Coffee Shops in Downtown Baton Rouge
Coffee is an art.
Good coffee shops revolve around perfecting the art of coffee for their customers. This requires a lot of knowledge and effort — from cultivation to packaging, every step of the coffee production chain influences its final taste profile.
However, coffee shops should do more than create excellent beverages. Great coffee shops provide a relaxing, inviting atmosphere — the best coffee shops are works of art in of themselves.
Baton Rouge is filled with beautiful shops and cafés ready to provide your daily-commute coffee — with more shops opening every year, staying on top of the city’s latest coffee developments can be time-consuming. We’ve compiled this list to help you navigate the thriving world of Baton Rouge coffee, one cup of joe at a time.
1. Milford’s on Third
With chic lighting, white-tile floors and huge windows, Milford’s on Third provides a bright, cheerful ambiance along with a unique, delicious menu.
Featuring a selection of signature specialty coffees, espresso and coffee drinks, Milford’s is the perfect place to grab a piping-hot cup of java on your way to work or as you explore downtown Baton Rouge. The Milford’s on Third coffee is a must-have during the day. If coffee isn’t your thing, Milford’s also serves a variety of teas, so you can still get your morning hot-drink fix.
Milford’s is ideal for those wanting something to eat along with their joe. While Milford’s is known as a New York-style delicatessen, we offer more than premium, high-stacked sandwiches. Try one of the bagels and schmears for the perfect portable breakfast or filling brunch, or pick up a fresh salad or a bowl of matzo ball soup for an energizing lunch. If you’re in a rush, browse the wall of grab-and-go items ranging from bottled smoothies to yogurt parfaits.
Whether you are looking for a caffeine boost or a cheerful place to spend a few hours studying, Milford’s on Third is the place to go.
Hours: 6:00AM-3:00PM
2. Rêve Coffee Lab
Rêve is French for “dream,” and it perfectly communicates the intent behind Rêve Coffee Lab — the shop sets out to build a space where people can share their stories.
Located in the White Star Market, Rêve Coffee Lab focuses on quality over quantity. They roast their coffee in their own micro-roaster, and you can enjoy their exceptional brews through a hot cup in-house or by purchasing a bag of whole coffee beans. Rêve Coffee Lab serves a type of beverage for everyone, whether you only drink black coffee or prefer flavored lattes. Try some of the best coffee in Baton Rouge when you visit Rêve Coffee Lab.
At Rêve Coffee Lab, excellent coffee is only part of the equation. Their mission is to bring their neighborhood together, to provide a space where people can share their dreams, hear each other’s stories and taste their heritage. Whether you are looking for the perfect cup of iced coffee, flavorful loose-leaf tea, refreshing kombucha or just a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, Rêve Coffee Lab is a must-visit in Baton Rouge.
Hours: Monday 7:00AM-3:00PM, Tuesday through Friday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00AM-7:00PM
3. French Truck Coffee
If you have ever explored the coffee scene of New Orleans, you probably noticed a happy yellow building with bright blue doors — or at least, you couldn’t miss the cheerful yellow truck with the bright blue wheels.
French Truck Coffee is a New Orleans staple, and it has migrated to Baton Rouge. French Truck Coffee is dedicated to using the highest-quality coffee beans they can find, roasting them in small batches and getting them to their customers as quickly as possible. Coffee was meant to be served fresh, and the people at French Truck Coffee take their timeliness very seriously.
Now with locations across the South, French Truck Coffee is famous for providing incredible coffee and a positive, uplifting coffee shop ambiance.
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30AM-6:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00AM-6:00PM
4. CC’s Coffee House
CC’s Coffee House is a South Louisiana institution.
Known for its creative and ever-changing menu of specialty coffee drinks, CC’s offers a wide selection of decadent beverages — make sure to try one of the local favorites like the Turtle Mochasippi or the King Cake Latte. If you are in the mood for a simpler drink, you can always order a classic medium or dark roast for an early morning energy boost. CC’s also features a selection of specialty teas for the non-coffee drinker.
At CC’s, you can opt to sit outside or indoors depending on the weather — if you want a place to read or study in the sun, CC’s provides space to sip your coffee while enjoying the fresh air.
Hours: Monday through Friday 5:30AM-9:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:00AM-9:00PM
5. Light House Coffee
Bright, open and fresh, Light House Coffee has earned a reputation for being one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shops in Baton Rouge.
If you are looking for an expressive cup of coffee, Light House is the place to go. Featuring a variety of specialty brews along with traditional roasts, Light House has something for every type of coffee lover. If you are hungry for something more than coffee, Light House serves locally baked pastries and other light food items to keep you going all day.
Light House also empowers its community — the shop employs displaced people in Baton Rouge, and they partner with a local company called Hands Producing Hope to support refugees and their families in the area. When you drop by Light House, you know that your purchase is making a difference.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00AM-9:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM-9:00PM, closed Sunday
6. Magpie Cafe
Effortlessly chic and modern, Magpie Cafe is one of Baton Rouge’s coffee hotspots.
Magpie Cafe is the brainchild of James and Lina Jacobs, who traveled to Italy in 2008 and tasted a life-changing cup of coffee. They brought this new-found passion for good coffee and farm-to-table food to their neighborhood, and the result was Magpie Cafe.
Magpie Cafe has an extensive menu featuring a wide variety of coffees, foods and baked goods. The community flocked to the cafe, and Magpie has been so successful that they have expanded to two other locations within the city. Magpie focuses on organic, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, and the menu changes daily, so you will never get bored with what they have to offer.
Hours: Vary by location
7. Highland Coffees
Located at the historic north gates of Louisiana State University, Highland Coffees is beloved by both LSU students and the wider Baton Rouge community.
Although frequented by college students, Highland Coffees is more than your average college coffee shop. With a gorgeous, French-inspired exterior and a charming interior with wood paneling details and arched windows, Highland Coffees is visually stunning. A vine-covered arbor shades an outdoor courtyard, and tropical plants and murals add color to the space between tables. Music pours from outdoor speakers, cultivating a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Highland Coffees is also known for its brews. Specializing in house-roasted coffee and sustainable, imported teas, the shop is continuously filled with enticing aromas. At Highland Coffees, you can buy your favorite whole bean coffees, loose leaf teas and fresh pastries such as cobblers, cheesecakes and fruit tarts.
Highland Coffees is popular for a reason — this shop has everything you need in a coffee shop, from fast Wi-Fi and a lovely environment to phenomenal java.
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30AM-11:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30AM-11:00PM
8. Coffee Joy
When you want a high-quality cup of coffee that will bring you joy, visit Coffee Joy, one of the cozy coffee shops in downtown Baton Rouge. The fresh-made coffee, cold drinks and fresh pastries will soothe your cravings on the way to work or after walking around the city.
Coffee Joy also offers non-coffee beverages for people who prefer tea, hot chocolate or lemonade.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday 8AM-5PM
9. Brew Ha-Ha!
If you have ever wanted to enjoy interesting local art while drinking a cup of high-quality coffee, Brew-Ha-Ha! should be the next Baton Rouge coffee shop on your list.
Brew-Ha-Ha! is famous for its extensive and decadent cake ball selection, but the coffee is just as good as the cake. The Brew-Ha-Ha! menu features a long list of traditional and specialty coffee drinks, so whether you have a strong sweet tooth or prefer a more bitter brew, you can find a drink that fits your preferences. Brew-Ha-Ha! also offers breakfast and lunch items, making it the perfect place to meet a friend for a light meal.
Brew-Ha-Ha! is unashamedly quirky, which has led to a fun and unconventional atmosphere. Enjoy the free Wi-Fi and fun background music, and make sure to drop in for the occasional open mic night.
Hours: 6:30AM-9:00PM
10. PJ’s Coffee
A New Orleans success story, PJ’s Coffee has made its way to the streets of Baton Rouge.
PJ’s believes in serving a strong cup of joe — using only the top one percent of Arabica coffee beans, PJ’s offers gourmet and small-batch roasted coffee to provide customers with the highest-quality brews.
PJ’s also offers plenty of options for non-coffee drinkers. Try one of their fresh smoothies, or sip on a cold beverage like the Green Tea Velvet Ice, which takes jasmine green tea matcha powder and blends it with milk and Monin Melon syrup.
PJ’s has a classic coffee shop vibe, with hardwood floors and a neutral color scheme. With high-quality coffee and a quiet, productive atmosphere, PJ’s is the perfect choice for a day when you need to get work done.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00AM-6:30PM, Saturday 7:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday 7:00AM-5:00PM
11. Garden District Coffee
If you dream of sipping coffee surrounded by a lush garden, Garden District Coffee could become your next favorite café.
With a large outdoor patio and plenty of seating, this gorgeous coffee shop provides a fresh atmosphere along with good coffee. Garden District rotates its menu daily, allowing you to sample a new coffee roast every day. They are also known for their pastries — from buttery scones to mouth-watering cakes, Garden District is well-stocked with food to keep you going through an all-day work or study session.
If you need an extra boost of energy, try out the X-Treme. Part brewed coffee and part espresso, this drink will give you enough caffeine to get you through the day. Garden District Coffee also offers a wide selection of teas and tea lattes, so if you are not crazy about coffee, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30AM-9:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:00AM-9:00PM
12. A&J’s Coffee Bean Cafe
If you want a quick bite to eat with your daily coffee, A&J’s Coffee Bean Cafe is the perfect place to eat and rest. You can drink gourmet coffee while enjoying breakfast or lunch. Choose a meal from their extensive menus, from breakfast burritos and sandwiches to salads and more.
You could also pair your coffee with a sweet pastry, muffin, cheesecake or fresh fruit.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:00AM-4:00PM, Friday 7:00AM-2:30PM
13. Coffee Bean Cafe
Sometimes, you’re in the mood for good food alongside a quality cup of joe. Fortunately, the extensive menu at Coffee Bean Cafe means it’s impossible to leave feeling hungry.
Whether you’re in the mood for an avocado cheddar burger, a grilled steak omelet or a catfish and shrimp platter, Coffee Bean Cafe serves a wide variety of dishes that will satisfy every morning, brunch, lunch and mid-afternoon craving.
Coffee Bean Cafe also offers a long list of coffee options, ranging from Cafe Au Lait to white mochas. With a friendly atmosphere and carryout options, this coffee shop has developed a devoted local following.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00AM-3:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM-2:00PM, closed Sunday
14. Coffee Call
Merging coffee shop culture with Southern charm, Coffee Call provides everything you need for a successful morning.
Coffee Call offers the standard range of coffee drinks including black, decaf and iced coffee. They also serve flavored coffees and other traditional breakfast beverages such as milk, hot chocolate and orange juice. This no-frills approach to coffee is refreshing, especially when paired with the food.
Biscuits and beignets are the true stars of Coffee Call’s menu. When you walk into the café, you’re greeted by the mouth-watering aromas of coffee beans, powdered sugar and frying dough. The interior of Coffee Call lives up to its impressive menu — with high, open ceilings, a beautiful light-rimmed bar and plenty of windows, the space is as inviting as its food.
Another perk of Coffee Call is its hours — open until midnight most of the week, the cafe operates all day Friday through Sunday, which means you can grab coffee and beignets whenever you need them.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 6:00AM-12:00AM, Friday through Sunday open 24 hours
15. Rue Beignet
Rue Beignet can kickstart your morning with fresh, hot beignets and a hot cup of cafe au lait. The dedicated bakers freshly make the beignets every day using authentic and fresh ingredients from local sources.
Rue Beignet is a cozy spot for you to catch up with friends or work on projects. Sit outside to relax while enjoying your treats or spend time inside the comfortable seating area and use the free Wi-Fi.
Hours: Monday 7:00AM-1:00PM, Tuesday through Sunday 7:00AM-7:30PM
16. Social Coffee
Putting a spin on classic coffee, you can try innovative lattes and non-coffee drinks from Social Coffee, a specialty coffee bar. Social Coffee is a popular coffee cart that pops up in several locations throughout Baton Rouge. With its increase in popularity and demand, you will soon be able to visit the new Social Coffee brick-and-mortar coffee shop opening in Baton Rouge.
In the meantime, if you want to indulge in the delicious coffee from Social Coffee, you can book a cart for an event or visit one of their pop-up locations.
Follow Social Coffee’s social media pages to learn when the new coffee shop opens and what events they will pop up at.
17. Troy’s Coffee Shop
When you’re in the heart of Baton Rouge, Troy’s Coffee Shop is a great place to stop for quality coffee. Located on the top floor of the Baton Rouge City Hall, you can quickly get a cup of coffee and lunch during the workday or while walking around the city.
Enjoy a hamburger, chicken tenders or sandwich for a quick takeout lunch alongside your daily coffee.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7:00AM-1:30PM, Friday 7:00AM-12-PM
Stop at Milford’s on Third for Breakfast and Coffee
Baton Rouge features a wide variety of coffee shops and cafes, so whether you are looking for a quiet study spot or a new favorite breakfast destination, you’re sure to find a place that you love.
At Milford’s on Third, we are dedicated to excellence in every aspect of our shop. Milford’s on Third brings an authentic, New York-style deli experience to the heart of Baton Rouge, and we are passionate about what we offer our community.
Order a cup of coffee, browse our extensive menu and enjoy our bright and cheerful ambiance — visit us inside the Watermark hotel or call ahead to place your order.
Read MoreWhere to Get Specialty Meats This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is approaching, and for the natural-born chefs among us, it’s time to rejoice. For those of us who love to cook and entertain, we can look forward in eager anticipation to days spent in the kitchen and a dining room full of friends and family enjoying the food we’ve prepared.
For those of us to whom cooking isn’t such a natural and pure joy, or even those of us who love to cook but find Thanksgiving a bit overwhelming — you might meet the approaching holidays with slightly more mixed feelings. Maybe you love Thanksgiving favorites, and maybe you love entertaining guests. Maybe you even love cooking some of the minor dishes, but a turkey? A turkey can be tricky, and if you feel you don’t have the time to do it justice, then you’re not alone.
If you live in Baton Rouge and you’d rather enjoy your Thanksgiving without the hassle of preparing a full-size turkey on top of everything else on your plate this year, then we want to help you achieve that. We prepared a list of all the best places to get specialty meats in Baton Rouge this holiday season. Order your turkey, ham or other meat of choice ready-made, so you can get busy relaxing and enjoying your worry-free Thanksgiving Day.
Where to Get Specialty Meats for Thanksgiving in Baton Rouge
Did you plan to order a pre-prepared turkey from the beginning or need a slightly last-minute solution as your original plan has gone up in smoke? Discover new suppliers and restaurants for unique Thanksgiving meat options to help you celebrate the holiday. Everyone on this list offers their take on the best Thanksgiving specialty meats in Baton Rouge.
Order specialty meats in Baton Rouge to help you prepare a delicious meal during the holidays.
