| By ANNETTE SISCO | Staff writer |
Welcome back, New Orleans food fans. This week, we learned that the Metairie landmark Egg Roll House will close after 40 years — and why. Gretna is buzzing like strong coffee over a new location of the breakfast spot, Toast. Workers at a CBD Starbucks may vote this week on whether to unionize, and the Ruth's Chris Steak House chain changes hands. Finally, Judy Walker comes through with lighter recipes for scalloped potatoes with ham, chicken spaghetti and shrimp and rice casserole. 1. Farewell to a landmark. Egg Roll House has endured hurricanes, financial turmoil, shifting tastes and a pandemic. But now, rising rents and higher costs for supplies are spelling the end for the mom-and-pop Chinese restaurant on Veterans Boulevard in Metairie. 2. Over (the river) easy? Filled with local art and woodwork, the new location of Toast, in Gretna, sets an inviting stage for breakfast. What's different here: an outdoor area featuring a play space for the kids to run off some of that pancake syrup. 3. Wait! There's more. If employees of the Pan American Life Building Starbucks vote to unionize, it will be the second New Orleans location to do so, Anthony McAuley reports. And, the New Orleans-born Ruth’s Chris Steak House chain is being acquired by Darden Restaurants for about $715 million. 4. Crave on. Potatoes, pasta and rice form the base of many a glorious casserole, but the carbs and calories are less wonderful, Judy Walker says. This week, Judy makes careful changes to recipes for scalloped potatoes with ham, chicken spaghetti and shrimp and rice casserole for meals that are lighter, but still crave-worthy. That's it for the food newsletter, but in New Orleans, the food news never stops. Keep up with all the inside info at Where NOLA Eats. P.S.: Want to support local journalism that matters? Subscribe here. It's our best deal! | 