Leaving Westport, I knew I would miss Bartaco immeasurable amounts. Out of all of the restaurants in my hometown, it takes the cake. I love it. I knew the food in New Orleans was KNOWN for being amazing when I first moved here for college, but I didn’t realize I would find versions of everything I loved at home. Now, Rum House and Bartaco are VERY different. There’s more of an emphasis on drinking at Rum House (hence the name, and the fact that it’s in New Orleans and not Westport, CT) and the food isn’t as healthy or trendy, but still, when I want some yummy guac and a delicious tiny taco, I know exactly where to go.
Me and my friends have frequently gone to “Taco Tuesday” at Rum House, which in my opinion, is part of what makes the Caribbean restaurant fit in so well to the New Orleans food scene, especially among college students. $3 tacos and $5 margaritas once a week is CLASSIC for a restaurant here.
In terms of Rum House being a part of the larger New Orleans food scene, I would say it could pretty much exist anywhere (everyone loves tacos) but what makes it so successful here is the deal, and the marketing. There’s nothing “New Orleans” about this place to the tourist or outsider, but for me, it’s a perfect representation of my life here.
On the “About Us” page on the website (which is linked here because there are a ton of gluten free options, so if any of you guys are in NOLA and are looking for tacos I encourage you to check it out) Michael, the creator of the restaurant, explains that Rum House was created to “escape from the day-to-day hustle of city life, the grind of school or work, and even the stress that comes with raising a family” and a place to “make memories”. In terms of my life here as a college student, everything there rings true. I’ve made some great memories at dinner with friends at Rum House laughing, and taking a break from schoolwork and stress, because honestly, college is SO stressful. It’s not the marketing or ingredients, or even the menu that makes the restaurant fit in within the Nola food scene, but it’s the purpose. Having a place to relax and make memories while eating yummy food is what the city is about.
Gluten Free Options at Rum House
The wait staff at Rum House seems pretty knowledgable, and I felt safe eating there! The only things they told me to stay away from were the tacos including a friend protein, like fried shrimp or fried fish. Other than that, I’m good to go, and they said the chips are Celiac-safe because they are made in their own fryer!
Here’s what I usually get for dinner:
I ALWAYS start with chips and guacamole. I love the guacamole here because it has mango in it (one of my favorite fruits) and it fits perfectly with the Caribbean influence of the restaurant.
I’ve gotten the nachos a handful of times and every time I get them I’m practically to full to walk after, but they are just SO good. The pulled pork and jalapeños are by far the best part.
In terms of tacos, I’ve tried the Calypso Beef, Green Chile Chicken, Chipotle Shrimp, Gringo, and Jerk Chicken. The ones that stand out to me the most are definitely the Gringo, which is ground beef with cheese and pico de gallo, classic Americanized Mexican food, but SO good, and the Chipotle Shrimp, which I usually get every time I go.