1. Frank’s Restaurant
Frank’s Restaurant is a family-owned establishment that’s served up delicious homestyle and Cajun-style dishes to the people of Baton Rouge since 1964. Now in its third generation of family owners, they now have three separate locations and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner so even if you’re not looking for a little assistance in the kitchen this Thanksgiving, there’s plenty to enjoy right in their dining room.
For this holiday season, however, it’s their catering menu that’s of particular interest. While they cater a wide variety of items, from side dishes and beverages to entrees, desserts and breakfast options, we’d like to point you toward their holiday catering menu. Their specialty meat options include:
- Baked Turkey: This freshly baked turkey is decked out in Cajun seasoning and weighs between 14 and 16 pounds. It’s perfect for feeding a party of 10-12 guests at your holiday gathering.
- Fried Turkey: If deep-fried turkey is more your style, this Cajun-injected turkey might be just the thing. Enjoy a size of 14-16 pounds that feeds 10-12 guests.
- Pecan-Smoked Turkey: Mix things up this year with our pecan-smoked turkey. Specially seasoned and smoked with pecan-cured wood, this 14-16-pound turkey is perfect for 10-12 guests.
- Spiral Honey-Glazed Ham: Skipping the turkey altogether and going for a ham? Choose a half- or whole-size of our pre-sliced and maple brown-sugar glazed spiral ham.
- Turkey Dinner: Wondering where to get a full turkey dinner in Baton Rouge this year? This package serves 10-12 guests and provides not just the turkey, but also cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, rolls and your choice of broccoli rice casserole, green bean casserole or sweet potato crunch, as well as your choice of lemon, apple, chocolate pecan or sweet potato pie.
As important as the main meat course is for your Thanksgiving meal, no holiday would be complete without plenty of side dishes and desserts to top things off, either. That’s why Frank’s Restaurant also offers plenty of great ways to supplement your turkey or ham, like apple pie, pumpkin pie, cornbread dressing and country green beans.
2. Iverstine Family Farms
Iverstine Family Farms is a relatively new institution in Baton Rouge, only recently opening their gates in 2016, but they already made an impact in the city’s food scene. From their full-service butcher shop and smokehouse to their catering options, they’re completely sourced by their own farm, and they offer something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking to supplement your family’s Thanksgiving meal this year, Iverstine Family Farms is a great destination to check out. They offer a variety of different meats and cuts so that no matter what you’re looking to serve to your guests this year, we think you’ll find something that works for you.
When you visit Ivestine’s butcher shop, you can choose your favorite cut of beef, pork or chicken, prepared in exactly the style you prefer for your holiday table. Just a few examples of the cuts you can get include:
- T-bone steak
- Petite sirloin steak
- Pork tenderloin
- St. Louis-style spareribs
- Chicken breast
3. Chris’ Specialty Foods
Proudly standing out above the competition as one of the nation’s top suppliers of smoked and cured products, deboned chickens, sausages, high-quality steaks, turducken and stuffed pork chops, this next option has every possible type of meat you might consider for your holiday meal. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a different holiday or an ordinary day on which you want to treat yourself to some high-quality meat cuts, Chris’ Specialty Foods is the perfect choice.
A quick look through Chris’ menus will reveal extensive selections of turkey options, if you’re looking to keep things traditional, as well as wide varieties of chicken, beef, pork, seafood, sausage, turducken and even wild game, if you want to mix things up and live on the wild side this year. And since no party is complete without the extras, Chris’ also provides a terrific selection of sides like candied yams, shrimp and crabmeat fettuccine, broccoli casserole and smothered corn. And if you have a particularly large party this year, why not go ahead and order the full-size party tray?
4. Bergeron’s City Market
More than just your average restaurant, Bergeron’s City Market is one of the premier full-service gourmet caterers in Baton Rouge. Every recipe and every dish from Bergeron’s stands out from the crowd thanks to their innovative ingredients and design, impeccable presentation and the unmistakable flavor of Louisiana. With take-out and dine-in options as well as catering operations, there are plenty of ways to experience all that Bergeron’s has to offer.
Just a few of the specialty meats you can order when you choose the catering option include:
- Beef tenderloin sliced with horseradish cream sauce
- Cane syrup-glazed sliced pork tenderloin
- Gourmet sausages, sliced
5. City Pork Brasserie & Bar
City Pork Brasserie & Bar is all about providing you with the options you need for your holiday meals. Would you rather not cook or entertain at all? Feel free to stop in at the dining room for a delicious full-service sit-down meal. Would you rather eat in the comfort of your own home while letting someone else handle the difficult parts of cooking? City Pork’s catering option might be the perfect choice for you.
While their catering menus are full of delicious sides, appetizers and entrees, their meat options may be the most in-demand as you look forward to your holiday meal. A sampling of the meat options you’ll find on their catering menu includes:
- Baby back ribs: Choose four racks or two racks in your order.
- Pulled pork: Choose between a full order or half an order.
- Brisket: Opt for the full order or the half-size option.
- Turkey breast: Choose a full breast or half a breast.
- Smoked chicken: Order the full size or the half size.
- Cajun sausage: The sausage is available in either half or whole size.
6. Bellue’s Fine Cajun Cuisine
For the true tastes of Cajun-style Louisiana cooking, there’s no better place to turn to than Bellue’s Fine Cajun Cuisine. With Bellue’s, you won’t find an in-house dining room. Instead, all their products are available in an online catalog. The process is simple — select the items you want, place your order and wait for them to deliver right to your front doorstep.
As you look forward to the holidays and consider ordering from Bellue’s, however, it’s important to place your order far enough in advance that it’ll arrive by the intended date. If you’re ordering with the intent to enjoy your Cajun-style favorites on Thanksgiving Day, allow about two weeks of processing time to ensure your food gets to you in time for the big day.
While Bellue’s menu is full of delicious treats, they also offer some of the best Thanksgiving specialty meats in Baton Rouge. Here are just a few of the meats you can order to grace your Thanksgiving table this year.
- Turducken, stuffed with either cornbread or seafood dressing
- Pecan-smoked turkey
- Fried Cajun-spiced turkey
- Pecan-smoked turkey breast
- Smoked ham, whole or sliced
- Smoked beef brisket
- Deboned chicken stuffed with rice, crawfish or cornbread dressing
- Pork chop stuffed with either rice or seafood dressing
7. Tramonte’s Meat & Seafood Market
For a local Baton Rouge favorite that offers you the most dining options, Tramonte’s Meat & Seafood Market is possibly the best place to check out. Here, you can enjoy the dining room experience at their location just off Airline along Jefferson Highway, catch their food truck out on the go or order their catering to make your gathering the very best one in town.
Tramonte’s year-round catering menu offers plenty of delicious favorites, from homemade baked beans and pulled pork sliders to fried gulf shrimp and spaghetti and meatballs. But when it comes to ordering the specialty meats, and making your Thanksgiving dinner a success, you want to pay special attention to their seasonal menu.
Look at their seasonal items, and you’ll find meat-based entrees such as:
- Fried turkey: Seasoned, injected and fried
- Smoked turkey: Pecan-smoked and injected
- Stuffed turkey: Stuffed with cornbread dressing
- Rotisserie chicken: Rotisserie cooked, injected and seasoned
- Baked ham: Easy-cut John Morrel signature ham
- Turducken: Filled with cornbread dressing
8. Tony’s Seafood
Love seafood? We do, too. At Tony’s Seafood, you can get the best of both worlds, where you enjoy delicious seafood options all year round as well as indulging in some more classic Thanksgiving treats as the holidays approach. As Louisiana’s largest seafood market, Tony’s Seafood proudly traces its roots back to 1959, making this one of the oldest and most well-respected entries on our list.
In addition to the incredibly varied seafood options you’ll find on the menu — including everything from shrimp and crab to catfish and octopus — you’ll also find some tried-and-true Thanksgiving and holiday classics. Just a few of the options you can decide between when you shop for Thanksgiving menu items at Tony’s seafood include:
- Fried turkey
- Stuffed chicken and chops
- Turducken
- Duck
- Sausage
9. Herbert’s Market
Home of the original deboned stuffed poultry, Herbert’s Market is the perfect place to get your specialty meats and seasonings. The Cajun market specializes in developing unique seasonings to supplement your cooking and supplying Louisiana residents with Cajun favorites, such as gourmet turducken, andouille, etouffee and more.
Herbert’s Market has been providing true Cajun flavors and high-quality products since the business started in 1984. You can find your Thanksgiving meats, marinades, seasonings and more when you visit the original store in Maurice, Louisiana.
Here are a few specialty meat options available at Herbert’s Market you can choose between when you shop for Thanksgiving:
- Turducken
- Deboned stuffed chicken
- Deboned stuffed turkey
- Sausage
- Ribeye
- Stuffed rabbit
Try the crawfish or shrimp pies for a delicious side dish during your Thanksgiving meal. In addition to supplying meat and ingredients, Herbert’s Market also offers holiday catering in Baton Rouge. You can have party trays created with dips, sausage, cocktail meatballs and more. When you shop at Herbert’s Market, you’ll find all the ingredients and specialty meats you need to make a Cajun-style holiday feast.
10. Kased’s International Meat Maket
Do you need halal meat or want access to international groceries? Kased’s International Meat Market is the perfect place to shop. They carry fresh produce, halal meat and plenty of spices and pantry staples to help you prepare for Thanksgiving. With a butcher always available, you can get local and fresh-cut meats daily for any occasion. The market is an excellent option when you’re searching for specialty meats in Baton Rouge.
Some of the halal meats, poultry and fish you can get from Kased’s International Meat Market include:
- Chicken.
- Lamb.
- Beef.
- Bangladeshi fish.
The market also stocks produce, like fresh olives, sour plums and more. If you’re in the mood for sweets, try the fresh-baked international pastries and bread. You’ll find all your favorite global ingredients here, from Middle Eastern and Indian spices to Spanish hot sauces. The market is your go-to source for high-quality international groceries and premium, local halal meats.
Prepare for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season by shopping at Kased’s International Meat Market in Baton Rouge for all your halal groceries.
11. Milford’s on Third
The best deli in downtown Baton Rouge is so much more than just a deli. Here at Milford’s on Third, we offer options for dining in, grab-and-go shopping and even online ordering and delivery. And while we are modeled after the classic NYC-style delicatessen, albeit with all the flavors and traditions you know and love from the South, we also offer so much more than classical deli food. When it comes to Thanksgiving, for instance, we have some options we think will make the perfect addition to any holiday table.
If you’d rather skip the turkey or ham altogether, and instead try something a little different this year, why not try a few of these options for your family get-together this year?
- Turkey or ham wrap
- Turkey sandwich
- Smoked salmon sandwich
- Hot ham and cheese sandwich
- The Milford sandwich
And of course, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a few delicious sides to pull the whole thing together. Just a few of our options that we think might be perfect for serving to your family this year include:
- Salmon salad
- Chopped Thai salad
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
As you think about which of these yummy treats might be right for your Thanksgiving table this year, remember that we offer grab-and-go purchasing options as well as delivery. This way, you can choose whether you’ll swing by and pick up a few things yourself or if you’d rather stay in to get ready for your party and let us bring the food right to you. Either way, we know you’ll enjoy your Thanksgiving food from Milford’s on Third.
Visit Milford’s on Third This Holiday Season
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a little stress and a flurry of craziness as you try to coordinate family travel schedules, dinner plans and family activities. But Thanksgiving should also be fun, and if you find the stress of cooking your specialty meats is too much on top of everything else, then why not ease your load by buying the largest menu item pre-prepared from an outside source?
Whether you’re looking to add a few extra side dishes to your holiday menu or mix things up with some alternative deli options,Milford’s on Third has all the goods you’ll need to make this Thanksgiving the best one yet. Located in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge on the first floor of the historic Watermark hotel, it’s the perfect place to stop by on your way home from work or out running errands. And as a bonus, its location within the Watermark hotel makes it especially convenient if you have guests coming in from town. Why not set them up in the hotel and combine two of your destinations into one this holiday season?
Read MoreTaking a Food Tour of Baton Rouge
What better way to understand a place than to enjoy its cuisine?
That’s the concept behind the “food tour,” a brand of tourism that seeks to create a more memorable impression of a place you visit. Testing local cuisine and learning about local ingredients is a unique way to appreciate a city.
In Louisiana, which arguably boasts America’s most unique cuisines, there are some amazing food tours to choose from. Here are some of the best tours in the southern part of the state:
Destination Kitchen: New Orleans is as rich in culture as any place in the country could possibly be, and this food tour shows you why. Explore the gastronomical delights of Cajun, Creole, French and modern cuisines in the French Quarter, Uptown and other iconic spots in the Crescent City.
All About Baton Rouge Food Tours: Explore Baton Rouge and the flavors the city has to offer on the All About Baton Rouge Food Tour. This tour will provide an excellent overview of the city. Enjoy several food samples from four to six locations in Baton Rouge and learn about the city’s history and visit local shops along the way. This food tour is great for the family and will keep you smiling as you meet local chefs and merchants that keep the city of Baton Rouge going.
Enjoy Baton Rouge Food Tours: Ready to explore all the dishes and restaurants in Downtown Baton Rouge? Book your food tour with Enjoy Baton Rouge Food Tours. This tour will take a minimum of six guests to five restaurants Downtown and try the various meals and flavors the city is known for. Your entertaining tour guide will walk with you through Downtown and answer any of your food, city and history questions about Baton Rouge. You’ll see stunning food presentations and speak with local restaurant owners on this food tour in Baton Rouge.
C’est Si Bon: This is one of the best culinary tours in Baton Rouge, and the capital city doesn’t disappoint. With a delicious mixture of traditional bayou flavors and multicultural urban delights, this tour will reveal the best spots in the city.
Culinary travel tours of Baton Rouge are mostly what they sound like — a tour of the city as experienced through its food. Typically done on foot and in reasonably small groups, a food tour is guided by a knowledgeable expert who knows the ins and outs of the city’s food scene. You can expect to sample specially selected dishes from a wide variety of different restaurants.
Food tours are designed to let you sample the city’s best food and its most unique. Is there a recipe you’re only likely to taste in Baton Rouge, or a spot only the locals seem to know about? If so, a food tour will likely help you find it.
In this way, taking a food tour of a city allows you to understand its culture and spirit while simultaneously giving you a guided walk around its most vibrant and important streets. In a city with a cuisine as unique and historically rich as Baton Rouge, a food tour is the best way to get acquainted with all things Cajun, Creole and beyond.
What Are the Benefits of a Food Tour?
Getting to know a city takes time, which is why we hope to pack as much in as possible when we travel. Understanding a place’s history, culture and energy tends to help us feel we have captured its essence. However, it is difficult to grasp all of these in your typical guided tour.
