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ACME BURGER
1120-A Coolidge Blvd., Lafayette (Map) - 534-4247
Monday: Lunch; Tuesday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
Owned by the same masterminds behind Acme Taco, Acme Burger serves eight one-of-a-kind burgers with pre-determined toppings, but you get to choose the meat. The Brie or Not to Brie is a local favorite with onion marmalade, or the Toasted Texan with homemade barbecue sauce.
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ANDOLI’S SANDWICH PRESS
600 Jefferson St., Lafayette (Map) - 266-2325
Monday-Friday: Breakfast and Lunch
Community Coffee and coffee drinks, along with toasted bagels are downtown’s on-the-fly breakfast. Lunches include sandwich, soup and salad combos like Cajun turkey, pastrami or chicken salad paired with the soup of the day — tomato basil is a favorite.
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ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFÉ
www.anotherbrokenegg.com
112 Rue Promenade, Lafayette (Map) - 504-3365
Daily: Breakfast and Lunch
Be prepared to wait around for a table at Another Broken Egg, but it’s not so bad with a spicy Bloody Mary in your hand. The Floridian omelette, a cream-cheese filled fluffy egg concoction with crabmeat sautéed in garlic butter — what could be better? Or tuck crawfish and andouille inside an omelette and sip a mimosa. Another Broken Egg has become the River Ranch breakfast spot, with breakfast running into brunch for late sleepers, and a nice roster of sandwiches and burgers for early birds who want lunch at noon time.
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ARTMOSPHERE
902 Johnston St., Lafayette (Map) - 233-3331
Daily: Lunch, Dinner, and Late Night
Artmosphere is a live music venue, art gallery, hookah bar and Internet café all rolled into one. The place to catch indie bands and poetry readings, the kitchen, open late, offers something for everyone, with soups, salads, gourmet pizzas and the house favorite, Up In Smoke, a tortilla wrap rolled with chicken, spinach, salsa, bean dip and cheese.
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BURGERSMITH
www.burgersmith.com
1314 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette (Map) - 504-5015
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
Keeping it local, the boys at BurgerSmith handcraft burgers seasoned with Louisiana flavors like Creole mustard or their homemade Smith sauce. Some of the best fries in town are spiked with butter and garlic. The all-natural burger is notable, and top it with the chipotle mayo. The brews will make a Louisiana beer fan proud, with beers from Covington-based Heiner Brau, New Orleans’ NOLA and Dixie breweries, Arnaudville’s Bayou Teche Brewery and everybody’s favorite, Abita.
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CAFÉ AHNVEE
610 E. Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette (Map) - 234-4647
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner; Saturday: Dinner;
Start with shrimp or fried oysters remoulade, then for an all-seafood dinner, try the Crawfish Ahnvee, crawfish tails in a creamy sauce over angel hair pasta. Known for what some argue are the best crab cakes in town, Café Ahnvee serves up ones lightly breaded with delicious crabmeat. It also offers boiled crawfish on Sundays. Seafood segues into steaks, grilled filet and ribeyes with sides like Spinach Madeline or shrimp and eggplant stuffing, and end with the decadent chocolate molten lava cake.
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CAFÉ KIMBALL
1008 Smede Hwy., Broussard (Map) - 365-9400
Monday-Friday: Breakfast and Lunch
Located across from Le Triomphe, Café Kimball starts each day with a hearty country breakfast complemented with fresh fruits and yogurt. At lunch, choose from a selection of down-home daily specials like seafood fettuccine. Classic sides include corn maque choux, white beans, yams and smothered cabbage.
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CAFÉ LOLA
www.cafelolaonline.com
1155 Coolidge St., Lafayette (Map) - 235-4566
Monday-Friday: Lunch
Tucked away in the Oil Center, Café Lola offers lunches that are as healthy as they are tasty. The baked potato soup on Wednesdays and Friday’s seafood bisque are both winners. A local fave is the cobb salad, but the shrimp wrap is a filling but lighter lunch. Crab cakes show up on salads and sandwiches with just-right remoulade sauce. A turkey, provolone, avocado sandwich with sprouts on squaw bread is a hot item. If you call or fax your order in before 11 a.m. you get a free cookie, and it’s worth it.
