If you missed the excitement of Tallahassee’s Backwoods Crossings debut feature in December on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with celebrity chef Guy Fieri – hold on, there’s more.
The Cajun-style eatery known as Coosh’s Bayou Rouge Restaurant will be featured in season 51, episode 2 of the hit television series this month.
“It’s incredible just to know that the only way they even knew about us was customers or people from around (that had) to call them or email them,” owner Coosh Willis said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. “So, it was nice to know that people feel that way about the restaurant.”
Fieri visited the restaurant just off Thomasville Road in northeast Tallahassee to film the episode. The business is known for its Louisiana staples, from hearty jambalayas to deliciously crafted po’ boy sandwiches. A second location operates at 705 S. Woodward Ave.
Why Fieri ‘sets his sights on seafood’
In the upcoming episode, Fieri “sets his sights on seafood” in which he visits James Beard Award winner Stephanie Izard at her Chicago restaurant, in addition to Coosh’s for its seafood gumbo and “Captain Al” Étouffée, whose recipe is also featured on the Food Network’s recipe list.
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“Very exciting,” Willis said. “Many times I’ve looked on the Food Network page to pull up a recipe, and now we’reon it.”
The local family-operated restaurant, which “bring(s) authentic south Louisiana food to Tallahassee” as its site says, made the announcement on its Facebook page Monday evening.
“2025 is off to a nice start … We are thrilled to be featured on @foodnetwork Diner’s Drive-in’s and Dives on Friday January 24th at 9pm!” the post read.
The post gained lots of traction on social media with fans sharing their excitement. One user said, “Yes!! My favorite show and restaurant!”
Another said, “So beyond excited for Coosh’s Bayou Rouge! Serving up the best cajun, spice, and gumbo with rice in Tallahassee!”
Other Fieri sightings in Tallahassee
In October, Tallahassee was graced by Fieri’s presence at Market Liquors on North Monroe Street for a meet-and-greet and bottle signing for his tequila brand Santo Spirits.
The restaurant of local chef Leon Brunson, called Leon’s at Lake Ella, also was visited by Fieri, with an episode anticipated to air soon, though those details remain under wraps.
If you watch
- The “Seafood and Comfort” episode airs at 9 p.m. on Jan. 24.
- You can catch the episode on The Food Network, channel 231 for DirectTV users, channel 47 for Xfinity users and channel 110 for DISH users.
- It will also be on streaming platforms like Max and Hulu.
This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at [email protected]. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