On a food tour vacation, you’ll cover ground traditional Baton Rouge tours cannot compete with. From visiting various restaurants to having eccentric tour guides to answer all of your food and city questions, you’ll see how food tours can be entertaining. Here are some reasons why taking the best food tours in Baton Rouge can make your trip:
Immersion
Immersion is that feeling that lets you say, “Yeah, I know that city really well.”
Dining is the ultimate immersive experience. A meal is the only form of culture you can physically ingest, and no trip is truly complete without having been a foodie for a day. Whereas a sightseeing tour typically involves food only as an afterthought, a food tour embraces it as the ultimate window into a city’s soul.
Eating employs all five of our senses. We see and hear the sizzle of hot gumbo, we smell the rich mixture of jambalaya spices, we taste and touch the food as we chew it.
In fact, research suggests eating creates poignant, vivid memories in our brains. It’s the same principle that might cause the smell of markers to suddenly bring us back to our kindergarten classroom, or a whiff of cologne to bring about a mood we haven’t felt since high school. Scent can trigger an evocative feeling attached to a memory, which can strike us even before we identify the memory itself.
Since smells and tastes are inextricably linked with our emotional memories, it stands that eating local cuisine is a great way to make your trip unforgettable. And with a cuisine as unique as Baton Rouge’s, there is no question you’ll find a cornucopia of memories ready to be made — with a flavor that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
History
Every ingredient included in your meal had a long, arduous journey to arrive there.
The stories are endless, and they reveal a lot about the cultural melting pot that is the Louisiana delta. How did the onion, celery and green peppers in your jambalaya come to be called the “holy trinity” of Cajun food? Where does the term “gumbo” stem from? Why are some gumbos cooked with okra and others with filé powder?
To begin answering these questions, and to appreciate the food of Baton Rouge, one must understand a key facet of the place’s history: The city was colonized three different times in just 113 years. Between 1699 and 1812, Baton Rouge belonged successively to the French, British and Spanish crowns before becoming part of the United States.
That means a lot of different cultures and cuisines overlapping.
Add to this the thousands of years of Native American settlement that preceded the French, plus the incredible influence of African and migrant populations in the state, and you’ll start to see why Louisiana has a cuisine all its own.
Baton Rouge also sits proudly on the bank of the mighty Mississippi River, which connects it with all the other cities along this great American waterway. This has allowed centuries of culinary influences to pass through the southern bayou city.
Did you know jambalaya originated in New Orleans’ French Quarter, and that it was born from a failed attempt to recreate Spanish paella in the New World? Or that the beloved crawfish étouffée was considered a poor man’s food until a pair of sisters began serving it in their inn during the 1930s? Eating local cuisine provides a launching point for learning about history — and allows you to taste that history as well as hear it.
Being a Part of the City
Food tours also get you out on the town, breathing the air locals breathe and walking the streets they walk. A city’s heart lies in its people, and those people always tend to gather where the best food is. Whether you’re stopping in Milford’s on Third for delicious grab-and-go food or popping into a gumbo joint on Perkins Road, you’re going to see the Baton Rouge the locals love.
There is a unique joy to exploring the streets of a city, as opposed to being shuttled through it — walking around never feels sterile, and this is precisely where a food tour excels.
The result is a feeling you have truly gotten to know the place. Food tours are unlikely to herd you onto a bus and take you from restaurant to restaurant, but rather will get you into the center of the scene. You didn’t come to a city to be insulated from the cityscape — you came to live among it for a short while!
The Sights Less Seen
Anyone can spot the big-name restaurants in a city. They come up first in Google searches and draw huge throngs of diners. And although they are often wonderful, there is a unique pleasure in having discovered delicious restaurants that are off the beaten path.
A food tour of Baton Rouge is far more likely to introduce you to places you might not otherwise have found. Because local food tour guides are constantly on the lookout for food that is any combination of relevant, innovative, traditional and delicious, you will essentially be getting a backstage pass to the city’s best-kept secrets.
Baton Rouge is in the heart of Cajun country, and nearly every Cajun family has their own version of classic recipes. With that much diversity, it’s fun to let an expert help you make sense of it all. Many of the best meals are in the least obvious spots — a small nook, a food stand, etc. — and nothing is more fun than discovering great food where you hadn’t expected it!
New Friends
Connecting with other people is what life is all about, but it’s often hard to do when you’re a tourist in a new city. Hotels can be lonely, and even a standard sightseeing tour doesn’t necessarily afford you the opportunity to strike up an easy conversation. But with a food tour, friendships spring up naturally.
First, those who take them have one main purpose in mind — to eat delicious local food. You’re sure to find like-minded people in your tour group because it caters to a clear interest, and that means a more organic meeting of minds.
There will be plenty of information to absorb, as the guide will undoubtedly have a lot of absorbing history to share with you, but you’ll spend much of the time enjoying the food itself. This opens the door for conversation to flow!
Food tours are usually limited to smaller groups for logistical purposes. Only a certain number of people can fit in a small restaurant, after all. But the smaller group size has its benefits. You get closer interaction with the tour guide, and the bonding experience of eating food is also enhanced when there is a manageable number of people around the table.
Another benefit of meeting other foodies is that you can learn about even more restaurants to check out. Based on their recommendations, you may stumble upon restaurants in different parts of town your current tour did not have time for.
Chefs often enjoy coming out of the kitchen to say hello as well! This provides yet another opportunity to get a better feel for the cuisine’s personality.
Food Does Not Discriminate
The beautiful thing about food is that everybody enjoys it. It’s a pleasure that persists regardless of culture, age or gender, and it’s one of the truly universal links among humans.
If you are excited about seeing sights while devouring the best-tasting food in a city, you qualify to come along. You are always welcome on a food tour! Young or old, you will enjoy the ride.
Cost
The average food tour costs around $50. Included in this price are guided sightseeing, learning fascinating facts about the city and sampling high-quality food at many different restaurants.
Food tours are a good deal for the gastronomical delights and the knowledge you’re armed with for the rest of your stay in the city — only eating at restaurants that dazzle you is a good way to get more bang for your buck.
It’s a smart idea to book your food tour early in your trip so you can reap the benefits of it for the rest of your time there. It will be easy to remember your favorite restaurants and to come back to them for a full meal later!
How to Choose the Right Food Tour
No two food tours are the same, and it’s important to choose the one most suited to your tastes! Here are some things to look for when choosing a food tour:
What Sort of Reviews Does It Have?
The first thing you should research with any food tour is its reviews. Was the guide fun, knowledgeable and organized? Did customers feel there was good value in the tour? Nothing speaks more highly of a food tour than satisfied customers!
What Types of Food Will It Focus On?
Are you looking for something spicy? Are you more interested in pastries than pasta? Do you have any allergies that need to be taken into consideration?
A food tour should provide a basic overview of what styles of food will be sampled. Make sure you choose one that is right for you. And don’t hesitate to write to the company beforehand if you have any allergies or special requests — these can often be accommodated.
Is Alcohol a Large Part of the Tour?
Sometimes a city’s craft breweries, wineries or unique cocktails are a central feature of its dining experience. It’s important to ask if alcohol will be a primary focus in the tour. If so, have something in your stomach before starting. Also, make sure the tour will include some food, since you want a memorable and culinary-focused experience.
How Long Does the Tour Last, and How Many Restaurants Does It Include?
A food tour is typically two to four hours, though this time can vary widely from place to place. Equally important, though, is finding out how many restaurants you’ll be visiting in that timeframe.
Does the tour seem too fast-paced for your liking, or too slow? If you like to cover a lot of ground, look for a higher number of restaurants in the allotted timeframe. Or, if you’d prefer to spend more time sitting and talking, choose a tour that focuses more heavily on a few select locations.
A food tour is typically two to four hours, though this time can vary widely from place to place. Equally important, though, is finding out how many restaurants you’ll be visiting in that timeframe.
Does the tour seem too fast-paced for your liking, or too slow? If you like to cover a lot of ground, look for a higher number of restaurants in the allotted timeframe. Or, if you’d prefer to spend more time sitting and talking, choose a tour that focuses more heavily on a few select locations.
When You’re in Baton Rouge, Stop by Milford’s on Third
The New York deli — a Southern tradition!
At Milford’s on Third, we put a Southern spin on the classic New York deli. We specialize in breakfast, lunch and dinner grab-and-go snacks, as well as deli sandwiches heaped high with mouthwatering fresh meats. We offer the perfect combination of Southern flavor and NYC eats.
We are happy to have become a new staple of the Baton Rouge food scene, and are pleased to add to the incredible variety of culinary traditions here. You can enjoy a variety of flavors, like breakfast sandwiches, bagels and schmears. We enjoy introducing visitors and locals to new flavor combinations and tastes from our extensive deli menu.
You can find Milford’s on Third on the bottom floor of the Watermark hotel in Downtown Baton Rouge. Stop by on your way to the office, on your lunch break or when you’re headed home — you’ll find the best deli experience in the city, as well as a heartwarming dose of Southern hospitality.
You can even take Milford’s to your next event, party or LSU tailgate to bring delicious local cuisine to your gathering. Check out the Tiger Tailgate menu for various grab-and-go tailgate catering options perfect for the next game.
Our catering menu is also extensive, and we can help you create the perfect catering order that will impress every guest at your next event or party. From breakfast packages including breakfast burritos and biscuits to lunch-time options with NYC-style deli sandwiches and chips, your event will be complete with meals from Milford’s. Contact us today to learn more about our catering and tailgating menus, or stop by our store to place a catering order!
Read MoreRestaurants Offering Curbside Pickup in Baton Rouge
More than just being great places to grab a bite, local restaurants are the heart and soul of Baton Rouge. Whether whipping up traditional Southern cooking or putting out other authentic dishes, Baton Rouge restaurants feed the community in more ways than one. And with so many local Baton Rouge restaurants offering curbside pickup these days, you can easily enjoy a great meal while supporting small businesses.
To save you from having to sort through a mountain of takeout menus and make finding curbside pickup options as simple as possible, we’ve compiled a list of Baton Rouge restaurants doing curbside pickup. This ultimate guide will help you find curbside pickup for whatever type of cuisine you’re craving.
20 Restaurants in Baton Rouge That Offer Curbside Pickup
If you’re looking for local restaurants to support without having to get out of your car, here is a list of 20 Baton Rouge favorites that offer curbside pickup services:
1. Milford’s on Third
Daring to go where no Baton Rouge restaurant has gone before, Milford’s on Third brings traditional New York deli food with a hint of Southern charm. Milford’s on Third serves up high-quality New York-style recipes that you’d expect from a delicatessen but without any of the typical snobbery. Using fresh local ingredients, Milford’s on Third crafts flavorful deli dishes with some Louisiana flair.
From breakfast staples to quick lunch options, the menu at Milford’s on Third has something for everyone to love. And with the convenience of curbside pickup, you can enjoy all the goodness of a Milford’s on Third meal from the comfort of your living room.
2. The Gregory
For mouth-watering Southern flavors with a unique twist, look no further than The Gregory. If you like the spicy flavors, fresh seafood and international influences of traditional Southern cuisine, you’ll love the extra layers of flavor The Gregory adds to each of its cajun and creole dishes. Putting its own spin on Southern favorites, The Gregory creates a dazzling menu that will warm your soul and impress your taste buds.
The Gregory has you covered with its delicious signature dishes and convenient curbside pickup services. You can even order wine from The Gregory for curbside pickup to give your at-home dining experience an extra touch of elegance and class.
3. Bumsteers
If you want classic bar food with elevated flavors, Bumsteers Eats and Drinks has the menu for you. With mash-up items like the pho-ritto — a burrito filled with traditional Vietnamese ingredients like rice noodles and bean sprouts — there’s nothing predictable about the Bumsteers menu. From burgers and fries to salads, anyone can find their new favorite on the Bumsteers menu.
Thanks to curbside pickup, you can bring the Bumsteers friendly bar atmosphere right to your kitchen table. Grab your grub from their convenient location on Perkins Road to find out just how fun staying in can be.
4. City Slice
Having one of those nights where you’re just craving pizza? Take your pizza game to the next level by picking up a fresh pie from City Slice. A local Baton Rouge favorite, City Slice offers hand-tossed thin crust pizza that will make you forget all about the big pizza chains.
When you order from City Slice, make sure you try some of their specialty toppings such as duck bacon, garlic clams, alligator sausage, boudin and more. In honor of its neighbor LSU, City Slice even offers a purple pizza sauce, which is a spicier version of classic red sauce. Make dinner easy tonight by picking up a City Slice pizza right from the parking lot.
5. Zeeland Street Market
Are you ready for love at first bite? Zeeland Street Market offers a wide range of home-cooked, healthy meal options that will make your taste buds swoon. With breakfast and lunch menus filled with comfort food classics, Zeeland Street Market will become your new go-to place for a quick bite.
Located in Garden District, Zeeland Street Market is an accessible and easy pickup location. Be sure to take advantage of the curbside pickup option to get your order as smoothly and quickly as possible.
6. Casa Maria Mexican Grill
Whether or not it’s Taco Tuesday, Casa Maria Mexican Grill is the place to be for some first-rate tacos any day of the week. But tacos aren’t the only dish Casa Maria specializes in. This local favorite offers residents a wide range of authentic cuisine from throughout Mexico and the Southwest.
Check out the restaurant’s extensive menu to discover a delicious mix of Mexican staples, including fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more. And with curbside pickup, bringing home a Mexican feast from Casa Maria is a breeze.
7. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
When you need a top-quality steak but don’t feel like following the dress code of a high-end steakhouse, curbside pickup is your best friend. Located just minutes from Downtown Baton Rouge, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the perfect spot to swing by for easy curbside pickup. While Ruth’s Chris is renowned for its flavorful, juicy steaks, you can also find some high-quality seafood specialties on the menu.
8. Tsunami Sushi
For sushi lovers, Tsunami Sushi is a paradise of fresh culinary creations. From basic California rolls to more extravagant specialty rolls, Tsunami Sushi has the perfect menu to satisfy any sushi craving. If you’re in the mood for both sushi and classic Southern food, the John Breaux Roll features perfectly spicy Louisiana crawfish with fresh avocado.
Now, sushi fans can get a roll faster than ever with Tsunami Sushi’s curbside pickup option. And their convenient Downtown Baton Rouge location makes picking up dinner from Tsunami Sushi quick and easy.
9. Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar
There’s a reason Baton Rouge is known for its delicious seafood, and Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar is a prime example. Jolie Pearl prides itself on offering only the best oysters from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Whether you prefer your oysters raw, roasted, charbroiled or in shooters, Jolie Pearl has the ultimate oyster experience you’re searching for.
Along with an extensive oyster selection, Jolie Pearl offers a range of flavorful, classic Southern sandwiches. Get the tastes of the sea without leaving the street when you order from Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar’s curbside pickup service.
