This place is outstanding. One of my favorites places to bring out-of-towners. The food is always wonderful. It is located in a quaint old country store with a great story (just ask Roberto).
(5)
Ryan W.
Corey D. said it right (except for the part about New Orleans food being crap. he's all wrong there.). Also, make sure to have some bread pudding.
(5)
Ryan H.
Get the "Shrimp Roberto's." Do it! You will see.
(5)
K W.
i've been working in st gabriel this month so i've been checking out different places for lunch. roberto's has been one of the gems i've come across. really love the quaintness of the place; i'm guessing it was previously an old house on the river that was converted to a restaurant. obviously a local favorite as the probable host/owner would visit tables and chat with patrons. waitstaff was super friendly and efficient. despite the fact that the restaurant was packed, food was delivered in a timely fashion and was fresh and delicious. i had a grilled chicken salad for 10 bucks and shared an appetizer of fried sweet potato chips for 5 bucks. my dining companions had some pretty stellar looking fried catfish that came with a side salad, french fries, and lima beans...obvs filling for, if i remember correctly, 15 bucks?? if i ever make it out this way again, i'll definitely visit this restaurant again.
(5)
Jeff Z.
Great ambience and even better food. Loved the casual atmosphere.
(5)
Allison R.
Excellent Excellent Excellent! The atmosphere is unbeatable. Food excellent. Be sure to get the bread pudding, whether it be blueberry, chocolate or regular. Be sure to go with a huge appetite, cause the portions are HUGE! It's definitely worth the drive.
(5)
Nelson R.
Judging from the outside, you'd think that they filmed the movie "Saw" in here. But once you step inside, its a very warm and family oriented atmosphere. This is truly one of Baton Rouge's best restaurants. Known for its fabulous seafood, steaks and deserts. I had the NY strip and it was everything I cherished in a well done steak. The sirah was fab and forgetabout the desert and cofee. This one is worth winding through the swamps!
(5)
Elkay D.
Unfortunately I have to detract a star from my previously five star review. There was just too much oil in the food this time- like a plate full of nasty orange colored oil. And the chicken and andouille gumbo wasn't very good. Still, the atmosphere is spectacular in its authentic charm and the service is great. Hopefully the regular chef was just sick.
(4)
JO P.
Our favorite restaurant. More than worth the short drive out of BR. Have never had a bad dish there. Bread pudding is wonderful and I am not usually a dessert eater!
(5)
Boatner H.
Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Roberto comes out to greet everybody and is fun to talk with. I had the Fish en Papillote (Redfish) which was incredible. You don't need to worry about too small portions; you need to make room for dessert. I'll definitely be back to try the bread pudding.
(5)
Jackie D.
I realize I say this far too much but why in the name of all things holy did I wait so long to eat here?! It is the cutest little place, rustic and unassuming, but when you sit down to eat, it's serious business. This food is fantastic. Mostly seafood, with the exception of a token steak or 2. We started, after our brief wait at the beautiful bar, with the fried alligator which was of course delicious. I'm usually more of a blackened alligator fan but this was a nice treat. Lightly breaded with their delectable and tangy remoulade on the side. YUM. For my entree they had some sort of a broiled fish dish with basil, garlic, and crab that I could not say no to, so I didn't and it was a taste explosion. Sweetness from the basil, a nice char on the beautiful fish filet (which I believe was redfish), and succulent crab meat on top - clinching the deal. The entree also included soup or salad, a nice value added to the meal. All in all, this is a great "occasion" place as its a bit of a drive and a little on the pricey side but it's sure to make whatever you are celebrating very special. I will certainly be back!
No frills restaurant. Rustic setting. Table clothes are torn sheets of paper. Cloth napkins. Should change $$ to $$$. Service was good, food was decent.
(3)
Meghan K.
Wellllllll, I've been wanting to dine here for a long time. The problem is that my husband both like to have a couple drinks at dinner and we don't want to have to drive home after. Our friend volunteered to drive a bunch of us out there the other day which was perfect. The plus of the meal was that wine was 40% off! Woohoo. The service was great. It was a big group of us and she never got confused on who ordered what or anything so props to her! The appetizers were enjoyable. They had some spice to them! The entrees were kind of a let down to me. My redfish in a bag with crabmeat was just okay. It needed more flavor or maybe some Hollandaise on top or something. My husband had the surf and turf. We debated about splitting it because the surf was Seabass, which I love! I'm glad we didn't because the portions were very small and could've used some more seasoning. I might go back one day to give them another try, but I won't be rushing.
