Inside Sunshine Chicken & Seafood, with new ownership, menu items and friendly service 16 Apr 6:43 AM (21 hours ago)
It’s a family affair at Sunshine Chicken & Seafood. New owners and twin sisters Jewel Nguyen and Jade Nguyen reopened the space this past October, serving up just what the name implies—but with their own flair and family recipes.
Jewel and Jade took ownership of Sunshine Chicken & Seafood on Jefferson Highway in 2024 from its previous owners, who had operated the eatery since 2023. In just a few months, the siblings have been working to expand and upgrade the menu with new recipes, house-made sauces and batters, Asian-inspired menu items and more.
So far, the sisters have received plenty of positive reviews from customers both old and new, making it a bit of a local hidden gem.
“Growing up, everyone that knows me knows that we always cooked at home, and we were asked to sell our food and stuff like that,” Jade says. “We would joke around and say, ‘Oh, we’re going to open a restaurant one day.’ … We had a family friend who wanted to sell this space. So we’re like, it’s the perfect opportunity.”
Originally from Massachusetts, Jewel and Jade made the move to the Capital Region to be closer to family. Since coming to Baton Rouge, Jewel has gained experience at local restaurants, and Jade is working to open a nail salon in Gonzales.
“I always loved cooking,” Jewel says. “I have kids now, and I definitely love cooking for family. I found that cooking is like my love language.”
Inside the small eatery, patrons can sit at tables to wait for their made-to-order meals. Behind the counter, menus are alight with a list of offerings like fried chicken wings and Vietnamese iced coffees. Sunny yellow pops of color accent the walls, a nod to the restaurant’s cheery name. Trending radio hits from artists like Sabrina Carpenter bump through the speakers.
On the menu, crispy chicken wings, butterflied shrimp and catfish strips are customer favorites, according to the sisters. East Coast-inspired items like thin, crispy seafood egg rolls and applesauce-based duck sauce pay homage to the duo’s Boston roots. Combos are served with a seafood egg roll and a choice of fried rice, stir-fry noodles or fries. Jade says offering combos allows customers to get a little taste of everything.
Before Jade and Jewel became owners, Sunshine served snoballs. The sisters opted to take the icy treats off the menu and instead offer milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, lemonades and Vietnamese iced coffees.
The sisters enhanced prior menu items by making their own frying batters and using their family’s all-purpose seasoning. They make their own sauces and drinks, and they cook every dish upon order.
As summer approaches, Jade says the menu will expand to include some non-fried options, per customers’ requests. Grilled shrimp and chicken skewers along with salads have already debuted, for those looking for lighter options. The owners have even taken inspiration from local cuisine and added po-boys, a dish the sisters admit they hadn’t heard of before moving to the South. Aside from attracting customers with tasty options, Jade says Sunshine’s customer service has also made quite an impression.
“It’s just my twin sister and I that run this,” Jade says. “I get a lot of feedback, like, ‘When I come here, I feel so welcomed,’ and ‘It doesn’t feel like you guys are just trying to sell food and drink.’ That’s a big thing for me. I kind of look at it like a small community I’m building.”
Despite sharing a love for cooking and food, and their childhoods jokes, the sisters share that they never truly thought they’d be opening a restaurant together.
“It’s our first business together,” Jade says. “That was always a big dream of ours, because we both have different passions in our careers. So, being able to come together as twins and open our first business together was an opportunity that we took.”
Jewel says it’s also brought them closer together.
“Knowing that we were able to work side by side together, and it’s going great, kind of hooked us,” she says. “We got each other. And nothing’s impossible.”
The sisters help serve customers inside the eatery every day. Jade handles the restaurant’s marketing and business side, while Jewel works in the kitchen. Together, they work to come up with new menu items and ensure their customers are satisfied by their meals and the overall experience.
They also serve their food outside of the restaurant, participating in pop-ups around town. Next up: The sisters will be slinging their staples at Night Market BTR on Saturday, May 10.
Besides providing customer-approved dishes and service with a smile, Jewel and Jade hope their restaurant endeavor helps them to continue their family’s legacy through homestyle cooking techniques from their mother, while also providing opportunities for the next generation.
In the future, the Nguyens want to continue expanding the menu and building relationships with the community. Jade shares that they hope to even expand to other areas in the Capital Region, like Ascension Parish.
