Rips On the Lake in Mandeville, Louisiana

Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Pontchartrain, Rips On the Lake in Mandeville, Louisiana, invites you to embark on a waterfront dining experience like no other. With its picturesque views, delectable cuisine, and warm, welcoming atmosphere, Rips On the Lake is a haven for locals and visitors alike.

We were introduced to Rips On The Lake by my brother and his wife. As transplants to the area, they quickly learned about the best places to eat in Mandeville.

When we dined there, the service was impeccable and the food was divine. We started with an order of fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes at Rips are extraordinary. They are served topped with shrimp and smothered in a cream sauce that will make you want to cry - it's that good.

Fried Green Tomatoes - topped with boiled shrimp and remoulade.

My brother ordered soup and salad. Here are a couple of pictures of his meal:

Crab & Brie Soup

Roslyn's New Spinach Salad

My husband had his heart set on eating crawfish while we were in Louisiana, so it was natural for him to order the Fried Catfish with Crawfish Étouffée. I sampled some of his meal and was blown away by how delicious it was. The portion was so generous that he had a little bit left over at the end of his meal and I may or may not have finished it.

Rips On the Lake in Mandeville, Louisiana

Catfish with Crawfish Étouffée

My sister-in-law also ordered fried catfish but had hers with fried oysters. Look how beautifully plated her lunch was:

Catfish with Fried Oysters and Bordelaise Sauce

My son - well, he is not like normal kids. He took a walk on the wild side and ordered Turtle Soup. He loved it and devoured it, not leaving a drop.

Turtle Soup

I felt like it would only be proper for me to order gumbo while in Louisiana. I, too, left not a single drop.

Gumbo

And if all of that was not enough, my brother ordered us bread pudding to top it all off. BREAD PUDDING.

Bread Pudding

When we finished, the waiter only had empty plates and bowls to pick up. It was the best meal that I had while in the New Orleans area.

About Rips

Rips On The Lake was originally founded nearly 80 years ago. It was gutted after Hurricane Katrina. It was rebuilt on 17-foot tall pilings and reopened in October 2006. The front porch accommodates 70 people and is the perfect spot for al fresco dining. To reach the restaurant, you can take either the stairs up the front or the elevator.

Roslyn and Clay Prieto are the owners and there is a good chance you will see them there. Roslyn is the chef and has created the recipes that you see on the menu. I was lucky enough to be able to meet Roslyn, who is the epitome of Louisiana charm.

Tile flooring inside Rips.

After eating at Rips, I recommend taking a nice stroll along the lakefront right across the street or a trip to the French Quarter to burn off a few of the calories.