A & B Henderson Lodge - Lafayette
(2601 Southeast Evangeline - 318 264-1373)

Acme Oyster House - New Orleans
(7306 Lakeshore Drive, 70124 - 504 282-9200)

Angelle's - Lafayette
(US 167 N - 318 896-8416) If you're staying around for a night or two, check out the music at El Sid O's Zydeco and Blues Club at 1523 N. Antoine - 318 237-1959.

Anna's Pies - Lake Charles [Photo]
(2323 Moeling Street, 70601 - 337 436-1166) This African-American entrepreneur produces 40 different flavors of pies and cakes with her son Carl; Anna tells us the most popular pies are Sweet Potato and Pecan; her Rum Cake has also garnered a lot of attention; they will be happy accept custom orders and they ship all over the US; I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon; the bakery is located in an old tin building that somewhat resembles an aircraft hangar; an elderly black gentleman was holding down the fort ... baking pies and greeting walk-in customers; I selected a personal size Sweet Potato Pie for $1.50; in the great Louisiana tradition of Lagniappe (a little somethin' extra) I was given a free personal Pecan Pie; he said he could do this because the crust on one edge was slightly burnt; he asked for my honest opinion: "If you don't think this tastes just like Grandma used to make, call me long distance and I'll pay for the call"; needless to say, I didn't have to make the call; the Pecan Pie was outstanding ... freshly made with a homemade, sweet and crunchy crust; don't let the run down appearance of the neighborhood scare you off; a trip to Anna's is well worth the adventure; Anna's Pies are sold at other outlets throughout SW LA ... including at the Lake Charles Ice Pirates Hockey games!

Badeaux's Seafood - Des Allemande (Added June, 2004)
(4428 US Highway 90 East - 985 758-9006) Catfish and boiled crabs.

Bayou Delight - Houma (Added June, 2004)
(4038 Bayou Black Drive - 985 876-4879) Their Cajun platter features fish, shrimp, frog, oysters, crawfish and gator served with a tasty Boudin Ball.

Bayou Inn - Minden (Added March, 2004)
(172 Dorcheat, 71055 - 318 371-0287)

Belizaire's - Crowley
(2307 N Parkerson St - 318 788-2501)

The Best Stop Supermarket - Scott (Added February, 2007)
(615 Highway 93 North; 337 233-5805) In 1986, Robert Cormier opened The Best Stop in his hometown of Scott (just west of Lafayette). Today, it’s not just friends & neighbors lining up for a few hot links of spicy boudin; customers from all over the world now purchase about 10,000 pounds of boudin from them each week. The sign out front ("Quality Meat, Boudin, Liquor") pretty much says it all, y'all. Cormier told the SFA what makes his boudin so special: "It’s the pride that we put in our work and quality meat and we do it the same way every day for 20 years. We’ve never changed anything because people—the customers tell us not to change anything because you might mess it up."

Big John's BBQ - Westlake
(2301 Sampson Street - 318 433-0875)

Billelo's - Thibodaux

Black's Oyster Bar - Abbeville
(311 Pere Megret St, 70510 - 337 893-4266) The neon sign out front states "Fresh Topless Salty Oysters."  This historic building was originally a general store (circa 1890).  Black's also serves up alligator, stuffed crabs, crawfish and shrimp.   Ask for another house specialty - the shrimp and crawfish tamales!

Boudin King - Jennings
(906 W Division Street, 70546 - 337 824-6593)

Boutte's Bayou Restaurant - Lafitte
(5134 Boutte Street, 70067 - 504 689-3889) Casual dining for over 25 years; seafood is the specialty.

Bruning's - New Orleans
(1924 West End Parkway, 70112 - 504 288-4521); In business since 1859 ... must be doing something right!  Profiled in Southern Living Magazine in Spring of 2001.

Bubba and Boudreaux's Redneck and Coonass Cuisine – Shreveport
(2441 E 70th Street - 318 797-6521) Serving N Louisiana Redneck Fried Catfish, bolied crawfish, and hand-cut chicken fried rib-eyes with crawfish etouffee; lunch and dinner 7 days a week; they also cater for groups of 50 – 5,000; ask about their famous Cajun Fried Turkeys.

Cabin, The - Gonzales
(5405 Highway 44, 70737 - 504 473-3048) "World Famous Chicken and Andouille Gumbo"; seafood, steaks, generous Po-boys; open 7 days a week; the building was originally one of the slave quarters from the old Monroe Plantation; sample the Po-Boy called a Pirogue, named for a bayou canoe (it’s about as large!); a large loaf of bread is hollowed out and filled with shrimp, fried fish and oysters; yum!

