The Patio Tex-Mex Fusion, a Mexican-Asian fusion restaurant located in Bocage Village, quietly closed this week after one year of business.
The Patio, 7655 Old Hammond Highway, had its official grand opening in late August 2024. The menu featured tuna tostadas, a toasted tortilla with a deconstructed tuna-based sushi and pico de gallo on top, a poblano pepper-based creamy pasta, and other dishes.
"The Patio's Torta," is a Mexican-style burger served on a brioche bun with refried beans, avocado, tomatoes, queso fresco and pork al pastor.
The fusion concept restaurant replaced The Velvet Cactus, which closed in 2022. The future of the open space is still unknown.
Ton Suansawang, one of the owners who helped to develop recipes for the restaurant, was no stranger to the Baton Rouge food scene.
After moving to the city from Bangkok when he was 16, his father and stepmother opened Thai Pepper, which they still run today. In terms of restaurant work, Suansawang has run the gamut of cuisines: Italian, sushi, Chinese, Thai, brunch — he even met his wife, Sonnie, while they were both working at Whole Foods.
Ton and Sonnie Suansawang are proud to work at the Patio. The couple met while working at the Whole Foods close to their newest venture.