Baton Rouge, Louisiana is home to Louisiana State University and is about an hour’s drive from New Orleans. The food scene of the latter often gets all the acclaim, but the "Red Stick," as Baton Rouge is nicknamed, celebrates its Cajun influence with a creative twist.
Some of the best meals aren’t in big-name restaurants requiring reservations and are instead affordable to the students that inhabit the area. Here are 10 places to eat that you should check out.
City Pork
Plate of BBQ at City Pork — Photo courtesy of Visit Baton Rouge
Louisiana may not be known for its barbecue like in other parts of the South, but you wouldn’t know that when dining at City Pork. The restaurant boasts multiple locations, including one on campus, with Carolina-style pulled pork on sandwiches, nachos and everything in between. The Jefferson Highway outpost also serves breakfast and brunch.
Cocha
Tostones at Cocha — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
Located on a mural-lined downtown street, Cocha gathers its inspiration from cuisines around the globe with locally and ethically sourced ingredients. The menu has a little bit of everything, including Venezuelan corn cakes with jackfruit. The restaurant's weekend brunch features crab-topped eggs Benedict and cocktails.
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Dang's Vietnamese
Pho at Dang's Vietnamese — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
Baton Rouge is home to the state's second-highest population of Vietnamese-Americans. Dang’s is one of the restaurants in the community that serves traditional dishes. The casual eatery on Florida Boulevard is ideal for students and visitors alike for its affordable prices, like $10 for a heaping bowl of pho or $6 for a banh mi.
Doe's Eat Place
Exterior of Doe's Eat Place — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
While Doe's Eat Place is a regional franchise, the Baton Rouge location incorporates dishes native to Louisiana, such as gumbo, and there’s an entire room decked out in purple and gold, LSU's colors. But they’re also known for their Delta-style tamales and porterhouse steaks the size of your head.
The steaks will cost you more than a student budget allows, but their po'boys, which are served at lunch, are around $15 and come with an order of fries. Don’t miss the New Orleans-style debris po'boy which comes topped with roast beef drippings.
Elsie's Plate and Pie
Pies and sides at Elsie's — Photo courtesy of Elsie's
When you're homesick for the dishes your mom makes, head to Elsie's Plate and Pie. Named for the family matriarch, this restaurant has large portions of Natchitoches-style meat pies, crawfish bisque and boudin sandwiches. On weekends, the menu focuses on brunch, with omelets, eggs Benedict and Cajun-spiced bloody marys.
Gov't Taco
Taco at Gov't Taco — Photo courtesy of Jordan Hefler Photography
After launching a successful outpost at a food hall, Gov't Taco opened its first independent location. The funky taco shop is helmed by the Food Network's Jay Ducote and has filling options like crispy gulf shrimp, coffee-rubbed beef and cane-glazed carrots. Don't miss the happy hour deals, with discounts on margaritas and taquitos.
The Gregory
Lunch plate at The Gregory — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
You'll find The Gregory in The Watermark hotel, the former headquarters of the Louisiana National Bank, complete with the vault and original murals. This restaurant is where the political crowd and budget lovers can dine together over “express lunch.” It includes dishes that change daily, served on fancy cafeteria trays for $15. Choose a soup, salad, main (with options like fish almondine and gumbo) and dessert.
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Louie's Cafe
Biscuit at Louie's Cafe — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
A greasy spoon is exactly what a college town needs, and for Baton Rouge, that place is Louie’s Cafe. Originally opened in 1941 by Louie Sisk, the cafe served burgers, Cajun hashbrowns and omelets in a cozy ten-seat restaurant. In 1977, the current owner took over and added 50 seats and additional menu items. Today, their fluffy biscuits and Phyllis sandwich are the perfect hangover remedies.
The Overpass Merchant
Burger at The Overpass Merchant — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
Named for its location under the highway east of the LSU campus, The Overpass Merchant is a trendy spot with affordable dishes. Their happy hours and weekly 2-for-1 burger specials are hits with the student crowd. Their delicious burgers are served with your choice of toppings alongside frites and garlic aioli.
Tony's Seafood
Fresh shrimp at Tony's Seafood — Photo courtesy of Caroline Eubanks
Opened in 1972, Tony’s Seafood is not only a seafood market selling fresh shrimp, crawfish and crabs, but also a deli where you can enjoy prepared foods like boudin balls, gumbo and fried catfish. They also have a changing selection of daily specials, po'boys and plate lunches, all around $10.