Cafe Des Amis - Breaux Bridge (Added July, 2004)
(140 East Bridge Street; 337 332-5273) Breakfast is great here --- and certainly out of the ordinary; try the "Oreille de Couchon" (translates to Pig's Ear), a larger, Cajunized version of a beignet dusted with powdered sugar; boudin here is very good; "Couche-Couche" is a cereal dish of cornmeal and bacon fat served with milk and cane syrup for a unique taste; don't miss the tasty andouille cheese grits; wash it down with a kicked up Bloody Mary that will have you shouting "OOOO-EEEE!"

Cafe Du Monde - New Orleans
(1039 Decatur St, 70116 - 800 772-2927) World Famous for Beignets and Cafe Au Lait; a New Orleans landmark!  Visit them online at www.cafedumonde.com.

Café Vermilionville - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(1304 W. Pinhook Road, 318 237-0100) There's no restaurant in Lafayette where you can't wear jeans. For evidence: Vermilionville. Hands down the premier elegant restaurant in town, people still show up in shorts to check out what the chef has going that week; the menu changes according to the freshest available ingredients. Lafayette's first inn, founded in 1818, offers a wide selection from duck to lamb to steak and seafood, prepared decadently and like nowhere else. A mix of New Orleans imagination, the Cajun trinity and sky is the limit flavor, this is the finest fine dining in Acadiana.

Cajun Cafe - Lake Charles
(1317 Broad Street, 70601 - 337 439-3722) Voted best plate lunches in SW LA for the last few years.

The Cajun Pier - Lafayette
(1601 West Pinhook Rd – 800 803-9257) "Toe Tappin' Lip Smackin' Fun" is their slogan; serving lunch and dinner Sunday - Friday; Dinner only on Saturday.

Camelia Grill - New Orleans
(626 South Carrollton Avenue, 70118 - 504 861-9311) Take the St. Charles streetcar out to this classic diner in New Orleans famous Garden District.

Casamento's - New Orleans
(4330 Magazine Street, 70115 - 504 895-9761)

Causey’s Country Kitchen – New Orleans
(7245 Chef Menteur Highway, 70126 – 504 242-2604) Another soul food emporium; chitlins, pork chops, mustard greens, meat loaf, etc. Open Monday – Saturday, 6 am – 9 pm.

Central Grocery - New Orleans [Photo]
(923 Decatur St – 504 523-1620) Check out the Muffaletta sandwich!

Charlie's Steak House - New Orleans (Added November, 2005)
(4510 Dryades Street; 504 895-9705) Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday - Friday for lunch and dinner; dinner only on Saturday from 5:00 pm til 10:30 pm; be sure to ask for Dottye Bennett, the restaurant's most famous waitress.

Charlie T's Specialty Meats - Breaux Bridge (Added February, 2005)
(530 Berard Street; 337 332-2426) Open 7 days a week; boudin, andouille, tasso ...check 'em out!

Check-In Check-Out Deli - Slidell (Added May, 2002)
(1800 Old Spanish Trail - 985 641-9773) Off the beaten path but worth the trip; this former Conaco Gas Station serves up a mean Po Boy; go for the shrimp or roast beef varieties --- both are said to be mighty tasty; they serve somewhere near 20 different Po Boys --- WOW!

Chez Marceaux Seafood Restaurant  - Morgan City
(Highway 90, 70380 - 985 631-9843)

Chris' - Lafayette (Added October, 2004)
(631 Jefferson Street; 337 234-1696) Po-boys and gumbo are the specialties here. There is a second Chris' location at 1941 Moss Street in Lafayette. Their phone number is 337 237-1095. Both locations are worth a try.

Crescent City Brewhouse – New Orleans
(527 Decatur St – 504 522-0571) Live jazz performed nightly; great microbrews and good food to boot; located in the heart of the French Quarter.

• CRESCENT CITY’S CREOLE TURTLE CHILI

2 lbs. Ground turtle meat (available at many seafood markets; your butcher may need to grind the meat)
1 jumbo onion, finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon coriander
1 tablespoon marjoram
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon Italian seasonings
½ tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
1 tablespoon white pepper
2 cups cooked black beans
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 quart chicken stock
6 oz. dry sherry
4 bay leaves
1 cup brown roux
½ cup diced fresh tomatoes
½ lb. Shaved smoked Gouda cheese
tortilla chips (for garnish)

- In a large saucepan, saute vegetables in 2 oz. cooking oil until soft; add the turtle meat and cook until browned; add all spices; add tomato paste, sherry, diced tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes on low heat.