10. Cocha
Order curbside pickup from Cocha for a taste of home that will warm you to the core. Located in Downtown Baton Rouge, Cocha is celebrated for its harvest-inspired meals that incorporate local seasonal produce. Cocha uses these fresh ingredients to create dishes that pay tribute to the area’s culinary traditions while putting its own touch on classic Southern cuisine.
Because Cocha uses responsibly grown, harvested and sourced ingredients, the restaurant’s menu changes with the seasons. No matter what time of year it is, you can be sure you’ll always find something new, exciting and bursting with flavor at Cocha.
11. Cecelia Creole Bistro
If you’re looking for the epitome of old-school soul food, you just hit the jackpot with Cecelia Creole Bistro. As its name implies, Cecelia Creole Bistro boasts all the classic flavors of the bayou with few changes to the traditional recipes. Whether skillet cornbread, gumbo, etouffee or shrimp and grits says home to you more, you’ll find it on the menu at Cecelia Creole Bistro.
With the option of curbside pickup, you can enjoy true Southern comfort food from Cecelia Creole Bistro without having to change out of your pajamas. Treat yourself to food that feels like a warm hug by grabbing takeout from Cecelia Creole Bistro the next time you need a little pick-me-up.
12. Curbside Burgers
As its name suggests, Curbside Burgers is an expert in both burgers and curbside pickup. Serving up “artisan grubbery,” Curbside puts a sophisticated spin on the greasy burger joint. As self-proclaimed burger junkies, the team at Curbside knows how to make a great burger crafted from a proprietary blend of beef placed on a buttery brioche bun.
Head over to Curbside for a classic burger or explore their signature creations like the Makai Tuna burger, made from chopped Gulf tuna piled high with chow mein noodles and sriracha citrus slaw. Don’t forget the side of fries!
13. Monjunis Italian Cafe
If you’re in the mood for authentic Italian cuisine, Monjunis Italian Cafe is a must. The menu at Monjunis features all of the traditional Italian favorites, including lasagna, baked ziti, spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan. The crew at Monjunis knows everything on the menu sounds too good, which is why they also offer combo plates.
Monjunis is also a market outlet for high-quality Italian ingredients like olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which means you can pick up dinner and groceries all in one stop. Order online and use the Monjunis curbside pickup option to save even more time.
14. Hannah Q Smokehouse
Hannah Q Smokehouse has come a long way since its start as a weekly tent pop-up in a parking lot. Thanks to its top-notch barbecue, Hannah Q Smokehouse earned such a loyal fanbase that it now has two brick-and-mortar locations, including one conveniently situated on the corner of Government Street and Herbert Street.
When you order curbside pickup from Hannah Q Smokehouse, you’ll get to choose from a variety of meats smoked to perfection by expert pitmasters. From pulled pork and baby back ribs to brisket and smoked turkey sandwiches, Hannah Q Smokehouse has a barbecue main that will feed your soul.
15. La Carreta
Take yourself on a staycation by ordering curbside pickup from La Carreta. With a wide variety of internationally-inspired Mexican food on its menu, La Carreta has the power to transport you to a tropical paradise with just one bite. From sizzling fajitas to salsa-drenched enchiladas, every item on the La Carreta menu is packed with enough flavor to make your taste buds throw a fiesta.
16. The Chimes
If you want the classic flavors of the Deep South, The Chimes has the menu for you. With specialties like crawfish etouffee, charbroiled catfish and a variety of poboy sandwiches to choose from, you’ll get a taste of the South in every bite from The Chimes. Order your favorite comfort food from The Chimes’ made-from-scratch menu for curbside pickup to make takeout as simple as possible.
17. Rocca Pizzeria
Craving a taste of old-world Italy? Rocca Pizzeria brings all the flavors of traditional Italian cuisine right to the streets of Baton Rouge. And with a convenient curbside pickup system, you won’t have to venture far to experience a piece of Italy.
Rocca may have Pizzeria in its name but it’s so much more than just its pies. Make sure you explore the full Rocca Pizzeria menu to uncover all the restaurant has to offer. Choose from Italian classics, such as stuffed shells, a meatball sub, garlic knots or order one of each. Remember to save room for a dessert dish like tiramisu bread pudding or bananas foster dessert pizza.
18. Southfin Poke
Get all the deliciousness of sushi in a no-mess bowl format by ordering curbside pickup from Southfin Poke. Poke is a Hawaiian street food dish that customarily includes diced tuna and vegetables tossed in a sauce and served over rice. However, poke can be personalized with a variety of different protein sources from crawfish to tempeh.
Using only high-quality fresh ingredients, Southfin creates poke bowls that are colorful, healthy and tasty. You can choose from a menu of suggested ingredient combinations or opt to design your own poke bowl with any mix of ingredients you want by customizing your base, protein, sauce, toppings and garnishes. Let your imagination — and taste buds — run wild!
19. Serop’s Cafe
Serop’s Cafe offers locals flavor-loaded dishes from Greece and Lebanon. When you order curbside pickup from Serop’s Cafe, you can be confident you’re getting some of the best Greek and Lebanese food around.
As a pioneer of the Greek and Lebanese food scene in Baton Rouge, Serop’s Cafe consistently delivers authentic, healthy and delicious dishes. The Serop’s Cafe menu features many Greek and Lebanese food favorites, such as pita wraps, kebabs, mousaka and more. Serop’s Cafe is especially well-known for its chicken shawarma, which has been a popular menu selection since 1979.
20. Mansurs on the Boulevard
With elevated Southern cuisine like creole chicken piccata, Mansurs makes old favorites feel sophisticated. For a classy night in, Mansurs has made its entire menu available for curbside pickup. From an Acadiana egg roll appetizer — fried egg rolls stuffed with duck and shrimp — to veal Oscar — medallions of veal topped with lump crab meat, true foodies can treat themselves to some seriously gourmet cuisine on the go.
Get Convenient Curbside Pickup From Downtown Baton Rouge
For delicious food and quick curbside pickup, order takeout from Milford’s on Third or The Gregory. Located within the Watermark hotel, both restaurants offer a mouth-watering menu of artisan dishes you can pick up right from Third Street. Whether you’re in the mood for a deli specialty from Milford’s or an upscale Southern favorite from The Gregory, you can pick up whatever you’re craving outside the Watermark.
Check out the wide variety of options available from Milford’s on Third and The Gregory for fast and easy curbside pickup today.
Read MoreWhere to Get Takeout in Baton Rouge
When life gets too busy to cook your own meals or you want to enjoy the delicious fare from local restaurants in the comfort of your home, takeout will save the day. Baton Rouge is home to plenty of restaurants that offer curbside pickup, takeout or delivery, so whether you’ve had a late night at work or want a break from cooking, you have options.
Are you looking for some ideas for where to get takeout in Baton Rouge? Restaurants throughout the city offer takeout for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, whether you want Southern comfort food, contemporary Asian meals, spicy Mexican flavors, vegan dishes or other culinary options.
Here are some restaurants that offer the best takeout in Baton Rouge:
- Milford’s on Third
- The Gregory at the Watermark hotel
- Batch 13 Biscuits & Bowls
- Reginelli’s Pizzeria
- Burgersmith
- Vegan Friendly Foods
- Caliente Mexican Craving
- Mike Anderson’s Seafood
- Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar
- TJ Ribs
- Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant
- Bao Vietnamese Kitchen
- Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro
- Fit Blendz
- Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant
1. Milford’s on Third
Are you craving a New York deli experience? Milford’s on Third offers the meals and bites you’d get in the bustling city conveniently in Baton Rouge. Delicatessen favorites combine with Southern charm on the ground floor of the Watermark hotel. Pick up breakfast and lunch favorites to kick-start your day or fuel up in the afternoon.
Signature bagels, schmears and extras are what you need to pair with your coffee in the morning. Want something more filling to start your day? Handheld breakfasts come on your choice of a biscuit, bagel, croissant or ciabatta and are ideal for breakfast lovers who are on the go. For lunch, warm up with soup, add some greenery to your day with a salad or get a hot or cold sandwich for a classic deli midday meal.
Get takeout or curbside pickup from the breakfast and lunch menu at Milford’s on Third every day of the week.
2. The Gregory
If you want a contemporary and upscale twist to Southern fare, look no further than takeout options at The Gregory. Adjacent to the lobby of the Watermark hotel, The Gregory uses fresh and local ingredients in their brunch, lunch, dinner and takeout menus. The Gregory’s takeout menu features small plates, salads, soup and gumbo, flatbreads, handhelds, entrees and pasta that create a unique and exceptional dining experience. Their takeout menu also includes a selection of wines to help you complete your upscale dinner at home.
Takeout from The Gregory lets you experience fine dining at your dining room table, whether it’s date night or a night in that you want to class up with a delicious meal. From garden ravioli to Cochon poboy and other favorites, the offerings at The Gregory will elevate your takeout experience, and with 4.4 out of 5 stars across 146 Google reviews, you can’t go wrong. Browse The Gregory’s takeout menu, and get curbside pickup or delivery through Uber Eats.
3. Batch 13 Biscuits & Bowls
Batch 13 Biscuits & Bowls offers online ordering with pickup and Downtown delivery for lunch and breakfast. With 4.4 out of 5 stars out of 309 Google reviews, Batch 13 is known for “bonuts,” or biscuit donuts. Their signature creation comes in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar or glazed casual varieties or fancy options, such as apple, cinnamon and raisin compote, Nutella, seasonal berries or lemon. You can even go super fancy with a croque-madame, fried chicken or Monte Cristo bonut.
Want to pick up or order something more substantial for an early meal? Choose from their breakfast and lunch bowls or sandwiches and add some sides for a more filling meal. Order the morning after a late night when you need a savory or sweet pick-me-up to get you through the day.
4. Reginelli’s Pizzeria
For many households, Friday nights and weekends are for pizza. Offering a contemporary spin on a classic favorite, Reginelli’s Pizzeria is a regional chain with a Baton Rouge location on Jefferson Highway. Elevate your weekend pizza experience and know that you order will be delicious, thanks to Reginelli’s 4.5 out of 5 stars over 338 Google reviews.
Order online for takeout or delivery from Reginelli’s Pizzeria, and choose from options like hand-tossed specialty pizzas or cauliflower crust pizza. Pick your own toppings or choose one of Reginelli’s specialty pizzas, like a gumbo-topped pie. Transform your usual pizza night and try something new or stick to the classics for something that everyone at the dinner table will enjoy.
5. Burgersmith
Order through DoorDash for delivery from one of the three Burgersmith locations in Baton Rouge. Get a comfort meal for lunch or dinner that’ll please a crowd or satisfy for a weekday meal for one. Customize your burger with your favorite toppings or choose a special for a burger that’s piled high with flavorful additions. Add Smith Style fries on the side for a flavorful kick with your meal, thanks to Burgersmith’s special seasoning blend.
Got someone at the dinner table who isn’t the biggest burger fan? Burgersmith offers other options like fish or chicken sandwiches or Cajun bratwurst. No matter what you choose from their menu, you’ll get a Southern twist on classic comfort food options that everyone will enjoy.
6. Vegan Friendly Foods
Located on Bennington Avenue, Vegan Friendly Foods offers delivery options for vegan food lovers or anyone looking to try something new. Get familiar Southern flavors in comfort dishes with a veggie spin with Vegan Friendly Foods’ offerings.
From the oyster mushroom poboy to vegan burgers and plenty of familiar sides, Vegan Friendly Foods has a menu that will please everyone at the dinner table, whether or not they’re vegan. Try the vegan burgers for something familiar yet new, or order the Soul Food Platter that features jambalaya, mac and cheese, dirty rice and red beans for classic Southern flavors in a vegan-friendly option.
7. Caliente Mexican Craving
With two locations in Baton Rouge, Caliente Mexican Craving offers classic and contemporary meals that bring the heat. They boast a combination of high-quality food infused with a flare that keeps their customers coming back for more. Get fajitas, quesadillas and tacos with a variety of flavorful meats and familiar flavors, or get adventurous with options like tacos topped with brisket mac and cheese or Mexican eggrolls.
Order for takeout or delivery at both of their Baton Rouge locations for a taco Tuesday, fajita Friday or a Mexican meal any day of the week. Check out Caliente Mexican Craving’s locations on Lee Drive or in Central City to give your takeout meals a kick, whether you go for their traditional or contemporary fare.
8. Mike Anderson’s Seafood
Craving authentic Louisiana cuisine? Mike Anderson’s Seafood in Baton Rouge offers takeout, so you can dig into their menu, which includes a variety of classic appetizers, soups, sides, salads, entrees and desserts. Pick up a meal and head home for date night or go all-out with takeout for lunch.
Order takeout from Mike Anderson’s Seafood and try something grilled or get a burger or a poboy for a delicious mid-week meal from a restaurant with over 45 years of experience in the business. With that experience comes rich history and legacy, with former LSU football player, Mike Anderson, opening the restaurant in 1975 and honing a menu with culinary favorites. Try those favorites when you’re in need of a break from cooking during the hustle and bustle of your week.
9. Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar
Featuring 4.5 out of 5 stars across 235 Google Reviews, Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar offers curbside pickup in Baton Rouge. With a brunch menu on Sundays from 11:00AM to 2:00PM and a simple lunch and dinner menu, this restaurant provides takeout meals that can class up your afternoon or evening. Order from this restaurant on Jefferson Highway to elevate your usual takeout experience.
Get small plates or sides to accompany entrees like a 12-ounce ribeye, ahi tuna or their spicy fried chicken sandwich. Remember, Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar is closed on Mondays, so plan your Baton Rouge curbside pickup meal for any other night of the week.
10. TJ Ribs
Satisfy your craving for flavorful BBQ with TJ Ribs. Offering curbside pickup and delivery, TJ Ribs features a takeout menu full of premium steaks, baby back ribs, seafood, burgers and more. TJ Ribs has been a fixture of the Baton Rouge community for over 30 years. With a passion for great food, exceptional service and LSU sports, TJ Ribs provides the community with award-winning ribs and more that will please almost any eater.
Go for something fresh with one of their many salads that include protein options for a filling meal or go all-out with a full rack of their award-winning ribs. Add sides and appetizers to your order for a meal that’s perfect for a family or get-together.
11. Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant
Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant has a few locations throughout Baton Rouge, all offering takeout options. Gyros, shawarma and other classics get a spot on the menu, perfect for lovers of Greek and Lebanese food or anyone wanting to try something new. They also feature vegetarian-friendly options on their menu, including grape leaves, falafel and moussaka — a dish that includes either eggplant or squash — for a savory meal anyone can dig in to. If you have picky eaters in your family, Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant provides a kids menu with simple options younger ones will enjoy.