(3)
Kermit S.
A hidden gem indeed. I had the daily special of fish! It was prepared just right with not too much blackening seasoning. Sometimes chef (or more likely "cooks") try to encrust fish with blackening which just kills it. These fine folks seasoned the fish. The sides were a great compliment. If I am ever nearby again, I will dine here with a smile.
(4)
John C.
I absolutely loved the food here! I love that they have so many options as far as how they prepare whatever you get. If you're looking for great seafood but are tired of always getting it fried you'll love it here. They have daily specials, great appetizers, soup, salad, desserts, and drinks. What more could you want? Also the atmosphere is nice too. It's an old house with tons of little rooms and one big open space too. I like that the tables have paper on them so you don't feel horrible about getting too messy!
(5)
Tim M.
Quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. We'll worth driving to Baton Rouge just for the dining experience! Dining on the road with Peachtree Camera Repair.
(5)
Taryn L.
Roberto's provides a laid-back vibe in concert with top-notch food. For starters, I must commend them for the fish en papillote, the fish of the day wrapped up in parchment paper and delivered to your place baked into about as mouthwatering a fish dish you can manage without coating it in sauce. This fish was fresh, moist and flavorful without an ounce of hollandaise in site and pared with a generous helping of lump crab. Equally delicious, and perhaps better (but I only got one bite, so hard to determine) was a special of the day, some grouper panfried in a sweet potato crumb. The soup of the day, a pumpkin variety, was exactly what I was looking for, but the cream of brie with crab is no joke. And I mayyybe could have eaten about 10 helpings of the eggplant crabcakes on my own. Also highly recommended = Shrimp Roberto. These jumbo shrimp, wrapped in bacon and deep-fried, are no joke; my recommendation would be to order them as an appetizer and split them, as I personally could not eat more than one of these bad boys at a time, let alone half of one. Do not leave without grabbing an order of bread pudding AND pecan pie! Also, props to our server, who brought out an entirely new glass of wine on the house to one in our party when the wine proved to be far sweeter than expected.
(4)
Benjamin G.
One of my favorite restaurants EVER! I love good ole country food, and this is as good as good ole country food gets with a slightly refined atmosphere. Just pulling up to the old house on River Road you know the food is going to be good. Then you walk in and you're seated in what appears to have once been someone's living room. I have pretty much tried the entire menu and I would have to say my personal favorites are the Roasted Duck St. Gabriel, the Catfish Billy (catfish filet topped with crawfish etouffee), and whatever special they have on the menu. It can get very packed during lunch time and dinner rush hours so you may have to wait a bit, but I promise it is worth the wait!
(5)
Brandon T.
Roberto's River Road Restaurant is my favorite Louisiana cooking restaurant hands down. Situated in an old house, this restaurant has a ton of charm and warmth. We made a reservation for 12 people the night before graduation at LSU and they accommodated us very well. Words cannot describe how good this is, just check out the pictures I posted and try it for yourself. Only that will do justice!
(5)
McRae T.
It's really tough giving a 2 star review to what was once my favorite restaurant in the Baton Rouge area... This place has charm and feel like nowhere else, and it's ALWAYS been "worth the drive." Some of the dishes (river road shrimp app is one) are classics and absolutely delicious! Unfortunately though, the prices have gone up significantly, and without any increase in quality, whatsoever. Also, the competition for good food in BR is MUCH stronger now than it used to be (even over the last 4 years!), and I just don't feel like Roberto's has "kept up." If they are going to try to keep up with the market on price points, then they really needs to grow, from a culinary standpoint, to keep up with the competition... While they may still be packed out every weekend, I hope they don't rest on their laurels... They need to keep up. to illustrate my point - every entree comes with extra al dente garlic green beans (too firm for my taste, but I recognize that's a matter of opinion), and mashed potatoes that are pretty good, but not great. But that's it! This comes with every dish! This was acceptable EVEN A FEW years ago when prices and competition were much lower, but today I just think this is unacceptable for the price points. Also - they should really consider a cocktail menu. I know that's "trendy" right now, but it's trendy for a reason. Even if they are classics, why not try to up-sell them? As far as our specific experience went, my wife, and both other dining companions, got the stuffed fish of the day. Black drum, I believe. All were WAY over cooked, and came with the same veggies mentioned above. I got the grilled grouper over seafood pasta, which of course, came with those green beans. It wasn't a bad meal, but when I got the check and saw that it was $37, I was floored! For a small piece of grouper and pasta with a few shrimp?? Honestly, that alone was enough for me to not go back to Roberto's... That's insulting, ESPECIALLY when you don't put the "special" prices on your menu. It's a shame, because as I said, this USED to be one of my favorite places in Baton Rouge. It used to be where I wanted to go for birthday dinners and special occasions. One of my wife and I's first dates was there. The River Road Shrimp is STILL one of my favorite appetizers in Baton Rouge, and I will miss it greatly... Because unfortunately, I no longer feel that Roberto's is "worth the drive..."