- Add chicken stock (holding back 2 oz.) and brown roux and cook for 10 more minutes; simmer on low heat until thick; add the remaining chicken stock to thin the chili if necessary; garnish with black beans, smoked Gouda and tortilla chips.

Deaneaux's Boiling House - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(1917 Ridge Road, 318 989-2729) Not to be confused with a popular local pizza house, this Deaneaux's serves up tasty seafood. When crawfish season rolls around, it's arguably the best and hottest joint around. Located just outside the city, it's got a friendly country atmosphere.

D.I.'s Restaurant - Basile
(Highway 97, 70515 - 337 432-5141) Crawfish, Fresh Seafood, and Steaks; Live Cajun music; Open Tuesday - Saturday for Dinner only; Now open for lunch at 10:30am Monday through Friday; check 'em out on the web at www.discajunrestaurant.biz.

Domilise Sandwich Shop - New Orleans (Added July, 2004; Updated November, 2005)
(5240 Annunciation Street; 504 899-9126) A true blue collar dive; lunch only; known for their excellent seafood or sausage Po Boys; someone once said this joint is "So Outdated It's Glamorous;" serving folks in Uptown NO for more than 70 years; cash only; open Monday - Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner; you may want to order up a po-boy for all three meals! Try the "Pepper Wiener" ... something like a Crecent City chili dog. You'll bark for joy!

Don's Seafood Downtown - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(301 E. Vermilion, 318 235-3551) Before and throughout the revitalization of Downtown, Don's stood as a draw to break off the Johnston Street drag and grab a taste of what makes Lafayette great. Dating back to 1934, Don's Seafood is often imitated but never duplicated. From their lunch specials that are amazingly affordable and overwhelming, to their dinner choices that run the same, their fresh selection of seafood and steaks and killer gumbo is a champion in any division.

Dudley and Gerald's - Shreveport
(2421 E 70th St – 318 797-1722) Slogan is "Shreveport's Real Cajun Restaurant"; others agree; it was voted  #1 Cajun Restaurant in NE LA by LA Life Magazine; formerly known as Gerald Savoie's Restaurant; indoor and outdoor dining; features seafood, crawfish and steaks; fairly new construction ... but they have tried to give the exterior a somewhat rustic look; their most popular mixed drink is a concoction called the "Bayou Blast'; look for the big neon crawfish wearing a chef's hat and toting a skillet; Dixie Beer, a LA favorite, is served here; good fried catfish; fresh cole slaw topped with a pinch of Cajun spices; jambalaya served as a side dish on most platters; offered up in a scoop; nothing too exotic; Cajun basics done in a straight forward way; drinks served in a plastic cup featuring a lengthy answer to the question "What is a Cajun?"; open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Dunbar's - New Orleans
(4927 Freret Street, 70115 - 504 899-0734)

Dupuy's Oyster Shop - Abbeville
(108 South Main Street, 70510 - 337 893-2336)

Dwyer's Cafe - Lafayette (Updated October, 2004)
(323 Jefferson Street, 70501 - 337 235-9364) "The Best in Home Cookin'" is the motto at Dwyer's. They have been open since 1965. Fresh shrimp salad and good gumbo (try the chicken and sausage variety). Affordable plate lunches are offered daily.

Eddie's - New Orleans
(2119 Law Street - 504 945-2207)

Evangeline Steak & Seafood - Lafayette (Updated November, 2005)
(2633 SE Evangeline Thruway, 318 233-2658) Evangeline Steak & Seafood has a good menu of choice steaks and well-prepared seafood ("The Evangeline" platter is said to be a must). Their desserts are also quite good. But, the real authentic grub is to be enjoyed at their plate lunch side of the building. One day they offered both rice and gravy and well above-par fried catfish served off a lunch line. With a drink included, it may be the cheapest lunch in town.

First & Last Chance Cafe - Donaldsonville (Added February, 2003)
(812 Railroad Avenue, 70346 - 225 473-8236) Open since 1921, serving griddle cooked burgers and homemade onion rings; Yum ... Pass the ketchup, please!

Franky and Johnny's Po Boys - New Orleans (Added April, 2004)
(321 Arabella Street; 504 899-9146) Some of the finest Po Boys in all of Louisiana; give them a try!

Geyen's Bar-B-Q - Lake Charles
(1800 Broad Street - 318 433-1741) Soul Food and BBQ

Guiding Star - New Iberia
(4404 Highway 90 West, 70560 - 337 365-9113) Spicy Crawfish!

