In 1977, during the second season of Saturday Night Live, filmmaker Gary Weis directed a short film that took viewers from the bright lights of Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza to the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter at 721 Burgundy Street. His subject? The King of Red Beans: Buster Holmes.
The Lost Details of the Shoot
Gary Weis, known for directing short documentary-style films for SNL, captured moments of life inside Buster Holmes’ restaurant for episode 14 of season 2. The show featured guest host Steve Martin and musical guest The Kinks and aired on February 26, 1977.
I reached out to Weis to learn more about the experience of filming that day, but after nearly 50 years, the details have faded. He kindly responded back, saying he likely wouldn’t remember much about the shoot. While I wish I could offer first-hand insight into that day, perhaps the footage itself says everything we need to know: that Holmes’ restaurant was a place where food and community intertwined and that it left a lasting impact on all who visited.
A Glimpse into Buster Holmes’ World
Buster Holmes’ restaurant wasn’t just a place to eat—it was a community gathering spot. The French Quarter restaurant was known to serve up what was arguably the best plate of red beans and rice in town. Depending on where you fell on the sliding scale, you could get a bowl of beans for around a dollar. Holmes built his legacy on generosity, a deep love for cooking, and an understanding that a simple meal could bring people together which made his food accessible to locals, musicians, and tourists alike.
That’s what makes the SNL segment so special. At a time when the show was revolutionizing comedy, Weis and SNL took a step back and filmed a different kind of story – a story that showed an everyday scene inside a beloved New Orleans institution.
New Orleans native Garrett Morris introduced the clip, setting the stage for a look inside one of the city’s most beloved restaurants.
In my hometown, New Orleans, one of the most famous eating places is Buster Holmes, a fabulous restaurant on Burgundy Street. Now, Buster Holmes cooks everything so good, it’ll make you slap your mammy. But there’s one thing he cooks better than anybody else…
As the clip rolls, a catchy tune sets the scene, singing:
🎵 Holmes is a space down in New Orleans,
where you can get a stomach full of red beans
and rice…
for 40 cents. 🎵
The film opens with Buster Holmes standing outside of the restaurant, describing the foods you can order, which includes a po’boy, this long:
Inside the kitchen, Buster rattles off the day’s menu with pride.
Oh, we got fried chicken, meatloaf and a hot sausage and smoked sausage and, and our baked ham and red beans.
– Buster Holmes
A patron tells why he loves going to Buster Holmes Restaurant:
The best soul food they got here in the Quarter. Prices are right. And I know some of the people that come here. I’m having vegetables with brown gravy and rice, and meatloaf.
Buster ladles some of his famous red beans over a plate of white rice.
Everybody love these red beans. Meatloaf. Meatballs. Anything you want with them red beans.
– Buster Holmes
I like to feed people, brother. Everybody love Buster and Buster love the people. And keep ’em going. All the bread and butter they want with that soul food.
– Buster Holmes
As the film winds down, Buster stands at the door, welcoming guests inside. After the last one enters, he turns to the camera and says:
Alright, alright, alright. Okay. Everything is all right. Okay.
– Buster Holmes
Why This Segment Matters
Today, Buster Holmes’ Restaurant is long gone, but his name still carries on in the New Orleans food culture. His red beans and rice recipe has been passed down and preserved in cookbooks. His legacy continues as the stories are being told about him and his restaurant through places like my website or in discussions on social media. Most importantly, his spirit still lingers in the city’s enduring love for its Monday tradition.
The SNL segment serves as a rare time capsule, capturing not just a man or a meal, but a moment in history—one where a simple plate of red beans could mean so much more than just food. I have never seen any other videos with Buster Holmes, so for me, this is a priceless moment.
Watch the Clip
If you want to see the segment in its best form, and if you subscribe to the Peacock streaming service, you can see Buster Holmes in Season 2. His segment plays about 42 minutes into episode 14.
Watch here: https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/asset/tv/saturday-night-live/8885992813767211112
Listen to the Audio Only
Due to copyright restrictions, I can’t share the full video, but I was able to save the audio separately. When you play the clip, it will auto-generate a transcription—though be warned, it’s not perfect.
Share Your Memories
Did you ever eat at Buster Holmes’ restaurant? Do you remember this SNL segment? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your memories in the comments or reach out on social media—because stories like this are meant to be passed down, just like a good pot of red beans and rice.
If you want to learn more about the full episode:
- Classic SNL Reviews – https://classicsnl.blogspot.com/2022/01/
- Saturday Night Live Wiki – https://snl.fandom.com/wiki/February_26,_1977
- The SNL Archives – https://snl.jt.org/ep.php-i=197702260.html
More about Gary Weis:
- Official Gary Weiss website – https://www.garyweis.com/
- A Film by Gary Weiss – The SNL Archives – https://snl.jt.org/skit.php-i=5.html
More about Buster Holmes:
- Buster Holmes: The King of Red Beans
- Red Beans & Music: A Buster Holmes Inspired Jazz Playlist for Your Kitchen
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Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.
Lex
Very engaging and interesting read!
Red Beans and Eric
Thank you very much, Lex!
Camilla Remneblad
Interesting read! I feel like eating red beans and rice now!
TheKettleGuy
Wow that was really interesting and great writing. Thanks for sharing.
Red Beans and Eric
Thank you very much!
Jon Morton
I hitchhiked across the country in the summer of 1974.
I was fresh out of high school and just wanted to travel the USA.
Stopped in New Orleans and ended up staying for a few months.
I stayed at a flop house on the corner of Royal and Dumaine St.
A dollar a night for floor crashers, or 3 bucks a night for a room.
I ate at Buster Holmes regularly. Best food for the best price around.
I remember seeing people from all walks of life eating there.
Some people dressed to the hilt, others (like me) with weathered clothes, and everything in between.
But everyone always seemed so happy and friendly.
I always ordered a plate of red beans and rice with a slice of french bread (extra bread at no charge). If my memory is right it only cost a quarter, but no more than forty cents. Maybe Buster gave me a reduced rate, not sure. I’ve read that he would sometimes charge customers on a sliding scale, so maybe he could tell I couldn’t afford much. Anyway, eating at Buster Holmes remains one of my fondest memories, it must be because it’s one of the few things I can remember well from that long ago (it’s been over 50 years ago)!
And the food was delicious! I still make red beans and rice at home every now and then, but it just never tastes quite the same.
Red Beans and Eric
What a great memory, Jon! Thank you for sharing it. You painted such a picture of that time, and it says so much about what Buster Holmes created: a place where everyone belonged, no matter their story. That plate of red beans wasn’t just food—it was care, community, and comfort. This is exactly the kind of memory that reminds me why the Monday red beans and rice tradition matters so much. Appreciate you being part of the story.