Plan a Mediterranean night, and order from Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant’s Baton Rouge locations on either Bluebonnet Boulevard, Citiplace Court or Sherwood Forest Boulevard.
12. Bao Vietnamese Kitchen
Fans of Vietnamese food or first-timers will love the takeout offerings at Bao Vietnamese Kitchen. Located in the Panache Plaza Shopping Center, Bao Vietnamese Kitchen has a short but satisfying menu with options that allow for customization. Plan your takeout night accordingly because Bao Vietnamese Kitchen is closed on Sundays, but from Monday to Saturday, you can get a taste of how Vietnamese cuisine is comfort food in its own flavorful way.
Try classics like banh mi — a sandwich on a short baguette-style roll that includes pickled vegetables and your choice of meat — or pho — a Vietnamese soup with broth, rice noodles, protein and other delicious add-ins. Regulars at Bao Vietnamese Kitchen also recommend the egg rolls and the tamarind chicken wings from the appetizers menu.
13. Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro
Offering delivery and curbside pickup in Baton Rouge’s Mall of Louisiana, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro is a regional chain offering Cajun-Creole favorites and contemporary eats. Of course, they’re known for their cheesecake, but their menu is full of no-fuss options. From straightforward meals to comforting fare, the menu at Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro has something everyone will enjoy on a takeout night.
Try the crawfish eggrolls or get a wrap, burger or poboy with classic flavors. Pair your handheld main with beer-battered fries, glazed sweet potato fries or hand-battered onion strings. Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro’s entrees feature plenty of options for fans of chicken, but you’ll also find seafood selections on their menu, making them a great choice for almost any craving.
14. Fit Blendz
Just because you’re getting takeout doesn’t mean you have to compromise on healthy foods or tasty flavors. Fit Blendz is a regional health food chain restaurant offering takeout at their Baton Rouge location on Airline Highway. They’re known for their specialty shakes that include fruity favorites like strawberry, raspberry and blueberry or the chocolate and peanut butter shake named the fleur-de-lis. If you want a takeout option for a meal rather than a filling shake, you’ll also find breakfast and lunch bowls, wraps and sandwiches. Fresh, simple flavors make them great for a quick lunch when you’re on the go or you don’t have the healthy options you’re craving at home.
15. Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant
If you’re looking to indulge on your night in, Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant offers takeout options of their locally-inspired menu. Spring for their seafood appetizers, like marinated crab fingers or crab cakes, then choose from traditional fare to new favorites. Varieties of sauteed fish appear throughout the menu, but if someone in your family isn’t a seafood fan, they can always choose Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant’s steak or chicken options. Their menu also includes a children’s section for picky eaters to make your night-in meal stress-free and enjoyable for everyone.
Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant has been around for over 35 years, and it credits its popularity to its classic dishes made with fresh ingredients. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, but open every other day of the week for your upscale takeout needs.
Order Takeout From Milford’s on Third in Baton Rouge
At Milford’s on Third, we’re always here when you need us. With grab-and-go specialties that evoke the style of an NYC deli, the fare at Milford’s on Third is classic, wholesome and delicious. Stop by for lunch during your workday or pick up breakfast or lunch on the weekend for simple yet flavorful options that will fuel you for the rest of your day.
Browse our menus and contact us at 225-408-1800 to place your order for curbside pickup. Let Milford’s on Third make your breakfast or lunch easy with deli favorites that are sure to become your takeout go-to in Baton Rouge!
Read MoreFind the Best Jambalaya in Baton Rouge
When it comes to Southern cooking, there are certain foods you know and love. It wouldn’t be a true trip to the South without indulging in a hearty bowl of gumbo, for instance, or snacking on a shrimp po’boy. Luckily, Baton Rouge is no stranger to the grand tradition of Southern cooking, and when you visit our beautiful city, you can find plenty of chances to enjoy all your favorite Cajun-style culinary traditions.
One of the very best Southern customs we celebrate here in Baton Rouge? A delicious, steaming bowl of jambalaya. With no shortage of Cajun-style restaurants to choose from, there are plenty of places across the city where you can find unique or classic takes on this favorite dish. For the very best experience, why not try them all and decide which is your favorite?
To help you track down your new favorite jambalaya places in Baton Rouge, we’ve compiled this list of some of the top destinations in the city offering up this tasty treat. Try them all, and don’t forget to check back to let us know where to get the best jambalaya in Baton Rouge.
The Best Places to Get Jambalaya in Baton Rouge Are:
- Pot and Paddle Jambalaya Kitchen
- The Jambalaya Shoppe
- Rice & Roux
- Tony’s Seafood Market & Deli
- VooDoo BBQ & Grill
- Frank’s Restaurant
- Acme Oyster House
- Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s
- Boil & Roux
- Dempsey’s
- Milford’s on Third
1. Pot and Paddle Jambalaya Kitchen
If the name of the restaurant includes the name of the food you’re looking for, this should be your first tip-off they might be one of the foremost authorities on that dish. With Pot and Paddle Jambalaya Kitchen, that’s the case. With their extensive menu that’s full to bursting with authentic Cajun-style favorites, you can feel sure anything you order here is the real deal. And with four locations scattered across the state, you’ll never be too far away to stop in for a quick bite.
There are several different ways to enjoy your Pot and Paddle experience. Enlist their help in catering your special event or stop by and visit them in their Baton Rouge dining room for either an eat-in or carry-out meal. While jambalaya is their specialty and you can try it by the bowl, by the bucket or with sides and a roll, they also offer plenty of other tempting dishes. Their pastalaya is particularly unique, and their pork roast specials and gumbo bowls are always worth checking out.
2. The Jambalaya Shoppe
As another food service with locations across Baton Rouge and Louisiana, The Jambalaya Shoppe has been serving up tasty Southern cooking for 25 years now, and they show no sign of slowing down anytime soon. They offer catering services, a carry-out option and a sit-down restaurant experience, so no matter how you prefer to enjoy your jambalaya, they’re happy to accommodate you.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that jambalaya makes up the bulk of their menu, with plenty of ways to order it. Try a plate of it on its own, with a full meal or in an order big enough to serve a party of four. Some other highlights include their beans-and-rice plate, boudin dinner, chicken-and-sausage gumbo and crawfish pie. Best of all? Even if you’re determined to stay within the city limits, there are six locations of the Jambalaya Shoppe to visit, especially if you’re craving jambalaya in downtown Baton Rouge. Here’s where you’ll find them:
- Hammond Aire Plaza on Airline Highway #F5
- Perkins Road
- Perkins Road #1E
- Siegen Village
- O’Neal Lane
- Main Street in the downtown neighborhood
No matter which of these locations is most convenient for you, you’ll still experience the same great tastes and fun, casual atmosphere.
3. Rice & Roux
Priding themselves on their fantastic offerings in the realms of jambalaya and gumbo, Rice & Roux deserves a spot on any list of must-try jambalaya places in Baton Rouge. With both delivery and takeout options in addition to their dine-in restaurant, you can enjoy your jambalaya whether you’re feeling like spending the evening out in the world or curling up on your couch at home. And thanks to their consistent hours from 11:00AM to 8:00PM seven days a week, you’ll never have to wonder whether or not they’re open.
Enjoy a different lunch special every day of the week — including such dishes as crawfish etouffée and shrimp fettuccine — a variety of jambalaya and gumbo options and plenty more, such as salads, lagniappe, beans and rice and even a kids’ menu. For any lover of Southern cooking, Rice & Roux is one place to be sure to add to your list.
4. Tony’s Seafood Market & Deli
Who said everything on this list had to be a traditional sit-down restaurant? At Tony’s Seafood & Deli, you’ll find a mash-up of several different businesses all in one — including a grocery store where you can purchase seafood, produce, condiments and snacks, a deli where you can order lunch and even an online ordering division that ships Tony’s delicious products to recipients all across the county. Open seven days a week, and with a history that dates back to 1959, it’s no wonder Tony’s is a local Baton Rouge food favorite, whether you’re looking for jambalaya or any other seafood-based dishes.
Wondering what you can grab for a quick bite off the lunch menu? Your options are wide and varied. Choose anything from entrees like jambalaya, chicken-and-sausage gumbo or okra and sausage to burgers, fried seafood and specialties like alligator sausage. And if you’re just in Baton Rouge for a visit? Don’t forget that if you fall in love with some of Tony’s foods, you can always get them mailed to you after you leave.
5. VooDoo BBQ & Grill
VooDoo BBQ & Grill was born in New Orleans and has a string of restaurants across the South and the Midwest, but we’re proud to host two locations right here in our backyard in Baton Rouge. Known for their colorful combination of Cajun, Creole and Caribbean spices and flavors, VooDoo is sure to delight the imagination — and the taste buds — of everyone who walks through the doors. And to be sure there’s a solution for every occasion, they also catering, order for pickup, delivery and dine-in options, depending on the location you choose.
It’s hard to go wrong when choosing off VooDoo’s enormous menu, as everything is delicious and unique in some way. If you’re here for jambalaya, however, there are several options to choose from. The Tuesday special is a unique BBQ jambalaya recipe served with a side and a drink, making this a perfect place to start. If you aren’t visiting on a Tuesday, you can still get this dish as either a single, part of a combo meal or in a reduced portion as a side. And if you’re looking to branch out beyond jambalaya, there’s a whole world of tasty treats to sample here at VooDoo.
6. Frank’s Restaurant
Frank’s Restaurant on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge is one of several locations, making it convenient to grab all your favorite meals even if you leave Baton Rouge. As a family-owned restaurant since 1964, Frank’s is now in its third generation of family owners and maintains the same friendly atmosphere and casual homestyle cooking it’s had ever since the beginning. Perhaps best of all, Frank’s Restaurant is open all day, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour, so no matter when you happen to be in the neighborhood, they’re nearly always open to serve you.
The menu ranges to include everything from shrimp grits and hash browns for breakfast to fried catfish for lunch and chopped brisket po’boys for dinner, in addition to their full catering menu. If you’re looking to find jambalaya hidden in their extensive menus, you won’t be disappointed. Their Thursday lunch special is a delicious plate of fried chicken and jambalaya, and if you’re interested in catering, you can choose either chicken- and sausage-based or seafood-based jambalaya for your catered event.
7. Acme Oyster House
Acme Oyster House may specialize in serving up a tantalizing array of oysters, but they’ve also got a surprisingly extensive menu that reaches far beyond the world of oysters. And while their original restaurant is in New Orleans, they also operate a location in our beautiful city, making them a fantastic place to test out yet another delicious jambalaya recipe in Baton Rouge. Opening at 11:00AM every morning and closing at 10:00 or 11:00PM depending on the day, they’re a great spot to visit whether you’re craving some jambalaya for lunch, dinner or a late-night snack.
Turn past the oysters in the menu — or get a bit sidetracked by them, as they’re delicious as well — and you’ll find a jambalaya entrée served with seasoned rice, smoked sausage and chicken, as well as served in a smaller portion as a side if you prefer. And if you can’t quite decide what you’re in the mood for, you might also try the New Orleans Medley, featuring samplings of red beans and rice, gumbo, grilled smoked sausage and of course, jambalaya. If your party includes guests who aren’t as interested in jambalaya, don’t worry. The menu is full of enticing dishes to try.
8. Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s
Don’t be fooled: There are plenty more gems on this menu than just cheesecake. As spectacular as the cheesecake is, there’s a whole world of different foods to enjoy here, as Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s serves brunch, lunch, dinner, bakery items and even catering. No matter what you’re looking to enjoy, we think there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
Are you just here for the jambalaya? One of the Bistro signature entrees you can choose from on your dinner menu is jambalaya pasta, a delicious concoction of shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken, smoked sausage, mushrooms, peppers and penne pasta all rolled together into one tasty meal you won’t soon forget. Got kids with you who might not be quite so excited about the adult food options? There’s a whole kids’ menu for them to explore as well. And of course, before you go, it would seem a shame if you didn’t at least sample a bite of their famous cheesecake.
9. Boil & Roux
When you step in the door at Boil & Roux, it’s impossible to miss the sheer love and appreciation for the art of cooking that goes into every dish. Crafted from an exciting array of fresh ingredients and Cajun spices, the result is a delicious menu of soul food that has a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant for a family gathering, a business meeting or a happy hour celebration, Boil & Roux creates a welcoming atmosphere that is perfect for almost any occasion. And to top it all off, they also offer delivery and catering, so there’s always a way for you to enjoy your Southern favorites.
The menu is so extensive that no matter how large your party is or who came with you, everyone can surely find just what they want to eat. And if you’re headed to Boil & Roux with an eye out for the jambalaya, you’ll be delighted to find a heaping helping of this tasty dish on the menu as well. In addition to jambalaya, you’ll also find stuffed shrimp platters, strawberry spinach salads, chargrilled oysters and pasta Alfredo. And if you’ve got the kids along? Don’t forget to ask for a kids’ menu.
10. Dempsey’s
Dempsey’s is probably best-known for their famous gumbo and po’boys, and they certainly offer terrific options in both departments. But they also have a full menu beyond these items, including salads, sandwiches, burgers and appetizers. And with regular hours from 11:00AM to 9:00PM every day, except for Sundays, when they’re closed, it’s easy to plan your visit to Dempsey’s.
While jambalaya may not be the central focus of Dempsey’s menu, don’t assume it’s not present at all. Swing by on a Monday night to take advantage of the Monday special meal: jambalaya with fried catfish. Between tasty jambalaya, great service and fantastic value for the price you’ll pay, there’s everything to love about your visit to Dempsey’s.
Visit Milford’s on Third Today
If you’re looking for tasty Cajun-style cuisine in downtown Baton Rouge, we hope you won’t miss the opportunity to ,a href=”https://www.milfordsonthird.com/”>visit us here at Milford’s on Third. We’re an NYC-style delicatessen that’s all about maintaining the classic feel of a New York deli, while still serving up the Cajun flavors you love and offering all the Southern hospitality you expect from a restaurant in Baton Rouge.
Stop in to visit us in person, where we serve up tasty treats for breakfast like bagels and breakfast burritos and salads and hot handheld sandwiches for lunch. If you’re running late and would rather not wait for our kitchen to whip something up for you, we’ve also got grab ‘n’ go options for just such occasions, as well as a wall of packaged groceries. And if you can’t get away from your desk at all to grab yourself some lunch, we also deliver. Place your order, tell us your address and we’ll be there in no time. Check out our menu today and start planning your next visit.
Read MoreWhat Foods Do I Need to Try in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge is known for plenty of things, but one of the most notable hallmarks is its delicious blend of Cajun- and Creole-style food and restaurants. This type of food has a long and proud history that you can easily trace back to the early French settlers in the area and is known for its unique blend of spices and its liberal use of the plentiful seafood found in and around Louisiana.
