Democrat Hillary Clinton's running mate U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine picked up a shrimp poboy at Parkway Bakery and Tavern on Wednesday evening -- making a surprise drop in on locals who were finishing up their meals at around 8 pm.

Many of the restaurant's patrons strained to get a view of the former Virginia governor and snapped quick photos.

"Hey guys. I'm Tim," Kaine said in his thick Midwestern accent as he made his way through the tight barroom, shaking hands. "How's it going?"

Kaine was joined by Congressman Cedric Richmond, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Kaine's nephew, John, who is a graduate student at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Kaine spent Wednesday evening in the Big Easy, courting voters for this fall's presidential election -- as well as donors.

On Thursday, he's expected to speak to a conference of faith leaders in New Orleans.

Kaine's visit is the first presidential campaign stop in Louisiana since the Democratic and Republican parties held their respective conventions.

Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, scheduled to speak in New Orleans on Thursday Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's running mate U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine will be i…

Earlier Wednesday evening, Kaine hobnobbed with high-profile Louisiana Democrats at a fundraiser at Calcesieu, the private event space above Cochon restaurant. Several state lawmakers and other elected officials were reportedly in attendance at the fundraising event, which was closed to the press.

The Republican National Committee pounced on the Louisiana fundraising event in a statement Wednesday afternoon, claiming a Clinton presidency would be bad news for Louisiana's economy.

"As the Clinton-Kaine ticket lines their campaign’s pockets with Louisiana’s money, they can’t escape the fact that voters across the country can’t afford the consequences of a Clinton presidency," RNC Spokeswoman Natalie Strom said. "Clinton’s plans will double down on oppressive regulations from the Obama administration which are smothering Louisiana’s energy sector and stifling job growth."

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump held two events in Louisiana -- one in Baton Rouge and one outside New Orleans -- during the run-up to the state's presidential primary. Trump, who has picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, went on to win the GOP primary in Louisiana. Recent polls in Louisiana have shown Trump leading Clinton, who won the Democratic primary.