The Restaurant I Miss The Most in Shreveport Is….

Growing up in Shreveport, I've seen a lot of restaurants come and go, but there's one I miss the most.

I think the reason I miss this spot the most, is because I have a hilarious true story about it that I've never told you guys. I know, you'd think in eleven years you'd know everything about me but I think it's time I tell you about my first trip to Mr. Gatti's Pizza on Youree Drive.

When I was in elementary/middle school at Walnut Hill, I would always try to get straight A's. but I would always come up short. See, at Walnut Hill, if you got straight A's, you got to take a field trip to eat at Mr. Gatti's. In elementary, I would literally always get straight A's, but with a B in conduct. Sure, that got me into the sock hop dance, but man I wanted that Mr. Gatti's. If you're wondering, the B in conduct always came because I "talked a little bit too much" in class, but I guess that worked out for me in the long run.

I believe I was in the fifth grade when I finally had enough. I got my final report card, and guess what it said? All A's... One B.

So I decided I was going to Mr. Gatti's, at any cost. On the day of the field trip, I excited my classroom when the announcement came for all straight A students to head to the auditorium. I walked to that auditorium, fully expecting to get caught. But I didn't. Instead, they congratulated me for making straight A's and loaded me onto the bus.

I had gotten away with it. I pulled it off, and now nothing was stopping me from eating Mr. Gatti's.

I walked in and took it all in. The sights of the arcade, the smell of that delicious pizza I had been longing for for so long. I loaded up my plate with every type of pizza imaginable, even the type I knew I wouldn't eat.

I sat down at a table alone, fully immersed in the experience of Mr. Gatti's.

Before I could take my first bite, my assistant principal sat down at the table across from me. Naturally, due to my inability to stop talking, by this time the assistant principal and I were well-acquainted with each other. He knew exactly what I had done, and I knew I had been caught.

He smiled at me and said, "Jay, you and I both know you're not supposed to be here. Go ahead and finish your food, and we'll talk about it when we got back to school".

I felt liek a prisoner on death row eating his final meal.

Then, when we got back to school I had to pay Walnut Hill about $7.00 to pay for my meal.

The rest is history.

I was so sad when I found out my favorite pizza spot closed down, and I think I'll always miss Mr. Gatti's Pizza.

What restaurant from Shreveport's past do you miss the most?