Let’s just suppose that you’re a weekend warrior from Dallas-Ft. Worth, East Texas or Southeast Oklahoma, and you’re planning a quick trip to Shreveport-Bossier to catch the Krewe of Centaur XXIX (Feb. 15), Krewe of Gemini XXXI (Feb. 22) or Krewe of Highland XXV (Feb. 23) parades with friends or family. Or maybe you’re a Shreveport-Bossier local who’ll be hosting visitors during Carnival season and you’re looking to give them a taste of Louisiana.
As a team member at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, I field a lot of questions about where to take out-of-towners to eat during Mardi Gras season. So, I thought I’d post a list of some of the places that I frequently recommend. This list is just a start, and I hope that readers will chime in with suggestions in the comments. Please note that this is not intended to serve as a “best of” list.
Another list of suggestions for Mardi Gras eats can be found in the Gris Gris Guide to Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier, which can be downloaded here.
Beignets
Marilynn’s Place, 4041 Fern Ave., Shreveport
Probably the gold standard of beignets in Shreveport. Don’t wear dark-colored clothing if you’re thinking about ordering these.
Larry P’s Boiling Point, 2260 E. Bert Kouns, Shreveport
Don’t count Larry P’s out because they’re a food truck; lots of folks believe these are the best beignets north of I-10.
Cocktails
Ralph & Kacoo’s of Bossier City, 1700 Old Minden Rd. #141, Bossier City
If you’re looking for a Pat O’ Brien’s-style cocktail in a keepsake glass, Ralph & Kacoo’s is your best bet. Bonus points: the bar is home to a giant stuffed alligator named Jumbeaux.
Fatty Arbuckles, 450 Clyde Fant Pkwy., Shreveport
Have a perfectly-made Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans, with one of the 300 or so different whiskies stocked by this tiny bar near the parade route.
Fat Calf Brasserie, 3030 Creswell Ave., Shreveport
The attentive bar staff at Fat Calf Brasserie in Highland serve up outstanding versions of New Orleans cocktails including the French 75 and the Sidecar.
2Johns Steak and Seafood, 2151 Airline Dr., Bossier City
If you’re looking for a classy restaurant bar with live music nightly and a strong Louisiana cocktail program, 2Johns is a go-to.
Po’ Boys
Herby-K’s, 1833 Pierre Ave., Shreveport
Most folks order the famous Shrimp Buster, but their fried oyster po’ boy is hard to beat.
Kim’s Seafood & Po’ Boy
901 Benton Rd., Bossier City
4456 Youree Dr., Shreveport
Folks who know New Orleans po’ boys will recognize the hard-to-find Patton’s hot sausage po’ boy, but they’re all good here. Two locations.
Fat Tuesday Sandwich Shop & Bakery, 1202 Shady Grove Dr., Bossier City
You’d be hard-pressed to find a place that feels more like Louisiana, right down to the swamp mural and the zydeco music blaring through the speakers. Oh, and the sandwiches are very good.
Gumbo
Orlandeaux’s Cafe, 4916 Monkhouse Dr., Shreveport
The “gumbeaux” at Orlandeaux’s Cafe comes with a big wedge of old-fashioned cornbread, which is as succinct of a summary of our local food scene as anyone could write. Bonus points: zydeco music always pours from the speakers here.
Creole Cafe and Catering, 2814 Greenwood Rd., Shreveport
This tiny, hole-in-the-wall eatery run by a family from Southwest Louisiana serves up an unforgettable seafood gumbo as well as one of the best crawfish etouffees we’ve ever tasted. Don’t be fooled by the rough exterior; this is a fantastic Louisiana restaurant.
The Cajun Asian, 1964 Airline Dr., Bossier City
The unique menu at The Cajun Asian is divided between Vietnamese food and Cajun favorites. The gumbo is very good, as are the crawfish wontons and jambalaya eggrolls!
Oysters
Frank’s Louisiana Kitchen, 1023 Provenance Pl., Shreveport
Chef Frank Harris is particular about his oysters, and on most days during Mardi Gras season, you can sample oysters from the Gulf coast as well as the eastern seaboard. Good cocktails, too!
Frozen Pirogue, 515 Barksdale Blvd., Bossier City
Rockefeller, Benedict, barbecue, garlic Parmesan…if you can do it to an oyster, they can do it at Frozen Pirogue in Bossier City.
From boiled crawfish to muffulettas, there are so many other dishes that could be included. And king cakes? That’s a whole other blog post. For more recommendations on where to dine in Shreveport-Bossier, check out Eat Here: A Food Lover’s Guide to Shreveport-Bossier, which readers can download or view online.
Should your favorite place be on this list? Let us know in the comments!
For lots more info on Mardi Gras season in Shreveport-Bossier, visit www.ShreveportMardiGras.com.
20×49.com is a publication of The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.