(2)
Mimi B.
Good food and off and on good service. I have been eating there off and on for over 10 years and I wish they would change up the menu a bit. Same ol' tired menu. I do not particularly like green beans and that always seems to be the side veggie. They always bring bread to there table that is never cooked long enough, doughy and barely warm. I am disappointed that the prices have gone up from $$ to $$$ especially on fish and specials are pricey. Acoustics are terrible in the smaller rooms and can barely hear what others at your table are saying. I have to say the renovations from a couple years ago were a nice improvements. Still has it's rustic charm.
(3)
Bill A.
This place is amazing! Love the venue, the people and of course the food! Everything was amazing! Can't wait to make another trip from Pennsylvania! Love Baton Rouge and the people nearby all around Louisiana! Thank you!
(5)
Jannean D.
From appetizers to dessert, this hidden treasure is a delight! Fresh ingredients and interesting combinations make each meal exciting. The Crawfish Salad is amazing and zings. The River Road Shrimp packs a punch!! The fresh catch is always an excellent choice! The entire dessert menu is fabulous! Grab a spoon!
(5)
Melissa M.
We went here for our anniversary. Loved this little place!! If it's on the menu when you go, you have GOT to try the king cake bread pudding. It was AMAZING!!!
(4)
Michele B.
Loved eating in Sunshine, LA! :) Our waitress Anna was wonderful! She made great suggestions and we went with them. (exactly) The salad was so fresh, my sister asked Anna, if she had just picked it. The Catfish Billie was awesome! We will come back for another serving soon.
(5)
Jude C.
This place never disappoints. It doesn't look like much from the road but that's part of it's charm. Shrimp and grits appetizer is excellent. Two in our party had fish dinners and two had River Road Shrimp. Everything was well seasoned but not where it was too much. Always worth the drive, we'll be back soon
(5)
Kelsey W.
I took my husband here for his birthday dinner Saturday night. We hadn't been in awhile, and they've remodeled the inside a bit which looks great! (Apparently it was done 2 years ago, it's almost a crime that we haven't been back in that time!!) They don't take reservations, so just know there might be a wait! We didn't have one at about 6:45 for two. Our waitress was Adrienne and she was great! She was polite, attentive, and timed our meal just right, we never felt rushed or ignored. We brought our own bottle of wine, corkage fee is I believe $12. We shared an appetizer of BBQ Shrimp&Grit cake. Looks good, tastes good, wish there was more of it but it's a good sized app to begin with. For our meals I had the roast duck with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans, and my husband had the steak with lump crab meat over mashed potatoes with green beans. I ended up taking home half of my duck, and my husband cleared his plate (and gave it back with his requisite: "It was terrible" line, it makes every server smile, though if it's out of genuine amusement or sheer pity, I'm not sure). Dessert was a slice of the chocolate caramel pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it tastes like a milky way candy bar! All in all it was a great meal at a restaurant with character and good service. The restaurant's namesake, Roberto, makes his way to every table to check on you at some point during the night as well, which is a great touch! Next time we won't wait 2 years to come back!!
(5)
Michelle J.
Went with a party of 7 and though we were told that they don't take reservations we were seated fairly quickly considering it was around 6pm on a Friday. Our apps were fried green tomatoes and crab cakes both very good. The portion size of the fgt was very large for an app, it alone with a side salad would be efficient. Speaking of salad... I got the sensation dressing and the name is fitting for sure. I'm glad I didn't go with a standard flavor. It was full of garlic which I love but I felt bad for the people sitting next to me. *I wish I could get a bottle of it* My entre was Catfish Dot which is just broiled catfish typed with crawfish tails with no sauce. Lots and lots of crawfish tails I had a hard time finding the little piece of fish. I found it kind of odd that you have no choice of sides...only the pick of the day. That day they were mashed potatoes and green beans which were both mediocre at best. The beans were sweet for some reason and I thought the potatoes were bagged or boxed but there were larger pieces in there. For dessert bread pudding was ordered and everyone thought it was very good. Overall I'd try it again.
