Lafayette Restaurants: Reviews & Recommendations

[My Confusing Horoscope]

To the already greatly comprehensive list that Fistful of roux provided, let me add Suire's Grocery south of Kaplan for their wonderful turtle sauce piquante! It's an old time grocery in the middle of nowhere (just like the places we dearly love!).

I second the recommendation for Soops in Maurice! But not for a low-carb diet. My wife's plate lunch last time was hamburger steak with bread, rice, potato salad, and navy beans. They asked if she wanted french fries with that!

Did we mention Dwight's in Lafayette for Sunday barbecue chicken or sausage?

Enjoy your food trip!

[bavila]

Lafayette is also my hometown. I second Fist's list for the most part, though some places are new since I left the state several years ago. I would underline Cafe Vermilionville, Dwyer's, Old Tyme Grocery (fried shrimp poboy is a must!), and Blue Dog. I'd also add Charley G's for grilled seafood.

Once you have french bread in Louisiana, you'll wonder what the hell everyone else around the US is trying to serve you -- a sour dough baguette, maybe? Try Poupart's bakery on Pinhook.

What's hard about making suggestions for restaurants in Louisiana is what to suggest about things like gumbo and crawfish etoufee. To me these homier dishes will always be best in someone's Mama's kitchen. I don't think I've ever even ordered gumbo in a restaurant cuz I know I'd rather my own or my Mama's.

Also, as for things to do in Lafayette -- music lovers should check out the Blue Moon Guest House and Saloon. It's a cool, funky place downtown that's part hostel part dance hall. Good Cajun/Zydeco/whatever music.

[bavila]

I haven't lived there for ten years or so, and when I did I wasn't exactly as in tune with my inner foodie as I am now. There are places I know and love. But I don't know much about anything that's cropped up since I've been gone. What restaurants are worth a trip? Any favorite vendors?

Here's my list of places I'll likely visit on my trip down later this month:

Old Tyme Grocery

Cafe Vermillionville

Dwyer's Cafe

Cedar Grocery

Poupart's

?-wine cellar on South College, can't remember the name

the kitchens of several loved ones

[patti]

I haven't lived there for ten years or so, and when I did I wasn't exactly as in tune with my inner foodie as I am now.  There are places I know and love.  But I don't know much about anything that's cropped up since I've been gone.  What restaurants are worth a trip?  Any favorite vendors?

Here's my list of places I'll likely visit on my trip down later this month:

Old Tyme Grocery

Cafe Vermillionville

Dwyer's Cafe

Cedar Grocery

Poupart's

?-wine cellar on South College, can't remember the name

the kitchens of several loved ones 

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I've been to 4 of the six on your list in the recent past. Two weeks ago, I had an awesome fried oyster poboy at Old Tyme Grocery. The sandwich was so filling, I have no idea why I ordered fries to go with it. A few months ago I had an overflowing (and good) plate lunch at Dwyer's, a tasty gyro at Cedar's, and I picked up a birthday cake at Poupart's just yesterday. Didn't get a chance to have any, but really, there were many, many things (both sweet and savory) in the bakery that were quite tempting to try. Some of the breads looked to be to-die-for.

It's not new, but Soop's in Maurice is still one of my favorite, unassuming but reliably good, off the beaten path kind of places.

Last time we went to Black's in Abbeville it was a major, major disappointment. Perhaps new owners.

If you like Thai food, then you have to go to Pimon Thai. Mmm, I'm hungry for some Tom Kai Gai and Pork Laarb right now! The Shrimp Pad Thai ain't too shabby, or try whatever the special of the day is.

Coyote Blue is a new Mexican restaurant that ain't half bad.

The sad thing is a mulititude of new chains have opened up.

[Chaduke]

The wine cellar is Marcello's right? But it's not exactly on south College, it's kinda at the intersection where Johnston crosses over.

Across the street from there is South Side bakery which is fairly new. They have great burgers (including shrimp and crawfish) on homemade buns and the sweet stuff looks excellent but I haven't tried any of it. It's worth checking out.

You'll find the area around Dwyer's to very different if you haven't been here in a while.

Lots and lots of bars and new businesses in that area now. You can go into Dwyer's in the late evening and order a drink from their bar. I'm pretty sure that's new.

Olde Tyme is still very good, I go there about twice a month. One of my new local favorites is Lauras II on University right next to Julian's Po-boys. If you like really good soul food (rice and gravy, blackeyes, smothered chicken and pork chops) check them out during lunch time 7 days a week. My absolute favorite is the stuffed turkey wing on Saturday and Sundays. Right up the road from there you can find Country Cuisine which is similar food but I always get their awesome shrimp stew on Fridays at luchtime. If you like BBQ you may enjoy Dwight's on Johnston street for Sunday lunch.

