Duke's Seafood & Steakhouse

The guy behind Duke's is apparently one of the best oyster shuckers in the world.

Duke Landry shucked his first oyster at 15 in the kitchen at Don's Seafood in Baton Rouge, his family's restaurant. He and his brother used to race each other back there for fun.

Then he started entering competitions. He won the national title three years straight in the late '80s, came back and won it twice more, and he's been to Ireland five times for the world championship. He even shucked oysters on the Great Wall of China at a world cup in 2018.

I had no idea this was such a big thing!

He opened the first Duke's in Watson in 2015, then the Denham Springs spot on Range in 2017, in the old Piccadilly building.

The menu is Louisiana seafood and steaks. Stuffed shrimp, catfish topped with crawfish étouffée, oyster po-boys, and a 12 oz ribeye finished with their Cajun butter.

He's said he doesn't care how fast you shuck, he just wants them perfect. Not gonna lie, I'm getting hungry writing this, even though I don’t like oysters.

So go check them out and tell them the Denham Springs Local sent you!

Sponsored

Next time you're over at your parents' house, take a look at their phone. Odds are there's a text in there about a toll they don't owe or a package that's stuck somewhere.

A lot of folks their age didn't grow up with this stuff, and the people sending it know that. They count on somebody answering because it sounds official.

You don't have to become the family IT guy. But it's worth knowing what's floating around with their name on it, and getting a heads up when something new turns up.

Here's what I'd do about it:

Tues 10/6, 3-5pm

Build a wooden block picture frame dressed up with crystal and lace. Ages 18+, registration required.

Tues 10/6, 5-7pm

An intro to shuttle tatting, the old lace-making craft, plus some history on where it came from. Ages 18+, registration required.

Thurs 10/8, 6-7pm

Kids make their own Roll-A-Monster game, then roll to see what kind of creature they end up building. Ages 8-12, registration required.

Thurs 10/8 & Fri 10/9, 7pm (doors at 6:30)
Sat 10/10, 2pm

Spotlight Theater Players are putting on a murder mystery written and directed by Dinah Toups. The live broadcast of a dying 1970s TV show goes wrong, somebody ends up dead, and it's up to the audience to solve it. 1970s outfits encouraged. Tickets are $25, or $30 at the door.

Sat 10/10, 11am-2pm

Main Street's chili cook-off on Mattie Street, with live music, local vendors, and a Touch-A-Truck with the Denham Springs Fire Department and the American Red Cross. Tasting tickets are $10, or enter a team for $25.

Sat 10/10, 9am-3pm

First annual fall craft market out on Hwy 16, with local makers, boutiques, and bakers. Proceeds go to For the One, a foster care and adoption ministry.

Sat 10/10, 12-1:30pm

Cavalier House is teaming up with Libro.fm and Silent Book Club. Bring a banned book you love or grab one from their display, and everyone who joins gets a free audiobook from Libro.fm.

Sat 10/10, 1-3pm

Play from the library's board game collection, anything from Scrabble and Yahtzee to newer stuff like Forest Shuffle. There's room for tabletop role-playing too. Ages 18+.

Wednesdays at 6:30pm

Line Dancing every Wednesday night starting at 6:30 pm in the Crown Room.

Multiple Events

I hate to group all these great events together like this, but there are too many to list out separately! They have a book club event almost every day of the week. Check out the link below to find the one for you:

Poker: Mondays at 6 & 8pm
Bingo: Thursdays at 6:30pm

First Friday of Every Month

Stroll the streets, sip something local, discover handcrafted treasures, and enjoy the vibe. It’s the perfect way to shake up your Friday night plans! So come on out and see what the local shops are up to.

Saturdays 8am-12pm

Every Saturday morning in Denham Springs at City Hall.
Check out the Facebook group

Every 4th Saturday 2-8pm

Guided hand building, ceramic painting, good company and a moment to create something unique with your own hands. Coffee, tea, water, and snacks available. 21+ can B.Y.O.B. (please enjoy responsibly). This is a drop-in event, so there's no need to book a specific time. Just come in when you're available!

3rd Sunday every month at 9am

Breakfast at the Way Church. Everyone is welcome, so this will be an awesome chance to invite your neighbors, friends, and family for a morning of good food and good fellowship followed by some good worship about a great God!

(Too many to list!)

Check the latest events below. Lots coming up this month!

(Too many to list!)

Bingo, Chess, & Smash Burgers: Tuesdays starting @ 5pm
Open Mic Night: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 6:30pm
Running Club: Thursdays @ 6pm
First Friday Fun
And more!

(Too many to list!)

Check the latest events below:

(Too many to list!)

I’ve moved the Brushfire Art classes to this section because there are so many going on that I feel like it deserves a permanent spot down here. Check out this week’s classes below:

(Too many to list!)

There are 30+ Girl Scout troops across our area, and several of them meet at Immaculate Conception. If you've got a girl K-12 who wants in, the link below has the join form.