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CATTYCAKES CAFÉ
1116-F Coolidge Blvd., Lafayette (Map) - 269-1958
Tuesday-Friday: Lunch
Catty Cakes owner Catherine Robichaux is a registered dietitian who makes all the food herself according to her standards — healthful, delicious and quick to snap up on a lunch run. Catherine is known for her quiches, soups, muffins (especially the bran ones), salads, cheese plates and more.
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CENA
www.cena-lafayette.com
306 Garfield St., Lafayette (Map) - 706-7568
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner; Saturday: Lunch
Cena’s concept is all about home cooking — and making supper simple. Light lunches like the grilled chicken club with provolone, guacamole, tomato and garlic-infused mayo on ciabatta, or the soup of the day. Cena offers yummy classics to take home for dinner like chicken and andouille manicotti, roast adobo pork loin and broiled parmesan-lemon tilapia.
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CHRIS’ POBOYS
www.chrispoboys.com
1930 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (Map) - 234-6333
1941 Moss St., Lafayette (Map) - 237-1095
3755 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., (Map) - 981-1818
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
It’s hard to beat an old-fashioned New Orleans-style poboy served in a basket with chips and a pickle, Chris’ signature item. The hands-down most popular poboys are the fried shrimp, fried oyster and Cajun pork roast. Chris’ also stirs up stellar gumbo year-round and pan-sauteed chicken salad.
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THE COFFEE DEPOT
thecoffeedepot.biz
902 Saint Mary St., Scott (Map) - 704-2280
Daily: Breakfast and Lunch
Near the train tracks in the small city of Scott, the Coffee Depot’s many menu items are named to reflect the spirit of an old railway depot. Stop in for a Conductor Croissant for breakfast or the classic Boxcar breakfast. For lunch, try the new hamburger addition or a LOCO (motive) Cajun Chicken Sub with grilled chicken, hot pepper jack and mild mozzarella covered with hot sauce and served on a hoagie. There are also soups and specialty coffee drinks to keep your warm and awake.
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COUNTER CULTURE
www.counterculturefoods.com
1899 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (Map) - 534-8211
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
Louisiana chain Counter Culture recently moved into Lafayette with its famed frozen yogurt concoction, the Humphrey Yogart, which pairs tart yogurt with local honey, housemade granola and your choice of three fruits. Stop in for a light lunch with the two soups of the day and a sandwich — the Avocado Delight for lighter fare, or the Hot Meat Melt on sourdough for a heartier appetite.
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DAX ON VEROT
www.daxonverot.com
2832 Verot School Road, Lafayette (Map) - 233-0329
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner;
Its move to Verot School Road now makes it a lunch hot-spot. The boiler is always going with shrimp, crabs and crawfish (when they’re in season) and the daily lunch specials are hearty but also extremely flavorful. Dax is no stranger to barbecue nor seafood and the love of home cooking goes into every plate.
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DWYER’S CAFÉ
323 Jefferson St., Lafayette (Map) - 235-9364
Sunday-Monday: Breakfast and Lunch; Tuesday-Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Breakfast doesn’t get any cheaper or any better when you head downtown to indulge in pancakes, omelets or French toast. Who needs to make breakfast when Dwyer’s does it so well? This downtown institution, known for its hearty breakfast and lunch, also serves up a satisfying dinner. Not much changes at night, and if you’re hungry for a plate lunch long after the lunch rush, Dwyer’s serving line is open five nights a week, offering down-home fare like fried catfish, hamburger steak with grilled onions and gravy, meatloaf, baked turkey, roast beef and roast pork.
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EDIE’S EXPRESS
1400 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (Map) - 234-2485
Monday-Friday: Breakfast
Edie’s has moved the humble biscuit from the side of the plate and elevated it to an art form. Do not pass up the honey-drizzled biscuits, or go for blueberry or cinnamon. Make a breakfast sandwich, if you prefer, with meat, egg and cheese or fried chicken on a biscuit. The kolaches are stuffed with pork roast or barbecue brisket. If you’re not looking to binge, the menu also holds fruit, oatmeal and omelets chock full of veggies.
