Brunchin’ Bayou Style

by Matt Dye 

With the warmer weather, the weekends are an opportune time to sit on outdoor patios and enjoy some good food. 

While there are expected brunch favorites, such as grabbing the Street Side Jazz Band at Luna Downtown, catching a bite to eat at Villa Harlequin or enjoying a bottomless mimosa at MacFarlane’s, there are a couple businesses that moved recently to check out. 

Biscuit ‘n Jamz, Lake Charles’ best kept secret, is a secret no longer with a move to 1850 N. Martin Luther King Highway. Chef Al and his wife Marilyn have been putting out some of the best breakfast food for almost three years, and now they’re in a can’t miss location, so you may have to go early.  

The offerings range from traditional breakfast favorites such as their BJ Breakfast to grits, hashes, stuffed French toast and, of course, biscuits. It’s hard to pick a highlight, so you’ll have ample reasons to revisit, and the friendly, family-owned atmosphere is a nice throwback. Biscuit n Jamz is open Wednesday-Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. 

Another local business with a recent big move that you probably couldn’t miss is Coffee:30, as they went just around the corner to 3420 Ryan St. to a much larger venue. With this move, Coffee:30 made all sorts of upgrades to their offerings, with a more developed menu and an expanded drink selection now including a variety of “clocktails,” many featuring coffee or espresso. 

The menu seems to cover all bases from things as simple as avocado toast to the more elaborate Crab Cake Breakfast Bowl, which hits all the flavor senses at once, accented by a Cajun hollandaise and a sweet Thai chili sauce. They’ve also got a variety of burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads if you’re looking for that later brunch meal. Coffee:30 is open Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Crying Eagle – Lakefront has been open for six months, but there may not be a better time to visit and catch this spring weather. Known initially for their beers, Crying Eagle has been pushing the culinary angle these last couple years—first with the Bistro at the original brewery. Now, with their second location, comes a whole new menu. 

While they haven’t expanded to a brunch menu of their own (you’ll have to go to the original brewery to get their Praline Chicken & Waffles), their main menu has a number of early afternoon items that pair perfectly with their craft beers and cocktails. Small plates such as Crawfish Queso served with Pork Skins or their Lakefront Shrimp Toast, drizzled in a nice pepper jelly are perfect for an elevated late morning meal. Or if you’re looking for something savory with a hint of breakfast, a popular item is their I-10 Smash Burger with a Fried Egg. Pair it with any one of their cocktails and enjoy a morning watching the wind roll across the water. Crying Eagle Lakefront is open Sunday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., till 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.