Two New Orleans Restaurants Team Up to Feed Local Emergency Responders
Two famous New Orleans restaurants are working together to bring hot meals to emergency responders who have been working hard on Red River flood response.
Local officials have been sandbagging, trying to keep water from entering homes and businesses in Shreveport, during the worst flood our area has seen in 70 years.
The owners of Drago's Seafood and Galatoire's restaurants met with Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator and offered their help.
"After Hurricane Katrina, they were there for us by sending the first round of buses to the convention center," said Tommy Citanovich of Drago's in a CSO news release. "So there is no hesitation in our decision to return the favor."
Melvin Rodrigue, CEO of the Galatoire's family of restaurants, says he's also happy to help.
"We know what it is like to have fellow Louisianans offer their help and show their support in times of need," he said. "So this is our opportunity to do the same." Having survived Katrina, the staff at both restaurants understand the comfort found in a meal.
The effort is made possible through donations from Reinhardt Foodservice, Leidenheimer Baking Company, Coca-Cola and the Shreveport Hilton.
About Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant officially opened in February 1969. Owners Drago and Klara Cvitanovich are part of a close-knit Croatian community that has thrived in New Orleans since the 1800s. Their son, Tommy, created their signature dish, the Original Charbroiled Oyster, of which they sell over 3 million annually. Drago’s has locations in Metairie, LA, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, and in Jackson, MS. The Hilton New Orleans Riverside location is among the highest-grossing restaurants in Louisiana, and is the highest-grossing and most profitable restaurant in the Hilton chain worldwide. For more information on the Drago’s tradition and Drago’s commitment to community giving, visit www.dragosrestaurant.com. Follow on Twitter or on Facebook.
About Galatoire’s Restaurant
A national dining institution, Galatoire's in New Orleans, was honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2005 and named as one of New Orleans’ Top 10 Restaurants in 2012. Galatoire's has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year from 2007 to 2010, and from 2011 to 2014 achieved the Best of Award of Excellence for its wine list. Saveur also named Galatoire's Friday Lunch one of its "25 Greatest Meals Ever," while Bon Appetit magazine has recognized Galatoire's as one of the nation's "Top Celebration Restaurants."