Barely a week after a passel of Louisville chefs publicly voiced their longing for a good ramen-style noodle shop, Dustin Staggers, owner of the recently opened Roux and former executive chef at Monkey Wrench, has stepped up to the plate. His plans are to take over the space at 2009 Highland Ave. that most recently was Baby D’s Bagels & Deli, and, with partner Griffin Paulin, open Rumplings by early November.
His business plan includes offering 5 to 7 ramen noodle dishes and 5 to 7 dumplings, with all noodles made in-house. While the gene pool of such dishes harks back to Asia, Staggers plans to adapt the concept to focus on Kentucky and New Orleans flavors and ingredients. Staggers plans to use the larger kitchens at Roux for stock-making and prep work.
His plans also include being open late–until 5 a.m. After all, those clamoring for such a food choice were fellow chefs, and they keep long hours, often needing refueling in the wee hours.