If you’re already an admirer of Cajun-style cuisine, then you know how delicious it can be. And if you’ve never tried this style of food before, then you’re in for a marvelous treat. We think there’s no better place to experience Creole-style dining for the first time than right here in Baton Rouge in the heart of the Deep South.
Not sure which dishes are the most quintessentially Louisiana? Don’t know which dishes best represent this food culture? Today, we’ve put together a guide to help you answer just these questions. Today, we’ll talk about the essential food to eat in Baton Rouge as well as the best time of year to sample these dishes and the best restaurants serving them in Baton Rouge.
1. Oysters
If you’ve ever visited Baton Rouge before, then you know it’s no secret that we love our oysters here. They feature prominently in many of our favorite dishes, and sometimes, we might even just eat them by themselves without the bother of cooking them up into a dish. For your first time sampling oysters, why not enjoy them raw by the half-shell or try them fried or charbroiled? The only limit to the many ways of eating oysters is your imagination.
But while you can find oysters in abundance throughout Baton Rouge all year round, did you know that you may have better luck finding the tastiest oysters during particular seasons of the year? According to Baton Rouge and Louisiana tradition, the best months to grab an oyster-based dish are those that end in an “R” — September, October, November and December. This is because these are the months when oysters are not spawning, making them leaner and giving them a better flavor.
If you’re looking to grab a bite of oyster in Baton Rouge, there are plenty of places to do so. Here are just a few of the restaurants we think are worth checking out when it comes to finding oysters:
- Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar: That’s right, it’s an entire restaurant dedicated to oysters. And while you’ll certainly find the Gulf Coast variety here at Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, you can also enjoy oysters from both the east and west coast for a truly comprehensive oyster introduction. Top your oysters off with a beer or cocktail and some great live music, and we think you’ve got the recipe for a perfect evening.
- Parrain’s Seafood: Parrain’s Seafood is recognized far and wide as having arguably one of the best seafood menus in town. And while that includes seafood of every stripe and variety, they also offer up their fair share of oysters as well. Try their Oyster Poboy, for instance, and we think you’ll see what everyone else is talking about. Or, if you’d rather cut down on your bread, keep things simple and go for the fried oyster platter for a more oyster-centric experience.
- The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room: While The Chimes has a full menu of all kinds of delicious dishes to sample, we want to call particular attention to their oyster bar. Here, you can enjoy your oysters raw, chargrilled or with grilled alligator sausage. Best of all? You can enjoy half price of any raw oysters from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday, as well as all day on Tuesday.
2. Gumbo
Unless you’re a native Southern or a frequent visitor, you may never have sampled gumbo before. If this delicious dish is something you’ve only heard of, but never experienced for yourself, then we want to change that. During any visit to Baton Rouge, this is one of the essential dishes we recommend trying before you return home again.
For the uninitiated, gumbo is a stew-like dish that’s heavily spiced and usually full of a combination of vegetables, a thickener and a primary meat or seafood. It can be made with meat such as chicken or duck, but here in Baton Rouge, you may be more likely to come across seafood gumbo, which is loaded with shrimp, crab or oysters. And while plenty of other cities throughout Louisiana and the Deep South serve up their own variations of gumbo, we like to think that Baton Rouge gumbo is a cut above the rest.
Wondering what’s the best time of year to enjoy gumbo? It depends on the primary type of protein in the soup. Crab gumbo is best enjoyed in the summer, for instance, while white shrimp gumbo is excellent any time of year but the winter. Depending on what season you’ll be in Baton Rouge, it might be wise to choose your variety of gumbo accordingly. Of course, you might also try enjoying your gumbo on October 12 — National Gumbo Day.
If you’re looking to find the best dish of gumbo in the city, here are a few destinations we know you won’t want to miss:
- Dempsey’s: Dempsey’s might have a full menu of appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches, but they’re perhaps most well-known for their delicious gumbo options. They make it in-house fresh every day, so you’ll never have to worry about settling for second-best. Choose between their seafood gumbo and their chicken and andouille gumbo, or splurge and get small bowls of each for the full experience.
- Drusilla Seafood Restaurant: A Baton Rouge staple for well over 30 years, Drusilla Seafood Restaurant has one of the best bowls of gumbo in town, in addition to all their other fantastic menu items. Their seafood gumbo is to die for, and the rest of their menu is certainly worth checking out as well. Best of all, Drusilla is known for its homey and family-friendly environment, making this an excellent spot to bring the whole family.
- Mike Anderson’s Seafood: Dating all the way back to the ’70s when it was just a small seafood and oyster bar, Mike Anderson’s Seafood has since flourished and cemented its place in the Baton Rouge seafood scene. Mike Anderson offers two different styles of gumbo — a chicken and andouille variety and, for the seafood-lover, a shrimp and crab variety. Both are sensational, and you can’t go wrong with either.
3. Crawfish
Crayfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters — all these are different names for crawfish, a delicacy often added to many Cajun and Creole dishes. While they’re eaten and enjoyed worldwide, they have a particular connection to Louisiana, with this state producing an estimated 90 percent of the national supply. It should come as no surprise, then, that natives of Louisiana and Baton Rouge have long been finding new and interesting ways to include these small crustaceans into their cooking.
Cajun chefs often include crawfish in soups and gumbos, where they’ll typically only use the tail-meat. In other uses, such as a crawfish boil, the entire creature is served. While these are two of the most popular ways to eat crawfish, they’re far from the only ones. You can also include crawfish in pies, dressings, breads and beignets. If this is your first time trying crawfish, however, we think you can’t go wrong with a classic crawfish boil.
While you can eat crawfish all year long, you’ll find that they’re particularly delicious and best for consumption during the period from late winter to early summer. During these spring months, you may have the best luck sampling the finest of Baton Rouge’s crawfish offerings.
Looking for a great place to grab some crawfish in Baton Rouge? We recommend one of the following spots:
- Capital City Crawfish & Cajun Specialties: Capital City Crawfish & Cajun Specialties may be less than a decade old, but these authentic Cajun and Creole recipes have been handed down through the generations and represent the true taste of the Deep South. Their boiled crawfish platters alone are well-worth your attention, but the rest of the menu is delicious as well.
- Sammy’s Grill: The best way to enjoy boiled crawfish is in a relaxed and casual atmosphere where you can laugh and hang out with your friends. This is exactly what Sammy’s Grill offers and does so well. Their boiled crawfish platter comes served with your choice of potatoes, salad and garlic bread for a satisfying meal you won’t soon forget, in an atmosphere that feels just like home.
- Crawfish on the Geaux: For delicious crawfish and a unique dining atmosphere, you can’t miss Crawfish on the Geaux. Based out of a food truck that permanently resides in the same location so that they’re always easy to find, this restaurant is dedicated to focusing on what it does best — crawfish. And while the menu might seem sparse, we think you’ll agree that it doesn’t matter once you taste their hot boiled crawfish.
4. Cajun and Creole
Cajun and Creole aren’t technically specific ingredients, nor are they entire dishes. Rather, they’re complete styles of cooking, much the same way we might say “Italian” is a style of cooking. There are many different ingredients, flavors, spices and traditional dishes that fall under the umbrella of Cajun and Creole and that are commonly found throughout Louisiana and Baton Rouge.
But while we’ve been using Cajun and Creole as synonyms, they’re actually two separate traditions of cooking. The reason we often conflate the two and refer to them as one large homogenous style of cooking is because they exist simultaneously in the same region, share many similarities and, over time, have come to overlap further and further until few people recognize the differences anymore.
Here are just a few of the differences between Cajun and Creole cooking:
- The two styles represent different cultural traditions. Cajun food traces its roots back to the French Canadian settlers who were driven out of Canada in the 1700s, and who eventually settled in Louisiana. Creole food, on the other hand, goes back to the first generations of people born to French settlers in French colonial Louisiana — typically mixed-race descendants of French and Spanish settlers, as well as free people of color in the city.
- Creole cooking is traditionally seen as “city food” where Cajun cooking is usually deemed “country food.”
- Creole cooking uses tomatoes, while Cajun food usually does not.
- Cajun cooks are enthusiastic about spices, particularly cayenne pepper, and rely on just three vegetables to form the basis of most dishes — celery, onions and bell peppers. Creole tends to use far more ingredients and includes influences from all the different cultures blended in the Creole people, such as Spanish, African, French and Caribbean, to name just a few.
Now that we know a little bit more about Cajun and Creole cuisine, let’s take a look at some of the best places to enjoy it in Baton Rouge. While it’s worth noting that all the places we’ve mentioned today serve up some truly delicious Louisiana fare, some of the best places to get Creole in Baton Rouge include:
- Juban’s: If you’re going to enjoy classic Creole cuisine, why not do it in the most stylish way possible? At Juban’s, you can sample the scrumptious tastes of Baton Rouge favorite like the Hallelujah crab and seafood Diablo, and you can do it all in a grand and elegant dining space that’s perfect for special occasions like weddings and corporate events, or just a perfect night out with that special someone.
- Cecelia Creole Bistro: When you visit Cecelia’s Creole Bistro, you can enjoy the best of both worlds as you sample traditional Louisiana favorites that go back hundreds of years, all while relaxing in an undeniably modern dining setting. Enjoy favorites like shrimp and grits, Cajun redfish and crawfish étouffée, and be sure to visit their fully-stocked bar as well.
- Eliza Restaurant & Bar: At Eliza Restaurant & Bar, you can enjoy the very best of Creole cuisine in a relaxed and cozy environment. Come for either lunch or dinner and try out menu items like gumbo ya-ya, Eliza crab cakes and the crispy seafood platter. And don’t forget that they’re a bar as well as a restaurant so you can enjoy a few drinks while you relax over your seafood.
Visit Milford’s on Third Today
All of the restaurants we’ve mentioned so far are fantastic places to go if you’re looking to sit down and sample some of Louisiana’s finest Cajun and Creole dishes. But sometimes, you’re looking for less of a formal restaurant and more of quick stop-and-shop. For all these occasions, we invite you to visit us at Milford’s on Third — an NYC-style delicatessen that’s committed to delivering the flavors and charms of the South.
Located on the ground floor of the iconic Watermark hotel, we’re open for both breakfast and lunch, as well as shopping throughout the day. Come in and sit down to eat, grab something to take with you, or order online and let us bring the food straight to you. So stop by Milford’s on Third today and sample our Cajun and Creole foods today for a true taste of Baton Rouge.
Read MoreBest Seafood Restaurants in Baton Rouge
As the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the city of spices, Southern cooking and of course, plenty of seafood. It only makes sense that Cajun and Creole food like the dishes you’ll find populating the restaurants of Baton Rouge rely heavily on seafood. With Louisiana’s border along the Gulf of Mexico, residents have long since been using local and fresh-caught ingredients to whip up some of the tastiest dishes around.
While this tradition of cooking with seafood has its roots in a strong history, it carries on to this day. Restaurants located in Baton Rouge and across the rest of the state continue to rely heavily on different varieties of seafood for the base of their dishes, making this city a paradise for seafood lovers from around the country. Today, we want to break down some of the top places to eat seafood in Baton Rouge. Use this list as a guide and tick the restaurants off one by one, or just hit the spots that sound tasty to you.
1. Milford’s on Third
For a unique experience that stands apart from the other restaurants we’ll mention later on this list, we’d like to invite you to stop by Milford’s on Third. Milford’s is a traditional delicatessen located conveniently in downtown Baton Rouge, within the historic Watermark hotel. Here, you’ll find we’ve combined the best of the traditional NYC deli experience, but wrapped in a Southern packaging that includes many of your favorite Louisiana flavors, as well as the spirit and style of the Deep South.
We particularly pride ourselves on using only the freshest local ingredients and serve up everything from salad greens to meats and cheeses. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Baton Rouge-based eatery without seafood on the menu. Enjoy seafood salads and sandwiches in addition to all the other delicious goodies here.
Whether you’re grabbing breakfast, stopping for lunch or just grabbing something ready-made to take with you on the go, Milford’s on Third is your No. 1 deli destination in Baton Rouge.
2. Parrain’s Seafood
Parrain’s Seafood might not be the oldest restaurant in town, but they’ve already earned a reputation across the city for consistently serving up some of the best fresh seafood in Baton Rouge. They first opened their doors in 2012 and have been committed to delivering fresh-caught and delicious seafood ever since. The menu includes a tantalizing array of entrees such as andouille-encrusted fish, seafood pasta and fried oyster platters, as well as appetizers, soups, salads and desserts.
While Parrain’s is an excellent place to find seafood at either the lunch or the dinner hour, you’ll want to head someplace else for breakfast, as they don’t open until 11:00AM. If you have your heart set on eating here early in the day, try popping in on Sundays, when they serve select brunch items. Parrain’s also has a convenient location in the mid-city district, making it easily accessible no matter which part of the city you’re coming from.
3. Sammy’s Grill
Sammy’s Grill is a Baton Rouge favorite, but this isn’t the only city where you can enjoy it. This restaurant has also expanded to open secondary locations in Zachary, Prairieville and Central, meaning you can still feast on the delicious flavors of Sammy’s Grill no matter where you travel in the greater Baton Rouge area. And while the draw of many restaurants is partially the experience of dressing up and experiencing an elegant night out, Sammy’s brand is more laid-back and casual, boasting a great time through hanging out with friends and enjoying some tasty boiled seafood in Baton Rouge.
While Sammy’s offers a full menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers and starters, and you can’t go wrong with any of them, certain menu items stand out above the rest. If you’re heading to Sammy’s Grill for dinner, for example, we have to recommend the Acadian catfish — two fried catfish fillets with a catfish etouffee served over a bed of rice, with sides of salad and garlic bread. There are also kids’ and brunch menus, so no matter what your day looks like or who you have with you, Sammy’s is there for you.
4. Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant
Louisiana Lagniappe has a unique history. The restaurant originally opened in Florida in 1985, where it enjoyed over 10 years of popularity and gained a dedicated customer base through its simple and classic dishes prepared with only the freshest Gulf ingredients. But when the restaurant proprietors relocated to Baton Rouge in 1998, they reopened Louisiana Lagniappe to serve a new city and a new public, all while maintaining the same great taste and style.
Louisiana Lagniappe is the perfect destination, whether you’re looking for classic seafood dishes like unbeatable barbecued shrimp or interested in trying one of their famous specials such as the Cocodrie, which is their sautéed fish in garlic beurre blanc, served with toppings of fried artichoke hearts, fried softshell crabfish and béarnaise sauce. There’s also a kids’ menu, making this a good spot to bring the whole family. You’ll need to make your trip here during the dinner hours, however, as Louisiana Lagniappe is not open for lunch or breakfast.
5. Mike Anderson’s Seafood
For a restaurant with a unique past and story, it’s hard to top the legacy you’ll find at Mike Anderson’s Seafood. Mike Anderson, a former LSU football player, first opened the restaurant back in 1975. While he originally called the restaurant Mike Anderson’s College Town Seafood & Oyster Bar and served only a limited menu, it didn’t take long for word to spread and popularity to grow. Soon, the restaurant was moving to a new location, rebranding and growing its menu to its current full size.