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FAT ALBERT’S FRIED CHICKEN
1322 Moss St., Lafayette (Map) - 234-4773
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner, Sunday: Lunch
Founded in 1968 by Joe Petro, this corner restaurant’s motto is “Best Chicken in Town, Ask a Friend.” Owner Greg Petro turns out fried catfish plates, catfish, shrimp and roast beef po-boys, baked chicken and red beans and rice plates in addition to his stellar fried chicken. Fat Albert’s is also the place to fill up on fried chicken livers, delicious and, yep, filling.
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FAT PAT’S BAR & GRILL
www.fatpatsbarandgrill.com
626 Verot School Road, Lafayette (Map) - 504-4288
117 Westmark Blvd., Lafayette (Map) - 706-8882
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
Check out Fat Pat’s for burgers, seafood poboys, hot dogs, fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, and all day, every day two-for-one draft beer and house margaritas. Pro football fans will be more than pleased with the Fat Pat’s NFL Superfan cable package, in high definition, and that nearly every table has its own TV.
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FILLING STATION
900 Jefferson St., (Map) - 291-9625
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner; Saturday: Dinner
As the name implies, the Filling Station was a gas station years ago, and you can’t miss the neon-trimmed porch on the corner of Jefferson and Lee streets. Today, the restaurant serves up affordable Tex-Mex and American dishes, with a sprawling open-air patio and cozy bar inside. Burgers, famed hot dogs with homemade chili, enormous quesadillas and a great tuna steak are all worth ordering. Wander over on a Friday afternoon to sip margaritas outside and enjoy the weather.
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GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY
www.greatharvestofacadiana.com
854-A Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette (Map) - 236-8966
Tuesday-Saturday: Breakfast and Lunch
Great Harvest has a full line-up of breakfast sandwiches, cold sandwiches and paninis made with fresh meats, veggies and cheeses on their fresh baked honey whole wheat, Dakota (wheat with grains), wheat or white focaccia or their Challah white bread. It also has a selection of unique salads like Field of Greens: mixed greens, spicy pecans, chopped apples, dried cranberries and sunflower seeds with either Becky’s vinaigrette, bleu cheese, honey mustard or ranch.
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GROUND PAT’I
www.groundpati.com
2303 Johnston St, Lafayette (Map) - 234-5689
2512 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette (Map) - 704-0071
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
The Johnston Street location has been a Lafayette institution since 1981. The menu has stayed rock steady, with burgers topping a simple menu that includes steak, fried catfish and fried chicken sandwiches, chef salads topped with grilled chicken or tuna, and a grilled catfish plate. The Ground Pat’i on Kaliste Saloom has a much larger menu. In addition to the famous burgers, lots of salads and sandwiches sprouted on this menu, as well as grilled salmon and mahi-mahi, steaks, ribs and pork chops.
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HOT FOOD EXPRESS
www.hotfoodexpress.com
3313 Cameron St., Lafayette (Map) - 235-7874
Monday-Sunday: Lunch and Dinner
Hot Food Express is one of the best deals in town. This is food for hungry folks, platters of grilled or fried seafood coupled with steak, big homemade burgers, barbecued chicken, fish, shrimp and crawfish, Indian curry fried rice, Indian chicken tikka fried rice, Chinese fried rice filled with goodies like grilled veggies, spicy crawfish or pork, lo mein, wings and even a big pork chop with rice dressing. Throw in sides like eggrolls, stuffed crab or crawfish pies, and best of all, Hot Food Express delivers. Cafe NYC, a music club, is up front in the restaurant and you can look for great shows there.
