The Cajun Foodie

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Posts Tagged Lafayette

Taco Sisters in Lafayette

Jan 4

Posted by The Wife in Acadiana restaurant | 7 Comments

It’s tough to watch your waistline when you are married to the Cajun Foodie, but I do try to keep it light during the week.  Almost daily at noon, I find myself in a bit of a pickle – where can I grab a quick and healthy bite (and squeeze in the 10 other errands I want to run before my lunch hour is over)?

My prayers were answered when I stumbled upon this funky little orange shotgun shack in “Freetown,” near downtown Lafayette. Just looking at this place made me happy; it’s drive-thru only with tables outside, perfect for my typical grab-and-go lunch.

You can smell the smoky flavor when you roll down your window to yell out your order (yes, I said yell…hey, it’s part of the charm). My first trip there, I ordered their specialty – the Smoked Fish Taco. Five bucks later, I had in my hand a generous-sized soft taco filled with smoked Louisiana Gulf fish marinated in a soy-ginger glaze and nestled in a bed of greens, celery, onions and (this is the kicker)…apples. Something about that sweet, smoky, salty flavor combined with the soft, crunchy, gooey texture got me hooked. Since then, I’ve returned dozens of times and tried almost everything on the menu. My favorite is still the Smoked Fish Taco (I’m now an old pro and add avocado) but I also highly recommend the Smoked Shrimp Taco and the Cajun Foodie swears he could eat the Pork Burrito every day.

Oh – I should also mention that these sisters- these taco sisters, are perhaps the friendliest people on the planet (Karen from Am Mart in Baton Rouge wins this award hands down). I dare you to go there and not drive off with a smile on your face.

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Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette

Aug 29

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 4 Comments

Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette
Marcello’s Wine Market Cafe is up there for some of the best food (not to mention one of the best concepts) in Lafayette.  Small(ish) eateries tucked into wine stores generally are of the panini and salad variety, and while I love me some paninis there is nothing really new to the idea.

Marcello’s takes it to another level, putting a semi-exposed kitchen with a full menu in amongst the wine racks, allowing people to peruse not only a full range of entrees but to pick their favorite wine at cost, and then subject it to a small corking fee rather than the tripled price found at your average restaurant.  I could extoll the virtues of the latter for some time, but as always, I’m in it for the food and at Marcello’s, that food is excellent.

First off, I highly suggest to anyone that goes to Marcello’s to look out for the words “marinara fresca” which translated means “eat me.” It’s one of two red sauces they feature there, and it is absolutely delectable.

The first thing on the menu featuring the marinara fresca is the thinly sliced fried eggplant, wheels of eggplant fried until almost chip-like, then doused with the aforementioned red gold.

Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette

Next up, any of the parmigianas.  Highlighted by thinly sliced chicken or veal, smothered in high quality mozzarella and then covered in…marinara fresca.

Last but certainly not least, what I think to be the crown jewel in Marcello’s crown and not a dish that is really “typical” for me (it does not contain any form of pork), the “Molli.”  Coming in either the chicken or the veal, its a pan sauteed scallopini with basil oil roasted artichokes, garlic and capers and then finished with a lemon butter reduction, this is Marcello’s version of a picatta and it is unbelievable.

N Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayetteow, I normally go veal over chicken, and while choosing either version of the Molli is hardly a mistake, I advocate ordering the chicken.  Totally unbelievable…

If you noticed, the dishes in the pictures were all half-eaten by the time the shutter snapped. It is a testament to the fact that once these dishes hit the table, eating commences and there is little time to worry about capturing something for posterity. And isn’t that just how it should be?

biglink Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette

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Olde Tyme Grocery po boys in Lafayette

Jun 8

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 7 Comments

shrimp 150x150 Olde Tyme Grocery po boys in LafayetteWe recently ordered a couple po boys from Olde Tyme Grocery in Lafayette, an institution in the “Saint’s street” area of town.  Well loved by locals and passers through alike, Olde Tyme is currently ranked number two in our poll for the fried shrimp po boy and the Olde Tyme Special (“OTS”) also deserves being up at the top of anyone’s list in its own right.

Luckily, the Wife (and much of the rest of my family) is amenable to planning out who is going to get what to make sure that we get a little taste of as many dishes as possible, so despite the fact that we both wanted the shrimp po boy, we decided to get one shrimp and one OTS.

The fried shrimp po boy is comprised of a pile of golden fried shrimp, a couple slices of ripe tomato, mayo and lettuce.ots 150x150 Olde Tyme Grocery po boys in Lafayette Stuffed into fresh Langlinais bread with a pillowy interior and crackly crust, this po boy truly could be the definitive example of what this sandwich should be.

