envisioned it to be: a place kind of like Cheers. A place where everyone knows everybody," chef Anthony Felan said. "We just celebrated our four-year anniversary back in November, to get nominated to be in USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list is unbelievable."
How many have you been to?Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
Our criteria forUSA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year for 2024
What makes Fat Calf Brasserie stand out
Chef Anthony Felan graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco in the late 2000s.
After returning home to Louisiana, in 2017 he opened Fat Calf Brasserie, a stationary food trailer serving gastro-pub fare with locally raised meat. Two years later, he transitioned to a brick-and-mortar restaurant with the same name.
When he signed the lease on the historic house at the corner of Creswell Avenue and Kings Highway, Felan was warned about the building's curse. No restaurant had been able to succeed at the location.
He set out to break that curse.
Today, between the restaurant, a catering company and special events, Fat Calf is thriving.
What to order at Fat Calf Brasserie
Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Those are some crispy Brussels! Tossed in Korean vinaigrette with pumpkin seeds, golden raisins and Maldon salt, these Brussels sprouts will leave you wanting more. But don’t worry. You can order this dish during happy hour and dinner.
Smoked Bone-in Pork Chop. Are you ready to order not just one but two? One for dinner and another for a late-night snack. The chop is served with crispy potatoes, yellow wax beans and tomato salad, along with salsa macha.
Did you know?
Felan and his wife Amanda recently opened a second location called the 2nd Act Supper Club.
The supper club is in a 100-year-old building in the heart of Shreveport's Highland neighborhood. 2nd Act embraces the building's history with exposed brick, while incorporating a contemporary feel.
The supper club is no stranger to the Shreveport-Bossier area. 2nd Act Supper Club had its debut in July 2017 and was a guerilla dining concept — also known as underground supper clubs.
Felan got the idea from chefs he worked for in San Francisco’s dining scene.
The supper club, equipped with a kitchen, bar and an intimate dining area, is the perfect spot for private dinners and catered events.
Details: Fat Calf Brasserie, 3030 Creswell Ave., Shreveport, La.; 318-351-2253, fatcalfbrasserie.com
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.