Sunshine Chicken & Seafood is at 9878 Jefferson Highway. Its hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
The post Inside Sunshine Chicken & Seafood, with new ownership, menu items and friendly service appeared first on [225].
A new cultural festival is coming to St. George 16 Apr 3:20 AM (yesterday, 3:20 am)
St. George is set to welcome its first namesake cultural festival this spring, the latest mile marker in the journey to build a community identity in the newly incorporated city.
The festival—called the Saint George Culture Scene—will be held on the third Saturday of each month. It will offer an art market, live music and local cuisine in a “casual, family-friendly setting.”
Organizer Luke Lognion tells Daily Report that the goal of the festival is to build unity through shared experiences. Lognion also manages the Baton Rouge Arts Market in downtown Baton Rouge.
“Many people have strong feelings about the creation of Louisiana’s newest city, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that art and music can bring people together unlike anything else,” Lognion says. “We’re neighbors, and if there’s one thing I know from living in Spanish Town, it’s that neighbors’ differences fall away when there’s a block party.”
The Saint George Culture Scene will make its debut on May 17, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Perkins Road. The inaugural event will feature more than 30 artists, music from Zach McLain and Nouveau Soul and a curated lineup of food trucks. A portion of the festival’s proceeds will benefit St. Margaret’s and support the growth of the church’s community outreach programs.
Though the city of St. George did not have a hand in organizing the festival, Mayor Dustin Yates has expressed his support for the effort.
“As we build our new city, the city of St. George looks forward to another great event celebrating community and fostering a sense of unity as we move forward together,” a statement from Yates reads.
According to Lognion, artists, food vendors and sponsors from across the greater Baton Rouge area are welcome at the festival, though St. George itself will be well represented.
On the sponsorship side, the festival has already secured its first media sponsor, Guaranty Media, and Lognion is actively seeking additional partners.
This story was originally published by Daily Report on April 15. To keep up with Baton Rouge business and politics, subscribe to the free Daily Report e-newsletter here.
The post A new cultural festival is coming to St. George appeared first on [225].
Aldi to open first Livingston Parish location 15 Apr 7:03 AM (yesterday, 7:03 am)
Grocery retailer Aldi has plans to open its first Livingston Parish location.
The company bought the lease of the former Big Lots space in the Spring Park Plaza shopping center on Range Avenue, according to Charlie Colvin of Momentum Commercial Real Estate who represents the property’s landlord.
“It was under lease, and as part of the Big Lots bankruptcy, they put a bunch of leases up for auction and tenants or other interested parties could bid on those,” Colvin says.
Aldi has submitted a building permit application to transform the 27,094-square-foot retail space into a full-service supermarket. Denham Springs Planning & Development is currently reviewing the plan.
The location would add to Aldi’s growing footprint in Louisiana.
The grocery chain has 19 stores in the state, including five in the Capital Region. according to its website. The existing locations are at Cortana Place near the Amazon fulfillment center, O’Neal Lane, North Rieger Road near Interstate 10 and Siegen, Settlement Boulevard near Central, and Airline Highway in Prairieville.
More Louisiana stores are expected to open as part of an aggressive multiyear expansion plan. In August, Aldi acquired Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. and its 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarkets in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
Read a Business Report feature about Aldi’s expansion into the Capital Region.
This story was originally published by Daily Report on April 11. To keep up with Baton Rouge business and politics, subscribe to the free Daily Report e-newsletter here.
The post Aldi to open first Livingston Parish location appeared first on [225].
3 springtime wines to try with Easter crawfish, ham or lamb 15 Apr 7:00 AM (yesterday, 7:00 am)
This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue of 225 Magazine. It has been updated.
In Louisiana, springtime cooking reaches its high-water mark at Easter. Home cooks pull out all the stops as families gather round for all manner of seasonal feasts. You’re likely to see crawfish boils or pots of etouffee, as well as traditional roast turkey, grilled leg of lamb or a sprawling picnic of spiral-cut honey ham with homespun sides. But no matter what ends up on the table, the right wine will elevate every morsel.
To mark the occasion, 225 turned to Bin Q Liquor owner Ben Jones for suggestions on wines that pair beautifully with some of our favorite Easter meals. All selections are natural wines, or wines fermented without additives. binqliquor.com
1. If you’re serving crawfish:
“I like riesling with spicy food because it has really nice acid, lots of citrus notes and just a little bit of sugar,” Jones says. “That bit of sweetness balances out the spiciness.”
