Rusty Pelican

It is widely known that embarking on the task of running a restaurant can be daunting, even for experienced professionals. Despite this, when Daniel Hamauei and business partner Tony Salvaggio bought the Rusty Pelican, they didn’t let their lack of experience in the field deter them from maintaining the success of the Old Mandeville restaurant. When the opportunity came to make the restaurant their own, the two partners didn’t balk. They liked the look and style the original owner had created and knew they could “figure it out.” So, armed with a passion for food and an unyielding determination to succeed, they did figure it out.

The Old Mandeville restaurant continued to thrive under new ownership, with Daniel and Tony at the helm. In time, patrons would tell them that they wished there was a location closer to them in Covington and Madisonville. They loved the restaurant’s food, ambiance, and overall vibe but did not love the traffic to get there. This was information that they took to heart. Soon they began to look for a suitable space for a second Rusty Pelican location. There were a few options, but nothing was quite right for a second location when someone approached the partners from TerraBella. Tony and Daniel soon found that the quaint neighborhood in Covington was the fit they had been looking for. In September 2020, the Rusty Pelican opened its second location on Myrtle Drive, next to TerraBella Village.

Though the prodigious menu offers local favorites such as seafood and chicken served in original and tasty ways, the most popular item, says Daniel, “[is] burgers for sure.” The patrons of the Rusty Pelican have come to expect far more than just cheese on their burgers. The Rusty Pelican has taken the beloved classic and elevated it to new heights by creating a selection of unique toppings that will tantalize your senses and redefine your burger expectations. The Shack Burger is paired with barbeque sauce, bacon, and cheddar or modified with pepper jack and grilled onions, called the 5th Beach. If you are a fan of fried pickles, you have come to the right place. The Ponchartrain Pickle burger has you covered, or if you prefer a bit more spice, the pickles can be replaced with fried jalapenos to create the Hotsy Totsy. Finally, add Southern tradition to your burger and order the Southern Comfort. Topped with pimento cheese and fried green onions, you only need a glass of sweet iced tea with this burger for the perfect meal. Each of these outstanding burgers is a testament to the chefs’ creativity. The carefully crafted combinations of unique toppings bring the humble burger to an extraordinary level.

When asked about his favorite aspect of day-to-day, Daniel, the now-seasoned restaurateur, noted, “You get to know great people and make lots of friends.” Daniel and Tony are grateful for their happy customers and the support of the many who dine at the Rusty Pelican. “We couldn’t do it without them. We are a local company [that] tries to do our best every day to make your meal perfect.” For that perfect meal in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, the Rusty Pelican will never disappoint.