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IZZO’S ILLEGAL BURRITO
www.izzos.com
2010 Johnston St. Lafayette, (Map) - 504-3189
4409 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette (Map) - 347-7995
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
The biggest burrito in town is touted as “roll your own.” At Izzo’s, you choose your own filling to pile into a tortilla, taco or bowl, or grill as a quesadilla. Marinated and grilled steak, pork, chicken and shrimp are joined by beans, grilled onions, mushrooms, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapeños and olives — whatever floats your boat — and rolled into a supersized burrito that will fill up two regular size folks. With a second location set to open on the South side early next year, Izzo’s will be rolling across town.
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JEFFERSON STREET PUB
www.jeffersonstpub.com
500 Jefferson St., Lafayette (Map) - 232-5040
Monday: Lunch; Tuesday-Friday: Lunch, Dinner and Late Night; Saturday: Dinner and Late Night; Sunday: Brunch
Jefferson Street Pub’s menu has been reinvented to hold elevate gastropub food that is comforting and delicious and pairs perfectly with one of the pub’s 35 beers on tap. The cornish hen is delicious, as are the Publican Tenders. There are daily specials as well as incredible Benedicts for brunch.
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JOEY’S SPECIALTY FOODS & CATERING
www.joeyslafayette.com
503 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette (Map) - 237-3661
Monday-Saturday: Lunch
For the past 30 plus years, Joey’s has offered something for all tastes. From soups, salads and baked potatoes to poboys and sandwiches, it’s easy to please the whole gang. Lately Joey has been jamming on sandwiches: turducken breasts, ribeye stack and the Rueben are just killer. Call in or check online to find out the daily hot lunch specials such as honey roasted chicken, rainbow trout with spinach Madeline, pork enchiladas or hamburger steak. This is also the place to pick up dinner, either fresh meats and seafood if you feel like cooking or one of Joey’s great homemade entrees like Lasagna with Joey’s own Italian sausage.
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JULIEN’S FAMOUS CAJUN STYLE PO-BOYS
www.juliens.com
1900 W. University Ave., Lafayette (Map) - 232-5168
1008-A Smede Hwy., Broussard (Map) - 367-8884
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
With two locations, one in Lafayette and one in Broussard, Julien’s serves up a wide range of south Louisiana cooking. The salad list is extensive for a place with “po-boys” in the name, or try one of the platters with seafood. For the poboys, go for the Ragin’ Cajun, which includes ham boiled in crab boil, or the grilled alligator sausage poboy.
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LA HOT FOOD
1414 Moss St., Lafayette (Map) - 234-5658
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
Louisiana fried seafood platters are right alongside Chinese egg rolls and fried rice on the menu at Louisiana Hot Food. (Where else can you get a fried catfish or soft shell crab platter with shrimp fried rice instead of french fries?) Located in the same building as Louisiana Seafood Market, Louisiana Hot Food specializes in perfectly fried fresh seafood and fast takeout.
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LEGENDS ANNEX
110 Polk St., Lafayette 504-3252 (Map) - 504-3252
Monday-Friday: Lunch; Tuesday-Sunday: Dinner and Late Night
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LEGENDS ON BERTRAND
215 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette (Map) - 237-8765
Daily: Lunch, Dinner and Late Night
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LEGENDS ON JOHNSTON
4559 Johnston St., Lafayette 534-0754 (Map) - 534-0754
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LEGENDS ON PINHOOK
3434 W Pinhook Road, Lafayette 837-2250 (Map) - 837-2250
Daily: Lunch, Dinner and Late Night
The original Legends on Bertrand Drive started off serving homemade hamburgers cooked on a George Foreman grill. They are so good that as the bar and grill expanded to restaurants on Polk and Johnston streets, those perfectly seasoned burgers became the center of the menu. There’s the original, cheese and Hawaiian, which piles on Applewood bacon, Monterrey jack cheese and grilled pineapple. Along with the burgers, you can get a salad, a sandwich or check out the popular grilled tuna or steak wraps.
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LOUISIANA PO-BOYS
www.louisianapoboys.com
5445 Johnston St., Lafayette (Map) - 984-4191
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner
From fried shrimp, crawfish or oysters to hot sausage, Louisiana Po-Boys has got your lunchtime ahnvie covered. The Louisiana Club is a house special, with ham, turkey, bacon, pepper jack cheese and a swipe of Cajun mayo. This southside eatery also offers seafood platters, salads with fried or grilled shrimp or chicken, sides of onion rings or hushpuppies and a shake on the side.