Although its a part of a small chain, an excellent new place just opened up this week called Bonefish Grill. It's next to the new upper class neighborhood River Ranch on Kaliste Saloom. If you like fish prepared pretty much any kind of way (including raw or seared) I highly recommend it. I had the Swordfish and it was excellent. Crab cakes were the best I've ever had and the seared tuna was wonderful.

Tonight I'm heading to Guidry's Reef on Pinhook. I haven't been in many years but people have been telling me lately how good it is. I'll let you know how it goes.

I agree with Patti, Pimon Thai is really good and luckily because I'm pretty sure its our only Thai place. My favorite there is Beef with Oyster sauce.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. How long are you planning to stay?

[bavila]

High school across the street from a hospital, eh? I went there too.

No, the wine place is not Marcello's. I think it's Phillipe's. Closer to Pinhook, across from LGMC.

One place I'm wondering about is Guama's on Jefferson. Anyone been there?

[HungryC]

Poupart's still rocks...those florentines are great. Bonefish isn't bad for a small chain seafood place...I like Coyote Blue in spite of its chain-mexican vibe (the pork tamale appetizer is quite good).

[patti]

One of my new local favorites is Lauras II on University right next to Julian's Po-boys.  If you like really good soul food (rice and gravy, blackeyes, smothered chicken and pork chops) check them out during lunch time 7 days a week.  My absolute favorite is the stuffed turkey wing on Saturday and Sundays.  Right up the road from there you can find Country Cuisine which is similar food but I always get their awesome shrimp stew on Fridays at luchtime.  If you like BBQ you may enjoy Dwight's on Johnston street for Sunday lunch.

Although its a part of a small chain, an excellent new place just opened up this week called Bonefish Grill.  It's next to the new upper class neighborhood River Ranch on Kaliste Saloom.  If you like fish prepared pretty much any kind of way (including raw or seared) I highly recommend it.  I had the Swordfish and it was excellent.  Crab cakes were the best I've ever had and the seared tuna was wonderful.

Tonight I'm heading to Guidry's Reef on Pinhook.  I haven't been in many years but people have been telling me lately how good it is.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

I agree with Patti, Pimon Thai is really good and luckily because I'm pretty sure its our only Thai place.  My favorite there is Beef with Oyster sauce.

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I haven't tried Laura's, but I've heard raves from a nephew of mine. I don't know much about Country Cuisine at all. Is it a plate lunch place? Have you tried Ruby's on Rue Louis?

Bonefish Grill will not be on my list until the crowds die down (if ever). The place looks packed every time I drive by!

Funny you should mention Guidry's. It's been off my radar for years, but only last week I heard two people say good things about it. How was it?

There is another Thai place on Kaliste Saloom called, originally enough, "Thai Cuisine." When I can't get to Pimon Thai, it'll do.

Sushi wise, there are a couple of new places, but I'm so satisfied with a tiny hole in the wall on Kaliste Saloom called Oishi Sushi, that I haven't tried the others. Anybody else try it? There are only 4 tables inside, so it's geared for to-go orders. Scrumptious.

[My Confusing Horoscope]

My sister tells me there is a good steak place at the new Evangeline Downs and Casino, which I guess is now close to Opelousas. Is it Silks? Is it good?

Not new, but I had my first try last May at Joe's Dreyfus Store Restaurant in Livonia, off US190 between Opelousas and Baton Rouge. Anyone else been there?

[Ktepi]

I forget the name -- Havana Cafe? Cafe Havana? -- but the Cuban place in town is fantastic, the best Cuban food I've had in a restaurant. When I was in town last year, we went three times -- and we're not people who lacked a vast list of other places we wanted to go, we just wanted to go back there more. Thanks to going in a group of 20 the second time, I've tried everything on the menu (as of Carnival 2005) -- the yuca frita was perfect, all of the pork fantastic. Chicken sometimes a little dry, but this may simply be because most of it's white meat and I'm not a white meat fan. The stuffed potatoes are good, but hugely filling. Save room for the tres leches cake.

[Marcelle Bienvenu]

All the places mentioned in this thread are fine, but you might want to also try Charley G's, an upscale place near the Mall of Acadiana. There is a nice bar, live music by a trio on weekend nights. Good grilled food. Also, you might want to take a drive to neaby Breaux Bridge and have dinner at Cafe des Amis or better yet, attend their Saturday morning zydeco brunch!

