How a Lakeview diner became a pilgrimage site for rap fans
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Russell's famous Onion Mumm and Ruby da Cherry, left, and $crim, who make up $uicideboy$. Photos: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios; Pedro Becerra/Redferns
Russell's Marina Grill flies under the radar in New Orleans, but it has two unlikely claims to fame: It inspired Outback's Bloomin' Onion, and it's become a pilgrimage site for fans of $uicideboy$.
Why it matters: The Lakeview diner will likely be busy ahead of the group's show Wednesday at the Smoothie King Center.
The big picture: Owner Pavlos Petrou is the father of Aristos "Ruby da Cherry" Petrou, half of the punk-rap duo from New Orleans that's filling venues across the country.
- Ruby and his cousin, Scott "$crim" Arceneaux Jr., have featured the coral-colored diner in several of their music videos, Revolver reports.
- Russell's has become a popular destination for fans, especially when the duo has a nearby show.
- The restaurant leans into the fandom, offering "Ruby's Special" on the menu. It's a cheeseburger with fries and a cherry vanilla milkshake.
Fun fact: Russell's opened in 1985. Jeff Glowski, a chef there, created the fried onion appetizer that the diner calls the "Onion Mumm," according to Mel Magazine.
- Glowski was friends with Tim Gannon, who would later cofound Outback Steakhouse in 1988, Brian VanHooker writes in the story.
- Before founding Outback, Gannon took the fried onion concept to New Orleans-based chain Copeland's, while Glowski brought it to a restaurant in Australia, the story says.
- For years, Outback's menu credited Russell's for the popular appetizer.
- Today, Russell's serves the Onion Mumm all day with homemade rosette sauce for $8.
💠Carlie's thought bubble: $uicideboy$ fans with tattoos and brightly dyed hair stand out amid the diner's typically older, more traditionally dressed crowd.
- It's common for politicians and the after-church crowd to be seated next to a group of friends sporting face tats.
- But it works in that chill New Orleans way where people just fit.
Best bites: My favorite things on the menu are Eggs Gentilly, homemade pie and, of course, the Onion Mumm.
If you go: The Grey Day Tour starts at 6:30pm. Special guests are Destroy Lonely, $lim Gucci, Black Kray, DRAIN and Shakewell.
Go deeper: 24 hours with $uicideboy$ (Video)