SWLA FOODIES GUIDE

Here in Southwest Louisiana, we love to eat! Food is a passion and an integral part of our unique culture . . . and always a reason to celebrate! This annual Foodie’s Guide is dedicated to our enthusiasm for all things culinary, from local eateries to events that highlight our legendary cuisine. Read on and discover several new and exciting establishments on the restaurant scene, where to find the hottest global fusion flavors, and a spotlight on S&B Events – the charitable organization that brings us Smoke & Barrel and Rum Revival! 

Crepes, Kabobs, Cookies, and a Cantina

Explore SWLA’s New Eateries

by Kerri Cooke

Southwest Louisiana has a vibrant and ever-expanding food scene. The community has had rapid growth in the food sector, especially when it comes to new cuisines to try. Each eatery has its own personality and brings a specialty to the table.

Crepe Escape

Crepe Escape brought a bit of the big city to Lake Charles. Owner Amanda Abbasi decided to introduce sweet and savory crepes, boba and bubble waffles to town after traveling to Houston to indulge in these treats. Abbasi says bringing these treats to Lake Charles offers “more variety to people” in SWLA. In addition, Crepe Escape stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Lake Charles lacks restaurants and cafés that stay open late for weekend fun, so Crepe Escape has seen the “younger generation” coming to the restaurant to hang out with friends. Crepe Escape has also become a meeting place for family gatherings.

French Market Donuts

The newly opened French Market Donuts is essentially a rebrand of the former Donut King. Desiree Mullins says the bakery, which serves donuts and kolaches, is run by the “same family, different generation.” The new team consists of Mullins, and David and Davíd Veiloon (father and son duo). The recipes the trio are using are “the same recipes my dad learned from his dad in the ‘50s,” Mullins says, so expect the same delicious goodness experienced at Donut King.

Nawal’s Kebab House and Grill

Easy Balbeisi is the chef at Nawal’s Kebab House and Grill. Balbeisi says the restaurant is named after his mother, and he “hopes to introduce [as many] people in Lake Charles to Mediterranean and Lebanese food” as he can. “The percentage of people who eat Mediterranean food has increased” since 2020, Balbeisi says. The current food scene is now “way more like Lafayette.” Business is doing so well that Balbeisi says a second location is already in the works for the Sulphur community. Ultimately, Balbeisi is passionate about bringing Mediterranean cuisine to SWLA not only because of its taste, but also because Mediterranean food is “very healthy.”

Lighthouse Bend

Lighthouse Bend is part restaurant, part market, part marina and part RV park. The facility was built and is being staffed by Venture Global as a place for “the community to meet and shop,” according to Chuck Pugh, one of the managers on-site. One of the goals of Lighthouse Bend is to source “as much seafood locally as possible,” which will be a welcome outlet for local fishermen. Pugh says the restaurant is an upper end restaurant but not so formal as to lose those friendly Cameron Parish vibes. The menu includes some Cajun recipes, which utilize local seafood, and more standard fair, such as steak, chicken wings, burgers and sandwiches.

Blue Iguana Taco Bar and Cantina

Blue Iguana is a new restaurant with a “specialty taco bar,” according to Mayra Desormeaux. The restaurant, housed in the old Hong Kong building, was completely repainted in a blue paint that references the “blue” in Blue Iguana. Desormeaux says Blue Iguana is an “upscale type of Mexican restaurant.” SWLA has many Mexican restaurants, but most are smaller and not as elaborately decorated as Blue Iguana. The Hong Kong building was chosen for the restaurant because “structure-wise, it is more attractive,” says Desormeaux. The new restaurant has plenty of other foods besides tacos and several margarita flavors.

Goldband Diner & Bar

Goldband Diner & Bar is located next door to Panorama Music House. The eatery is named after the late Goldband Records in Lake Charles. While you have a drink and a bite to eat, you can take advantage of the pool and foosball tables. Goldband Diner hosts comedy and jazz nights, along with other events in tandem with Panorama Music House. The diner offers standard American fare, such as pizza, burgers and sandwiches.

New Cookie Outlets

SWLA loves cookies, and with the addition of both Crave Cookies and Crumbl Cookies, the community has plenty of options to choose from. Crave Cookies is run by Tommy Johns and Cheyenne Boudreaux. Johns says they are “very blessed to be part of this community and to have the support of the community.” Crave has a new cookie menu out every Friday. The exciting part is that on Fridays and Saturdays, customers have access to both the previous week’s menu and the new menu, until sold out. All total, customers have access to 12 different cookie flavors to start their weekend. Crumbl Cookies opened last year and had “the largest grand opening in Crumbl history,” says Hailey Lockhard, co-general manager. Lockhard realizes that “part of the culture of Louisiana is food and eating” and that was evident when the location had lines of people out of the doors for weeks. Crumbl has six cookie flavors a week that return on a rotating basis.