Wednesday will mark the fifth anniversary for a Poplarville business that offers “Nawlins style with a smile.”
The name of the business is Scooters, which is also the nickname of the owner’s daughter. Owner Chemin Pitre said her daughter not only has the namesake, but also helps out around the restaurant when she’s not attending high school.
For the past five years the business has been offering New Orleans style dishes to residents in the Poplarville area. The success of Scooters is due in part to the loyalty of the customers.
“Without the customers, I couldn’t pay the light bill,” Pitre said.
When customers enter the business to place an order, they are greeted by a smile from Pitre or one of her two friendly staff. She prides herself on offering a menu free of fried foods. Pitre said she also does not have a buffet.
It took a lot of work to get the buildings in shape to house a restaurant since it was the former home of a hardware store. But, after 62 days of renovations, Pitre opened the doors for business. The kitchen currently stands where paint was mixed when it was a hardware store.
Now the business’ large dining room, one of the largest in town, is a venue for birthday parties, wedding receptions, baby showers, class reunions and even a painting class that includes a meal.
“It’s a chance for adults to get away and have dinner,” Pitre said.
Every dish is made fresh, including the meatballs, which are hand patted, for the spaghetti and meatballs. One of her top sellers is the roast beef po-boy, the bread of which arrives daily from the New Orleans based Leidenheimer bakery. Pitre said her recipe for the spaghetti and meatballs will be featured in Whitney Miller’s upcoming cookbook.
Scooters’ reputation has even attracted the attention of a group of cross-country bicyclists, at times 60 strong. For the past three years, the group has stopped at the restaurant for lunch. She expects them to return again this year.
Check with the staff to see what is offered as the daily special or try the hot roast beef po-boy or shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo, both offered daily.
Scooters is located at 613 Main Street in Poplarville. The business is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pitre said she also offers catering on the weekends. Staff can be reached by calling 601-620-8002.