Monday, 14 March, 2011 20:30
by Chris Jay
The North Port Steam Pot from Vince's South Port restaurant in Shreveport.
Vince's South Port, located at 1605 E. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in Shreveport, is the kind of restaurant that perfectly embodies the notion that Shreveport-Bossier City is a culinary crossroads between the legendary steaks and barbecue of Texas and the Cajun cuisine of Acadiana. From the appetizers (including boudin balls, marinated crab claws, blackened alligator and fried green tomatoes) to the entrees (including Cajun Ribeyes and signature seafood dishes like Catfish Lafayette and the North Port Steam Pot, pictured above), Vince's South Port features the kind of menu that feels distinctly local.
During my recent visit, the servers were friendly, the ambience was inviting, and the house stereo was playing a bizarre but enjoyable mix of Zydeco and Reggae - my companion commented that it's actually really uncommon to hear Zydeco played in area restaurants. It was a nice touch that really did make a difference. We had the catfish platter ($13.95) and the North Port Steam Pot ($14.95). The catfish tasted fresh, and the North Port Steam Pot was a delicious pile of boiled shrimp, smoked sausage, spicy boiled new potatoes and corn on the cob.
The Vince's South Port menu is fairly extensive - check it out here. I didn't get to taste their gumbo, which is apparently pretty popular. Next time I dock at Vince's, maybe I'll give it a shot. It all depends on whether I'm wearing my cowboy boots or my "Delcambre Reeboks."
View a slideshow of photos from Vince's South Port.