The OTS is similar to the “special” that can be found at many other shops (ham, roast beef, turkey and cheese) with Olde Tyme using Swiss as the standard.  Their version stands above many others in that each of the meats is delicious and flavorful in zapps sweet potato 150x150 Olde Tyme Grocery po boys in Lafayettetheir own right and do not seem stuck into the sandwich just to provide a little extra protein.  Indeed, this po boy generally comes with nearly a pound of meat on each foot of delicious goodness.

Coupled with a bag of Zapp’s absolutely outstanding Sweet Potato chips or an order of Olde Tyme’s amazing fries and a couple of ice cold Cokes, this is truly the meal that Cajun daydreams are made of.

biglink Olde Tyme Grocery po boys in Lafayette

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Sushi (in Thibodaux?)

Feb 26

Posted by Cassafrass in "Down the Bayou" restaurant | 6 Comments

OK — So let me make a disclaimer before I begin this one.  I am in no way comparing this sushi to that of Tsunami in Baton Rouge or Lafayette, Sake Cafe in New Orleans, or even Osaka in Houma for that matter.  I don’t even really consider myself a sushi expert, but it’s lent and let’s face it — it doesn’t take long for one to get over eating tuna fish salad for lunch every Friday.

I went to the Rouse’s Epicurean in Thibodaux yesterday after work in search of something to eat for dinner last night.  While I knew they had sushi there, in the past it was not really edible and the fish was often “fishy” tasting and just not really good.  Well yesterday as I drove into the parking lot I noticed “Sushi” signs all over – and I was curious.  As I approached the sushi counter, I noticed new chefs that were actually there making fresh sushi.  As you glanced through the decent selection of rolls and items, they would assist you and even allow you to order a roll with whatever you wanted in it.  They even had summer rolls wrapped in lettuce and rolls made with brown rice for those that want to be healthy.  I chose the crunchy roll with cucumber and the spicy tuna roll both wrapped in brown rice.

sushi1 Sushi (in Thibodaux?)

Although not the best sushi I’ve ever had, it was fresh and tasted good.  So while I patiently wait for someone to open a sushi restaurant in Thibodaux to compete with Houma’s 4 and counting, I will definitely be hitting up Rouse’s again in order to save a drive to Houma.

Note: Apparently Rouse’s has contracted with a new company, so for those of you who were like me and found the sushi there pretty gross in the past, I suggest you give the new chefs another shot.

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The Bayou Bar

Feb 24

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 3 Comments

The Bayou Bar

The Great Harvest Bread Co. is a franchise, which I am normally not a fan of, but go there and you will see why people are willing to pay them to use their name (and some of their recipes). My understanding of the concept, which is highly touted amongst franchisees, is that you buy in and they pack you off to Montana for a week or something like that to learn how to make bread. Then when you return to your store, they send or provide you with the basic bread mix and give each owner the freedom to make any particular breads or items they want.

The couple that runs the store in Lafayette do it right. Breads such as Cinnamon Explosion, Dakota, 9 Grain, and Woodstock line the cooling racks after coming out of the ovens every morning. Every one that I have ever tried (with the exception of one which shall go nameless) have been excellent.

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Southside Bakery burgers

Feb 19

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 7 Comments

Southside Bakery burgers

The wife and I did lunch at Southside Bakery in Lafayette today. The place bakes their own breads for their homemade burgers and hot dogs. The bun is kind of like a semi-sweet Hawaiian roll; light, springy and oh so good. If you don’t look at the picture hard enough, you may not notice that I went for the wheat version, same taste more fiber right?

The burger is thick and super juicy. If you’re looking for a greasy burger though, you might better off over at Judice Inn, but if you want a burger dripping with it’s own juices and thicker than most that you get in Acadiana, then Southside is for you.

Southside Bakery burgers

The Perfect Meal: Southside burger, Zapps, and King Cake

Southside Bakery burgers

I have to admit, I kind of went healthy here and got the turkey burger, but it was awesome. Next time though, I’ll be getting the homemade foot-long covered in chili, cheese, onions, and banana peppers. I did make up for it some with a side of king cake and Zapps potato chips.

Also, as the name implies, this place has some great baked goods. Cookies, cakes, petit fours… it’s all good at Southside Bakery. If going for lunch however, be warned, it’s a tablegrab at noon.

Contact info:

Southside Bakery

2801 Johnston Street

Lafayette, La. 70503

Phone: 337-233-8636

Fax: 337-233-8638

minilogo Southside Bakery burgers

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