Jan. 9, 2026, 5:29 p.m. CT

It’s shaping up for an exciting New Orleans Saints offseason between the momentum Tyler Shough built to end the year, the team holding a premium pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and a strong class of free agents to upgrade the roster. But before we can get to any real news, we should note the biggest scoop of the offseason so far. Shough shared his New Orleans restaurant picks on Cameron Jordan’s Off the Edge podcast, closing out a good half hour of conversation on Shough’s rookie year, his relationship with head coach Kellen Moore, and the encouraging play he’s seen from their teammates.

Shough has embraced the New Orleans community through his first year on the job, and this is another example of it. It’s going to be great to see him serving as Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Pygmalion parade in a few weeks. It’s also great to hear he’s gotten out of his comfort zone to explore the city’s famed culinary scene. He hasn’t been in town long but it’s clear he isn’t getting many meals from Chipotle or other national chains.

“I’ve got a couple different categories,” Shough began, rattling off his list. “I think if you’ve got like six to eight people, you know, maybe a family outing. I love Saba. I love the family Israeli cuisine. I love Rock-N-Sake, with the boys was awesome. Like that was, that was epic. … I think Yakuza House I’ve been there many times. Yakuza House with the sashimi, that is elite. But just like with the guys at Rock-N-Saki was really cool. Great vibes. … Shoutout Neyow’s, they got the Creole cuisine.”

Shough also brought up a taco place he and Jordan had recently tried, Barracuda Taco Shack, but Jordan stopped to highlight an Italian deli across the street: “I was so upset that it wasn’t open. I was going to double dip. Frankolini’s, it’s a little sandwich spot. Little you know, the Italian super sub type situation on the focaccia. Freshly made focaccia. Oh my gosh.”

Jordan added that “New Orleans doesn’t lack places to eat” though he admitted veteran center Erik McCoy might be the only person in the locker room with better recommendations than he has.

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But Shough wasn’t done. He stumped for Desi Vega’s Steakhouse: “Desi’s my guy. He’s got some, I mean, that place, I would say if you’re going to go to a steakhouse and you got some people in town, you can’t go wrong with Desi’s.” Jordan agreed, suggesting the red velvet brownie for desert. Vega was named King of this year’s Pygmalion Parade, so the pair will probably be seen together often.