City: Shreveport, LA

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (318) 226-8747

Address: 120 Texas St.

Description: Occupying one of the oldest buildings in the city, supposedly dating to 1855, this restaurant took its name from the time of Prohibition. Often restaurants that had illegal speakeasies would tell select customers that they had a blind tiger on exhibit in a back room. For a fee, the patron could enter the room, see nothing, and be handed a glass of bathtub gin. Since times have changed, this Blind Tiger has a full bar, ready to serve you a beverage of choice. Specializing in Mexican and Cajun cuisines, the restaurant attracts both locals and visitors to the casinos with its long-standing reputation of good food. Formally a T.G.I. Friday’s, the owners have kept the basic fern bar decor while adding their own touches. Try the Cajun sampler. It comes with a cup of “gumbeaux,” followed by a platter of blackened catfish, fried crawfish, shrimp étouffée, and meat pies. Served with fried corn and jambalaya or dirty rice. Afterwards you might be talking like famed Cajun chef Justin Wilson, “I garontee!” While Justin died several years ago, meals like this one keep his style of cooking alive and well. Hamburgers, salads, and seafood are also available. Street parking and a small parking lot are available. Reservations taken for parties of six or more. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; on Fri and Sat nights the Blind Tiger stays open until 11 p.m.