Today, Mike Anderson’s Seafood has over 40 years of success in the business, seats more than 250 people in its Baton Rouge location and has opened two additional locations across the state. This local favorite serves both lunch and dinner and features an extensive menu filled with many local favorites, most notably including the Guitreau. This culinary masterpiece features grilled mahi-mahi loaded with Gulf shrimp, Louisiana crawfish, mushrooms and onions sautéed in butter, white wine and spices.
6. Roberto’s River Road Restaurant
Looking for a casual dining atmosphere located outside the hustle and bustle of the heart of Baton Rouge? Take a drive to the south along the river, and you’ll reach Roberto’s River Road Restaurant. The restaurant itself is in a historic 1850s building that was once home to a department store and faces the levee on the river, making it a delightful spot to relax and watch the sun go down on summer nights.
While you can visit Roberto’s for dinner any day from Tuesday through Saturday as well as for lunch from Tuesday through Friday, take note that they’re closed on both Mondays and Fridays. There are menu options for the non-seafood enthusiast here, but like every restaurant on our list, the best items celebrate a true Southern love of all things seafood. In particular, you won’t want to miss a yummy dish of shrimp Roberto, which includes three seafood-stuffed shrimp, wrapped in bacon before getting fried, set in a beurre blanc and topped with Parmesan cheese and hollandaise.
7. Juban’s
Juban’s takes pride in not only serving up classic seafood dishes, but also in providing a classically elegant dining experience that’s perfect for special occasions such as dinner parties, weddings, corporate events and receptions. Even if there is no particular occasion and you’re looking to treat yourself out to a night on the town with a loved one or two, Juban’s makes every night feel like a special occasion.
While the menu is full to bursting with entrees, appetizers, soups and salads, the dish Juban’s is best-known for and that you’ll want to be sure to try is the hallelujah crab — a soft-shelled flash-fried crab filled with crabmeat, shrimp and crawfish tails before getting topped with Creolaise sauce, haricots verts and parsnip/Yukon gold mash. Enjoy stopping by Juban’s for brunch on Sunday, lunch on Tuesday through Friday and dinner on Monday through Saturday.
8. Drusilla Seafood Restaurant
If you’re on a mission to find the restaurant that’s consistently received the designation as “Best Seafood in Baton Rouge” from many critics and seafood enthusiasts alike, as well as the restaurant that has the distinction of being one of the oldest in the city, you won’t want to miss Drusilla Seafood Restaurant. Drusilla opened in 1982 and has been serving mouthwatering traditional Cajun-style recipes ever since.
In addition to providing great Southern flavors, Drusilla also has a reputation for its attentive service and homey family-friendly dining atmosphere, where everyone feels welcome. Visitors can enjoy both lunch and dinner every day of the week and can even book one of the restaurant’s six private rooms for parties, receptions and other festive gatherings. And while you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, we particularly think you’ll enjoy the boiled and fried shrimp platters during your visit to Drusilla.
9. The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room
When you visit The Chimes, you can always be sure you’ll have a relaxing time in a casual and family-friendly environment while also enjoying some great food and beer. While this restaurant is a popular destination for local LSU students, it’s also a favorite with families and professionals, as everyone can enjoy the eclectic variety of seafood dishes on the menu.
While the menus at all three of The Chimes’ locations are full of fantastic entrees, desserts and sides, we want to particularly highlight the phenomenal crab cake appetizer, which is an absolute must-try when you make your visit. And while you’re enjoying your delicious meal, don’t forget to take advantage of the restaurant’s truly impressive beer and liquor selection, and even enroll in their “Beer University,” where you can learn tons of information about your favorite drinks.
10. Roux 61
Roux 61 originally hails from Natchez, Miss., with their Baton Rouge location being their second. Don’t let this fool you into thinking they’re not a true Baton Rouge essential, however. For all things seafood and steak, there’s no place better to grab a bite to eat.
At Roux 61, you can enjoy both lunch and dinner with hours from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day except Sunday. Once you’re here, you can browse a menu that’s unlike any other, with unusual and exciting dishes such as shrimp and alligator cheesecake, as well as traditional favorites such as grilled shrimp, seafood gumbo and chargrilled oysters.
11. Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar
If you’re less excited about seafood as an umbrella category and more enthusiastic when it comes to oysters in particular, we’d like to direct your attention toward Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar. As the name suggests, oysters reign supreme here, and we’re not just talking about oysters from the Gulf Coast here. You can also enjoy a refreshing mix of both East and West Coast oysters for a true tour of the variety of this tasty treat. Enjoy them raw, try the baked, sample the Rockefeller-style or get really crazy and dive into a platter of oysters topped with brie, bacon and rum-mango salsa.
Aside from the exciting menu of oysters to choose from, you’ll also find Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar is a great place to grab a few drinks in the evening, with an excellent variety of beers and cocktails to choose from. Depending on the night you visit Jolie, there will also often be live music as well, making this the perfect atmosphere for relaxing with friends over oysters and a few drinks.
12. Jasmines on the Bayou
At Jasmines on the Bayou, there’s a dining experience for everyone’s taste. Whether you’re looking to eat in the dining room, enjoy the cool breeze out on the patio, grab some takeout or even get your special event catered, Jasmines is ready to accommodate you. With a friendly staff and a cheerful, welcoming environment to boot, there’s no reason not to stop by.
Located on Jones Creek Road, Jasmines is open for both lunch and dinner and features a menu that offers everything from pasta, burgers and salads to po’boys, lagniappe and seafood platters. There’s even a menu for the kids to pick from. If you’re visiting Jasmines, you’ll be sure to enjoy anything you choose off the menu, but in particular, we think the crawfish-stuffed beignets are truly something special.
Stop by Milford’s on Third Today
Love seafood, and have enthusiastic opinions about your favorite spot for shrimp, oysters and fish in the Baton Rouge area? Comment below and tell us you what you think the best seafood restaurants in Baton Rouge are. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to stop by Milford’s on Third for a charming deli atmosphere or a quick grab-and-go meal when your busy day doesn’t allow time for a sit-down meal. We’re conveniently located on the first floor of the Watermark hotel and can’t wait for you to taste some our delicious and fresh flavors.
Read More22 Best Poboy Sandwich Recipes
No food captures the spirit of Louisiana quite like the poboy.
The history of this famous and beloved sandwich is debated, but one of the most popular stories claims that the Martin brothers invented the recipe in New Orleans to feed striking streetcar drivers in 1929. These sandwiches quickly caught on throughout the region, and the Louisiana poboy was born.
This Louisiana staple varies depending on the restaurant and town, but typically, a classic poboy includes toasted French bread stuffed with some type of fried meat, and the sandwich is “dressed” with tomatoes, romaine lettuce, pickles, mayonnaise and a generous spread of hot sauce for a Creole “kick.”
To help you recreate your favorite poboy, we’ve gathered some of the best poboy recipes around — keep reading to find the perfect variation for your next meal.
1. Classic
The essential poboy recipe, this sandwich combines crispy, melt-in-your-mouth shrimp drizzled with creamy remoulade sauce for some added tang.
The beauty of this classic down-home poboy is its simplicity. Start with New Orleans-style French bread rolls and fresh jumbo shrimp, and add butter, garlic, eggs, flour and Creole seasoning for spice. The remoulade sauce combines creamy mayonnaise and horseradish with hints of garlic and pepper for a zesty finish. Add spoonfuls of pickle relish and lime for even more classic flavor.
2. Chicken
For a twist on the classic sandwich, try cooking up a chicken poboy. Balancing butter-fried chicken breast with homemade tartar sauce, this recipe is sure to impress family and guests alike.
This poboy is all about the sauce — use a blender or food processor to cream cayenne pepper, parsley, mustard, dill pickle, scallion and mayo together to create the perfect dressing for your favorite sandwich. Breadcrumbs and butter keep the chicken crispy, and crunchy lettuce and ripe tomatoes add a fresh profile to this delicious sandwich.
3. Slim
Try this variation for the days where you want the flavor of a classic poboy without all the calories. The original poboy drips with butter — to cut back on the dairy, try sautéing the shrimp instead of frying it. This hearty alternative is filled with herbs and spices, giving it a flavor-filled finish.
Topped with a heaping portion of herb buttermilk slaw, this sandwich has enough fresh flavors to satisfy even the most dedicated poboy connoisseur. To cut down on carbs even more, choose a large baguette and hollow out the inside to make a kind of bread boat. Not only does this pack the sandwich with flavor, but it also reduces caloric intake.
Follow this recipe for a healthier take on the classic poboy!
4. Seafood
You always need a little more seafood in your life. This recipe combines shrimp and tilapia for a filling poboy with a rich, savory flavor.
Let the fish and shrimp sit in milk for a few minutes to increase creaminess. For a smooth dressing, combine garlic, lemon juice and mayonnaise then spread generously. Spread each side of the bread with the sauce and top with tomato, lettuce and the hot sauce of your choice.
You could substitute almost any type of fish to vary the taste, but whatever kind you choose, you can be sure that this will be a delicious addition to your menu.
5. Cajun
For an extra kick, try this Cajun twist on the poboy.
This recipe uses shrimp as its base, but the sauce is the real star of this sandwich. Combine paprika, mayo, mustard, relish, cayenne pepper and hot sauce for an extra-spicy dressing that takes this poboy to the next level. If needed, you can refrigerate the sauce until you’re ready to make the sandwiches, which makes this recipe great for the days when you need to plan ahead.
If you don’t have access to New Orleans French bread, you can substitute Italian or hoagie rolls for a similarly hearty sandwich.
6. Oyster
If you can get your hands on fresh oysters, this upscale oyster poboy is a guaranteed showstopper.
The key to this poboy is soaking the oysters in milk before frying them. This gives the shellfish an added creaminess and makes sure that they have a crispy shell with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center. The spicy remoulade sauce is a rich combination of mayo, mustard, garlic, pickle juice, capers, cayenne and horseradish. Add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the remoulade to give these sandwiches a personal and spicy touch.
7. Crab
For the crab-lovers in your life, try this mouth-watering crab poboy recipe.
Combining mayonnaise, crab and Old Bay seasoning, this sandwich transports you to the shoreline with fresh, seaside flavors. Crisp celery adds a satisfying crunch, and a squeeze of lemon gives this poboy a distinct, refreshing and light taste. Make sure to keep the paprika in the remoulade sauce — it gives the key flavor!
8. Alligator
You might have to live in the Deep South to make this poboy. Centered around fried alligator meat, this specialty sandwich is easy to make if you have access to fresh gator.
Once you find alligator steak, the recipe resembles a classic poboy — shredded lettuce, juicy tomatoes, Cajun seasoning and plenty of mayo in the remoulade sauce. Add a teaspoon of Everglades all-purpose seasoning for a real taste of the bayou.
For a truly unique poboy experience, buy some gator next time you’re at the market — you can even use alligator sausage for a darker meat filling.
9. Crawfish
Another Southern classic, crawfish meat has a distinct flavor — similar in taste to lobster or crab, it has a slightly chewier texture than shrimp. But this freshwater crustacean has a special place in traditional Louisiana dishes, from gumbo to crawfish étoufée.
The poboy is no exception. In this crawfish poboy recipe, you fry the crustaceans in a pale ale batter to give the sandwich a robust and crisp flavor. Finish with a spicy tartar sauce for a perfect Louisiana-style poboy.
10. Veggie
If you prefer your sandwiches without meat, try this vegetable-stuffed poboy. A variety of fresh garden veggies gives this poboy a complex, flavorful taste, and it has enough variety to please even the pickiest eater.
The secret to this recipe is grilled asparagus — this gives the sandwich smoky, charred undertones, and brings out the juice in the vegetables. Add some goat cheese for a gourmet touch, or if you want a vegan alternative, substitute cashew cheese for a creamy spread.
11. Roast Beef
For a rich and savory sandwich, look no further than a roast beef poboy. The roast brings a juicy, filling center to the sandwich, and when paired with a savory gravy-like sauce, the resulting sandwich is a perfect combination of heartiness and creaminess.
To get the most out of your roast, let it simmer for about three hours after it has been seared. The meat will absorb the flavors of garlic and pepper, and to finish the poboy, layer the sandwich with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and pickles before serving.
12. Catfish
Try a catfish poboy for a taste of the river. In this recipe, the sauce has both mustard and mayo, which gives the sandwich a touch of spice. Before frying, coat the fish in a mixture of flour, bread crumbs, cornmeal, garlic and Cajun seasoning for a genuine Louisiana taste.
Once the fish has fried, stuff it into crisp French bread or hoagie rolls and topped with a spoonful of crisp coleslaw. Add some banana peppers, cherry tomato halves and a lemon wedge, and it’s ready to serve!
13. Fried Green Tomato
Fry some green tomatoes for a meatless poboy alternative. With a crunchy coating and a soft center, these delicious tomatoes will make you forget you’re biting into vegetables.
Tomatoes aren’t the only green ingredient in this poboy — layer in a few avocado slices to add a refreshing and creamy flavor to the sandwich. Add bacon, lettuce and tomatoes for a BLT-twist, and don’t forget the Creole-inspired remoulade sauce. Stuff everything into six-inch-long baguettes and your tomato sandwiches are done!
14. Tofu
For another version of a meatless poboy, substitute meat for crispy fried tofu. The light flavor of tofu absorbs hot Cajun seasonings, creating a vegetarian sandwich with all the spice and deliciousness of a classic po’boy.
For a crispy filling, use super firm tofu and press it beforehand to remove excess water. Swap out traditional mayo for a vegan mayonnaise for a dairy-free coleslaw. If you want something different than typical French bread, try this poboy with buttery pretzel rolls.
15. Spicy Pork
This take on the classic poboy features grilled pork patties and a creamy mayonnaise sauce filled with pickles, shallot and spoon-full of mustard.
The grilled pork is tender and juicy, and when combined with crisp lettuce, tomatoes and spicy hot sauce, the result is a stuffed sandwich bursting with flavor. This recipe won’t take too much time, either — once the grill is hot, the pork only takes about eight minutes to cook through.
16. Buffalo Shrimp
This shrimp sandwich is anything but basic. This poboy combines crispy fried shrimp with spicy buffalo sauce for a unique take on the classic poboy recipe.
For a lighter alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based sauces, try using a bleu cheese or gorgonzola dressing — it gives you the perfect amount of creaminess without the heaviness of the classic dressings. This recipe also swaps coconut oil for butter to reduce the dairy content. Tangy and tender, this poboy is sure to be a favorite.
17. Lobster
Combining buttery lobster with a stunning remoulade sauce, this lobster poboy recipe is a guaranteed success.
