News Summary
Tesvich Oyster Farms is set to open Captain Rallo’s Oyster House & Sports Bar in Gretna by September 2026, providing a community hub for seafood lovers. Located at 901 Stumpf Boulevard, the restaurant will emphasize fresh, locally sourced seafood, showcasing dishes made from the Tesvich family’s renowned oysters and local produce. With a bar, dining area, event space, and outdoor courtyard, this venue aims to enhance Gretna’s culinary scene while honoring the rich seafood heritage of the Tesvich family.
Gretna—In an exciting development for seafood lovers, Tesvich Oyster Farms has announced plans to open Captain Rallo’s Oyster House & Sports Bar in Gretna by September 2026. Known for supplying oysters to southeastern Louisiana restaurants for nearly a century, the Tesvich family is set to bring their expertise and commitment to local seafood to this new dining venue.
The new restaurant will be located at 901 Stumpf Boulevard, at the intersection of Stumpf Boulevard and Van Trump Street. Following approval from the Gretna City Council for the land’s resubdivision in June, the Tesvich family hopes to create a community hub for seafood lovers. Captain Rallo’s will feature an indoor bar, dining area, separate event space, and an outdoor courtyard designed for al fresco dining, further accentuating the restaurant’s focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Captain Rallo’s menu will spotlight local produce, with a limited selection that includes shrimp sourced from nearby docks. Tony Tesvich, a fourth-generation oysterman with nearly 40 years in the industry, emphasizes the importance of using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that all menu items are fresh and not imported.
Based in Buras, Louisiana, with its primary oyster production facility in Hopedale, St. Bernard Parish, Tesvich Oyster Farms specializes in “reef candy” oysters, cultivated in the nutrient-rich waters of the Chandeleur Sound. This family-run business is recognized for its dedication to quality and sustainable practices, as their boats travel almost four hours to reach the oyster reefs. These reefs are acquired through inherited leases or through various leases that Tony Tesvich has obtained over his career.
The Tesvich family has deep roots in the Louisiana seafood industry, tracing their ancestry back to Croatian immigrants who began supplying labor to the Gulf Coast seafood trade in the early 1900s. Tony Tesvich’s grandfather permanently moved to Louisiana in 1931, marking the beginning of the family’s long-standing heritage within the oyster business. Various family members are actively involved in the enterprise, working together to uphold the tradition and deliver fresh seafood to local restaurants.
The Tesvich Oyster Farms provides oysters to some of the most popular dining establishments in New Orleans, including Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar, Salvo’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, and Porgy’s Seafood Market. In addition to their restaurant partnerships, the business also offers home delivery services, expanding access to their high-quality oysters for consumers throughout the region.
As the opening date for Captain Rallo’s approaches, there may be potential delays due to necessary renovations, but the Tesvich family is dedicated to establishing a restaurant that reflects their commitment to the Gulf Coast’s seafood heritage. This new venture is anticipated to enhance Gretna’s culinary scene, allowing patrons to experience the freshest local seafood while celebrating the rich history of the Tesvich name in Louisiana’s seafood industry.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Gretna Seafood Restaurant Announcement
- Wikipedia: Oyster
- NOLA: Local Seafood Industry News
- Google Search: Seafood Industry Louisiana
- NOLA: Louisiana Seafood Companies
- Google Scholar: Seafood Sustainability
- NOLA: New Orleans Dining News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Seafood
- NOLA: Business Developments in Gretna
- Google News: Gretna Restaurant