[bavila]

Oh my, is that the REAL Marcelle Bienvenu? Cool... I'm looking forward to picking up your new book while I'm home.

I should have included Charley G's in my original list. I actually used to work for Charlie when he had a share in Hub City Diner.

[Marcelle Bienvenu]

Oh my, is that the REAL Marcelle Bienvenu?  Cool...  I'm looking forward to picking up your new book while I'm home.

I should have included Charley G's in my original list.  I actually used to work for Charlie when he had a share in Hub City Diner.

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Yes, it's really me. I just joined the eGullet Society and am enjoying it tremendously. The book is available at Barnes & Noble and Lily's in the Oil Center (housed in the Bella Luna store next to the Kitchenary). If you're going to be in Lafayette February 4, there will be a book signing for STIR THE POT at Barnes & Noble at 6:30. A Cajun band will also be on hand as well as some hot boudin to munch on. Come join us.

[joiei]

Oh my, is that the REAL Marcelle Bienvenu?  Cool...  I'm looking forward to picking up your new book while I'm home.

I should have included Charley G's in my original list.  I actually used to work for Charlie when he had a share in Hub City Diner.

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Yes, it's really me. I just joined the eGullet Society and am enjoying it tremendously. The book is available at Barnes & Noble and Lily's in the Oil Center (housed in the Bella Luna store next to the Kitchenary). If you're going to be in Lafayette February 4, there will be a book signing for STIR THE POT at Barnes & Noble at 6:30. A Cajun band will also be on hand as well as some hot boudin to munch on. Come join us.

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Roadtrip, roadtrip. If I can't make it, I will ask davebr to get me a book signed because he will probably be there from Shreveport.

[bavila]

Unfortunately, we leave the morning of Feb. 4th. I'll probably pick one up at Lilly's/Bella Luna.

We have arrived in Cajun Country! Dinner tonight was mom's crawfish etoufee, green beans, and a neighbor's end-of-season satsumas. I would have taken a picture, but am not sure where my camera is just yet. Promise to take pics of some good stuff while we're here.

I'm interested to get out into town tomorrow and see if I can feel any difference in traffic, etc. in the post-Kat-rita population.

[davebr]

Roadtrip, roadtrip.  If I can't make it, I will ask davebr to get me a book signed because he will probably be there from Shreveport.

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Sorry, I'll be in Los Angeles eating at Grace and drinking about 10 Chateau Neufs from the 1990 vintage.

BUT, I do already own the book!

[bavila]

Back in Lafayette after a few days in Dallas. We ate lunch in Shreveport on the way there and back, and I was kicking myself for not having contact davebr to ask about his place there. We looked for table service near the road, which amounted to Cracker Barrel and Applebee's. It's not like we expected much from them, but both were slow, especially Cracker Barrel -- 30 minutes to get a chef salad and a burger! And they weren't even full!

Tomorrow we will have a breakfast feast at my friend's mother's house. Saturday is my cousin's wedding at a la carte. Thursday we should get some behind-the-scenes looks at Cafe des Amis. And I'm hoping to hook up with a friend who's a baker at Poupart's as he gets the baguettes in the oven around 5am or so. (Guess early rising infants can help in that category.)

We'll also be going to NO for at least one day before we leave. So much to eat, so little time!

[FistFullaRoux]

I used to work as a bread baker at Anjo's, a place that I think is underrated. Their cakes are OK, at least they don't use the standard "buttercream" like everyone else (at least they used to). The dessert items they serve in the cafe are usually excellent.

Anjo's has always made very good specialty bread. You might want to give them a try...

[bavila]

Anjo's did our wedding cakes. I like them too, just don't get to their part of town much. Last time we were here I saw they had a few items at the Piggly Wiggly (or whatever grocery chain that may have bought them out).

[FistFullaRoux]

Anjo's did our wedding cakes.  I like them too, just don't get to their part of town much.  Last time we were here I saw they had a few items at the Piggly Wiggly (or whatever grocery chain that may have bought them out).

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As far as I know, they have not been bought out. They are still independent. They do sell some items in retail stores and to select restaurants.

[joiei]

My sister tells me there is a good steak place at the new Evangeline Downs and Casino, which I guess is now close to Opelousas. Is it Silks? Is it good?

Not new, but I had my first try last May at Joe's Dreyfus Store Restaurant in Livonia, off US190 between Opelousas and Baton Rouge. Anyone else been there?

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I had lunch at Joe's Dreyfus Store Restaurant on the 13th and it was excellent. The gumbo was so good, but I am coming from Oklahoma where gumbo is a mystery. And the Crawfish po boy was pretty good also. But that gumbo was some good stuff.

