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Our guest is Ryan Pécot, proprietor of Tchoup’s MidCity Smokehouse, a full-service BBQ restaurant and bar located at 117 S. College Road in Lafayette. Discover Lafayette is proud to partner with Eat Lafayette and Lafayette Travel to showcase this young entrepreneur whose creative concepts are redefining the 'cool' culture of Lafayette.



Ryan's work ethic started early in life when he said he'd like a car and his dad, Kirby Pécot, told him to go get a job. He took an entry-level job at Outback Steakhouse dumping the trash cans and worked his way up to management and becoming a part of the training team for the chain. Today, Ryan's typical workday is jam-packed as he also serves as Senior Retail Leasing and Development Advisor with Stirling Properties, a career he began after graduation from UL-Lafayette in 2001, and as the owner of Paws & Paw Paw’s boarding/daycare/grooming facilities with his wife, Traci. Another endeavor, Adopted Dog Brewing, is also anticipated to open soon at 329 Dulles Drive (near SLCC) which will be the only brewery within the city limits of Lafayette.







Ryan and Traci have always enjoyed traveling and looking for offbeat restaurants and breweries while on the road. Ryan calls himself a beer aficionado as well as a lover of good BBQ, so finding great local restaurants tucked away unexpectedly in the middle of a neighborhood while on the road always brings joy. These adventures are what inspired Ryan to open Tchoup's in mid-city Lafayette as he didn't see anyone in Lafayette offering the unique combo of BBQ, a full-service bar and outdoor seating, all tucked away in a 2600-square-foot structure that incorporates many of the homey elements of the original dwelling built decades ago.



As a seasoned commercial realtor, Ryan approached his restaurant's location with the same special care he affords all of his retail clients. Tchoup's venue was not chosen randomly; it was selected specifically for its geographic location in the core of Lafayette, the "Mid City," and Ryan hopes this moniker will become a trend with many others following suit. He believes the side roads, what he calls "B" streets, off of Johnston Street have something very special to offer the residential neighborhoods that don't typically have the option of a restaurant near their home. He knew immediately that Tchoup's site was the perfect location for his original concept and did a lot of the carpentry work himself to maintain his vision. When you walk in, you feel instantly at ease; Tchoup's has a lovely feel that evokes memories of family gatherings and festive occasions.



Tchoup’s opened in June 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. Even with the incredible challenges brought about by the shutdown, Tchoup's has grown into a popular dining destination known for its comfortable ambiance and for being a friendly place to bring your dog. Tchoup's even offers a complete menu for your dog to choose from, including selections such as dog beers (broth-based) and dog treats such as Crunchy Rabbit, Jones' Whole Pig Ear, or Hawaiian Luau Bites!



Tchoupitoulas was the inspiration for Tchoup's MidCity Smokehouse. Ryan and his wife, Traci, are both dog lovers and opened Paws & Paw Paw’s boarding/daycare/grooming facility



Tchoup's offerings are all 'scratch,' meaning everything is freshly prepared from start to finish and of the highest quality. There is no freezer or microwave on site. Food is brought in fresh and cooked fresh. Ryan spoke of how he enjoys doing business with local vendors and fills up a shopping cart of sausage each Tuesday at NuNu's.