Ask a few generations of LSU grads where they celebrated a big win, a finished exam or a visit from the folks, and The Chimes comes up a lot. The Restaurant & Tap Room has been a Baton Rouge and LSU tradition for more than 25 years, and it still pairs a made-from-scratch Louisiana menu with one of the biggest beer and liquor selections around.

Two Baton Rouge homes

The original sits at 3357 Highland Road by LSU's North Gates. It's open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Chimes East, at 10870 Coursey Boulevard, keeps it simple at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. The family has since grown to Covington and Lafayette too.

Start at the oyster bar

Raw oysters run $14 for a half dozen or $19 for a dozen. Chargrilled and Black Jack versions are $16.50 a half dozen or $25 a dozen. Snackers can split boudin egg rolls ($12), crawfish fries ($13) or Louisiana alligator ($12.50).

The plates people come back for

Crawfish etouffee is $13.50, New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp is $19 and the catfish perdu is $18. Fried seafood platters come with salad, hushpuppies and fries, from shrimp at $17 to oysters at $20. Gumbo weather fits here too: seafood gumbo and duck and sausage gumbo are $7 small or $10 large. Pork chops get a root beer glaze, and any grill platter can be topped with the TigerTown, Crawfish Royale or barbecue shrimp for $7.75.

Brunch and dessert

The brunch menu leans Louisiana with grits 'n grillades ($13), a boudin omelet ($13) and Eggs Pontchartrain ($14), plus $6.50 Imperial mimosas and Bloody Marys. Save room for white chocolate bread pudding at $6.75.

Book a table or order online at thechimes.com. Then pick a beer you've never tried, because that's half the fun of a Chimes night.

Photo courtesy of The Chimes.