Gumbo Shop - New Orleans
(630 St Peter St - 504 525-1486)  Visit them online at www.gumboshop.com.

Hackett's Cajun Kitchen - Lake Charles
(5614 Gerstner Memorial Boulevard, 70607 - 337 474-3731) Recently voted the best spot in Lake Charles for plate lunches; the Cajun-Creole menu features Boudin; casual setting; open Monday - Saturday; closed Sunday.

Hansen's Sno Bliz - New Orleans (Added November, 2005)
(4801 Tchoupitoulas Street; 504 891-9788) The Hansen family invented the shaved ice machine in 1939; ask for a little condensed milk on the top if you like your shaved ice with a more creamy texture; call ahead for summertime hours; this place is a national treasure; get to Hansen's next summer and CHILL OUT!

Harry's Drive-In - Westlake
(3215 Highway 90 - 318 882-0855) Cajun and Creole specialties.

Hawk's - Crowley (Added November, 2005)
(415 Hawks Road, 318 788-3266) If there's a place that fits the title out of the way, it's Hawk's. It's the way-out crawfish haunt for lovers of spicy, juicy and huge mudbugs. Located in the wilds of Acadia Parish, you'll have to travel down a wooded road -- "just as you think your lost, you're just about there!" They offer other seafood selections, but in the throes of a good season, it's hard to find anyone not pinching a few plump tails.

Henry's Soul Food - New Orleans (Added March, 2004)
(209 North Broad, 70119 - 504 821-8635)

Herby K's - Shreveport (Added October, 2003)
(1833 Pierre Avenue, 71103 - 318 424-2724) Locally famous "hole in the wall" has served many famous people; in business at the same location since 1936; specialty of the house is the "Shrimp Buster"; tacky atmosphere, small menu, and low prices; Open Monday – Thursday, 11 am – 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 10 pm.  Many claim this is the very best seafood in all of Shreveport.

Hollier's Cajun Kitchen - Sulphur
(1709 Ruth Street, 70663 – 337 527-0061) Cajun cooking, steaks and seafood just 3 blocks North of I-10; rocking chairs on the front porch; daily lunch buffet; a seafood buffet is offered on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights; house specialties include a good seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and Angus beef steaks; frog legs, catfish, boiled crawfish and Po-boys also featured; open for lunch and dinner Monday - Saturday; lunch only on Sunday.

Hymel's - Paulina
(8740 State Highway 44, 70763 - 225 562-9910); Pronounced "EE-Mels," this joint was once a 1950's dance hall.  Check out the boiled crabs and shrimp.

Hummingbird Hotel & Grill - New Orleans (Added March, 2004)
(804 St Charles Street, 70130 - 504 561-9339)

Jay's BBQ - Baton Rouge
(4215 Government Street, 70806 - 225 343-5082) Family owned since 1954; Po-boys and fine smoked meats; lunch and dinner Monday - Saturday; closed Sunday.

Joe's Restaurant - Livonia
(504 637-2625)

Johnny's Po Boys - New Orleans
(511 St Louis St, 70130 - 504 524-8129) "Even My Failures are Edible" claims Johnny DeGrusha, Sr. on the carry-out menu; a New Orleans tradition located in the French Quarter; rated one of the top value restaurants in the U.S. by Good Housekeeping magazine; established in 1950, Johnny's serves breakfast and lunch six days a week; Po-Boys are the specialty ... although they also serve up a good Jambalaya or Red Beans and Rice at affordable prices; lovers of meat should try the Judge Bossetta sandwich made with ground beef and Italian and hot sausages; a homemade Bread Pudding is offered for dessert. Open 7 days a week: Monday – Friday 7 am – 4:30 pm; Saturday & Sunday 9 am – 4 pm.

Johnson's Grocery - Eunice
(700 East Maple Avenue, 70535 - 337 457-9314)

Juban's - Baton Rouge
(3739 Perkins Road, 70808 - 225 346-8422) Creole cuisine served in a New Orleans style atmosphere; lunch and dinner, Monday - Friday; dinner only on Saturday; closed Sunday.

Judice Inn - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(3134 Johnston St., 318 984-5614) Judice Inn has been serving the best hamburgers in town since Lafayette had dirt roads as major traffic arteries. At one point, the city was practically run from the back booth of the burger joint. One bite of their burgers, with that special spicy sauce and a helping of grease so generous your bag will be see-through, and you'll see why. Plus their milkshakes are dynamite. You won't even mind the lack of French fries.