Season fresh lobster with garlic powder and hot sauce for a layer of spice. The sauce blends a wide variety of ingredients including mustard, mayonnaise, paprika, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce to create a creamy and refreshing spread. Toast your bread, spread the sauce and finish the sandwiches with romaine lettuce and cut tomatoes.
18. BBQ Shrimp
For a poboy with the warm taste of summer barbecue, try this recipe for BBQ shrimp poboys.
In this sandwich, the filling isn’t fried — instead, the shrimp simmer until cooked in a skillet filled with butter, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cayenne and garlic. This keeps the shrimp tender and full of flavor. For barbecue shrimp poboys, you don’t need additional sauce — just spoon the shrimp and juice onto toasted French rolls for a perfect poboy that’s simultaneously crispy and juicy.
19. Smoked Sausage
In this sandwich, delicious beer-braised smoked sausage is topped with grilled onions and a spicy mustard sauce for an authentic Cajun taste.
The beer gives both the sausage and the onions a full and robust flavor, and the mustard and mayo sauce brings the sandwich a slight kick of spice. The combination of sweet barbecue sauce and spicy mustard spread give the poboy a depth of hearty flavor. Pile onto a toasted poboy bun and pair with Cajun barbecue sauce for additional tang.
20. Cochon de Lait
Tender pork roast is at the center of this poboy recipe. Combine with a Creole mayonnaise and refreshing coleslaw, and you have a sandwich that’s a guaranteed winner.
The key to this cochon de lait poboy is to put your roast in a slow cooker for seven to eight hours before preparation. This allows the meat to soak up flavor and keeps it moist and juicy. Once the pork begins to fall apart and shreds easily, pile it onto warm bread slathered with a tangy mayo sauce and crisp coleslaw for the ideal poboy experience.
21. Poboy Sliders
For a more portable spin on a classic po’boy, try making some poboy sliders.
These small sandwiches are filled with fried shrimp and doused in a creamy remoulade sauce. Topped with fresh lettuce and tomatoes, these sliders are the perfect food to bring to a party or event. Use your favorite hot sauce in the remoulade to control the level of spice — depending on your guests, you may need to make it more or less spicy.
Once you try them, you’ll definitely add these mini-poboys to your menu rotation!
22. Avocado Shrimp
Avocados are taking over menus around the country, and for good reason — the creamy fruit adds a rich and smooth note to just about any dish.
For this sandwich, avocados are mixed with hot sauce and salt until they have a paste consistency. Spread the avocado mixture on one side of the hot roll, fill with warm sautéed shrimp and spread mayonnaise on the other side of the sandwich.
For a classic poboy with a fresh and modern twist, try an avocado shrimp poboy for your next meal.
Mouth-Watering Poboys in Downtown Baton Rouge
For a genuine Louisiana lunch, nothing beats a warm and crispy po’boy. Why settle for less than the best?
At Milford’s on Third, we combine the freshness of a New York delicatessen with the warmth of our Southern roots. Stop by and taste one of our many lunch options, ranging from hot matzo ball soup to our signature sandwiches. We offer two distinct poboys — the Hot Sausage Poboy and the Third Street.
The Hot Sausage Poboy combines juicy split green onion sausage link with the classic poboy toppings of lettuce, tomato and a mayonnaise spread. Our Third Street poboy is piled with tender roasted round and layered with provolone, pickles, mayo and gravy for a savory and rich favor.
With daily-made, mouth-watering sandwiches, we always have something new to try. Stop by Milford’s on Third for your next Baton Rouge poboy — you won’t be disappointed!
Read MoreBest Farmers’ Markets in Baton Rouge
With some of the most flavorful fresh salads downtown Baton Rouge has to offer, we at Milford’s on Third prefer to emphasize fresh ingredients and local flavors. Locally sourced foods are the best way to make sure your ingredients are fresh, and they also help support the local food community and economy.
Like many farm-to-table restaurants in Baton Rouge, we know the importance of making use of local farmers’ markets. Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or are just visiting, it’s always a good time to get to know these vital components of the local food industry.
So, which farmers’ markets do Baton Rouge food lovers frequent most? Five of the most popular are:
- Red Stick Farmers’ Market
- Red Stick Seasonal Mobile Markets
- Main Street Market
- Alexander’s Pop-Up Markets
- Fresh Pickin’s Market
Let’s take a detailed look at what makes each of these farmers’ markets special, the types of products they have available and three reasons why you should give each a visit.
Red Stick Farmers’ Market
Location: 6400 Perkins Road on Thursdays, 501 Main Street on Saturdays
Hours: 8 a.m. to noon
Products Available: Since Milford’s on Third is one of the best fresh delis in Baton Rouge, there’s no reason for us not to love Red Stick Farmers’ Market. The market has a wide variety of vendors across numerous categories, including produce, baked goods, dairy, meat and seafood. There are also vendors selling non-food items, including a large selection of plants and flowers.
Here is a sample of some of the vendors at Red Stick Farmers’ Market, separated by category:
Produce
The cornerstone of any good farmers’ market is its selection of produce, and Red Stick Farmers’ Market lives up to the challenge. Here is a sampling of the market’s produce vendors:
- Chenier Farm sells a wide variety of potatoes, as well as cabbage, turnips, purple-hull peas, various squashes, beans, peppers and cucumbers.
- Fekete Farm specializes in local strawberries, summer melons, sweet and green onions, cherry tomatoes, peppers, parsley and lettuce.
- Fletcher Family Farm has fresh strawberries, as well as strawberry products, including bread and jelly. It also features tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and mustard greens.
These three are just a very small sampling. Take it from one of the best fresh sandwich restaurants in Baton Rouge!
Baked Goods
There are also many vendors selling baked goodies at Red Stick Farmers’ Market, including:
- Blue Ribbon Pies sells a wide variety of pie flavors, including apple, blueberry, blackberry, peach, pecan, pumpkin and sweet potato. We also like their sugar-free tarts.
- Dillard’s Old-Fashioned Teacakes — Just as the name indicates, this bakery specializes in homemade old-fashioned teacakes, as well as sweet potato pies.
- Our Daily Bread features fresh bread baked daily, along with many other items such as organic produce, herbs, natural cosmetics and even books.
Dairy
It wouldn’t be a true farmers’ market without a nice selection of dairy products, and Red Stick Farmers’ Market delivers here as well. Here are some examples:
- Belle Ècorce Farm offers gourmet goat cheeses and spreads that are perfect for entertaining.
- Feliciana’s Best Creamery — Dairy products include whole, skim and reduced-fat milks, as well as chocolate milk, butter and heavy cream. Also check out Feliciana’s if you need a dozen — or more — eggs.
- City Gelato sells creamy, locally made gelato.
Meat & Seafood
We’re in Louisiana, after all, so seafood is a must. Here are a handful of seafood vendors you’ll run into at Red Stick Farmers’ Market. It’s also one of the best farmers’ meat markets in Baton Rouge:
- Anna Marie Seafood specializes in wild-caught Louisiana shrimp, as well as Gulf flounder.
- Outlaw Katfish Company — Wild-caught catfish is the specialty here, but you’ll also find claw and lump crabmeat, crab dip, live crabs when in season, stuffed crabs, soft-shell crabs and alligator sausage.
- Cutrer’s Meat Market — Around for nearly 60 years, Cutrer’s features a wide variety of sausages, as well as grass-fed beef and various hickory-smoked meats.
- Gonsoulin Cattle offers local and responsibly sourced meats, including grass-fed lamb and beef.
Local Products
We love buying local, and Red Stick Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to do so. Some examples:
- Amato’s Winery and Farm sells locally produced wines, as well as Italian ricotta cheese and homemade pork sausage.
- D’Agostino’s Pasta features locally made dried pastas, as well as marinara sauce.
- Re: specializes in garlic-based vinaigrette and marinades.
Plants and Flowers
Plants and flowers have a large presence at the market, including:
- Greenhand Nursery sells in-season flowering plants, as well as fruit trees, vegetable plants and tropical plants.
- Naquin Tomato Farm — As its name suggests, this is a great place to find fresh tomatoes. They also offer other seasonal vegetables, vegetable seedlings and eggs.
- Mizell Farm features bedding plants for both spring and fall, landscaping plants and trees, perennials, herbs and roses.
Other
It’s not all food and plants at Red Stick Farmers’ Market. Here are three great vendors that fit the “other” category:
- Bocage Bee & Honey Company features locally produced honey and beeswax goods.
- LSU Press sells books written by local authors.
- La Plum de ma Tante offers hand-painted note cards.
Three Reasons to Visit
- The restaurants. We’ve mentioned plenty of vendors, but there are also several onsite restaurants serving breakfast and lunch.
- The selection. If you need it, you’ll likely be able to find it at Red Stick Farmers’ Market.
- The location. With the market’s downtown location, you’ll be within walking distance of the best fresh salad place Baton Rouge has to offer (Milford’s, of course).
Red Stick Seasonal Mobile Markets
There are also some smaller seasonal Red Stick markets around Baton Rouge, weather permitting. Here is some basic information.
Location: EBRP Main Library on Tuesdays, Star Hill Church on Wednesdays and Exxon Mobil YMCA on Thursdays.
Hours: The markets are open from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Products Available: The products available at these markets can vary by day, season and market. Many vendors from the main Red Stick Farmers’ Market also have a presence at the smaller seasonal mobile markets. No matter which vendors show up on a given day, it’s a safe bet you’ll find a wide variety of locally sourced fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
Three Reasons to Visit
- Depending on where you live or work, one of these seasonal mobile markets might be easier for you to get to.
- Since the markets are open on weekday mornings, it’s a great opportunity to pick up some fresh foods to make for dinner later that night.
- These smaller markets tend to foster more of a family atmosphere, so don’t be afraid to get to know your favorite vendors.
Main Street Market
Location: 501 Main Street, at the corner of Fifth and Main.
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in conjunction with Red Stick Farmers’ Market.
Products Available: The Main Street Market is home to specialty shops, restaurants and cafes, including:
- Chef Celeste’s Bistro features dishes by talented local celebrity chef Celeste Gill.
- Our Daily Bread specializes in natural and organic products, including breads, groceries, meats and personal care items. It also features a natural food café.
- Plantation Pecan sells a wide variety of pecans, along with pecan-based products, including pies and fudge.
- Go Ya Ya’s Creperie is a dessert and coffee bar that specializes in crepes and also features breakfast and lunch items.
- Paul Wong’s Chinese is a great Chinese spot perfect for lunch, featuring a rotating menu.
- Red Stick Spice Company is a gourmet spice shop that sells spices, blends/rubs, peppers, olive oils, sea salts and teas.
- Socially Yours Inc. is a full-service catering facility with a wide variety of menus to choose from.
Three Reasons to Visit
- It’s indoors. That means if the weather isn’t that great, the shops will still be open.
- The location. Again, since it’s downtown, it’s just a stone’s throw away from Milford’s on Third.
- Free Wi-Fi. If you’re stopping in for lunch during work, you can still check your email while you eat.
Alexander’s Pop-Up Markets
Location: Alexander’s Highland Market, 18111 Highland Market Drive
Hours: The pop-up farmers’ markets typically take place on the first Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Products Available: The products available at Alexander’s pop-up markets can vary from month to month. For the June event, vendors included:
- Rome Farm
- Cypress Springs
- Ewing Farm
- J&D Blueberry Farm
- Season to Taste
- Raw Sugar Toffee
- Davis Farm
- Blazing Saddles Salsa
- Andi Lynn’e Elderberry Syrup
- Red Stick Spoon
- Southern Belle Boutique
- Carolyn Rodrigue Art
Since the vendors that take part can change from month to month, it’s always a good idea to check out the Alexander’s website for an idea who will be there.
Three Reasons to Visit
- Since vendors rotate each month, you’re bound to come across something new and delicious.
- Family time. Since the markets here take place on Sunday, it’s a good after-church activity for the family.
- The grocery store. Alexander’s Highland Market is also a nice grocery store, so be sure to visit it as well when you stop at one of the pop-up markets.
Fresh Pickin’s Market
Location: 10375 Coursey Boulevard, with an additional location in Lafayette
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
Products Available: Fresh Pickin’s is an open-air market that specializes in locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as local honey and a wide range of Cajun products. Here is an overview of what’s available:
- Depending on the season, the market features 10 varieties of apples, along with just about any other fruit you could think of, such as bananas, blueberries, cantaloupes, coconuts, grapes, kiwi, mangos, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, strawberries and watermelons. Citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, oranges and tangerines are available, as well as Louisiana citrus, including sweet oranges, kumquats, satsumas and grapefruits.
- Similar to fruits, if you can think of a vegetable, you’ll most likely be able to find it here. Its partial roster of vegetables includes avocados, five types of carrots, corn, six types of lettuce, leeks, five kinds of mushrooms, peas, three types of peppers, spinach, and three types of squash. Also available are 10 types of potatoes, six types of tomatoes, nine different chili peppers, seven types of onions and a variety of specialty vegetables.
- Frozen items. In addition to fresh options, there are typically 50 or more varieties of fresh frozen fruits and vegetables on hand, which varies seasonally.
- Condiments/non-produce. The market also has a huge selection of condiments and other non-produce items, such as honey, syrups, barbecue sauces and marinades, spices, rice, hot sauce, dried mushrooms, vanilla, minced or chopped garlic, olive oils, breads, salad dressings, dried pasta, canned vegetables, fresh Italian and Amish cheeses and fresh peeled garlic.
- Gift baskets. A great gift for any occasion, Fresh Pickin’s has many types of fruit baskets to choose from, and some also include jellies, sauces, seasonings or pickled items. Gift baskets begin at $14.99 and can be fully customized.
Three Reasons to Visit
- If a fruit or veggie is in season, it’s a safe bet you can find it at Fresh Pickin’s. The market’s many unique items give you the opportunity to try something new.
- The gift baskets. Since the market has lots of items to choose from, it’s easy for you to put together a gift basket for any occasion.
- Cajun goods. You can’t think Louisiana without thinking Cajun, and Fresh Pickin’s has so many items for you to choose from.
Freshness at Milford’s on Third
Since we pride ourselves on offering fresh and local ingredients, we know how important a good farmers’ market can be. Having fresh ingredients on hand is great for a homemade meal, but if you don’t have time, be sure to stop in and give us a try.
Think of Milford’s on Third as a true-to-life New York City deli experience in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge. We use fresh vegetables and meats in our salads and sandwiches, and if you have a sweet tooth, we have a rotating list of homemade ice cream flavors.
Our downtown location makes us the perfect spot for a quick breakfast or lunch on the go, or we can cater your next party or event. However you like it, when you dine with us, you know you’ll always get freshness.
The next time you’re out and about hitting the local farmers’ markets, be sure to stop in and give us a visit!
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