Great places to eat in Louisiana

     While I'd like to be able to give a detailed review on all the fine Louisiana restaurants we have, I'd be 110 years old before I finished, so I wont.  What I will do, is tell you a bit about some places I've visited and enjoyed over the years.  Check back with me now and then since I'll be adding more, as time permits.

     In no particular order, here are some of the Louisiana restaurants which served good and tasty Cajun or other types of food:

Cajun Charlie's in Sulphur, LA.  

     The last time I visited Charlie's, they still had a Cajun food buffet.  I suppose it's still there, although I ordered from the menu.  They offer Poor boys, salads, steaks and gumbo. If you like fried seafood, this place is for you.  They have a large stuffed gator in the restaurant which tourists will find interesting too.  The gift shop in Charlie's is jam packed full of Louisiana, LSU and Cajun souveniers.  The food was good, the service excellent and the gift shop is one of a kind.  It's located a block north of Interstate 10 and Hwy 27 in Sulphur, right next to the Hampton Inn.  Try it on your way down to  Hackberry, LA, the next time you go fishing. It's priced right for families....but be aware that good seafood costs more than burgers.

D.I.'s Cajun Food and Music

Basile, LABasi

     Late one evening, my good friend John from Lake Charles told us all to pile in the truck because we were going to eat some real Cajun food in a great Cajun restaurant.  Since I had no idea where we were going, I didnt bother to pay much attention when he got lost along the way.  We finally made it and walked into D.I.'s Cajun Food and Music place.  It was a very cool restaurant.  Wooden floors, large tables, a Cajun Band playing, some old Cajun couples dancing...and the aromas from the kitchen made my mouth water.  Yes...I was in heaven as soon as I entered D.I's restaurant.  We ordered nearly everything on the menu that night. I must have sampled it all. Wonderful fried Gulf Shrimp, etouffee', Steaks,  grilled fish....you name it and I sampled it. Try the 16 oz ribeye topped with etouffee', or the Extra large seafood platter. Both sell for somewhere around $22...and well worth it.  You wont leave there hungry, I guarantee. It's one of my favorite Cajun food restaurants and they'll feed you well. I cant wait to get back down there. This is a seriously good place to eat in Louisiana. Their website can tell you more.

Jimmy's BBQ ( or whatever it's called today)

Great news !

Jimmy has taken back control of his BBQ place !

Lake Charles,LA  on Mcneese st. 4 blocks from Lake st.

   I've have the good fortune of meeting Jimmy. He's a friend of my friend John in Lake Charles, and is  "good people", as we say in Louisiana. The little BBQ place is a carry-out place.  They have a huge smokehouse beside it which looks as if it's been there for 50 years....and smells heavenly !

     People line up 5 deep in front of the little red and white building waiting for their BBQ orders to be filled during lunch time. Their staple seems to be the sliced beef or ham sandwiches.  They sell 100's them each day.  In fact, I've probably eaten 100 or more myself.  The BBQ ribs are superb and you will fight over them...so order plenty.  They have some picnic tables out front so you can sit under the huge oak trees and enjoy your lunch when the weather is nice.  Rumor has it that the bread pudding is the best in the state.  I wouldn't know, because I was always too full of BBQ every time I had lunch there. The prices are low and you'll love the BBQ. 

Feezo's

     This is a small, family owned chain of Cajun restaurants in the Lafayette area, located just off Interstate 10, exit 97 on the way to Lake Charles. As I recall, they had 2 locations and a catering service.  Four of us stopped at one near Lafayette while taking the long way home to Shreveport after fishing near the Cameron jetties one weekend recently.

     Upon entering , the place appeared clean and organized, much to my appreciation.  Well decorated in an almost upscale manner, but not too posh, so it won't scare the family business away. It was "just right" in my opinion.

     I had the crunchy fried catfish filet served on a bed of rice, with crawfish etouffee' poured over the top.  It came with one of the freshest salads I've been served in a long time. (I'm a salad freak)  The crunchiness of the catfish batter and the smooth etouffee' complimented each other very well. The fish itself was cooked to perfection.  The wait staff was attentive and friendly, even though it was very near closing time.  One of the owners ( I presume) greeted us with a genuine smile and small talk as we were leaving, even though we had nearly overstayed our welcome on that Sunday afternoon.  I can't remember what the other 3 in my party ordered, but they were all very happy with the food.  Two of them even bought some of Feezo's special seasoning as we left.  I think my personal tab was around $20 or so and trust me, the salad alone was worth it. 

Great entree, fresh salad ingredients, friendly staff and cleanliness.  It's easy to see why they are a popular choice for locals.  Try it sometime and tell 'em Froggy sent you.

~Froggy~

Part Time Louisiana Food Critic and beach bum in training.