Over the years, I’ve burned rubber all across Louisiana, hopping from one football game to the next. Just last year alone, I clocked in over 50 games, from high school Friday nights to intense college battles. So, safe to say, I’ve seen my fair share of stadiums, small-town rivalries, and the best post-game eats this state has to offer.
During a recent matchup between St. Edmund and Vermilion Catholic, a friend leaned over and said, “Andy, you’ve eaten at more Louisiana restaurants than most travel bloggers. You should write an article about the best places to eat.” Well, challenge accepted. Consider this my unofficial guide to the best eats in the Boot. And if you know a spot that deserves a mention, let me know! This is just the start of a series highlighting some of the incredible local businesses Louisiana has to offer.
Oh, and before anyone asks—at the time of this writing, none of these businesses have sponsored, donated, or even fed me for free. (But if any of them want to, I promise to graciously accept!)
Best Gumbo
Rice & Roux – 2158 O’Neal Lane, Baton Rouge, LA
If you want gumbo done right, Rice & Roux is the spot. Veterans and first responders get a discount, and I know firsthand how good this place is—they catered the 2021 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl. Let me tell you, the kids on both teams devoured that gumbo like it was their last meal.
D.C.’s – 1601 W Laurel Ave, Eunice, LA
Look, we’re in the heart of Cajun Country, so you better believe D.C.’s knows a thing or two about making gumbo. If I’m in town for a St. Edmund Blue Jay game, you’ll find me either pre-game or post-game enjoying a hot bowl of their gumbo.
Best Étouffée
Crazy ‘Bout Crawfish – 1905 Rees St, Breaux Bridge, LA
No need for a debate—this is the best crawfish étouffée in Louisiana. Period. End of discussion. Don’t believe me? Try it and tell me I’m wrong. (Spoiler: I’m not.)
Best Place to Get Crawfish
The Crawfish Shack – Oberlin, LA
When you’re surrounded by crawfish ponds, you expect quality. This place delivers spicy, flavorful crawfish that ranks among the best in Louisiana. 4.9 stars out of 5 for a reason!
Steamboat Bill’s – 1004 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA
If you’ve never been to Steamboat Bill’s, do you even love crawfish? This is the go-to spot for crawfish in Lake Charles, and it’s one of my must-stops whenever I’m in the area.
Best BBQ
Brister’s Smokehouse BBQ – 1420 Cooktown Rd, Ruston, LA
When I brought my wife here, she was speechless—and that doesn’t happen often. I make it a point to stop at Brister’s anytime I’m covering a Louisiana Tech or Ruston game. Their brisket is next-level.
Best Seafood
Phil’s Marina – 1194 Harbor Dr, Slidell, LA
Ask for the shrimp special. Trust me. Sitting right on Lake Pontchartrain, this place delivers fresh, top-tier seafood every time. Pro tip: try the alligator sampler!
Rusty Pelican – 500 Girod St, Mandeville, LA
If you’ve got a picky eater in the family (like my four-year-old son, Sam), this place is a lifesaver. Sam is obsessed with their fried catfish, but honestly, everything on the menu is a winner. Perfect stop after a day on the Mandeville lakefront.
Best Dessert
Not Your Mama’s Café & Tavern – 9025 US-190, Livonia, LA
Two words: chocolate cake. Actually, two more: order milk. This thing is so rich and decadent, you’ll need something to wash it down. (Also, I’m not talking about the German chocolate cake—I’m not a coconut guy, but you do you.)
Best Pizza
Gameday Pizza – 526 US-90, Patterson, LA
This place was a surprise gem. Marcus Randall and I stopped here years ago after a meeting in Patterson, and it turned into a legendary stop. While we were eating, people kept giving Marcus strange looks. Turns out, his picture from the Bluegrass Miracle was hanging right behind us! The waitress finally asked if he was the guy in the photo, and we couldn’t stop laughing when we realized his own face was watching him eat pizza. Marcus signed the photo, and now we both make it a point to come back every time we’re in town.
Best Steakhouse – Still Searching!
Believe it or not, I’m still hunting for the best Louisiana steakhouse outside of a franchise. Funny enough, when my wife and I were dating, I took her to San Antonio for a coaching conference, and we spent a week trying to find the best steak in town. We ate steak for lunch and dinner every day, and the winner? Ruth’s Chris—right back to our Louisiana roots.
The best steak I’ve ever had, though? Waco, Texas. But I’m still on the lookout for Louisiana’s best local steakhouse, so let me know where I should go next!
Want Us to Visit Your Favorite Spot?
If you’ve got a hidden gem that deserves a spot on this list, let me know! Marcus, Jace, and I are always up for a good meal, and if there’s a restaurant that belongs in this series, we’ll happily check it out. (And if they want to sponsor us or feed us for free, well, that’s just good business.)
Louisiana is more than just football—it’s about community, culture, and food that feeds the soul. So whether I’m covering Friday night lights in a small-town stadium or catching a college rivalry game, you can bet I’ll also be searching for the best food this state has to offer.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of our Louisiana food journey! And if you liked this article, help us out by following Gridiron Football on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.