Jones says this selection works well with any heavily spiced seafood dish. And if you’re not a regular riesling drinker, don’t fall into the trap of thinking it just reads sweet. “It’s so much more than that,” he says.
2. If you’re serving ham:
From Provence, this organically grown wine is a field blend of no less than 14 red and white grapes. It’s a great springtime and summer sipper and a winning selection to bring along to a picnic.
“It’s really light and juicy,” Jones says. “And perfect with ham or any salty meat.”
Be sure to chill it slightly before drinking.
3. If you’re serving lamb:
Roast or grilled lamb is a sumptuous Easter classic, and there’s a reason it’s usually served with syrah. The wine’s heft stands up to lamb and brings out its robust flavor. This wine is produced between the northern and southern regions of the Rhône Valley and shows characteristics from each, Jones says.
“It’s really spice-forward with a lot of pepper notes, some brooding dark fruit flavors and some gaminess to it,” Jones says. “That makes it perfect for lamb.”
The post 3 springtime wines to try with Easter crawfish, ham or lamb appeared first on [225].
Take your pick of these cherry-themed finds from Baton Rouge boutiques 15 Apr 6:30 AM (yesterday, 6:30 am)
While food- and fruit-inspired fashion has been well stocked at local shops and boutiques around town in recent seasons, cherries have become the main character this spring.
Shoppers can find cherry-themed items or cherry patterns on pretty much anything these days. Whether you’re a fan of Harry Styles’ song “Cherry,” simply like the ruby red fruits or just want to embrace the cherry aesthetic, chances are you can find a stylish pick or two in the Capital Region.
Take a look at our roundup of cherry items at boutiques around Baton Rouge.
SHOP ONLINE
The post Take your pick of these cherry-themed finds from Baton Rouge boutiques appeared first on [225].
Wild adventures await: Explore the great outdoors with a zoo membership, sponsored by BREC 15 Apr 4:00 AM (2 days ago)
Looking for a way to get the family off their screens and into nature? A Baton Rouge Zoo membership is the perfect way to make outdoor time both exciting and effortless. Whether it’s a quick afternoon trip or a full day of exploring, the Zoo provides an easy, low-cost way to enjoy fresh air and adventure.
With walking trails, shaded picnic spots, and interactive exhibits, the Zoo is an ideal place for kids to stay active. Members also get express entry to popular events like Zippity Zoo Fest and Boo at the Zoo, making it even easier to enjoy seasonal activities without the wait.
For families who love to travel, a membership provides free or discounted entry to reciprocal zoos and aquariums nationwide, making vacations even more fun. With unlimited visits all year, it’s a great way to keep kids engaged in the great outdoors.
The post Wild adventures await: Explore the great outdoors with a zoo membership, sponsored by BREC appeared first on [225].
The power of play: Why unstructured play is important for your child’s health 14 Apr 7:51 AM (2 days ago)
Sponsored by The Baton Rouge Clinic
In today’s fast-paced world, children’s schedules are often packed with school, sports and structured activities. While these are beneficial, research shows that unstructured play is equally — if not more — important for a child’s development. Free play fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, emotional resilience and social intelligence. The Baton Rouge Clinic believes in a whole-child approach to health, and that includes the power of play. Here’s how you can optimize your child’s playtime for lifelong benefits.
Give kids the freedom to explore
Not all play needs a plan! When children engage in unstructured play, whether they’re building a blanket fort or pretending to be superheroes, they develop independence, creativity and decision-making skills. Free play allows kids to explore their interests, take risks and build confidence. Give your child the space and freedom to take the lead in their playtime; you’ll be amazed at what they create!
Take playtime outdoors
Playing outdoors isn’t just fun, it’s essential for both physical and mental health. Studies show that time spent in nature improves mood, reduces stress and enhances overall well-being. Outdoor play also provides much-needed exercise, helping children develop strong muscles and healthy habits. Whether it’s riding bikes, climbing trees or playing tag in the yard, encouraging outdoor play helps kids connect with nature while staying active.
Balance activities with downtime
Between school, extracurricular activities and social commitments, children’s schedules can quickly become overwhelming. While structured activities have their benefits, too much can lead to stress and burnout. Leaving open space in your child’s calendar allows them to unwind, recharge and engage in self-directed play, without the pressure of performance or achievement.
