There are many reasons I love to visit Lousiana; the laid-back atmosphere, the delightful mix of cultures, and, of course, the food. It’s a melting pot of tastes from the aristocratic Creoles who arrived from France, the French Canadian “Cajuns,” and the African slaves, they’ve combined their dishes into a unique cuisine.  Naturally, I had to sample as much as I could and share the results with you. If you’re a fan of good Louisiana cooking, here’s some of the Best Restaurants I’ve tried in Shreveport, LA.

Best Restaurants in Shreveport, LA

For Lunch

1. Kim’s Seafood & Po-Boy– A displaced native of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Duc Duong, came to Shreveport and loved the atmosphere. He stayed, reopening his original New Orleans restaurant, in Bossier City.  The atmosphere inside the small restaurant is casual,  and, on the day we visited, it was packed with locals. One patron, we were told, stopped by daily to get his “Crawfish fix.”  Using fresh Gulf Seafood and tried and tested recipes, Mr. Duong prepares everything from Po-Boys to Freshly Steamed Crawfish.  I tried the Oyster Po’Boy and was not disappointed. Imagine a marriage of flaky, golden fried oysters nestled on a bed of fresh veggies and sauce. I, along with another member of our party, were hesitant to try crawfish at first. Seriously, they look like a lot of effort for a little bit of meat. But, after being taught the proper way to open them, I tried them. I wasn’t the only one who went in for seconds after my sample.  Kim’s is located in a strip mall, so it’s easy to miss. But, don’t. It’s worth the trip.

2. Ki’ Mexico – Talk about a hip and happening place. Ki’ Mexico serves “upscale” Mexican food in a fun atmosphere. Located in the Highlands neighborhood, this restaurant has quickly become a favorite spot for the locals to gather for one of the signature drinks or a meal with friends. I tried the Sopes,  3 tortillas mounded with black beans and topped with chicken tinga, potato and chorizo, and nopales. The tortillas were topped by crema and queso and were available with a choice of three salsas, Jade, Diablo, or India. My favorite was the nopales tortilla, but you won’t go wrong with any of them.  Before the main course, be sure to try an appetizer of their famous guacamole and chips. We stuffed ourselves with so much of this yummy deliciousness that we barely had room to stuff in our dinners. But we managed.  One bite and you’ll know how we did.

For Dinner

3. 2John’s Steak & Seafood– From the moment we walked through the door everyone went out of their way to ensure great service. We had made a reservation, but when we arrived they couldn’t find it. It turned out to have been accidentally made for the next night, but they were very helpful and found us a table within a few minutes.  The outstanding service continued throughout the meal, with our waiter checking in on us often to make sure we had everything we needed or and keeping our drinks refilled.  I sampled the 7-ounce Filet Mignon, cooked to a perfect rare as I requested, and served with mashed red potatoes and haricots vert, a fancy term for green beans. I’ve found it’s difficult to find a restaurant that serves a rare steak, preferring to send me a medium rare or even a close to well done, before asking me if it’s okay. 2John’s got it right the first time; a tender steak that seemed to melt in my mouth.  This is a place for a celebratory dinner, special occasions, or dinner with friends. The upscale atmosphere and relaxing piano music provide great ambiance and the service and delicious food keep people coming back for more.

4. Silver Star Smokehouse Shreveport is located on the Texas/Louisana border, allowing some of the traditional Texan food to slip over the border. And, what’s more Texan than bar-be-que? The Silver Star Smokehouse boasts classic Southern Barbeque so good it’s been voted one of the top ten Barbeque restaurants in America by the Wall Street Journal.  I sampled their Lite Combo Platter; a choice of two meats and a side.  I couldn’t resist the pulled pork and smoked sausage, but others at our table tried the slow smoked brisket, the smoked turkey breast, and that classic barbeque staple, ribs.  All platters come complete with two side items, bread, and sauce.  For the more adventurous,  there’s some interesting appetizers that caused me to do a double take, like “Armadillo Eggs.” No Armadillo was harmed in the making of these “eggs”, they’re really a mixture of jalapeno peppers and Monterey jack cheese, dipped in a beer batter.  Perfect for a night with friends or family,  Silver Star Steakhouse offers a children’s menu and an extensive drink menu. Come early for the best seating or make a reservation.

For Dessert

5. Strawn’s Eat Shop–  Tucked into a small strip building, Strawn’s Eat Shop hardly merits a glance from the outside. But, one step into this diner and you’ll know why all the locals want to keep this eatery a secret.  It’s a typical diner; with waitresses who’ll call you “honey” and treat you like a regular. The casual atmosphere welcomes families and the kids will get a kick out of the wall murals, fanciful images including Disney characters and The Wizard of Oz, among others.  Glancing down the menu, I noticed their “World Famous Icebox Pies.” It was breakfast, but I had to have a taste. We ordered a slice of Strawberry and a piece of Butterscotch for the table.  One bite into the  creamy butterscotch mounded with fresh whipped cream and I knew what I needed to eat.  “Is anyone going to finish this?” I asked. Seeing my fork hovering over the pie, and possibly fearing I would stab them with it if they got to close, everyone replied, “No. No. You go ahead.” In my defense, I did wait until I thought everyone had all they wanted.   I was sad I couldn’t sneak one of these pies onto the plane to travel home with me. They’re that good.

When You Want To Take The Flavor Home

6. Soumas Heritage Creole Creations- Pralines & Red Beans and Rice–  Visiting with Chef Pandorina Soumas is like chatting with an old friend. She immediately makes you feel welcome, explaining her mission to create authentic Creole food with recipes passed down from her ancestors, but with a twist. These are in prepackaged mixes, which can be shipped to any state in the US, so you can enjoy the taste at home without the extensive labor. After all, most of us don’t have 30 minutes to spend at the stove each evening stirring up the perfect roux.  Her products come with fanciful names like “Hoodoo you want to Voodoo dip?”, “Jumpin’-Da’-Broom Jambalaya Mix™,” and “Gris-Gris Good Luck Soup /Stew Mix™.” Who wouldn’t be tempted by ‘Soups-n-Stews, Spells-n-Spirits?’
Each of her mixes come with a historical note attached, like her Red-Beans-N-Rice. Typically this dish was made by slaves on Mondays, as they used the hambone left over from Sunday dinner and simmered the dish long and slow while working on the laundry. I wasn’t traditionally Cajun because I made my rice on Tuesday, but it still enveloped my kitchen with rich smells that beckoned the entire family to draw near the table. Finish off the meal with her creamy pralines, made with a secret family recipe. It’s just like a trip to Cajun country without the drive.

Have you visited Shreveport, Louisiana? What are some of your favorite places to eat?

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