Lafitte's Landing Restaurant - Donaldsonville (Added February, 2003)
(404 Claiborne Street - 225-473-1232) Owner and Chef John Folse hosts "A Taste of Louisiana" on PBS.  Located at the lovely Bittersweet Plantation; don't miss Chef Jeremy Langlois' magnificent creation of Andouille Crusted Scallops with a sauce of pureed Greens; try the Coconut Pie for dessert.

Lagneaux's Chevron - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(2817 S. Fieldspan Road, 318 981-1054) During the week, Lagneaux's offers daily plate lunches ranging from pork steaks and pork steak sandwiches (imagine a huge chop slipped 'tween two pieces of white bread) and stuffed pork roast with all the sides and even desserts. The gas station and convenience store sells lots of merchandise at a good price, plus they have their own meat market -- offering deer processing, boudin, beef jerky and cracklins. Their plate lunch menu is simple, homey grub. Sunday barbecue is worth noting. Tender chops, chicken, decent ribs and deer sausage are served with five sides. Not the choice of five sides, but five -- potato salad, cole slaw, cornbread dressing, baked beans, rice dressing -- sides!

Lasyone's Meat Pie Kitchen - Natchitoches
(622 2nd Street, 71457 - 318 352-3353) Located in the town where "Steel Magnolias" was filmed; famous for award winning meat pies and Cajun style Dirty Rice; Red Beans and Rice and Catfish Filet platters are also worth trying; save room for the "Cane River Cream Pie" for dessert; open Monday – Saturday from 7 am – 9 pm.

La Trouvaille – Chauvin
(4696 Highway 56 – 504 873-8005) Open Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 am – 2 pm, October – May; an old house with very little signage out front; the restaurant’s name translates to “a lucky find” in French; they also serve an old-time Cajun dinner on the first Sunday of each month; expect to see items like gumbo, rice dressing, jambalaya, and shrimp etouffee; try the homemade root beer; a very unique dining experience!

Lea's Lunch Room - Lecompte (Added February, 2007)
(1810 Highway 71 South; 318 776-5178) Great homemade pies; once featured on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson; worth the short drive from Alexandria.

Leon's Smoked Turkey - Shreveport
(303 E Kings Highway, 71104 - 318 868-3237) Recently voted best BBQ in town; open for lunch and dinner Monday - Saturday.

Liuzza'a - New Orleans (Added March, 2004)
(3636 Bienville Street, 70119 - 504 482-9120)

Mama Mia's Grocery - Opelousas
After your meal stay in town for some great live zydeco and blues at Slim's Y-KI-KI Club on Washington Highway - 318 942-9980.

Mama's Fried Chicken - Eunice (Added March, 2004)
(1640 West Laurel Avenue, 70535, 337 457-9978)

Mary Ann's Cafe - Lake Charles
(110 W Broad Street, 70601 - 337 436-9115) Billed as a "True '50's Diner"; they claim to have the best fresh hamburgers in the South; you can order a regular burger or "Old Fashioned" with onions cooked inside the meat; fresh, thinly cut onion rings and french fries; try the New Orleans style beignets; a pretty good Fried Catfish is also on the menu; open for breakfast and lunch, Monday - Friday.

Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl - New Orleans
(4133 S Carrollton, 70119 - 504 482-3133) A very unique experience; this place combines bowling, live rock n’ roll, and New Orleans-style cuisine; menu includes a wide variety of Po-Boys; they also offer alligator, catfish, Gumbo, and jambalaya; sides are highlighted by Cajun fries and a Crawfish quesadilla; finish off your evening with some New Orleans Bread Pudding; Open Thursday – Sunday; call for hours of operation.

Middendorf's - Pass Manchac
(30160 U.S. 55 - 504 386-6666); Don't miss the thinly sliced Catfish Filets.  Wash it down with an ice cold Dixie Beer.

Miller's Cafe and BBQ - Lake Charles
(138 Louisiana Avenue, 70601 - 337 494 0900) BBQ and Soul Food is spoken here.

Miss Helen's - Scott
(109 Benoit Patin Rd - 318 234-3536) Cajun style seafood joint.

Mosca's - Avondale
(4137 Highway 90 West, 70112 - 504 436-9942) Original chef once worked for gangster Al Capone.  He lived to tell the tale, so the food must have been exceptional!

Mother's - New Orleans
(401 Poydras, 70130 - 504 523-9656) Open Monday – Saturday, 5 am – 10 pm; Sunday 7 am – 10 pm; first opened its doors in 1938; a favorite of locals; nothing fancy … just great food; highly recommended!

Mrs. Garrett's Chicken Pies - St. Martinville (Added June, 2004)
(127 Olivier Street - 337 394-7507) The Garrett family has been making these tasty little pies since the 1960s; crawfish pies are also available here; give 'em a try!

