Rouses’ Super Bowl Tailgate Savvy Featured on ‘Entertainment Tonight’

Rouses Markets, long an all-star in its own corner of the world, received a blast of national attention when “Entertainment Tonight,” (“ET”) the most watched entertainment news magazine in the world, sought out the Thibodaux, La.-based grocer for tips on Super Bowl tailgating — presumably while cheering on the New Orleans Saints.

For the segment, which aired Feb. 3, Rouses president Donald Rouse and company employees prepared hot boiled Louisiana crabs, crawfish and shrimp; fried homemade boudin on a stick (dubbed “Cajun corndogs” by the “ET” crew); turtle Sauce Piquant; jambalaya; fried alligator “wings”; and Rouses’ award-winning king cakes, a Mardi Gras tradition. All of the ingredients came from Louisiana.

“[Segment correspondent] Kevin [Frazier] really got a kick out of the fried alligator wings,” said Rouse. “He said he’d never even heard of them. Alligator wing ares a true Bayou thing only a local would know. You certainly won’t find them at Winn-Dixie, Albertsons or Walmart.” The “wings” are actually the front legs of the alligator. “The fried boudin was also a crew favorite, “ added Rouse.” Boudin is a rice-based sausage that is traditionally served cold.” The grocer makes its boudin and Cajun specialties in-house.

Although Rouses is made up of diehard Saints fans — “We bleed black and gold,” quipped Rouse — the company also supports its hometown heroes, and has provided food for the Thibodaux-based Manning Passing Academy Party, despite the fact that quarterback Peyton Manning plays for the Indianapolis Colts, which will face off against the Saints this coming Sunday. “We are pulling for the Saints, but we are very proud of Peyton for making it to the Super Bowl,” noted Rouse diplomatically.

Rouses will close its stores at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7, so that employees can watch the Super Bowl. “We’re from Louisiana and this is our home team,” explained Rouse. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our team members should be able to enjoy this game with friends and family.”

Employing 5,200 associates, Rouses operates four Mississippi Gulf Coast stores and 31 locations in Louisiana, making it the largest independent grocer in the Pelican State.
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