Outside the Lines Original: Waterfront Grill
It was February 14, 1997, when two brothers, Don and Sam Weems set off on a journey to become one of Monroe’s finest dining establishments. 26 years later, Waterfront Grill has become a staple for locals and visitors alike.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=0c2c5a22fe421977b920a0f42b45a61e 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=46ac48e7cb52916aa47e9600bede6f91 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=a408b288cee016da93f2c5e780483c60 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=923732a6fe173ad42518b9f7ae433f6f 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=2a52b3cae99c3b9399a7aa4efc4361da 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=0c00a52ac6cb1157adead15aefeefd89 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/Waterfront.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=8c64ec13b25e8fdbd386bd4727fc5970 1920w)
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=8188b5dc7b4fb7805ef3208016deed39 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=095cc6d1957eafd92a8abbf88e9d25ab 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=6ff1b017b8e3d698ff965cb951303199 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=092465a4335bcb7b86509c0bce69e2e9 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=80e877a6331feed92e3263379447bd0c 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=b3531e28ed9d127c13aeca87aeee7a88 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9173.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=3c39fc5ff08cac97eed9bcef0e294337 1920w)
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=458d0617a1a7ed090f1ce2b5c20378ca 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=0afb640f469de5fa667628f4c6684492 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=5b4567f24aa5dcb03e8894bb5de5a49b 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=039c1d8225b531ce540f0db669436f64 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=39b950ab75d5338a8986e81927866a4e 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=b8cda7392d2607a32d0fe61d8aa640d4 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/IMG_9180.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=d3faf2213ef59cfacf35245f171250af 1920w)
While the restaurant might be known for its stunning views and delicious dishes like the “Catfish Desaird” or fan favorite BBQ Shrimp po’boy, the hospitality and loving nature is what repeatedly brings customers back. Sam credits this success to his team, in fact, one of his cooks in the kitchen has been a loyal employee for over 25 years! He believes the key to a successful restaurant is the team, and well of course, good food.
You might think of a team as a family, and for the Waterfront Grill team, it is a family affair. One of Sam’s proudest accomplishments is having family members be a part of the restaurant. Not only are his wife and daughter both team members, but his nephew serves as the general manager.
When asked about his favorite menu item, Sam told us that it was “almost impossible to answer.” And we agree - your taste buds will come to life at Waterfront Grill. While their delicious seafood dishes, like the Shrimp Rakhee or Crab Cakes might come to mind, their ribeye is also a standout dish. And yes, of course there is gumbo. The recipe is over 30+ years old, so you know if it’s stood the test of time, it’s the good stuff.
So back to February 14, 1997. Did you know Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants? Don and Sam clearly knew what they were doing. And you can bet Valentine's Days since then have sure been busy.
Waterfront Grill is located right on Bayou Desiard at 5201 Desiard Street in Monroe. Stop in, grab a bite to eat, and well, we know you’ll be back.
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Waterfront Grill
5201 DeSiard Street
Monroe, LA 71203
(318) 345-0064
Website
Waterfront Grill5201 DeSiard Street
Monroe, LA 71203