(3)
Paul N.
This is the hidden gem of Baton Rouge. The exterior is a little sketchy but once inside the interior is so pleasant. I felt like I was dining at a friends home. Ordered several items off the menu. All were excellent.
(5)
Crystal S.
Their crab meat topping and mashed potatoes make you believe in love. If it were an option to order them a la carte I would. Of course their asparagus and steak was delicious but nothing could touch the crab meat and mashed potatoes. Their chef definitely knows how to stir up some magic.
(5)
Terry B.
We're from California. We love this place and now even more. Their Aunt Terri's pecan pie is to die for, and my husband's favorite. Didn't want to go without it for Thanksgiving so we emailed Roberto. God bless them, his wife is at ups right now overnighting 2 for us. Now that is exceptional service! We go to Baton Rouge once a month on business and try to never miss a Roberto's dinner. Fantastic food and atmosphere. Thank you Roberto.
(5)
Newly P.
So glad we ditched the usual seafood places in Baton Rouge and took a little drive on River Road to get to Robertos. I hear the restaurant is housed in an 1850s building that used to be a general store. I love me some history! The decor is rustic--wood all around--nice comfortable chairs for diners, spacious tables (thank god for that as restaurants seem like they're cutting down on table sizes to fit more people in). I got the fried green tomato appetizers and they came topped with spinach and crab meat. Yum yum! For the main course I got the spicy River Road shrimp pasta and the husband got the Fish en Papillote. Both were delicious! The pasta came with shrimp, bell pepper and onions in a spicy butter sauce, with a side of sauteed green beans, and the fish came with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. It was soft and flaky and flavored just right. Both entrees came with a side salad and bread. We would have loved to cram some bread pudding in, but were too stuffed. All the more reason to go back!
(5)
Brad P.
My favorite place to eat out at. Food is always super fresh and it is all great. The BBQ Shrimp I will put up against anyone's in New Orleans. Full bar and excellent wine list. Friendly and professional staff and a fun place to eat and drink.
(5)
Dee m.
When my family and I left Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, La, we were looking for a great place to eat. We heard about Roberto's from a friend, who told us that it was amazing! Don't be alarmed when you get there, however. Although the exterior looks like a shack, the interior is decorative and a great environment. My husband and I both got the seafood gumbo, which was very delicious. As an entree, I got eggplant crab cakes, filled with lots of eggplant and crab! My husband got the 'sensational salad,' which ironically enough was sensational! My son got shrimp Roberto - stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon and fried, with mash, and string beans. Out waitress, Lauren, was extremely and outwardly helpful. friendly A lot of great food, for a fair price, in an restaurant defined by a rich history. Loved it and hoped to be back again!!!
(5)
Judi V.
Been here before and it was good. I wasn't feeling well later that evening but I figured I just ate too much since it was so good Tonight, we arrived just before 7:00, told it would be an hour wait, no problem...waiting in the bar, watching Saints football. Hour and 15 mins later start seeing other people who arrived after us getting seated so hubby asks about that...told they had to rewrite list, just 5 more tables...half hour more, ask about it again, hostess cops attitude and we get seated. Waitress very nice but soup cold, two entrees not edible, anniversary dinner ruined and now I am home sick again ...very disappointed. Don't think I will go back.
(1)
R W.
Great food. Always fresh. If you have not been, put it on you list.
(4)
David F.
Having lived in the Baton Rouge area for 45 years, it takes a LOT to impress me when it comes to Louisiana-style seafood joints. Well, Roberto's impressed me. I'm not even going to go into detail: just GO. Oh, and get there early, like at opening time, or you will wait.
(5)
R. S.
Overrated, underwhelming. Pros: -Authentic river road ambiance. A good visual taste of South Louisiana for visitors from afar. No kitschy creole manapalap, just real been-here-forever patina, almost but not quite approaching the line between authenticity and shabbiness. -Very casual. Despite the prices (high for Baton Rouge,) a t-shirt and jeans are not out of place. Cons: -Amateur hour service. Our waitress made me take my knife off my plate. Our wine was served in dirty glass: they were both smudged and they left a smear of mustard, or something, on the table. -Sub-par food execution. My date's Catfish Billy was half-burnt, which we were not supposed to notice because it was covered with etouffe. My Sauteed Fish of the Day (drum) came out without the sauce or garnish. When I asked the waitress, she took it back and brought it our correctly dressed. She or the kitchen should not have left the execution of the food to my memory of the menu. My date doesn't like Romaine, so we asked for our salads to use spinach instead. The stems were left on the spinach and many of the leaves were rotting. -Value: the shaky food might be forgivable at lower prices, but at $18 to $20 for an entree, I expect basic quality control. I might go back when my out of state parents come to visit. Especially if they're paying. Otherwise, I think I have a better chance at a good meal elsewhere.
