EXCLUSIVE: Shut My Mouth, Lagniappe Shutters Its Doors

The Northeast New Orleans grub joint known for its po'boys, Lagniappe, has closed as of today, according to co-owner Melissa Carey, who spoke exclusively to Willamette Week Friday afternoon. The closure was the result of financial troubles that started after their summer 2005 move to the location. "We just don't have enough bodies coming in," Carey said. The restaurant moved to the sprawling Northeast Alberta Street space after operating successfully for over a year at a much smaller space on Northeast Broadway. Carey sold her business today to Two-Fisted Enterprises, owned by John Freitag and John Buell, who have applied twice for licenses with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission in the space since the new year, using two different names.

The current plan is for a new restaurant named Rock's to open in the space in about one month, according to incoming chef Ben Phillips, formerly of Siam Society. Rock's will serve diner-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, staying open late, Phillips says.

Carey says she and her partner chef and co-owner Madison Ragland (pictured above) do not currently have specific plans for a new restaurant. "We just need to breathe and take some family time," Carey says .