Let boredom spark creativity
It’s tempting to keep kids entertained at all times, but boredom isn’t the enemy — it’s an opportunity! When children experience unstructured time, they’re encouraged to think creatively and find ways to entertain themselves. Boredom fosters imagination, problem-solving and innovation, all of which are crucial skills for lifelong success. The next time your child says, “I’m bored,” resist the urge to fill the gap and let their creativity take over.
Make play a family affair
Playtime isn’t just for kids — parents benefit, too! Engaging in play with your child strengthens your bond, builds trust and creates lasting memories. Whether it’s playing a board game, kicking a soccer ball or joining an imaginary tea party, participating in your child’s playtime helps reinforce positive relationships and emotional connection. Plus, laughter and fun are great stress relievers for adults, too!
Prioritizing Play for a Healthier Future
The Baton Rouge Clinic understands that a child’s well-being goes beyond checkups and medicine. It includes emotional and social development, too. Encouraging free play, reducing stress and fostering creativity are all essential parts of raising happy, healthy kids. By making play a priority, parents can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, resilience and joy.
Need more tips on supporting your child’s well-being? Contact The Baton Rouge Clinic online at batonrougeclinic.com or call 225.246.9290 for expert guidance on fostering a healthy and balanced lifestyle for your family.
The post The power of play: Why unstructured play is important for your child’s health appeared first on [225].
This local media personality is opening a coffee shop on Florida Boulevard 14 Apr 7:27 AM (2 days ago)
Dianne Andrews, a local entrepreneur and media personality, is opening a coffee shop on Florida Boulevard near Baton Rouge General’s Mid City campus.
The shop, called Boulevard Brew, is poised to bring new energy to a stretch of Florida that has surprisingly few options for coffee given its high traffic volume.
“We really don’t have a stand-alone coffee shop in this area,” Andrews tells Daily Report. “You have to go all the way downtown or toward Government Street to find one.”
Renovations to the building began during the COVID-19 pandemic but stalled before resuming last year. Andrews says the project will have cost her more than $200,000 once all is said and done, but she believes the investment will pay off given how many new businesses and residents the area has attracted in recent years.
“I’ve been here a long time, and I’m so happy to see this part of Florida coming back,” she says. “It really has improved a lot in the past couple of years.”
Boulevard Brew will operate primarily as a drive-thru at first, though Andrews plans to add indoor and outdoor seating as well as a small dog park somewhere down the line.
The shop’s menu will feature a range of coffee drinks in addition to lemonades, teas, breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Light bites like flatbreads and pizzas may be offered in the afternoons for commuters on their way home.
Boulevard Brew will be located at 3875 Florida Blvd. and is expected to open in early June.
Andrews operates her pet pillow company Fuji’s Totes out of the building’s upper floor. She says she’s the nation’s only Black pet pillow patent holder.
Since 2015, Andrews has hosted Dianne Andrews in Black and White, an “issues-based” television program that airs on The CW’s local outlet every Sunday at 3 p.m.
This story was originally published by Daily Report on April 14. To keep up with Baton Rouge business news, subscribe to the free Daily Report e-newsletter here.
The post This local media personality is opening a coffee shop on Florida Boulevard appeared first on [225].
This week in Baton Rouge: A film festival, death metal concert and more 14 Apr 7:08 AM (2 days ago)
See Titanic Tuesday
“You jump, I jump” to Manship Theatre this Tuesday, April 15, for the screening of Titanic.
See the iconic and action-packed romance that has pulled at heartstrings of viewers for years. Select the dinner and a movie package, and be treated to a three-course, prix-fixe themed meal from Stroubes Seafood and Steaks nearby before the film.
Titanic will play at 7 p.m. Tickets to the show cost $11.50, including fees. The dinner and a movie package costs $52, plus fees and including an 18% gratuity. Manship Theatre is at 100 Lafayette St., and Stroubes Seafood and Steaks is at 107 Third St. Find more information here.
Attend a film festival Wednesday
Future X Youth in collaboration with the LSU Museum of Art will host Smile You’re on Camera this Wednesday, April 16.
This free community-based film festival at Manship Theatre will showcase the work of young filmmakers from the region. Expect film viewings, guest speakers, live music and interactive art exhibits.