Mulate's Cajun Restaurant - Breaux Bridge [Photo]
(325 West Mills Avenue - 337 332-4648)

Murrell's - Shreveport
(539 East Kings Highway, 71105 - 318 868-2620) Open 24 hours a day, Murrell's has been serving the Shreveport/Bossier for over 50 years; breakfast features a solid line-up of grits, ham, bacon, sausage, biscuits, eggs and pancakes; hash browns and pork chops are also offered; basic sandwiches, burgers and salads are on the lunch and dinner menu; an unusual salad choice is the "Bowl of Green Goddess”; a wide choice of popular entrees include a Monster Chicken Fried Steak, Beef Tips over Rice, Chicken and Dumplings, Beef Stew, Pork Roast, Red Beans and Rice, and Liver and Onions; side orders (served on the side in a bowl) are highlighted by Cornbread Dressing, Butter Beans, Candied Yams, Mustard Greens, and Creamed Corn (often called Rebel or Fried Corn); dessert choices are difficult with such stalwarts as Hot Apple, Hot Pecan, Chocolate, Lemon, Banana Cream, Coconut Cream, Butterscotch and Fresh Strawberry Pies; whole pies can be purchased to take home for $7.50 ... a worthwhile investment; for those feeling lucky, video poker games are available on premises!

New City Diner - New Orleans
(828 Gravier Street, 70112 - 504 522-8198)

NOLA - New Orleans
(534 St Louis Street, 70130 - 504 522-6652)

Old Tyme Grocery - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(218 W. St. Mary St., 318 235-8165) If not for the best po boys in town -- crispy chewy bread and huge portions -- Old Tyme's panache could rely solely on the fries. Huge wedges of tater, deep-fried to greasy perfection, they are served in a medium-sized bowl (think cereal). This noisy slice of heaven pulls in all demographics. Their seafood poboy selections are a treat.

The Original Don's Seafood and Steakhouse - Lafayette (Added October, 2004)
(301 East Vermilion Street; 337 235-3551) Founded in 1934, Don's has very tasty gumbos and po-boys. Good hush puppies too. Gumbos are served with rice and file powder on the side.

Pascal's Manale - New Orleans (Added June, 2004)
(1838 Napolean Ave - 504 895-4877) Known for their BBQ shrimp.

Patout's - New Orleans
(501 Bourbon Street, 70130 - 504 529-4256)

Pat's Fisherman's Wharf - Breaux Bridge (Added March, 2004)
(1008 Henderson Levee Road, 70517 - 337 228-7512)

Paul's Pirogue - Carencro (Added March, 2004)
(1043 Kidder Road, 70520 - 337 896-3788)

Pete Harris Cafe - Shreveport [Photo]
(1355 Milam - 318 425-4277) specialties include seafood and soul food; the Freeman & Harris Cafe was founded in Shreveport in 1921; Pete Harris was a New Orleans native who started the place (hence the Red Beans and Rice on the menu); his landmark restaurant became sort of a social center for whites and blacks and was famous for it's stuffed and fried shrimp; the Sweet Potato Pie is nothing short of the best I've ever tasted; the crisp, juicy fried chicken is also worthy of note; famous patrons here included Lionel Hampton, Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, and Nat King Cole; Freeman & Harris closed in 1994 but the tradition has been revived by the Harris family; located in a large, non-descript cinder block building with the name painted boldly on the side; waitresses dressed in pink and white greet you with names like honey, sweetie and baby; classic and more recent blues and R & B tunes from the likes of Al Green, BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, and Aretha Franklin come out of the CD jukebox ... adding to the traditional soul food feel; predominately black clientele ... but whites are made to feel right at home; I visited on a Sunday afternoon and found the place swimming with nicely dressed folks right out of church service; a dapper Reverend held court at the table adjacent to mine ... welcoming old ladies wearing sparkling, Easter-style hats; he commented "I should get a free meal seeing so many of my members are eatin’ here"; Pete Harris made such an impact on the community that they named a major street after him (Pete Harris Avenue); if you're staying overnight in Shreveport, check out the jazz and blues at Mabel's nightclub at 205 Texas (318 221-7090); look for the interesting statue of blues legend and Shreveport native Leadbelly on the sidewalk along Texas Ave.

