How to ‘Eat Good’ in Acadia

When people talk about “Cajun food,” they might think they’re talking about Blackened Red Fish or a spicy chicken sandwich. But Acadia Parish is where you’ll find the real true thing. We’re talking crawfish, pulled straight from the rice fields at the heart of the season; frog legs, hand-harvested in the dark of night; and barbecue crabs people land airplanes right on the prairie to get a bite of. 

At the heart of crawfish season (roughly January–June), the best eatin’ in Acadia can be found down the backroads. Two of the area’s most popular boil spots have been in business, and run by the same families, for over thirty years. Hawks, operated by the Arceneaux family, is best known for its unique purging process—claiming to serve the “cleanest crawfish in the world”. Only open during the season, the popular restaurant requires a trek into the woods of Robert’s Cove, but the pay-off is sizeable: famously large, generously seasoned reds served with all the fixin’s and the coldest beer in town. Save room for Jennifer Arceneaux’s (you might recognize her as the lead singer of local band, Louisiana Red—the closing performance for Rice Festival’s Friday night concert) signature bread pudding. 

Just north, on the outskirts of Eunice in the little community of Mowata, find Hawks’ friendly (and worthy) competitors at Mo’Crawfish, owned and operated by Michael and Katherine Hundley and their eight children (plus some grandchildren). The family has been farming rice, soybeans, and crawfish in this area for four generations, and the steaming trays of boiled seafood at their restaurant are about as fresh as you can get—this is Cajun farm-to-table dining at its finest.

Make an evening drive through the region’s rice fields a part of the adventure if you’re planning to check out D.I’s—where the dancefloor calls almost as loudly as the barbecue crabs. A great way to experience a true Cajun dancehall setting, D.I.’s has been inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame. Notice the airstrip out back for folks heeding that call via skyway, and be sure to let your waitress know if it’s your first time. Mrs. Sherry will whip up something extra special for you. 

With locations across Acadiana and a reputation as one of the area’s finest fine dining establishments, Fezzo’s in Crowley is a go-to for locals and visitors alike. Sample local seafood like chargrilled oysters or traditional seafood gumbo, or go big with plates of red snapper, catfish, or alligator. If you want to try Rayne’s particular delicacy, Chef Roy’s is the best spot for frog legs, served fried or in an étouffée (it tastes like chicken, we swear). And for those who elect to explore Acadia via its major waterway—the Mermentau River—C’est Bon is right there in Mermentau, and has been around since the 1980s, serving up good old fashioned plate lunches and seafood boils. 

Other, more casual family-owned dining experiences worth adding to your list include Gabe’s in Rayne—best known for its golden batter-fried just-about-anything, but especially its chicken and boudin balls; and Frosto in Crowley, a ‘50s-style diner serving up New Orleans-style poboys, burgers, and salads. 

Finally, if you want the “Rice Capital of the World” experience, be sure to stop at P.J.’s Grill in Crowley—where you can enjoy all the best local classics while sitting inside rice bins sourced from local farms. 

Find details about these dining destinations, and more, at acadiatourism.com.