Categories: Local Food

Find 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.

Milfords

Published by
Milfords

Recent Posts

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…

3 years ago

Where 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…

3 years ago

The 20 Best Places to Study in Baton Rouge

Sometimes, you just need to get out of your dorm. After hours of stressful studying, it’s helpful to change up…

3 years ago

Best Lunch Restaurants in Baton Rouge

Looking for good lunch spots in Baton Rouge? We don’t blame you — this is one of the richest culinary…

3 years ago

Taking 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…

3 years ago

Best Romantic Picnic Spots in Downtown Baton Rouge

Plan a romantic picnic for your special someone as a way to connect, take in nature and enjoy fresh deli…

3 years ago