Picadilly Cafeteria - Baton Rouge
(Corporate Office)

The Pig Stand - Ville Platte
(318 East Main Street, 70586 - 337 363-2883)

Poches Market - Breaux Bridge (Added March, 2004)
(3015 Main Highway, 70517 - 337 332-2108)

Poor Boy Lloyd's - Baton Rouge
(205 Florida Street, 78011 - 225 387-2271) Specializing in seafood and Po-boys; one of Downtown's oldest restaurants; breakfast and lunch served Monday - Friday; daily lunch specials.

Poor Boy's Riverside Inn - Lafayette (Added July, 2004)
(240 Tubing Road; 337 235-8559) Fine seafood and gumbo at this popular locals hangout; good service and fair pricing make this place at hit; baked oysters, fried fish, stuffed flounder, or fresh crabmeat sauteed in butter; it's hard to go wrong here in the heart of Cajun country.

Port Au Price - Homer (Added March, 2004)
(3324 State 146, 71040 - 318 927-6792)

Port of Call - New Orleans (Added May, 2005)
(838 Esplanade Avenue; 504 523-0120) Good burgers; featured in the Spring 2005 issue of the "xford American."

Praline Connection - New Orleans [Photo]
(542 Frenchman, 70116 – 504 943-3934) Located just off the French Quarter, the specialty here is "Creole Soul Cuisine"; the lunch menu features fried chicken livers, meat loaf, chicken (baked, stewed or fried), smothered pork chops, smoked sausage, turkey necks and wings, and BBQ ribs; side dishes include crowder peas with okra and rice, red beans and rice, and greens (collard, mustard or cabbage); cornbread served with all entrees; gumbo and Po-boys also available; the expanded dinner menu has stuffed bell peppers, crawfish etouffee, and much more; fried softshell crawfish, alligator sausage, and hog's head cheese make for some unusual appetizers; dapper waiters are sharply dressed with ties and 40's style black hats; casual atmosphere; Travel and Leisure magazine has noted: “This friendly, lively restaurant is the hottest spot for cooking in the Southern-Creole mode.” Open for lunch 11 am – 4 pm; dinner from 4 pm – 10 pm; highly recommended.  Visit them online at www.pralineconnection.com.

Prejean's - Lafayette
(3480 US 167 N - 318 896-3247) Award winning Cajun cuisine.

Enola Prudhomme's Cajun Cafe - Carencro

Progress Grocery - New Orleans (Updated March, 2004)
(250 Plauche Street, 70123 - 504 525-6627) Visit them online at www.progressgrocery.com.

R & O Seafood - Metarie (Added November, 2002)
(216 Metarie Hammond Highway; 70005 - 504 831-1248)

Rabideaux's Sausage Kitchen - Iowa
(105 Highway 165, 70647 - 337-582-3184) Lunch only; boudin and stuffed pork chops are good choices; save room for a homemade sweet dough pie for dessert; dine at a picnic table outside.

Railroad Cafe - Donaldsonville (Added February, 2003)
(212 Railroad Avenue - 225 473-8513) Once an old grocery store, this quaint cafe offers up great oyster po-boys served up your choice of soft, medium, or hard. You just gotta love that kind of attention to detail!

Randol's Cajun Restaurant - Lafayette
(2320 Kaliste Saloom Road, 70508 - 800 YO-Cajun or Locally 337 981-7080) Cajun dancehall featuring live music, great food and dancing ... Opens at 5pm ... Music starts at 6pm.

Restaurant Mandich - New Orleans (Added March, 2004)
(3200 St Cloude, 70117 - 504 947-9553)

Riggiero's - DonaldsonvilleC
(206 Railroad Avenue - 225 473-8476) This building has been home to a restaurant since 1900; join owners Butch and Eula Ruggiero for some terrific homemade Italian cuisine with a down home feel.

Richard's Seafood Patio – Abbeville
(1516 S. Henry Street, 70510 - 337 893-1693); First opened for business in 1957.  Order the Boiled Crabs - some of the best in the South!  Famous for Boiled Crawfish!

Rick’s Café – Gretna

Rivershack Tavern - New Orleans
(3449 River Road, 70121 - 504 837-4938)

Robichaux's - New Iberia

Robin's - Breaux Bridge
(1409 Henderson Highway, 70517 - 337 228-7594)

Rocky and Carlo's - Chalmette (Added June, 2004)
(613 West St. Bernard Highway - 504 279-8323) Famous for their "Wop Salad," made with garlic, onion, olives, peppers, artichokes, cheese and more.

Rowena's Grocery and Meat Market - Sunset
(2939 Highway 182, 70584 - 337 662 5630) Authentic Boudin and Andouille Sausage.

Ruby's Cafe - Eunice (Added June, 2004)
(221 Walnut Street - 318 457-2583) Shrimp and crawfish; the shrimp etoufee is said to be special.