(3)
Jonathon H.
Probably the best place in Baton Rouge for Cajun & Creole food.
(5)
SJ L.
Everything is great here, and loved the atmosphere. Everyone met had been working there over 5 years and knew everything
(5)
Norman R.
My favorite restaurant in the Baton Rouge Area. If you haven't yet experienced this unique restaurant, make it your next dining venue. Entirely worth the drive to Sunshine, everything on the menu is superb. Roberto is an unsurpassed chef and host, and the actual restaurant is unique and charming. The Catfish Billy and bread pudding are my favorites.
(5)
Marcy S.
Unless you live in University Club, you may not know about Roberto's. It's a little drive from Baton Rouge proper but definitely worth it. I was lucky enough to have a friend on a cleanse (no drinking for her) and talked her into driving! There was a hefty crowd on Friday night but our table was ready in about 10 minutes. This was my second visit to Roberto's so I really wanted to hear the specials...which turned out to be right up my ally. I started with a crawfish bisque and at first, was thrown by the crawfish being so ground up. But the flavor was great and there were enough mudbugs to make up for the size. For my entree, I also ordered a special. The filet topped with soft shell crab and a creole sauce....WOW!! This was truly great! My steak (ordered rare) was cooked perfectly and the crab was the best possible icing on this cake. Even the sides, mashed potatoes and veggies, were tasty. The potatoes tasted of smokey bacon goodness!!! My cleanse friend was even able to order a fish dish topped with shrimp and a side of veggies...without butter (no dairy for her either). The waitress was very accomodating to the special request and made us feel that it was no problem at all. In my opinion, the food, atmosphere and service are more than enough reasons to warrant the drive!!
(4)
Joi B.
Ahhh, Roberto's, located in a charming rustic cottage on scenic River Road (the part of it that isn't overrun with chemical plants) in lovely, Sunshine, Louisiana! It's exactly what you'd expect... if you were expecting: -tables scattered through the homiest of rooms -memorabilia-covered walls -big plates of Louisiana home cookin' (think: fried seafood, comfort foods crowding the sides of the plate) -big hunks of pie for dessert -personnel as sweet as the aforementioned pie. -antiques scattered throughout (check out the hundred year old cash register by the ladies room) You'd be a fool to drive on past this roadside food attraction on your way to Carville...
Roberto's would get 10 stars from me if this were an option! It is by far my favorite restaurant in the world! Their gumbo is the best I've ever had and even though I'm not a dessert guy, their malted chocolate caramel pie is hands down my most favorite dessert ever! Every bite of it makes my eyes roll back in my head! There simply is nothing better! I "discovered" Roberto's while I was working in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005-06 and have wanted to go back since then. Last week I took my wife and kids on vacation to Louisiana and Roberto's was a MUST! After a week of eating wonderful food throughout the state, we all agreed that our meal at Roberto's was the best! If I were a rich man, flying to Baton Rouge just to eat at Roberto's would be worth it! Oh yes, and of course the folks who work there are just as wonderful and the atmosphere is so relaxing and just makes the experience all the better.
(5)
Blake C.
Roberto's is one of the things I miss most in Louisiana. The restaurant is in an old general store from the 1800's. Shrimp Roberto is awesome and used to be my go to dish until recently when I fell in love with something else - River Road Shrimp. Wow so much flavor. You can get it as an entree over linguini or appetizer in a bread bowl. Sides are fresh veggies. They have good fish specials - lemonfish, tripletail, flounder, etc. They changed the layout inside not too long ago. It feels bigger and less cramped now.
This place is phenomenal. Owned by a Central American restauranteur and built on the site of an old country convenience store, Roberto's serves uncomplicated food, flawlessly. This is not a place where you'll find the latest food trends; but reliable, honest, stick to your ribs comfort food. Recommended are the fried catfish topped with crawfish etouffee, the roast duck, and the beef tournedos. All dishes cooked to perfection. The waitstaff couldn't possibly friendlier and helpful when it comes to recommendations or special accommodations. They are professional and efficient. Roberto's is not cheap and they don't take reservations; but it's sure worth the money and the possible wait.
