SPICING UP THE BAR
Walk-On’ s Shoots to Score With Menu Revamp
by MELISSA DOWLING
It’ s not easy being a restaurant these days, as evidenced by the rash of recent closures and bankruptcies by casual dining chains. But Walk-On’ s Sports Bistreaux is bucking the trend with game-day energy and accelerating its nationwide expansion.
What’ s more, the Atlanta-based company refreshed its look and feel this past March, and introduced items that exemplify its Cajun roots and Southern inspiration. The revamp includes a new bar program and cocktail menu.
“ We have an ambitious goal to increase beverage sales within our restaurants, and to achieve this, it’ s crucial that we have the right mix of products and cocktails that appeal to our guests,” says John Hagen, Walk-On’ s senor director of culinary, who oversees beverage.
“ Recognizing the industry standard, where the average casual dining restaurant offers a large variety of cocktails, we’ ve ensured our menu covers the essential cocktail variations and spirit types,” he says.“ We’ re also innovating to meet guests’ growing expectations as they seek more complex drinks with unique and trending flavors.”
SPICING UP THE BAR
After careful review of its lineup, Walk-On’ s deleted four underperforming cocktails and added six new drinks.“ Notably, we’ ve updated the spicy Margarita, and incorporated mango, a trending favorite flavor,” Hagen says. The drink combines Espolon reposado tequila, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, mango puree, fresh lime, agave, and a Tajin spice rim.
“ And, in line with the rise of classic cocktails, we’ re seeing a resurgence of Martinis, particularly with the‘ Team Mom’ demographic,” he adds. The Lemon Drop Martini and Espresso Martini are leading the charge with fresh, nostalgic twists on’ 90s favorites, he notes.
The new Praline Espresso Martini has a unique flavor profile,“ one we are proud to tie back to our New Orleans roots,” Hagen says. It features Wheatley vodka, Owens Espresso Martini mix, Mr. Black liqueur, Evangeline’ s praline liqueur and a cinnamon and sugar floater.
Other new cocktails include the O-Line, made with blood orange-infused ginger beer, blood orange sour and Tito’ s vodka;
Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, walk-on basketball players for Louisiana State University, opened the first Walk-On’ s Sports Bistreaux in Baton Rouge in 2003.
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