Smile You’re on Camera is from 5-9 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Manship Theatre is at 100 Lafayette St. Find more information here.
Listen to death metal Thursday
Rock out at Chelsea’s Live on Thursday, April 17, when American death metal band Obituary performs.
The band, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, is an known for songs, “Visions in My Head,” “Chopped in Half,” “Redneck Stomp,” “Ten Thousand Ways to Die” and more. It will perform with Glacial Coffin and Herakleion.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show is at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and attendees must be 18 or older. Chelsea’s Live is at 1010 Nicholson Drive. Find more information here.
Celebrate spring on Thursday
Get crafty at the West Baton Rouge Parish Library on Thursday, April 17, during Let’s Get Springy.
Attendees will create new seasonal door decor at this community event. All supplies are provided.
Let’s Get Springy is from 6-7:45 p.m. Registration is open to ages 18 and up and can be completed online. The Main Branch of the WBR Parish Library is at 830 N. Alexander Ave. Find more information here.
The post This week in Baton Rouge: A film festival, death metal concert and more appeared first on [225].
‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Cabaret’ open soon, plus 13 more shows to catch in greater BR 14 Apr 7:00 AM (2 days ago)
A favorite Agatha Christie mystery and a bawdy pre-war musical both open next weekend, giving live theater fans plenty to sit back and enjoy.
Sullivan Theater in Central stages Murder on the Orient Express from April 25 through May 4, and Ascension Community Theatre presents Cabaret, the stylish political commentary set in a Berlin nightclub. It runs April 24 through May 4.
Two high-profile plays scheduled on back-to-back weekends is a salve to dramatic arts lovers, who were shattered in early March at the abrupt closure of the city’s largest nonprofit theater organization, Theatre Baton Rouge.
But while TBR, open for 79 seasons, was the biggest player in town, other theater organizations have long been staging well-regarded shows, taking advantage of Baton Rouge’s deep bench of theater talent. Many of the actors who performed in TBR’s large slate of shows have also been performing with Sullivan, ACT and other organizations.
Kamryn Hecker and Don Fields, for example, who played the lead roles in TBR’s final show, Xanadu, will play Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw, respectively, in Cabaret. And Knick Moore, another TBR veteran, plays Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express.
ACT board of directors president Dustin Delaune says the group is staging the 1998 Broadway revival version of Cabaret, its second show of the 2025 season.
“It’s about a Berlin nightclub during the rise of the Nazi regime,” Delaune says. “We’ve got so many talented people in the show from all over.”
Delaune says the show is rated R, and jokes that it’s a great opportunity for a date night or girls’ night out. The show takes place at ACT’s 165-seat theater in Gonzales.
Murder on the Orient Express is also Sullivan Theater’s second show of the season.
Founder Dave Freneaux says the Central theater organization has built original sets that capture the story’s well-known setting.
“The play takes place on two train cars,” he says. “We’re building a dining car and a sleeper car.”
Freneaux says about half the cast is making their Sullivan Theater debut.
The 130-seat theater opened in 2023, springing from a larger effort in Central to introduce more cultural activities to the community. A group of volunteers provided labor to transform a former fitness center in a strip mall on Sullivan Road into a thriving theater that stages popular performances. Its most recent show, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was a complete sellout, including an extra showtime added at the last minute to accommodate demand.
ACT celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Until this season, it had only repeated one show, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. But Delaune says the 25th season has been devoted to bringing back crowd favorites. The season led with Arsenic and Old Lace. Following Cabaret, it will feature Annie as its summer musical, then Steel Magnolias, A Streetcar Named Desire and, for the holidays, Miracle on 34th Street.
Following Murder on the Orient Express, Sullivan will feature Oklahoma! as its summer musical, followed by Noises Off, The Importance of Being Earnest and Elf: The Musical.
And there’s more…
Catch these shows on local stages this spring and summer
Christian Youth Theater
Cats, Young Actors Edition: May 22-25
Playmakers of Baton Rouge
Seussical, Jr.: June 6-8 and June 13-15
UpStage Theatre Company
Mahalia!: June 27-28
The Old Settler: July 18-20
Christian Community Theater
Singin’ in the Rain: July 27-Aug. 3
The post ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Cabaret’ open soon, plus 13 more shows to catch in greater BR appeared first on [225].