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Rouses Means Local innovation

has become a hot spot for celebrities and sports stars. “[Saints player] Alvin Kamara comes in, and he gets the Wuzzam Wings [a signature menu item] and ranch fries. We’ve had Dee-1 and Choppa, and have catered for everyone from Snoop Dogg, to Wyclef Jean, to Laurence Fishburne. Anthony Davis has been supporting us since our food truck days, and even has a menu item named after him: The Brow. It’s our famous two-piece catfish, shrimp and fries.” But Tillery and Davis’ connection runs even deeper than just a menu special. Always looking for ways to grow, Greg and the former Pelican’s personal chef, William Jones, worked together to create a line of We Dat’s seasoning that’s taken the city — and shelves at Rouses — by storm. “Chris [Acosta, third-generation Rouse family member] actually took a chance on me and our seasoning line. I told him what it is that I was going to bring to the table with social media, and that I was going to do everything I possibly could to bring exposure, because I get close to a million or two impressions a week. I said, ‘Look, I’m going to use my influence to help you guys as you are helping us.’ Because, Rouses is all about supporting local. That’s the backbone of their business — helping local small businesses get a footprint in their stores. That’s exactly what they did for me. I’m forever grateful.” Today, We Dat’s has their Original seasoning and Garlic Parmesan seasoning in Rouses stores, with a sweet heat seasoning, crawfish boil and bottles of their über-popular Wuzzam Wing sauce currently in production. “People use the seasoning in everything from crawfish boils, to putting it in their red beans and rice, to their chicken, to steak, to fish. You can put this seasoning literally on everything. I have people that use the seasoning on their eggs. People use it on their grits. The seasoning is amazing.” And whether you’re hustling alongside your best friend to drive a rickety food truck down the highway, or partnering with other local businesses to boost your shine, the We Dat’s team knows that life is better when you work together. “We just get so much love and support from the city, and now the relationship with Rouses — I thank God for it. We’re really starting to build some momentum,” says Tillery with a smile.

Pictured: We Dat’s “New Orleans Owned” Chicken & Shrimp; Gregoire Tillery, founder; We Dat’s food truck (images courtesy of We Dat’s)

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