By Morgan Crawford Scott | Recipe Courtesy of Vu Le | Food Styling by Katie Moon Dickerson
Houma-Thibodaux
Kajun Kidd Burgers & Wings | thekajunkidd.com
Cardell Lawrence Smith, chef and owner of Kajun Kidd Burgers & Wings, originally hails from St. John the Baptist Parish but is now a proud Lafourche Parish resident. And locals in the Houma-Thibodaux area are certainly pleased with the punch of flavor and Cajun flair he has brought to the community with his restaurant, which is just down the street from Nicholls State University. If the finger-lickin’ wings, creatively named burgers, and Crawfish Mac & Cheese aren’t indulgent enough for you, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Beignets will tip you over the edge.
Hammond
Cate Street Seafood Station | catestreet308.com
In 2003, the Wong family (formerly of Hammond’s Trey Yuen) purchased the former Hammond Freight Station to open Cate Street Seafood Station in 2004 not far from Southeastern Louisiana University. Fortunately, they were able to keep key details of the freight station intact, adding character and ambience to the dining experience. Seafood, steak, and sushi dishes abound, but there’s a wide range of options to choose from, including more-traditional offerings like po’ boys, burgers, and gumbo—something for everyone.
Baton Rouge
The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room | thechimes.com
The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room is a Baton Rouge institution. Its Highland location is situated at the north gates of LSU’s campus, but its success has translated to multiple locations across the state. The upbeat and friendly environment is certainly what draws in visitors, but the classic south Louisiana cuisine is what has made it a crowd favorite for more than 25 years. You can’t go wrong with the Boudin Eggrolls, Crawfish Fries, Catfish Perdu, and Fried Gator.
Coffee Call | coffeecallbatonrouge.com
Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, Coffee Call rivals the famed beignet pit stop in New Orleans. Awaken your senses with a cup of strong, piping hot chicory coffee and fresh-from-the-fryer beignet fingers. You can even take home some of its beignet mix to get your fix on your own time. Beyond that, there are, of course, other pastries, like muffins and biscuits, and you’ll also find soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a rotating lunch special based on the season—shrimp and okra gumbo, anyone?
Monroe-West Monroe
Catahoula’s | catahoulas318.com
Catahoula’s, named after the state dog of Louisiana, has that signature sports bar feel with a healthy dose of Louisiana, stationed on the banks of the bayou and just across the way from University of Louisiana at Monroe. Guests clamor over back deck seating to take in the rippling water and natural wildlife. It’s known for hand-breaded fried pickles and house-made onion rings (with red onions for a twist), but the po’ boys and fried shrimp are equally delicious. And who can resist freshly baked bread pudding?
Shreveport
Marilynn’s Place | marilynns-place.com
Chef Robert “Bozz” Baucum, owner of Marilynn’s Place, knows true Louisiana hospitality. Big, comforting flavors are the name of the game at his casual Cajun and Creole restaurant, which isn’t far from LSU Shreveport, Southern University, and Centenary College of Louisiana. It’s no stranger to boudin balls, red beans and rice, and crawfish étouffée, but it thrives when Sunday brunch rolls around. Regulars devour staples like biscuits with andouille gravy, grits and grillades, and beignets, and wash it down with a zippy Bloody Mary.
Natchitoches
Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant | lasyones.com
It all started with James Lasyone and a humble meat pie recipe that was developed in the 1950s and gained traction in the 1970s. The rest is history, and today, Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant is a can’t-miss stop in Natchitoches. Located less than a mile from Northwestern State University, many flock to the restaurant for its signature item, but there are plenty of old-fashioned offerings to stick around for—red beans and sausage, Crawfish Pie, and bread pudding with rum sauce, just to name a few.
Lafayette
Olde Tyme Grocery | oldetymegrocery.com
Community roots run deep at Olde Tyme Grocery, an iconic restaurant near University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Employees and patrons are treated more like family, and that love permeates the whole space. When Glenn Murphree purchased it in 1982, he noticed its potential to add value to the community, and that it did. Ragin’ Cajun fans frequent it due to its affordable, delicious eats, and lunchtime is always busy. Its signature sandwich, the po’ boy (or, as Glenn calls it, the poor boy) sells in spades.
Lake Charles
Nina P’s Cafe
1600 W. McNeese St., #A
With a little bit of restaurant experience in her back pocket coupled with hope and a prayer, Paulina “Nina” Siebarth decided to open Nina P’s Cafe in 1999 in Lake Charles. More than 25 years later, this family-run establishment has flourished, even when faced with setbacks—a devastating fire in 2013 and the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s comfort food like scratch-made gumbo, hand-shaped burgers, and house-made sauces that keep locals and McNeese State University students coming back for more in a place that feels like home the moment you step in the door.
Ruston
Heard Freighthouse Food Park | @heardfreighthousefoodpark
Heard Freighthouse Food Park embodies bringing community to the table. Nestled in the heart of downtown Ruston and a short drive from both Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University, this dining spot draws in the likes of businesspeople and college students alike. What was once a grocery distribution warehouse now houses six unique food trucks boasting everything from new-age barbecue and authentic Mexican to handcrafted burgers and fresh-pressed juices. Tip your hat to owner Chef Desi Bourgeois (a Louisiana Tech alum!), and make sure to snag a homemade focaccia sandwich at his Staple Sandwich Co.
Wonderful article with some true Louisiana treasures. Lucky my grandmother was a Louisiana girl.
She could cook!