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MEL’S DINER
2956 Johnston St., Lafayette (Map) - 235-6219
1225 Evangeline Thrwy., Broussard (Map) - 267-6357
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Breakfast for dinner is an option at this 24-hour diner with a retro feel. Classic pancake stacks with a side of bacon, comforting BLTs, old home favorites like hamburger steak and mashed potatoes and bottomless cups of coffee will get you through the day or night. Try what made Mel’s magical: its biscuits and white gravy.
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MORVANT’S BAR AND GRILL
200 Lafayette St., Youngsville (Map) - 856-7469
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner; Saturday: Lunch
603 E. 2nd St., Broussard (Map) - 837-1511
Monday-Friday: Lunch
The original Morvant’s in Youngsville is the ultimate hole-in-the-wall burger joint. Housed in an old wooden saloon where burgers have been sizzled on the flat grill for nearly half a century, Morvant’s is THE burger destination in Acadiana. There’s also a salad topped with fried shrimp or grilled chicken. Both locations share the home-ground family seasoning secrets but best guesses are a secret combination of different types of meats make the delectable burger one worth driving out of your way.
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MR. KEETS
9511 Maurice Ave., Maurice (Map) - 898-0590
Monday: Lunch; Tuesday-Friday and Sunday: Lunch (Barbecue only) and Dinner; Saturday: Dinner
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MR. KEETS 2
www.misterkeets.com
3253 Ambassador Caffery, Lafayette (Map) - 534-4345
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
Whether you’re in the mood for boiled crawfish during crawfish season or authentic gumbo any time of year or a burger just because, Mr. Keets offers a diverse menu that runs the gamut of food options. Don’t forget to try the barbecue on Sundays for lunch. Mr. Keets 2 features some of the same fare as the original, plus Blue Point crabs, Alaskan snow crabs, Dungeness crabs and oysters on the half shell.
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OFFICE HOURS SANDWICH SHOP
2303 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (Map) - 237-4181
Monday-Friday: Lunch
Spaghetti plate lunches are a hot item at Office Hours; they sell out by noon most days. The menu offers poboys, clubs, burgers, homemade chili livening up cheese dogs and salads topped with grilled shrimp or chicken for a healthy angle on lunch.
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OLDE TYME GROCERY
218 W. St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette (Map) - 235-8165
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
Olde Tyme is a beloved mecca for poboys, from the half-shrimp, half-oyster seafood sandwich to the mind-blowing meatball, which is half-price on the Monday night special. Do not attempt to eat a meatball poboy in the car. You will wind up with sauce on everything from your skirt to the emergency brake, which is a good thing. Just hold out and eat it at home with a roll of paper towels nearby.
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PAUL’S PIROGUE
www.paulspirogue.com
209 E. St. Peter, Carencro (Map) - 896-3788
Daily: Dinner
The shrimp is so fresh at Paul’s Pirogue you can still taste the sweet brine of the sea when you bite into its stellar poboys and platters. Local faves are the signature Paul’s Pirogue Special, a creamy combination of crabmeat, eggplant and shrimp topped with Parmesan and baked; the Green Gumbo, made with spinach, andouille, potatoes, white beans and, if you ask, lavished with jumbo lump crabmeat; and heaping platters of boiled and fried seafood. Try the house drink, the Tropical Storm — because it’s almost a Hurricane.
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PETE’S FAMILY SPORTS GRILL
www.petesonjohnston.com
3903 Johnston St., Lafayette (Map) - 981-4670
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
Pete’s offers one of the best hamburgers in town. The traditional half-pound, flame-broiled burger comes dressed with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Personalize your burger with mushrooms and wine sauce, bacon, grilled onions, jalapeños, fried eggs, chili or an assortment of cheeses. Don’t miss out on the killer homemade potato chips, or if you prefer, fried dill pickles.
