Recently, I took a short walk from work to the corner of McNeil and Texas St. with plans to try something new. I was in luck, I saw the open signs on a previously abandoned building, and stopped in for lunch 10 days after the soft opening of downtown’s latest eatery. And I was told quite a nice story over one of the best blackened tilapia fillets I’ve ever had. Mother and son pair June and Rod Phillips followed their dreams and opened the Crystal Stairs, with plans to provide good food and live music for years to come. Rod said with a grin, “We’ll be here as long as that courthouse is standing.”
Rod told me that he and his mother had a rough time of things growing up in Shreveport. He said June was a strong woman, and would often recite the famous poem by Langston Hughes “Mother to Son”, in an effort to keep her son’s head held high. Rod went on to become a Hollywood stuntman and actor, playing in many blockbuster films shot here in Shreveport and elsewhere. June worked as the Director of Humanitarian Affairs at Southern University across the street in downtown Shreveport. Now, they’ve worked together to make their dreams come true, serving up soul in the form of good food and live music.
The menu was short when I visited but it will expand, said Rod, and I plan to be back to check out the new items. By the way, the restaurant has some the most accommodating business hours of anywhere I’ve ever seen, a tribute to their dedication I would say. Crystal Stairs is open from 11AM-10PM Mon-Sat and from 12-10PM on Sunday. That’s right, 7 days/week. Oh, and the bar is open until 2AM Mon-Sat. Like I said, accommodating. Happy Hour is from 4-7pm nightly, and the owners plan to have live music as much as possible.
Oh right, the food. Like I said, I tried the blackened tilapia, and it really was some of the best I’ve ever had. The spices were on and it was cooked to perfection. I am a self-proclaimed seafood fanatic, so I was really excited to see more options downtown, and this one does not disappoint. I also tried the stuffed shrimp on another visit, and it was extremely tasty. I’ll be back for sure.
For more info, like them on Facebook @ facebook.com/Crystal-Stairs or call 318-424-8783.