(4)
Daniel B.
I absolutely love this Restaurant! There is something for everyone, the owner suggested the Duck St. Gabriel which is fantastic! Most of my friends who love seafood try a variety of things but the one that stands out is the Shrimp Roberto which is absolutely amazing. Personally i love the Golden Gate Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing. They have the best blue cheese i've ever tried!
I've been to Roberto's a few times, but just had a poor experience there. I ordered a ribeye, which was listed on the menu for $25. The steak was great (the food always is), but when the check arrived, it said the steak was $34. I was wondering about it, but my wife said she thought the menu said the ribeye was $34, so I thought maybe I had just misread it. When I got home, I checked on their website to see what was really up. There I saw that the Rib-Eye was listed at $25, just like I had read in my menu. I called them up, and was told by the woman on the phone that the Rib-Eye is $34, and that it went up because they are using a new source of beef. I told her that the online menu said it was $25, and that I specifically remember it being $25 on my menu, and I suggested they check their menus for one that has the old, incorrect price. She said that she doesn't think an incorrect menu would have gone unnoticed for the past few months since they changed the price. Which is a load of crap. If there was one menu that had the incorrect price, it is totally possible that no one using it has ordered a ribeye since they changed the price. I was upset to be charged more than I was expecting, but I can handle that mistakes are made and things can get missed. What really bothered me about the experience is that I felt I was treated like a liar. Where would I have come up with the former price of $25 if I hadn't seen it on their menu? After such an unfortunate experience, I just can't see myself going back. There are way too many places out there that actually want my business to waste my time with one who won't listen to a customer who is just trying to help them out.
(2)
Damon R.
Top of my list for Louisiana gourmet Creole cooking. About 10 miles south of LSU on river road sits a 150 year old building that in the 1850's housed J.J. LaPlace & Son's General Store. Don't let the outside fool you, this place is a diamond in the rough. The food is incredible and South Louisiana based so there are plenty of seafood choices. Crab & Brie soup, Shrimp & Grits, Pasta, Steaks, Duck, and nightly specials hanging on the chalk board . Portions are big so save room for dessert, the bread pudding is insane (the night I was there they had chocolate, vanilla, and apple cinnamon all made in house). If you are in the area this is a must, worth the 15 min drive. pictures on my blog:
(5)
Steve B.
Truly one of the world's great restaurants. My wife and I have been going to Roberto's for years. Not to be missed are the soups of the day, all of which have been winners in our experience; and don't overlook the best Sensation Salad in the area. We've never had a bad meal here, so whatever tastes are your own, you will likely be very pleased with your selections.
(5)
David B.
American food sucks. Occasionally there is a setting or a dish that spices things up. Roberto's is in a funky oldish building left over from another American town that is crumbling apart from neglect. A BR friend suggested we eat here while in town. I usually fret dining suggestions in the US as there is nothing exceptional to be found in them. However, Roberto's had a small surprise for me in the Shrimp over Catfish with a fondant of onions. This was actually quite nice. I would recommend this place to any world traveler.
(4)
Rebecca C.
Visit date: 12/29/2010 My brother who lives in Baton Rouge, LA with his family had heard good things about this place. So we decided to try it out when I was visiting from out of town. My brother got the spicy shrimp pasta - I do not remember the name of it. It came with a side salad and side vegetable. The side salad was lettuce, 1 cherry tomato, and some shredded cheese on top. My nephew got dibs on everyone's cherry tomato. The side vegetable for the day was succotash with beans, corn and ?alligator sausage. My brother seemed to like his dish but was not astounded. My sister-in-law got the shrimp, crab and brie soup (the soup-of-the-day). We all had a taste of it and thought it was very creamy and flavorful. She also got the shrimp and grits and seemed to enjoy it. I got the crawfish mornay linguini. I did not know what 'mornay' was but it apparently it is a cream sauce. It tasted like...crawfish tails, cream sauce and linguini - little flavor and nothing brought the dish together. I loved the succotash which also came with my meal and would have been happy to have just made a meal of that. Entrees came with a small piece of garlic bread. Shared chocolate chip bread pudding for dessert - the chocolate chips seemed to be melted in the bread pudding. Could not taste much of the chocolate, no hard sauce and not even any whipped cream on top. It was good but unmemorable. Pros: Good succotash and soup, nice ambiance, friendly waiters. Cons: Some dishes lacked flavor.