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THE POTATO PLACE
3803 Moss St., Lafayette (Map) - 261-1199
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner
The name says it all — here is a place where the potato reigns supreme. Speaking of supreme, you can get your spud served up that way or with steak, chicken, seafood or any number of combinations. If tubers aren’t your thing try the pasta, gumbo or bisque. Make sure to nab some of Potato Place’s freshly squeezed lemonade.
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POUPART’S BAKERY
1902 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (Map) - 232-7921
Tuesday-Sunday: Breakfast and Lunch
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POUPART’S BISTRO
www.poupartsbakery.com
100 E. Vermilion, Suite 103, Lafayette (Map) - 553-4423
Monday-Friday: Lunch
Hand-shaped loaves of French baguettes, ciabatta, sourdough and buckwheat come out of the ovens at Poupart’s early in the morning. Their coffee is the best in town, and Poupart’s has a banquette where you can read the paper, munch on a beignet or a stuffed biscuit and sip to your heart’s content. Exquisite French pastries fill the counters, and at lunch time the bakery offers sandwiches and quiches. The authentic French pastries made famous by the Pinhook location, plus coffee and other on-the-go beverages, in the heart of downtown Lafayette. Head there for lunch to fill up on the homemade bisques, diverse array of excellent sandwiches and quiches.
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POUR
4 Degaulle Square, Lafayette (Map) - 706-7681
Monday-Saturday: Late Lunch-Late Dinner
POUR focuses on world-class wine and food, offering 48 wines by the glass and over a dozen different cheeses as well charcuterie and small plates. The wine list represents regions, countries and varietals from around the world, which were chosen for their taste and character by its certified sommelier. A user-friendly, state-of-the-art set-up allows patrons to taste as many wines as they like. If wine isn’t your thing, they have a selection of more than 20 classic and original Cocktails as well as a wonderful craft beer menu. POUR succeeds at providing guests with food and drink for everyone’s budget in a relaxed and comfortable ambiance.
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RENAISSANCE MARKET
902 Harding St., Lafayette (Map) - 234-1116
Monday-Saturday: Lunch
Shop for antiques and stop for lunch. The European bistro is getting a reputation for Lebanese dishes like meat pies, baked kibbe and lentil soup with sausage. Homemade gumbos, Tuscan chicken soup, and a chicken salad with apples on multi grain bread are all popular dishes. Afternoons, coffee and a slice of cake are a well-deserved respite from the buzz of the Oil Center.
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ROCHETTO’S PIZZERIA
www.rochettos.com
806 I-10 South Frontage Road, Scott (Map) - 456-8026
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
There’s a little Italy inside Rochetto’s, created by Fezzo’s owners who teamed up with Brady Benton to create an unexpected but authentic menu. The salad’s Italian, the sandwiches are Italian, the wine, the dessert, everything says Italy except the purple and gold pizza dubbed Tiger Pride. There are small nods to the Fezzo’s influence, including the Cajun crawfish pizza and the Cajun Rage pizzas.
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ROLY POLY SANDWICHES
www.rolypoly.com
1004 Coolidge Blvd, Lafayette (Map) - 234-2389
Monday-Friday: Breakfast, Lunch and Early Dinner; Saturday: Lunch
Roly Poly creates masterful combinations that elevate sandwich and salad-making into art forms. Try the fan favorite the Basil Cashew Chicken sandwich, which is a soiree of fresh basil chicken salad, spicy Thai sauce, avocado, cashews, plum tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. A recent menu addition is the Peachtree Melt, a divine combination of brie, swiss, ham, peaches and pepper relish with a fresh dill horseradish dipping sauce.
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THE SAINT STREET INN
www.saintstreetinn.com
404 Brook St., Lafayette (Map) - 534-8112
Tuesday-Sunday: Lunch; Thursday-Sunday: Dinner; Saturday and Sunday: Brunch
Nestled in the heart of one of Lafayette’s most historic neighborhoods and a block off the UL campus, the Saint Street Inn is focused on keeping cooking local. Seafood from Gulf waters, produce from Acadiana’s gardens and down-home cooking set the table for an inspired seasonal menu. Both the kitchen and the bar stay open late, and there’s always a spot on the big front porch to sip a local brew and watch the sun go down.
