Iconic Thibodaux Restaurateur Dies; Vodka In Treme?

THIBODAUX- The "affable and easygoing" owner of Politz's Restaurant, John Politz, died last week. Politz opened his first eponymous sit-down restaurant in Napoleonville, opening a second location in Thibodaux in the late 1980s. Both Politz's locations are now run by Politz's daughters. [Daily Comet]

TREME- Ian Nygren wants to start distilling vodka at the corner of Claiborne and Bienville. He owns his still and has the required federal permits, so it's now just a matter of getting approval from the City Council. Liquor distilling is currently only allowed in "heavy industrial areas" but Nygren wants distilling opened up to residential and commercial zoned properties. If approved, Soc Au Lait Distillery may start selling its vodka by 2012. BONUS WIRE: Soc Au Lait is a Cajun term literally meaning "sack of milk," but generally used to describe such emotions as "wtf?" [TP]

FAUBOURG ST JOHN- New Orleans' street food scene, such as it is, is coming together for the first ever Street Fare Derby at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. In a city that doesn't have the most vibrant street food scene but that loves its festivals, enough food trucks and pop-ups exist to throw on a decent party. [Bayou Buzz]

[Photo: Yelp]