Lake Charles, Louisiana: Cajun and Creole Cuisine Plus Craft Beverages

Book an excursion with a local guide to fish the Gulf of Mexico or the marshes near Lake Charles. Then, follow the Seafood Sensation Trail to local restaurants that specialize in fresh seafood. Casual restaurants such as Seafood Palace and Steamboat Bill’s present crawfish, crab, shrimp, oysters and other local catches simply and deliciously: golden fried, grilled or blended into flavorful gumbos. Other local-favorites include Pat’s of Henderson, serving a variety of seafood dishes like seafood gumbo, stuffed crabs, fried or broiled fish, seafood pasta and even alligator. At eclectic Luna Bar & Grill, sample from a list of delectable sandwiches or entrees featuring tuna, redfish, chicken and more in an artsy atmosphere.

Think of boudin, pronounced “boo-dahn,” as akin to sausage. In its purest form, meat, rice, onions, peppers and other seasonings are mixed then stuffed into a natural casing. It’s a finger food that locals enjoy for any meal or as a snack. Depending on the kitchen, you might find boudin links made with shrimp, crawfish or alligator; smoked or spiced from mild to hot (some varieties feature jalapeno peppers). Others roll boudin into balls and fry them ’til they’re the golden specialty known as boudin balls. 

Part of the experience of enjoying boudin is discovering it in Lake Charles’ meat markets, grocery stores – and even gas stations. Though you’ll find boudin in restaurants too, these no-frill, mom-and-pop stops make their own, and smoke their own meats, enticing visitors with an irresistible aroma. The Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail leads to 25 such locations, so hop in the car and go.

Complement the cuisine of Southwest Louisiana with a sip of Bayou Rum, which crafts its spirits using Louisiana sugarcane, molasses and, in certain varieties, the brilliant orange fruit of the state’s satsuma harvest. Allow time to sample spirits at the in-house tasting bar, and to take a guided tour. You’ll learn about the authentic recipes used by Bayou Rum’s distillers, and see their process which centers on a traditional copper pot still. You can even register in advance to help bottle the product. 

You can further expand your local palate with a stop by Crying Eagle Brewing Company, a taproom and brewery created with beer lovers in mind. Sip on a taproom-exclusive specialty beer in the comfortable tasting room or kick back in the beer garden while playing outdoor games like washer pitching or bean bag toss. Pizzas, sandwiches, small bites and more are also available from the on-site bistro.

Located only 2.5 hours west of Lake Charles, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas offers numerous non-stop international flights. Other convenient international hubs include Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (5 hours northwest of Lake Charles) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (3.5 hours east of Lake Charles).