Cajun Restaurants: Where the locals eat

The many Festivals around SW LA give a good view of the Cajun culture's joining of good times, good people, good music and good food. However, you can experience this same 'Joie de vie' (joy of life) by visiting many local restaurants.

Quick Tips:

Come hungry and expect spicy!

Best Way To Get Around:

It is best to rent a car as much of SW LA is rural and there is no extensive public transit system. A rental car will also allow you to drive the beautiful countryside where you will see unique swamplands and wildlife - including birds, nutria, and alligators!

On the outskirts of historic Abbeville, LA is Richard's Seafood Patio, one of the best places to get boiled crawfish and crabs. Known to the locals as 'Reds,' the restaurant has a very casual, relaxed atmosphere. Leave your dress clothes in your suitcase if you are planning to sample the boiled seafood, as you are most likely to get much of the shells and juice on your clothing. But hey - that is part of the fun of it. Red's also boasts a patented crawfish tray that makes peeling and eating this crustacean a little easier. Aside from the boiled seafood, there is also a variety of seafood and meat dishes that are excellent as well.

Richard's will accomodate large groups easily at the many long picnic tables available in the dining room. However, during the height of crawfish season the place is usually packed and they often run out of crawfish before the night is through. I suggest that parties have an early dinner but not be surprised if they have to wait for a table.

Located convienently off of Interstate 10, Prejean's Restaurant serves award winning Cajun cuisine. The restaurant is well known for the 12+ foot stuffed alligator gracing the middle of the room. If you don't go for the food, go to see the big gator!
Open 7 days a week 11am-11pm
www.prejeans.com

Sure Prejean's caters to the tourist crowd, but even the locals agree - it is some of the best Cajun food around. One might choose the fresh gulf seafood, which is a good bet. However, I encourage you to go even farther into your Cajun experience and temp your taste buds with Louisiana Alligator! Prejean's best alligator dish is 'Alligator Grand Cheniere.' It is the best Alligator I've ever tasted. Prejean's also hosts Cajun Bands nightly where you can experience a little Cajun two-step.

What do Cajun's do for breakfast? The one's in Abbeville go to C C's - a small diner in the heart of downtown historic Abbeville. While C C's offers many traditional breakfast items - pancakes, biscuits, bacon, eggs, etc, you can also order items more typical of a Cajun breakfast. Pain-Pain Du, a Cajun adaptation of French Toast; Beignet's, fried dough topped with powdered sugar, and grits are top choices for anyone wanting to experience a local breakfast. Wash that down with a bottomless cup of Community Coffee - which many Cajun's think is the only coffee worth drinking. Ask to try Steen's Cane syrup while you are there. Steen's is native to Abbeville and a local favorite.

After your breakfast, stroll through the many shops in the town square and admire the historic architecture.

Owned by renowned artist, George Rodrigue, The Blue Dog Cafe offers a more upscale Cajun Experience. The food is a little fancier than what you'd ever find on a Cajun's kitchen table, but it is sooo good! In fact, many of the menu items are award winning. The corn and crab bisque, a constant in most Cajun restaurants, is one of the best I've ever had. The food is very, very rich, however, so get ready to be super stuffed when you leave. You can also delight in many of Rodrigue's paintings and prints displayed around the dining room. The art captures local traditions and speaks volumes about the Cajun heritage. If you're willing to shell out the cash, you can even purchase a print at the restaurant.

Hebert's Steak House, or Goulou's as many of the locals call it(prounouced goo-loo's), is an excellent place to go if you are in the mood for good seafood. There is a variety of menu offerings from fried shrimp, oysters, catfish, and soft shelled crab. For the more health conscious, you can order from a selection of salads and grilled fish and still get a taste of the Cajun flavor. If you're really hungry, an enormous seafood platter is enough to satisfy the biggest of appetites. If meat is what you're craving, you must try one of Hebert's tender, juicy steaks. Though Hebert's atmosphere is relaxed and casual, their steaks are reminiscent of a fine, upscale steakhouse. The business is run by a local family and most of the waitstaff are likely to be related in some way or another. Guests are always greeted with fine Cajun Hospitality even during the busiest evenings. Don't be surprised if the guests are chatting from table to table as well - most of the patrons are local and often see their friends and neigbors dining beside them. Reservations for large parties are recommended on weekends.