[bavila]

Hey y'all, just wanted to follow up now that I'm back home. First, let me apologize for not taking many food pics. I'd be a horrible blogger. And yes, I will blame my two small children in large part.

The breakfast feast at my friend's mother's house was yummy. The highlights were her homegrown satsumas:

We brought about a dozen home. Should have brought more.

and cheese biscuits:

Sarah's cheese biscuits are legendary in our little circle of friends. Whenever we had sleepovers she'd make these for our breakfast. What kills me is that she makes them with Pioneer biscuit mix. Maybe all the cheddar disguises the fact that it's a mix. She gave me the parfait glass with which she used to cut the biscuits until her son dropped and and broke the bottom of the glass. Sarah reports that when the glass fell, I cursed her son for not respecting the biscuit cutter.

The fare at the wedding was standard Catholic Cajun fare. Boudin balls, roast beef, open bar. Nothing to exciting, and not a single crudite in sight. I found that a bit strange. The cakes were AWESOME though. My cousin (mother of the bride) couldn't remember the name of the baker, but I'm pretty sure it must have been Mrs. Short (Kathleen?). There was THE cake plus about 8 other cakes, I suppose in lieu of a single groom's cake. Tres leches, coconut, red velvet, carrot, and others I don't recall. The red velvet was hands down the best I've ever had. The others were excellent too. Only drawback was that they were so moist that they were difficult to serve.

On Sunday, we headed to Baton Rouge to meet up with friends. At lunch we met another family at The Chimes East (The Chimes near LSU just opened a new store on Coursey -- much bigger and much more of a "family" restaurant than the original.) I was disappointed in my order -- grilled amberjack with crawfish bearnaise sauce. The crawfish were mealy and the sauce was obviously made to far ahead. I would have prefered the fish by itself.

My parents had said that they wanted to take treat us to a restaurant of our choosing. My dad has a very narrow view of what makes a good restaurant, so I suggested that my parents choose between Zea (one of their suggestions) and Guama's. They chose Zea, apparently a local chain focusing on rotisserie items. If I had to choose a chain, Zea would likely get my vote. This was not cutting edge cuisine, but a simply solid menu and ambience that will appeal to a wide audience. I had a very nice spinach salad and redfish with a nice topping of shrimp etoufee. Sides were collard greens and roasted corn grits. Nice. This was my best seafood entree the whole trip.

Thursday night we went to Cafe des Amis where one of the chefs is a friend of a friend. Turned out he wasn't there, even though we'd coordinated to go on one of his work nights. Bummer. The apps outshone the entrees that night. The chef sent out pecan encrusted shrimp with Turbo (Abita beer) butter sauce. We also ordered the crab cheesecake, which was more on the quiche side of a cheesecake, but quite good. (side note -- anyone have suggestions for serving savory cheesecake as an hors d'oeuvre? -- is a fork required?) The BBQ shrimp was the best entree. Nice big gulf shrimp and a thick brown sauce, french bread toast points. We also had crawfish fettucine (mediocre) and drum topped with a crab/crawfish sauce (again, the sauce was disappointing, and the fish was fishy.) The white chocolate bread pudding rocked. They get points for decor and ambiance -- lots of cool folk art. And the antique bar was at the Hotel Evangeline in Lafayette -- where my parents first met 40+ years ago.

I knew I wanted some killer biscuits before we left town, but felt like Dwyer's would have been too much of a production for us. So on Friday morning we had breakfast at Edie's Express at Bendel Gardens. We ordered the $3 platter with 3 eggs, sausage/bacon, and a biscuit, and the biscuits stole the show, of course. Absolutely gorgeous and feather light.

We never made it to Poupart's but my dad did pick up a baguette for dinner on Friday night. One of my last carb splurges before coming home.

Speaking of carb splurge, a family friend brought over some homegrown lemons with which I made some killer lemon bars. The two remaining lemons are in my fridge.

The other treat we brought home was some olive salad from Cedar Grocery. Totally forgot about going to Central Grocery when we were in NO. Ooops!

[Marcelle Bienvenu]

Hey y'all, just wanted to follow up now that I'm back home.  First, let me apologize for not taking many food pics.  I'd be a horrible blogger.  And yes, I will blame my two small children in large part.