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SIRO’S BISTRO
www.sirosbistro.com
920 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette (Map) - 233-7476
Monday-Saturday: Lunch
This cozy lunch bistro in the Oil Center offers paninis, wraps, fresh baked quiche specials, stuffed croissants and soups served in bread bowls. Or go light with the huge shrimp salad, chicken pesto pasta salad or the ham and chicken cordon bleu.
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SOCIAL SOUTHERN TABLE & BAR
www.SocialSouthern.com
3901 Johnston St. Lafayette, (Map) - 456-3274
Social takes farm-to-table cuisine to heady yet familiar heights with an emphasis on comfort foods for the carnivore. From appetizers like the Boudin Kolache, packed with white cheddar, caramelized apple and onion coulis, through a lunch menu that favors new twists on beef, pork and shrimp, to a stellar dinner menu over-full with locally sourced beef and produce, Social takes the great Southern menu and elevates it to an art form. And don’t forget a full-service bar that is worth the visit alone, with classic cocktails like a spot-on sazerac and ingenious creations like the Creek Water (Beefeater gin, house-pressed lime juice, soda, simple syrup, cucumber and mint leaves). This is quite possibly the best new restaurant in Lafayette in years.
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SOUTHSIDE BAKERY
4519 W. Congress St., Lafayette (Map) - 233-8636
Monday-Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After a hiatus from the Lafayette dining scene, Southside is back and in full force. The burgers are legendary, as are the cases full of sweets and fresh breads. You can also find crawfish and crab burgers on the menu along with salads and shrimp poboys.
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STEVEN’S FINE FOOD RESTAURANT
208 S. Pierce St., Lafayette (Map) - 261-1102
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner
Located in the blossoming gentrify of Pierce and Buchanan, Steven’s is too small to eat in and too good to ignore. For less than $5 you can get three chicken fingers that are the size of adult hands. Pork chop sandwiches, the best fried shrimp, poboys and fried rice round out the menu. Your best bet is to call ahead once you get a menu — when we say it’s small inside, it really is.
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TACO SISTERS
www.tacosisters.com
407 Johnston St., Lafayette (Map) - 234-8226
Monday-Friday: Lunch and Early Dinner; Saturday: Lunch
The Taco Sisters — Molly and Katy Richard, along with partner and “Taco Mister” Jon Jenkins -— smoke fresh Gulf fish & shrimp, chicken, pork and smothered brisket to serve in their gourmet tacos. The smoked meat or seafood is served as a soft taco, grilled with olive oil and dressed with their fresh combo of spring greens, chopped apples, celery, green onions, carrots and a swipe of their Secret Sauce. Fresh salads and satisfying burritos round out the menu. Drive thru or enjoy the picnic tables in their colorful garden.
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THE LITTLE BIG CUP
149 Fuselier Rd., Arnaudville (Map) - 754-7147
Tuesday-Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Sunday: Breakfast and Lunch
This coffee shop has quickly become Arnaudville’s makeshift cultural center, hosting events in its ever-expanding restaurant. There are daily lunch specials that accompany the coffee menu, as well as pastries and cakes.
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TON’S
www.tonsdrivein.com
101 W. Main St., Broussard (Map) - 837-6684
Monday-Saturday: Breakfast and Lunch
It’s hard to get into the parking lot come lunchtime at Ton’s. Burgers, poboys, seafood baskets, gumbo, all made to order out of the family run-kitchen. Plate lunch specials include the popular baked chicken and cabbage casserole. Don’t miss the homemade biscuits at breakfast, stacked with eggs, meat and cheese.
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TWIN’S BURGERS AND SWEETS
2801 Johnston St., Lafayette (Map) - 268-9488
Monday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
Twins Billy and Denny Guilbeaux opened this spring with a hamburger unlike any other in Lafayette, hot dogs and sweet delights like cakes, pies, petitfors and cookies in South College Shopping Center.
