Friday lunch

[Lizzie]

Driving to Houston this weekend and would like to stop in Lafayette on Friday for lunch. Any recs?

[chefairline]

Without a doubt, head to Prejean's, north of I-10 on I-49 service road. I stopped in last fall for the first time. The gumbo was fantastic.

[gumbo lover]

Disagree strongly with the Prejean's rec. I've eaten there more times than I cared to. I'd take Evangeline Thruway about 5 miles and eat an Poor Boys Riverside. http://www.poorboysriversideinn.com/

Another option is to hop off the interstate before Lafayette at Henderson and eat some great crawfish bisque at Pat's in Henderson on the Amy River. I've been twice in the past 2 months. Takes about 5 minutes to get there from I-10. Get off. Turn left under the interstate. Left at the first light and drive until you see it on your left. The bisque is excellent. I bought 10 pints, to go, last month, and one of my friends is going on Friday to pick up some more for me. Soft shell crabs were good as well. Friend had frog legs he liked. I had the crabmeat au gratin which was good. Just nix the cheese on top. It was loaded with jumbo lump, obviously very fresh. The Cajun waitresses are a hoot. It's a fun experience in Cajun Land.

Don's downtown has excellent shrimp gumbo and fried crab claws. Their fried shrimp are very good with a light crispy crust. Good hushpuppies and house Italian dressing as well. I'd eat there before Prejeans. I don't get too far off those items, though. It's crowded at lunch. If you know what time you're going to get there, I'd call for a reservation.

[The Bear]

Robin's bisque beats Pat's ten times over. It is about a mile before Pat's on the right. Of course if you desire Pat's food come on to Lake Charles and eat at Pat's of Henderson on the 210 run by his daughter. Much better food.

[gumbo lover]

When did you last eat at Pat's, Bear? I'm curious because my partner who is from St. Martinville and around there quite frequently, compared the two as well and said Pat's was even better than Robin's. Maybe Pat's got better, recently. This was just last month. I need to get to Robin's to compare it, myself.

[The Bear]

Thanksgiving Friday last year. I ate at Pat's of Henderson a couple of months later. Our server when she found out where we were from offered her opinion that our Pat's was better than where she worked.

[Tchoupitoulas]

I wouldn't eat at either Pat's or Prejean's for free. I'd hit Cafe Vermillionville on Pinhook,

http://www.cafev.com/

Don's Seafood Hut on Johnston or Riverside as GL says. By all means stay clear of Prejean's and if that's the only choice, drive through to Lake Charles as Bear says and try Pat's in LC (have not tried it).