RL Reeves Jr

Writer documenting life in New Orleans 9th Ward. I'm eating 500 po boys at 500 different restaurants, gas stations, corner stores and cafes in New Orleans

Month: August 2025

Field Report: 2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line

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On August 31, 2025

In Field Reports, Second Line Culture in New Orleans

The 2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line parade marked the beginning of the fresh second line season. Hearts were a bit heavy as this is the first season we will experience without the singular Pableaux Johnson who was felled by a heart attack in January of this year.

Here were our favorite photos from the Valley shoot.

2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line

2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line

2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line

2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line

2025 Valley of Silent Men Social and Pleasure Second Line

A Recipe For Alabama White Barbecue Sauce From Clark Rountree

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On August 20, 2025

In Recipes

The foodways of Alabama barbecue are second only to Texas for their primacy in the world of USA smoked meats. When I was a teenager growing up in Birmingham I raced across the state on my Honda Interceptor motorbike trying as hard as possible to eat from every smokehouse in the Yellowhammer state.

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RL Reeves Jr Recipe: Oven Roasted Carnitas

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On August 11, 2025

In Recipes

RL Reeves Jr Recipe: Oven Roasted Carnitas

I knew that I had a established myself as a deadly serious Mexican cook when I rolled into the Rio Grande Valley roughly 30 years ago and blew the minds of a couple dozen natives with my carnitas recipe.

It was a family reunion, puro la raza, and I was the only gringo there. The tias and abuelitas were gathered in the kitchen making all the tortillas, rice and beans from scratch but I had been entrusted with the carnitas.

Here’s how I became, as they put it, an honorary Mexican

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Field Report: 2025 Satchmo Summerfest Second Line

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On August 6, 2025

In Field Reports, Second Line Culture in New Orleans

2025 Satchmo Summerfest Second Line

If you were in New Orleans in the late 70s you were living in a Baby Doll desert. By my count we had less than five ladies masking and the tradition was in danger of becoming extinct. In the ensuing 45-plus years we’ve seen dozens if not hundreds of women embrace the custom, form their own Doll Houses, and take to the streets to shimmy, shake, and show out.

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Three Chefs From Orléans Have Claimed The Crown In The World Egg-Mayonnaise Championships

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On August 2, 2025

In The Art and Science of Mayonnaise

L’Association du sauvegard de l’oeuf mayonnaise

As an American Gulf Coast mayonnaise historian I have to stay au courant in the world condiment trade.

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RL Reeves Jr Recipe: Carroll Shelby Texas Chili With Ground Turkey

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On August 1, 2025

In Recipes, The Art and Science of Chili

RL Reeves Jr Recipe: Carroll Shelby Texas Chili With Ground Turkey

The underground economy in New Orleans is still thriving. I did a friend a nice favor recently and in exchange he gifted me a three pound packet of Jennie O ground turkey.

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