A full rack of ribs at TJ Ribs
I’m not sure what took me so long to visit TJ Ribs, but for my inaugural visit, ribs seemed like the only option — and I’m glad of the choice. I now get what the hype is about. The restaurant proclaims that its ribs are marinated for 24 hours in a secret seasoning and then slow-cooked in what they describe as a “special oven,” before the ribs are finished on a grill and lightly glazed with a signature barbecue sauce. So tender. So flavorful.
Though I don’t eat ribs often, I’m a fan — and know where I’ll head the next time the mood strikes. The ribs are served with a choice of two house sides, and I went with a side salad and baked potato.
TJ Ribs, 2324 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge. (Jan Risher, features editor)
Taco Tuesday specials at Modesto
If there’s one thing I love, it’s Taco Tuesday, especially at Modesto, where select tacos are $4 and the dip trio is $10 every Tuesday.
The dip trio at Modesto includes queso, guacamole and your choice of beans.
To start, the table shared the dip trio with guacamole, queso and refried beans. My favorite thing to do is take a chip and top it with guacamole and queso on top. Plus, the guacamole is fresh and features poblano pesto and radishes.
Next, I ordered the blood orange colada, made with white rum, blood orange, Coco Lopez and pineapple. It was sweet, but it was also refreshing — and the Amarena cherries at the top were a treat!
The blood orange colada at Modesto is made with white rum, blood orange, coco lopez and pineapple.
For the main show, I decided on three tacos: the smoked brisket with mesquite smoked brisket, pico, guacamole sauce and queso fresco; the al pastor with adobo-rubbed grilled pork, charred pineapple, onion, cilantro and guacamole sauce; and the chef’s rotating taco, which was the blackened gulf mahi with black refried beans, cabbage, guacamole crema, mango pico, cilantro and cotija.
Modesto, 3930 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge. (Lauren Cheramie, features writer)
The buffalo chicken sandwich with a side of fries from Adopted Dog Brewing.
Buffalo chicken sandwich from Adopted Dog Brewing
Adopted Dog Brewing not only has great beers, it also has delicious food.
I usually load up on appetizers when I come here, but I was feeling a little spicy and ordered the Buffalo chicken sandwich for $14.
It’s messy, flavorful and filling. Served on a pretzel bun, the fried chicken breast was coated in Buffalo sauce that was tangy but not so hot you couldn’t enjoy the taste. It comes topped with blue cheese and sliced celery, which I thought gave it a nice extra crunch.
I ordered the fries as my side instead of the house chips, which are also delicious but weren’t calling to me. They’re lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. And they’re the perfect amount of crisp for me — a crunch on the outside and fluffy potato on the inside.
Adopted Dog Brewing, 329 Dulles Drive, Lafayette. (Ashley White, staff reporter)