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Cotten’s Downtown was opened in 2014 by Kate Cotten, whose last name has become synonymous with some of the best burgers around. The restaurant has a retro diner vibe unlike anywhere else in the area. You can sit at the bar right across from beef patties sizzling on the grill or in a booth next to a wall covered in family pictures, newspaper ads from a 1957 American Press that was found between the wall and booth when remodeling, local art and quirky prints. A favorite is the Tiffany cat print Cotten purchased on clearance at Kirkland’s.
When Subway decided to close, Cotten received a call from her landlord asking if she would like to lease that space as well. It had long been in her mind that she would like to have the suite next door. If nothing else, she would have more, much-needed seating. She had ideas too. Many ideas. She considered putting a bar in but realized she didn’t want to deal with those who got drunk. (Cotten’s Downtown is the only restaurant that doesn’t sell liquor in the area.) She also didn’t want to proceed with an idea that would require the need for extra kitchen space.
Cotten settled on an ice cream parlor, connected to the burger joint through an open doorway and under the umbrella of Cotten’s Downtown. Subway wallpaper was replaced with green paint. The tables are the old Subway tables, the chairs she bought from Bam Arceneaux before painting them green, and the ice cream freezer is also green. While not the exact shade as the green in the original space, it is close enough for the two rooms to feel in harmony with each other.
The addition of the ice cream shop completes the nostalgic picture of stepping back in time when it was common to sit down with a soda, some ice cream and a good burger on a regular basis. And adding on is less risky than starting a separate business. “You have to sell a lot of ice cream to only sell ice cream,” Cotten says.
There are a dozen ice cream flavors to choose from, including two dairy-free options and flavors like cotton candy for the kids. Cotten says people have been especially excited to hear they carry malts, as they are hard to find here. Business has been good, with a number of returning customers, including children, and Cotten hopes to have everything in full swing by summer. “I still have people coming in and asking for a sub sandwich,” Cotten says with a smile. (The Subway sign was still up at the time of this interview with plans to replace it soon.)
When asked how she wants people to think of Cotten’s Downtown, Cotten says, “It’s small batch over here. We do breakfast. Now, ice cream. It’s nostalgic. I see kids eat burgers at the bar and watch them grow up. You come into Cotten’s and leave smelling like it. It’s the best advertisement.”
Cotten’s Downtown is open Monday-Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Burgers will stop at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
