It’s one of Tyree Taylor’s fondest memories of growing up in St. Rose – stopping by Fabacher’s restaurant after football, baseball and basketball games for a meal and a snowball.
“Any Destrehan High School football player and avid fan from the time would know about Fabacher’s because Fabacher’s fed our football team jambalaya and Po-Boys before and after the games,” Taylor said. “It was one of the perks of being a Fighting Wildcat … Fabacher’s was a staple in the St. Rose community.”
Approximately 12 years ago, the family-owned and operated restaurant closed its doors.
“I’m driving past one day and I mentioned to a friend that I wished someone would reopen that – the building had been empty the last two times I had been back (in St. Rose),” Taylor said. “Then he and my son turned and looked at me and asked, ‘What about you?’”
He took them up on that suggestion. Taylor made an investment that culminates with the soft opening Friday (March 27) of the new Saint Rose Cafe, located at 11698 River Road in St. Rose.
Taylor works as a real estate developer in Dallas. He moved to Texas originally to attend and play football at Southern Methodist University, a dream come true for an athlete who grew up counting SMU great Eric Dickerson among his heroes – Taylor wore No. 19, in fact, just like Dickerson.
“It was right after the Pony Express – SMU got the ‘death penalty’ (for NCAA recruiting violations). I was part of that group when they came back,” Taylor said.
He remained in Dallas, but “home is still home,” as Taylor puts it. And home is a place that’s very special for him.
“I’m back about every month to connect with everyone,” Taylor said. “And I have four sons. I want them to know the history there.”
As a DHS football player, he played alongside eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed, who he remains close with.
But beyond sports, his roots in the community run deep. His great uncle, Jessie Smith, was a World War II veteran beloved as a pillar of the community – Smith passed away recently at the age of 103.
Taylor’s grandfather Herbert owned a grocery store on Short Street in St. Rose for many years. Taylor credited him for instilling a deeper appreciation in him for their home community.
“He was proud of the entire St. Rose community. He’d always say it and show it,” Taylor said. “He was my best friend and I loved him dearly. He was one of the most humble, giving and selfless people I’ve ever known. He would always educate me and tell me about the history of Elkinsville.”
Elkinsville was the area commonly known now as “Old St. Rose.” In 1873, following the Civil War, Palmer Elkins, a free man of color, purchased property in St. Rose. In 1880, Elkins invited freedmen and their families to move onto his property to receive training. He established Elkinsville, also known as Freetown. On March 27, 1880, construction began on the 1st Street side of the Elkinsville Subdivision – as a nod to this history, March 27 was chosen for Saint Rose Cafe’s opening.
The menu itself will celebrate the community – items named after streets and subdivisions of the community like Turtle Pond, Crescent Hollow, Riverbend, Dianne Place and Bar None Ranch (where Taylor grew up) and many others.
“We want this to honor St. Rose,” said Taylor. “I’d love this to be a location where people can come in, someone from outside of St. Rose, and learn a little bit about the community, the people who have come out of St. Rose – and that’s a very long list. The airport is only seven to nine miles away from us, and it would be great if it were a stopping location where people from all over can learn about St. Rose.”
Taylor said 11 of the 12 employees hired thus far are St. Rose residents. DHS alum Monique McGee will oversee day-to-day general management.
For Taylor, if he can provide the community today with the same feeling he had as a youth visiting the site, it’s a successful venture.
“It’s one big family (in the community) and you see it every Friday night when everyone gets together when the Wildcats are playing,” said Taylor. “My grandfather was always a connector for people in a positive way. I hope we can do that as well.”