(4)
Kevin P.
Overall very nice restaurant especially their fish en papilliote 1. It's in an old countryside home that looks almost rundown but it actually adds to it's uniqueness. 2. Casual to business casual dress. 3 Waitresses were super nice. 4. Appetizer 1: egg plant crabcakes. Great cream sauce and cake had good flavor. A little more pasty than lumpy (probably bc claw meat) but was still good. 6. App 2 River Road Shrimp: shrimp and squash and tomatoes in a remoulade sauce served in a sour dough bowl. Used white shrimp not gulf so they could've been bigger/had more flavor. But the sauce and sourdough were excellent 5. Great wine selection and was 40% off. Had Oregon Pinot Gris/grigio. Super. 6. Gf and I both had fish en papillote. Wow. Black drm w light seasoning huge chunks of lump crab and mashed red taters and snow peas on the side. Best I've had. Better than Louisiana lagniappe (which is hard to beat). Really brought out good flavors and fish was perfectly cooked. No cream sauce. Justmild fresh and delicate Too stuffed for dessert.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Stephen H.
This place is outstanding. One of my favorites places to bring out-of-towners. The food is always wonderful. It is located in a quaint old country store with a great story (just ask Roberto).
(5)Ryan W.
Corey D. said it right (except for the part about New Orleans food being crap. he's all wrong there.). Also, make sure to have some bread pudding.
(5)Ryan H.
Get the "Shrimp Roberto's." Do it! You will see.
(5)K W.
i've been working in st gabriel this month so i've been checking out different places for lunch. roberto's has been one of the gems i've come across. really love the quaintness of the place; i'm guessing it was previously an old house on the river that was converted to a restaurant. obviously a local favorite as the probable host/owner would visit tables and chat with patrons. waitstaff was super friendly and efficient. despite the fact that the restaurant was packed, food was delivered in a timely fashion and was fresh and delicious. i had a grilled chicken salad for 10 bucks and shared an appetizer of fried sweet potato chips for 5 bucks. my dining companions had some pretty stellar looking fried catfish that came with a side salad, french fries, and lima beans...obvs filling for, if i remember correctly, 15 bucks?? if i ever make it out this way again, i'll definitely visit this restaurant again.
(5)Jeff Z.
Great ambience and even better food. Loved the casual atmosphere.
(5)Allison R.
Excellent Excellent Excellent! The atmosphere is unbeatable. Food excellent. Be sure to get the bread pudding, whether it be blueberry, chocolate or regular. Be sure to go with a huge appetite, cause the portions are HUGE! It's definitely worth the drive.
(5)Nelson R.
Judging from the outside, you'd think that they filmed the movie "Saw" in here. But once you step inside, its a very warm and family oriented atmosphere. This is truly one of Baton Rouge's best restaurants. Known for its fabulous seafood, steaks and deserts. I had the NY strip and it was everything I cherished in a well done steak. The sirah was fab and forgetabout the desert and cofee. This one is worth winding through the swamps!
(5)Elkay D.
Unfortunately I have to detract a star from my previously five star review. There was just too much oil in the food this time- like a plate full of nasty orange colored oil. And the chicken and andouille gumbo wasn't very good. Still, the atmosphere is spectacular in its authentic charm and the service is great. Hopefully the regular chef was just sick.
(4)JO P.
Our favorite restaurant. More than worth the short drive out of BR. Have never had a bad dish there. Bread pudding is wonderful and I am not usually a dessert eater!
(5)Boatner H.
Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Roberto comes out to greet everybody and is fun to talk with. I had the Fish en Papillote (Redfish) which was incredible. You don't need to worry about too small portions; you need to make room for dessert. I'll definitely be back to try the bread pudding.
(5)Jackie D.
I realize I say this far too much but why in the name of all things holy did I wait so long to eat here?! It is the cutest little place, rustic and unassuming, but when you sit down to eat, it's serious business. This food is fantastic. Mostly seafood, with the exception of a token steak or 2. We started, after our brief wait at the beautiful bar, with the fried alligator which was of course delicious. I'm usually more of a blackened alligator fan but this was a nice treat. Lightly breaded with their delectable and tangy remoulade on the side. YUM. For my entree they had some sort of a broiled fish dish with basil, garlic, and crab that I could not say no to, so I didn't and it was a taste explosion. Sweetness from the basil, a nice char on the beautiful fish filet (which I believe was redfish), and succulent crab meat on top - clinching the deal. The entree also included soup or salad, a nice value added to the meal. All in all, this is a great "occasion" place as its a bit of a drive and a little on the pricey side but it's sure to make whatever you are celebrating very special. I will certainly be back!
