Blue's Clues: LSU Game Watching and Soulard Oktoberfest

After apple picking, it was time for the most important activity of the day - Florida vs. LSU!

We were so excited when the St. Louis LSU alumni chapter decided to move the game watching parties to a new location. To make it even better, the new location is only a mile from our house!

Riverbend Restaurant is located here in Soulard, and opened in March of this year. The owner is a native of New Orleans, and a graduate of LSU. Prior to moving to his wife's home city of St. Louis, owner Sam Kogos owned Rendon Inn in New Orleans for 15 years. This is one of only two restaurants here in St. Louis that I would say serve authentic Cajun style food.

With Soulard Oktoberfest going on the same weekend as the Florida game, the block was hopping. Riverbend had fryers set up outside making fried shrimp poboys and fried gator poboys. Tony couldn't decide, so he ordered the gator for the first quarter, and the shrimp at halftime. I had a cup of the chicken and sausage gumbo which was delicious!

There was a great turn out! To make it even more of an authentic LSU game experience, we happened to have a Florida fan and an Auburn fan walk in. Of course they were both tiger baited by the whole group!

After the successful turnout, the decision was made to continue using Riverbend Restaurant. Their jukebox even has "Hey Fightin' Tigers" on it! Only one TV and no red beans and rice on the menu for Saturdays were the only real complaints, but I have to say that the owner has been incredibly welcoming to our group. Last weekend for the Auburn game, he had purchased additional tv's AND made red beans and rice for the day. I think that everyone ordered a plate of them! They were delicious! Not quite as spicy as you might get at home, but very good.

Sam's father is also always hanging around visiting and watching games with everyone. Tony and I have really enjoyed chatting with him the three weekends that we have been!

One of the great things about Riverbend Restaurant is its proximity to Lyon Park during Oktoberfest weekend. It's directly across the street! After LSU finished trouncing Florida, we just walked across the street to join the festivities.

Last year, Tony competed in the bratwurst eating contest to win his VIP pass. He decided to just buy it this year since it took him so long to recover last year! Since the 3 day pass is only $15 more, he decided that it was silly to just buy the one day pass, so Tony had 3 whole days of Oktoberfesting this year! On Friday night, the organizers were smart to get a big, blow up screen to project the Cardinals playoff game.

One of the many sites that you'll see at Oktoberfest is the beer mug holding contest. The rules are that person who can hold their stein full of beer the longest wins.

They had to find a stranger to take this picture for them since we refused.

The event organizers booked a band called Dorfrockers from Germany this year. Tony became a little obsessed with them throughout the weekend. They were highly entertaining, and very interactive with the crowd. Even though we hardly understood anything that they were saying, it was a lot of fun. I don't know true this is, but they are supposed to be a wildly popular band in Germany.