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The downtown area of Hammond includes several hidden culinary gems. One of the brightest is the Mariner’s Inn, billed as a “restaurant and lounge” by owner and operator Bruce Labrecque, who acquired the business in 1982, and who graciously agreed to an interview to provide background for this review. He began his association with the restaurant—a fixture of Hammond dining since 1979—as a cook and dishwasher, and has grown the business from a tiny hole-in-the-wall diner into a modest-sized restaurant. By day, the Mariner’s is known to Hammond residents as an easy-going little café what some consider to be the best burgers in town. The evening crowd stays late for the bar, the pool tables, and the entertainment.
Depending on when you visit, the Mariner’s Inn offers something for everyone.
As a native of Hammond, I have eaten at the Mariner’s since I was in high school. A favorite of mine is the “Black and Blue” burger, a blackened hamburger patty served on a bun with melted blue cheese. It is tasty enough that I neglect other items on the menu in its favor. But on a recent visit to the restaurant, I enjoyed the “Kickin’ Chicken” sandwich, another of the Mariner’s classic menu entries.
The aforementioned sandwich is built out of deep-fried chicken breast tenders on a bun or French bread (your choice), topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of the house’s special sauce, which bears a visual resemblance to ranch dressing. Mine arrived so hot that it was nearly sizzling, and had melted the cheese. Sides include French fries, sweet potato fries, and baked potatoes; my sweet potato fries were obviously just out of the deep-fryer, as well, and were a vibrant orange to which the photograph accompanying this article does not do justice. The portions are large, so show up with help if you plan to tackle the appetizer list. I am partial to the friend mushroom buttons with special dipping sauce, but skipped them because I was dining alone and knew I wouldn’t be able to finish my entrée if I started with them.
Service on my most recent visit was extremely prompt and cheerful. In the evenings, the Mariner’s gets very crowded, and this can extend the period you wait for your food. I have never had to wait for an unreasonable period of time, but the nighttime Mariner’s is not the place to be if you’re in a hurry. By the same token, the Mariner’s Inn is not an intimate dinner venue for a night with your sweetheart or spouse. They serve cocktails by the pitcher here, and this makes for a great spot to meet up with a large group of friends for a boisterous evening. Lunchtimes and early evenings are a more restrained, making these times the best to dine quietly as a couple or family. Friday nights are busiest of all, because a local musician named Eddie Veatch performs live in the patio dining area.
A few other tidbits are in order, to provide an accurate accounting of the Mariner’s. Despite the name, this is not a seafood house. Expect appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches. This establishment caters to bikers (the nicer sort), and college students, and its wall décor of assorted maritime souvenirs was provided as gifts to Mr. Labrecque by various seafarers who stop in to visit and dine on a regular basis. Many of these mariners have been visiting for almost thirty years, since the original owner of the Mariner’s Inn secured permission from Port of Call in New Orleans to duplicate the basic concept in Hammond.
117 W Thomas Street
Hammond, LA 70401
(985) 345-9854 |
