For the past six years, the Ragin’ Cajun food truck has done an outstanding job serving up mouth-watering jambalaya, po’ boys, crawfish, and corn soup and other Louisiana goods out their side window. Owner John Maxwell and his wife moved here from New Orleans in 2012 shortly after Hurricane Katrina and it turned out to be a blessing, at least for us folks who have Louisiana taste buds.
Well, now the food truck is for sale. But don’t despair. Maxwell is ditching the truck to open a restaurant that will serve the same South Louisiana and American cuisine. NOLA on 13 is Maxwell’s latest creation, located on the 13th floor of the Indiana Michigan Power Center (previously known as One Summit Square). There, you will have a beautiful view of the city skyline while enjoying a couple of drinks and indulging in Maxwell’s acclaimed recipes. NOLA on 13 plans to open mid-December with hours of operation 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will also be available for catering and hosting parties in the new establishment. Looking forward, Maxwell hopes to add a Sunday champagne jazz brunch and be open a few evenings for dinner. The Ragin’ may be losing its wheels, but a much greater experience awaits. Can’t wait to try it!
Fans of local rockers James and the Drifters will be stoked to hear the boys have some new material up their sleeves. In fact, the Drifters will be performing their upcoming release The Glow in its entirety along with other favs on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Brass Rail. That evening they will host the “Very Merry Holiday Party,” so who knows what other surprises await. The band tells me that they’re yet to come up with a release date for The Glow, but it should be soon and you can guarantee another celebration will ensue. Come out and be the first to hear the new material.
It’s never too soon to start making plans for New Year’s Eve, right? I know we haven’t even made it through Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you don’t want to be left in the dark. “A Classic New Year’s Eve” is an event you might be interested in, especially if you remember the local classic rock outfits Tempest and The FBC Band, who gained success locally and regionally in the late ’70s and early ’80s. On Monday, Dec. 31, the two will be reunite with original members for one special evening. The event will take place at Lester’s Banquet Hall on Bluffton Road and will include a holiday buffet dinner, dessert, two cocktails, champagne toast at midnight, and great live music. Tickets are $40 per person and are available at all Wooden Nickel Records locations. All profits will benefit Invisible Vets, a local non-profit providing direct, hands-on assistance to homeless veterans.
