Lincolns RoadHouse
[wpvideo 68M9H58w]A special place cracked open on Pearl Street 12 years ago. Lincoln’s Roadhouse opened as a corner bar, but as with any good bourbon, it’s aged well. It’s now not only a bar but a place to eat some delicious Cajun cookin’ and jam to live music. Everything from Rockabilly, Country Billy, a didgeridoo or local bands light up the stage.
It’s not just the music, drinks or food that bring people in and coming back. I asked the owner, Jim Bob, just how many of his customers he knows. “I probably bother them at some point,” he says jokingly. With the truth on the table, the regulars here agree that if you have been in a couple of times, Jim Bob gets to know you.
He has worked in restaurants since he was 13, starting at the bottom. Now, he may have made Lincoln’s Roadhouse his own, but he still works across the board. “When I see an owner of a restaurant bussing tables, I know he cares,” JimBob says. He must care too. Along with his staff, he is taking orders, bringing out food, cleaning tables, and of course, chatting it up with customer and making them laugh. It seems like he is just hosting another party for his friends.
Opening day in 1999 threw some curveballs in the mix. This place was nearly standing room only because the furniture order was never checked off the list. “You have your mind on the liquor license, the food license, then I realized I don’t even have cash registers.” Hours before doors opened, Jim Bob hustled to tie up loose ends. There are now plenty of tables to mesh together the cash registers are cha chinging and Jim Bob hasn’t lost the peak to his energy.
“We’ve been coming here for so long but the funny thing is we don’t know each others last names,” George Farmer tells me as he decides if he should order his usual Shrimp ‘Po Boy or try something new.
“People come in with stories.” Jim Bob is not just referring to the regulars who are telling jokes to each other at the bar. “I had a Dad come in here with his son to show him where he met his Mom.” This was before Lincolns Roadhouse existed and the Crimson and Gold had the spot. Even before that a rock collector set up shop here. If you look near the fireplace you will see that part of his petrified rock collection lives on. Even if Lincoln’s Roadhouse undergoes another transformation something special will always live on there as well.
To see a menu and music schedule visit: https://www.lincolnsroadhouse.com/
