Come for the kebabs, stay for the pinball
Along with pinball, Kebab in the St. Claude Arts District of New Orleans serves up Western European-style doner kebabs, Belgian fries and soda spritzers. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
The brainchild of co-owners Walker Reisman and Benjamin Harlow, Kebab offers St. Claude Avenue an eclectic trifecta an all-in-one kebab mecca, art gallery and pinball parlor.
“I wanted to do something different, and no one else is making Western European-style doner kebabs in New Orleans,” Reisman says.
“I wanted to do something different, and no one else is making Western European-style doner kebabs in New Orleans.”—Walker Reisman, co-owner of Kebab restaurant
Reisman first encountered the street food on a European excursion when he was 19. Reisman"s tour of Germany, Greece and Italy would eventually influence Kebab"s menu.
“The gyros are pork as opposed to lamb and beef, so it"s the traditional Greek style. The toppings are more of a German doner topping. We also do a nice tzatziki, and I throw in an Israeli sauce,” Reisman says.
The menu also features Belgian fries served with garlic aioli and soda spritzers.
“Everything"s from scratch. We even make our own ketchup, and our bread"s baked every two hours,” Reisman says.
The restaurateurs" do-it-yourself philosophy fostered the creation of Kebab"s “Skewer Gallery” and new pinball parlor.
Part of the St. Claude Arts District of New Orleans, the gallery accepts original submissions set around monthly themes. An open call for pieces representing August"s theme of “Pressure” will go out Saturday, Aug. 8.
The restaurant"s pinball parlor is a collaboration with the Mystic Krewe of the Silver Ball. Founded by pinball wizard Michael Perry, the krewe is a social club for those passionate for vintage arcade gaming.
“We wanted pinball machines in here from the get-go. It"s a throwback idea. In the 1970s and 1980s, sandwich shops would have small pinball arcades in them,” Reisman says.
Part game room and part art installation, the rotating assortment of classic and modern machines is borrowed from the krewe"s massive collection. The eatery also plans to host future tournaments and league play.
Kebab, 2315 St. Claude Ave. Kebab is closed through Aug. 18 for a summer break.