Sarah’s Kitchen – Ruston

Schnell's - Marrero
(5501 4th Street, 70072 - 504 347-7518)

Sheffer's Creole Family Restaurant - Lake Charles
(914 Broad Street - 318 436-0121) Authentic Creole cuisine.

Sid-Mar's of Bucktown - Metairie (Added May, 2005)
(1824 Orpheum Avenue; 504 831-9541; www.sidmarsofbucktown.com) Just off Lake Pontchartrain, Sid-Mar's serves boiled crawfish (in-season), fried oysters and shrimp, po boys and a pretty good gumbo.

Silver Noon BBQ Stand - Shreveport

Soop's - Maurice (Added November, 2005)
(8218 Maurice Ave. - located next to Hebert's Specialty Meats, 318 893-2462) Just over the Vermilion Parish line, Soop's offers excellent down-home flavor at very reasonable prices. Although the spot looks like a long mobile home from the outside, it's surprisingly roomy when you step inside. But that doesn't keep it from being packed on a Friday or Saturday night. The seafood platters and gumbo are excellent, but the overflowing shrimp poboys are a real treat.

Stumpwater Inn - Blanchard
(9294 Blanchard-Furrh Road, 71107 - 318 929-3725) Voted "Best Catfish in North LA" by Portfolio magazine; seafood, steaks, and homemade desserts; seafood buffet on Friday and Saturday nights; good lunch buffet on Sunday as well; lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Suire's - Kaplan (Added November, 2005)
(13923 Highway 35 South, 318 643-8911) Suire's slogan is: "If you want country cooking, come to the country." Located in an old grocery store (with an ice bin out front) just south of Kaplan, Suire's serves up some of the best local gumbo. The portions on the seafood platter are big enough to make a "skinny man fat and a fat man weep." Their cuisine -- turtle sauce piquant, alligator poboys, homemade tarts and pecan pie, catfish topped etouffee -- has received rave reviews in The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News.

Super-Soul BBQ and Cafe - Lake Charles
(1224 N Simmons Street - 318 433-9155)

T-Sue's Bakery - Breaux Bridge (Added February, 2005)
(1046 Henderson Highway #A; 337 228-2492) Phillip "T-Sue" Roberts makes some of the finest breads in all of Bayou Country; the name T-Sue means "little drunk;" Paul told "Bon Appetit" magazine that his nickname has something to do with a bottle of Crown Royal back when he was just 13 years old! If you're looking for fresh bread to build your own po boy creation, this is your place.

Uglesich's - New Orleans (Added December, 2003)
(1238 Baronne Street, 70113 - 504 523-8571) Sandwich and seafood dive in the city's Central Business District; open Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm; waits at lunchtime can be long but worthwhile; many of the Big Easy's finest chefs frequent this joint; the must tries are said to be the fried green tomatoes with shrimp rémoulade, shrimp in cream sauce over a fried grit cake, and the sinfully spicy Voodoo shrimp in peppery butter sauce; keep your eyes peeled, you might even spot TV's Emeril Lagasse, who grabs a bite here whenever his busy schedule permits.

Villager's Café - Lafayette (Added November, 2005)
(8400 Maurice Ave., 318 898-1554) Villager's Café offers very good poboys; way too generous helpings of big fat fries, chewy crispy bread, and great fried shrimp.

Warehouse No. 1 - Monroe
(1 Olive Street, 71201 - 318 322-1340) Famous Hushpuppies and catfish right on the riverfront.

Willie Mae's Scotch House - New Orleans, LA
(2401 St. Ann Street, 70119 - 504-822-9503) This is a tiny Soul Food joint in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, about a 20 minute stroll from the French Quarter; 80 plus year old Willie Mae Seaton is the owner and the cook here; she sticks with the Soul Food standards of smothered pork chops, crispy fried catfish, bread pudding, etc; collard greens, flavored with bits of real bacon, are another sure bet at Willie Mae's; wash it all down with a tangy lemonade!

Yellow Bowl - Jeanerette
(19478 State Highway 182 West, 70544 - 337 276-5512) In Business since 1923 and home to some mighty fine Louisiana seafood.  Be sure to try the Crawfish Bisque!

Zachary's - New Orleans (Added June, 2004)
(8400 Oak Street - 504 865-1559) Look for the pork chops with oyster dressing.

Zam Swamp Tours & Cajun Restaurant - Kraemer
(136 Kraemer Bayou Road, 70371 - 985 633-7881) Authentic Cajun setting; seafood, catfish, gumbo, and gator; lunch and dinner 7 days a week

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