The breakfast feast at my friend's mother's house was yummy.  The highlights were her homegrown satsumas:

We brought about a dozen home.  Should have brought more.

and cheese biscuits:

Sarah's cheese biscuits are legendary in our little circle of friends.  Whenever we had sleepovers she'd make these for our breakfast.  What kills me is that she makes them with Pioneer biscuit mix.  Maybe all the cheddar disguises the fact that it's a mix.  She gave me the parfait glass with which she used to cut the biscuits until her son dropped and and broke the bottom of the glass.  Sarah reports that when the glass fell, I cursed her son for not respecting the biscuit cutter.

The fare at the wedding was standard Catholic Cajun fare.  Boudin balls, roast beef, open bar.  Nothing to exciting, and not a single crudite in sight.  I found that a bit strange.  The cakes were AWESOME though.  My cousin (mother of the bride) couldn't remember the name of the baker, but I'm pretty sure it must have been Mrs. Short (Kathleen?).  There was THE cake plus about 8 other cakes, I suppose in lieu of a single groom's cake.  Tres leches, coconut, red velvet, carrot, and others I don't recall.  The red velvet was hands down the best I've ever had.  The others were excellent too.  Only drawback was that they were so moist that they were difficult to serve.

On Sunday, we headed to Baton Rouge to meet up with friends.  At lunch we met another family at The Chimes East (The Chimes near LSU just opened a new store on Coursey -- much bigger and much more of a "family" restaurant than the original.)  I was disappointed in my order -- grilled amberjack with crawfish bearnaise sauce.  The crawfish were mealy and the sauce was obviously made to far ahead.  I would have prefered the fish by itself.

My parents had said that they wanted to take treat us to a restaurant of our choosing.  My dad has a very narrow view of what makes a good restaurant, so I suggested that my parents choose between Zea (one of their suggestions) and Guama's.  They chose Zea, apparently a local chain focusing on rotisserie items.  If I had to choose a chain, Zea would likely get my vote.  This was not cutting edge cuisine, but a simply solid menu and ambience that will appeal to a wide audience.  I had a very nice spinach salad and redfish with a nice topping of shrimp etoufee.  Sides were collard greens and roasted corn grits.  Nice.  This was my best seafood entree the whole trip.

Thursday night we went to Cafe des Amis where one of the chefs is a friend of a friend.  Turned out he wasn't there, even though we'd coordinated to go on one of his work nights.  Bummer.  The apps outshone the entrees that night.  The chef sent out pecan encrusted shrimp with Turbo (Abita beer) butter sauce.  We also ordered the crab cheesecake, which was more on the quiche side of a cheesecake, but quite good.  (side note -- anyone have suggestions for serving savory cheesecake as an hors d'oeuvre? -- is a fork required?)  The BBQ shrimp was the best entree.  Nice big gulf shrimp and a thick brown sauce, french bread toast points.  We also had crawfish fettucine (mediocre) and drum topped with a crab/crawfish sauce (again, the sauce was disappointing, and the fish was fishy.)  The white chocolate bread pudding rocked.  They get points for decor and ambiance -- lots of cool folk art.  And the antique bar was at the Hotel Evangeline in Lafayette -- where my parents first met 40+ years ago.

I knew I wanted some killer biscuits before we left town, but felt like Dwyer's would have been too much of a production for us.  So on Friday morning we had breakfast at Edie's Express at Bendel Gardens.  We ordered the $3 platter with 3 eggs, sausage/bacon, and a biscuit, and the biscuits stole the show, of course.  Absolutely gorgeous and feather light.

We never made it to Poupart's but my dad did pick up a baguette for dinner on Friday night.  One of my last carb splurges before coming home.

Speaking of carb splurge, a family friend brought over some homegrown lemons with which I made some killer lemon bars.  The two remaining lemons are in my fridge.

The other treat we brought home was some olive salad from Cedar Grocery.  Totally forgot about going to Central Grocery when we were in NO.  Ooops!

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[Marcelle Bienvenu]

Bavila: Sounds like you had a whirlwind trip. Regarding your question about savory cheesecakes. I make a gorgonzola cheesecake, smoked salmon cheesecake, and a Rueben one. They are made in 9-inch springfrom pans so yes, they are eaten with a fork and served on small plates. If you like I can send you the recipes.

[patti]

Hey y'all, just wanted to follow up now that I'm back home.  First, let me apologize for not taking many food pics.  I'd be a horrible blogger.  And yes, I will blame my two small children in large part.

The breakfast feast at my friend's mother's house was yummy.  The highlights were her homegrown satsumas:

We brought about a dozen home.  Should have brought more.

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I think you were very lucky to find satsumas this late in the season. Ours are long gone, but that photo sure makes me wish we had more.

Sounds like you had a successful visit. Glad to read about it.