Press

There's plenty of delicious ground to cover along I-94 on the way to lake country.

Mateo Mackbee is the proud owner of the Creole restaurant Krewe in St. Joseph, MN, which is known for its grandfather gumbo, shrimp jambalaya, and red beans and rice.

ST. JOSEPH (WJON News) - Fans of The Food Network show Chopped saw a familiar face competing in Tuesday night's episode. Krewe Restaurant co-owner Mateo Mackbee was one of the four contestants hoping to impress the judges with his cooking.

There's nothing like the pull of the open road, twisting and turning through breathtaking landscapes with promise of a delicious destination at the end of the journey. While back roads are dotted with charming Main Street stops and a plenty of roadside bars, there also are restaurants that are a step above expectation.

Mateo Mackbee and Erin Lucas left Minneapolis for a small central Minnesota community, where they are using their restaurant, bakery and farm to promote diversity and teach children about food.

MMateo Mackbee and his girlfriend Erin Lucas opened a New Orleans style restaurant in St. Joseph four days after the death of George Floyd.

Krewe Restaurant is bringing the heritage of New Orleans to downtown St. Joseph.

With a fun atmosphere, cold drinks, and recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, KREWE is a unique dining experience - especially for those with an adventurous palate.

For Mateo Mackbee, making the classic Creole dish red beans and rice exactly like his New Orleans-based grandfather did meant one thing: Camellia brand kidney beans, which are packed and sold in Louisiana.

Krewe restaurant in St. Joseph features Cajun, Creole, Italian, Vietnamese, and Irish-influenced dishes. The restaurant is owned and operated by Chef Mateo Mackbee. He was recently a competitor on the Food Network Show Chopped.