Monthly Archives: January 2025

Touch Down in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou – Your Big Game Side Stop

As all you football fans prepare for the biggest game of the year, why not call a time out on your visit to New Orleans and take a day trip over to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou? Whether you’re tackling true Southern food cravings or simply looking for a winning travel experience, we might just turn out to be the MVP of your Big Game trip. We invite you to kick off your Louisiana adventure (or venture into overtime) by spending some time with us here in Lafourche Parish, affectionately known as Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.

Sure, the Big Easy gets lots of attention – especially during the Big Game – but Lafourche Parish is where the true flavors of Louisiana come to life. Swap the crowds for cozy bayou towns, where music spills out from family-run bars and the scent of étouffée fills the air. Venture onto the sidelines of New Orleans – just 40 minutes from the airport – to discover authentic Cajun traditions, from zydeco music to swamp tours. It’s the perfect place to experience the soul of Louisiana, where every corner tells a story and every bite is a culinary touchdown.

You’ve got your (hopefully) winning team and your game face on, but since you won’t be watching the big game from the comfort of your couch with unlimited access to chips and dip, why not score big with authentic Cajun food during your time in Louisiana? Our restaurants feature gumbo, crawfish and po-boys that will have your tastebuds doing a celebratory dance. From local, family-owned joints to slightly more upscale venues, we’ve got the food and flavors that will put your beloved corn chips and guac on the bench.

Experience your own halftime-worthy show here, where our breathtaking bayous, spectacular swamps and welcoming towns make for the perfect backdrop for your pre- or post-game stroll (or airboat ride). Spending a day on our beloved waters will leave you feeling like a champion!

So whether you’re here for the food, the fun or just a more peaceful change of scenery, you’ll find that we are the ultimate Big Game side stop. We’ve got the perfect combination of adventure and Southern charm to make your time in Louisiana one for the highlight reel, whether your team wins or loses. Don’t just come to Louisiana to watch the game; make your own winning play and take home the vacation trophy with a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.

How to be King of King Cake this Mardi Gras Season!

It’s January, so … ‘tis the season in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. Carnival season, that is! This year, Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, March 4th. Though the big day is still a few weeks away, festivities are already in full swing. One of the best ways to get into the spirit is by indulging in a seasonal treat.

To everyone up and down the Bayou, king cakes are an integral part of Mardi Gras. This colorful confection is the iconic culinary symbol of the Carnival season … with good reason!

Named for the three kings (or wise men) who brought gifts to baby Jesus, the king cake tradition is thought to be brought to Louisiana from France in the 19th century. The cinnamon pastry ring is commonly topped with white icing and decked out in three different colored sugars: purple, which symbolizes justice; gold, which represents power; and green for faith. Watch that dental work, because the cakes come with a plastic baby tucked somewhere in them. The “winner” – whoever gets the baby in their piece – is responsible for providing the next king cake!

Though some bakers sell the beloved cakes year-round (adjusting flavors and colors for the various holidays), consumption skyrockets during Carnival season. Here are some places up and down Bayou Lafourche where you can find a tasty king cake:

Ninette’s Cake Shop
1050 S. Acadia Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301
985-447-1714

The Willow Café
713 West Third Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
985-448-0444

Duet’s Bakery
18134 W Main St, Cut Off, LA, 70354
985-6326954

Cajun Pecan House
14808 W. Main Street, Cut Off, LA 70345
985-632-2337
Note: They ship nationwide!

If you’ve worked your way through all the bakeries and still can’t get enough of this sugary Mardi Gras dessert, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the Louisiana King Cake Festival, which will be held in downtown Thibodaux on Saturday, February 15th. Attendees can sample king cakes baked by local bakeries, restaurants and even home cooks and vote for their favorite. The event will give you plenty of opportunities to scout out who makes the best on the Bayou … and map your route to their store, or figure out how to get invited to their home for a great party! It’s never too early to plan ahead when king cake is involved.

King cakes are an important part of the culture in Louisiana, especially along Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, because they represent how the traditions of the Acadian French – or Cajun – people have become indelibly linked to life in the state of Louisiana. The cake’s name and back story is deeply rooted in the Cajuns’ Catholic faith, but the simple act of enjoying a piece of cake is something everyone can do. The fact that cakes can be shipped to friends and family all around the country ensures that Mardi Gras joy isn’t limited to Louisiana … though the cake sure does seem to taste better when you eat it here!

We hope your Mardi Gras is as amazing as a slab of king cake!