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VERMILION HOUSE BISTRO
116 E. Vermilion St., Lafayette (Map) - 524-1381
Daily: Breakfast and Lunch
Housed in the historic Hope Lodge downtown, Vermilion House Bistro serves up breakfast and lunch specialties every day of the week for those working and playing downtown. The kitchen incorporates Lafayette favorites like boudin balls and crawfish into its Louisiana Classic breakfast, and find shrimp with polenta and mac and cheese for lunch.
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WALK-ON’S
www.walk-ons.com
2336 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette (Map) - 706-7433
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
Walk-On’s was founded by two guys who drew up plans for a restaurant while en route to a game as walk-ons for LSU’s basketball team. Ten years and several businesses later Walk-On’s has made its home in Lafayette. There are nearly 50 flatscreen televisions throughout the restaurant making it ideal for sports fans. Choose from one of 48 beers on tap while you chow down on Cajundillas filled with andouille, boudin, jack cheese and jalapeños, or choose from a seemingly endless list of burgers, sandwiches and wraps.
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WHOLE WHEATERY EATERY
www.facebook.com/whole.wheatery
927 Harding St., Lafayette (Map) - 232-7774
Monday-Saturday: Lunch
The Whole Wheatery prides itself on a wide selection of health-conscious salads and sandwiches, including chicken salad and tuna salad dressed with sprouts and tomatoes on wheat bread, and a black bean vegetarian burger. They also feature a rotating selection of hot lunches such as baked chicken, bean enchiladas and gumbo. The kitchen is run by Amanda Malone, a pastry chef who is also the mastermind behind Petticoat Pastries. Look for her hot plate lunches Monday through Friday and her sandwiches on Saturdays.
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THE WILD SALMON
813 Foreman Dr., Lafayette (Map) - 988-0052
Monday-Thursday: Dinner, Fridays and Saturdays: Bar Food
The Wild Salmon recently revamped its menu to include a hodge podge of bar food, including veggie burgers, a pork chop sandwich, cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and a Wild Salmon sandwich with grilled salmon. There are beef, chicken and shrimp quesadillas, hot dogs, egg rolls, jalapeño poppers, cheese sticks, personal pizzas, boudin links, hot wings and red beans and rice. Chow down with a Canebrake — always on tap — when you go to hear a live band or shoot pool.
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YOUNG’S SPORTS GRILL
305 E. Main St., Broussard (Map) - 330-2900
Daily: Lunch, Dinner and Late Night
You know you’re in the right place to catch the game cause the big screen TV is surrounded by goal posts in this bar and grill. The burgers are hand-ground and seasoned at Earl’s Meat Market, sandwiched between a sweet dough bun. Specials like pork roast lasagne, boiled crawfish, Ragin Cajun crawfish balls and Tiger Bait (fried alligator of course), are all on the menu, along with the NFL.
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ZEA ROTISSERIE AND GRILL
www.zearestaurants.com
235 Doucet Road, (Map) - 406-0013
Daily: Lunch and Dinner
Zea is a meat lover’s dream, thanks to its always-cookin’ rotisserie and carved meats, prime rib and downright addictive Thai Ribs. Fowl fans flock to Zea Twice Cooked Crispy Duck entree, slowly roasted and crisped with Asian herbs and honey soy sauce. The Kobe beef burger is a standout, and don’t overlook the sides; Zea’s is famous for its roasted corn grits and crunchy sugarsnap peas. Whole fish filets come coated in nuts, pesto or étouffée and wash them down with some of Zea’s microbrew.
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ZIGGY’S
190 Heritage Pkwy., Broussard (Map) - 856-0007
Monday: Lunch; Tuesday-Saturday: Lunch and Dinner
Where else can you get a fried rabbit poboy? Ziggy’s on the highway is a busy place, largely because of the plate lunches like a heavy duty hamburger steak. The bar is a sweet place to settle in, if you’re in between Lafayette and New Iberia with football season under way and a little time to kill. Don’t drive away without trying the decadent bread pudding or indulging in a famed margarita.
