With a new look, new menu and new price point, a favorite local eatery will reopen next week under new management.
The new owners of the Truck Farm Tavern, located at 11760 River Road in St. Rose, are no strangers to St. Charles Parish or the hospitality industry. The trio – comprised of partners Ron St. Pierre, Mitch Rotolo and Chad Calongne – have over 60 years of combined restaurant experience and collectively manage over 25 restaurants.
“When we heard the news that this gem of a location became available, we knew we needed to act quickly,” Calongne, a resident of St. Rose, said. “St. Charles Parish and the surrounding communities need a unique place for friends and family to enjoy themselves and Truck Farm Tavern is the perfect place.”
St. Pierre, who grew up in Destrehan, will serve as the general manager and lead the day to day operation.
“We are eager to open, but it is more important that we get it right,” he said. “We are investing to improve the overall guest experience by adding covered outdoor seating and entertainment, additional private dining and will feature over twenty types of craft beer and cocktails on tap. This is not going to be the same old Truck Farm. We look to build on the reputation of serving great food while making it more affordable for everyone to enjoy.”
St. Pierre explained renovation work has been ongoing at the location, with construction of a new outdoor area still in progress and a previously screened-in portion of the restaurant now closed-in and air conditioned.
“We obviously have high expectations for our vision, otherwise we would not be investing at a time when so many restaurants are unable to keep their doors open,” Rotolo said.
St. Pierre said doors to the restaurant are slated to open Oct. 12, with all health inspections already complete. He said the hiring process is ongoing.
“We’re creating upwards of 60 jobs,” St. Pierre said. “We’re zigging when everyone else is zagging.”
While the location will retain the name, St. Pierre said a plethora of changes have taken place at Truck Farm Tavern, from the addition of kids meals to a new chef.
“The biggest difference is that it will be more family friendly,” he said. “It’ll be a safe environment for kids to run around. We’re focusing on traditional comfort food, but we’re trying to do things that aren’t on everyone’s menu.”
The restaurant will feature Executive Chef John McGlinchey, whose culinary journey has taken him from a former Sous Chef at Charlie G’s in Metairie to most recently working with Made Restaurant in Florida.
St. Pierre said the restaurant staff is working hard to source as much produce and products locally.
“We’re using a lot of fresh local ingredients,” he said. “We pride ourselves on having very little freezer space.”
For more information about employment at Truck Farm Tavern, visit www.truckfarmtavern.com.
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