Lake Charles

The cuisine of Lake Charles has strong roots in Cajun and Creole traditions. Recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, but no two meals are ever the same. Cajun cooking usually happens in one big pot and is adapted to the ingredients available, ensuring an even better meal time after time.

The food in Lake Charles has mainly been influenced by the French traditions, which is so evident in most Cajun and Creole meals. Like many regions throughout Louisiana, American Indians have made a cultural mark on the cuisine with their crops and farming techniques. The cuisine in this area has also been influenced by German, Italian, Spanish, and even Lebanese cultures.

Lake Charles is famous for its Cajun French/Creole cuisine as evidenced with just one bite of jambalaya, gumbo, or spicy crawfish, but there's more to the dining scene than the traditional Louisiana fare. Meals in this area are often based around seafood thanks to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico where day after day, fresh shrimp, oysters and crab are caught and shipped or served right here. And a meal in Lake Charles is also often served with a side of good music, perfect for those that like to tap their toes and work off the calories from their delicious meal.

For people who like adventures, there is also a culinary trail right in the Lake Charles area called the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail. There are 17 stops where boudin masters make their own boudin. Boudin is a staple snack in the southern regions of the Bayou State. Boudin is made of varying amounts of pork meat, liver, rice, onions, parsley and dry seasonings like salt, red pepper, black pepper and garlic powder. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anything in between.

The downtown area in Lake Charles is also a great place to soak in some flavorful food along with toe-tapping tunes. Within a few blocks, almost every restaurant has live music on the weekend, and some start their weekends on Wednesday nights! There is always a bass guitar leading a beat with a variety of bands taking the stage, playing Cajun, country, rock and roll or any style under the sun. Plus, you can catch great bands and have a choice of dining experiences at our area’s three casinos including Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, the Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel and L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort.

Many festivals in the area also have authentic food components from gumbo cook-offs to jambalaya cook-offs or crawfish eating contests! The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana area is packed with festivals, boasting over 75 annual festivals, so there is always something to explore and eat. The Cajun heritage festivals take place in July, and Mardi Gras each year hosts a famous gumbo cook-off, and let’s not forget the Iowa Rabbit Festival and their cook-off or the food contests at the Contraband Days Pirate Festival!

Whether it’s festivals, restaurants, culinary adventures like the Boudin Trail or just succulent seafood or hot po-boys you are searching for, you’re sure to find your fill in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana! So, grab a plate and get ready for meals to remember. For a Boudin Trail brochure, Festival Calendar or general Getaway Guide, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-456-7952, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit us online at www.visitlakecharles.org.