ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
The owner of a grim French Quarter eatery has put the people of our cosmopolitan desert community on blast this morning by saying none of them go out for dinner anymore, and because of that, he’s struggling to make ends meet.
While restaurants on either side of Darcy Tuxwell’s venue, Cheval De Course À Assiette on Rue de Putain, are often full, his is not, and that’s a source of anger for the 34-year-old.
“They must be laundering money; it doesn’t make sense,” he said.
“Overell’s across the street does 200 covers a night; they’re booked solid until August. That’s what they say, at least. But sometimes I look over, and there are only 30-40 people in there. With only twelve tables and a bar out the back, you know, you do the math on that one.”
“I don’t know how they’re able to afford the staff too. Mine are always complaining about getting paid late and not getting paid super. I’m like, haven’t you worked in hospitality before? It’s normal. Plus, you aren’t even Australian, so why do you need super? It’s not like you can take it home when you leave? Well, maybe you can, but I tell them you can’t.”
“Nobody is going out in this town anymore. I used to do good trade here. We were the only place in Betoota where you could get horse meat. Have you ever tried the Cheval Frites here? Or the Pigeon Rôti Maison? It was all fresh and organic from the Diamantina. Overell’s does Texas BBQ and burgers. Shuffleboard and that Clancy, who works at your paper, gets up and sings Elvis tracks, calling women diners things like ‘Hot Mumma’ and ‘Sweet Baby.’ It might be rockabilly, but it gives me the ick!”
“People need to get out and patronize their local businesses; otherwise, they’ll go and be replaced by other small businesses, or the landlord can just leave it vacant and reap the enormous tax benefits of doing so.”
More to come.
