The owner is a popular Jazz Fest vendor.
Mike Gowland, better known as the popular Jazz Fest vendor Fireman Mike, announced earlier this year that he would open a full restaurant on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview. It’s taken longer than planned, but on Tuesday (Oct. 2) Gowland will finally welcome customers to Fireman Mike’s Cafe and Sweetshop .
«People are waiting,» he said. «People are coming in every day asking when we’re opening.»
Gowland, a retired New Orleans firefighter, has been out at Jazz Fest for years selling his shrimp and grits, gumbo and alligator sauce piquant.
The restaurant takes over the spot that most recently housed Chap’s Chicken, which moved across the street.
Gowland will start small. The opening menu will have hamburgers and seven kinds of po-boys, including meatloaf, cochon de lait and a local spin on the Philly cheesesteak with roast beef. The sides include coleslaw, french fries, roasted corn and crispy roasted sweet potatoes.
The restaurant will also have «festival specials,» offering to-go orders of the traditional Louisiana dishes Gowland makes at Jazz Fest.
On the sweet side, Fireman Mike’s will initially have rolled ice cream along with cupcakes and brownies baked by his wife, Deidre.
Both the savory and sweet offerings will grow in the coming months.
The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fireman Mike’s Cafe and Sweetshop: 203 W. Harrison Ave., New Orlenas (opens Oct. 2)
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