(5)Darla N.
The epitome of a mom and pop restaurant and the reason I steer clear of chain restaurants. It is it off the beaten path, so If you have to drive, it's worth every minute. The charm and character of the building is an added bonus however their food is the highlight of this restaurant. It is consistently delicious and offers a spin on the typical LA seafood delicacies. An all time favorite is the river road shrimp dish which I haven't found another restaurant to serve in this area. Be warned it is very spicy. The étouffée is another dish that's another go to and some of the best you will find outside of grandmas kitchen. The wait staff is always attentive and friendly. They do not accept reservations and they are usually busy so be prepared to have a wait. A bar area is available to sit and relax with a cocktail and a very smart small remodel added a foyer area with benches to sit if you have children. This is a must for anyone looking for great food and atmosphere.
(5)Christine S.
No frills restaurant. Rustic setting. Table clothes are torn sheets of paper. Cloth napkins. Should change $$ to $$$. Service was good, food was decent.
(3)Meghan K.
Wellllllll, I've been wanting to dine here for a long time. The problem is that my husband both like to have a couple drinks at dinner and we don't want to have to drive home after. Our friend volunteered to drive a bunch of us out there the other day which was perfect. The plus of the meal was that wine was 40% off! Woohoo. The service was great. It was a big group of us and she never got confused on who ordered what or anything so props to her! The appetizers were enjoyable. They had some spice to them! The entrees were kind of a let down to me. My redfish in a bag with crabmeat was just okay. It needed more flavor or maybe some Hollandaise on top or something. My husband had the surf and turf. We debated about splitting it because the surf was Seabass, which I love! I'm glad we didn't because the portions were very small and could've used some more seasoning. I might go back one day to give them another try, but I won't be rushing.
(3)Kermit S.
A hidden gem indeed. I had the daily special of fish! It was prepared just right with not too much blackening seasoning. Sometimes chef (or more likely "cooks") try to encrust fish with blackening which just kills it. These fine folks seasoned the fish. The sides were a great compliment. If I am ever nearby again, I will dine here with a smile.
(4)John C.
I absolutely loved the food here! I love that they have so many options as far as how they prepare whatever you get. If you're looking for great seafood but are tired of always getting it fried you'll love it here. They have daily specials, great appetizers, soup, salad, desserts, and drinks. What more could you want? Also the atmosphere is nice too. It's an old house with tons of little rooms and one big open space too. I like that the tables have paper on them so you don't feel horrible about getting too messy!
(5)Tim M.
Quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. We'll worth driving to Baton Rouge just for the dining experience! Dining on the road with Peachtree Camera Repair.
(5)Taryn L.
Roberto's provides a laid-back vibe in concert with top-notch food. For starters, I must commend them for the fish en papillote, the fish of the day wrapped up in parchment paper and delivered to your place baked into about as mouthwatering a fish dish you can manage without coating it in sauce. This fish was fresh, moist and flavorful without an ounce of hollandaise in site and pared with a generous helping of lump crab. Equally delicious, and perhaps better (but I only got one bite, so hard to determine) was a special of the day, some grouper panfried in a sweet potato crumb. The soup of the day, a pumpkin variety, was exactly what I was looking for, but the cream of brie with crab is no joke. And I mayyybe could have eaten about 10 helpings of the eggplant crabcakes on my own. Also highly recommended = Shrimp Roberto. These jumbo shrimp, wrapped in bacon and deep-fried, are no joke; my recommendation would be to order them as an appetizer and split them, as I personally could not eat more than one of these bad boys at a time, let alone half of one. Do not leave without grabbing an order of bread pudding AND pecan pie! Also, props to our server, who brought out an entirely new glass of wine on the house to one in our party when the wine proved to be far sweeter than expected.
(4)Benjamin G.
One of my favorite restaurants EVER! I love good ole country food, and this is as good as good ole country food gets with a slightly refined atmosphere. Just pulling up to the old house on River Road you know the food is going to be good. Then you walk in and you're seated in what appears to have once been someone's living room. I have pretty much tried the entire menu and I would have to say my personal favorites are the Roasted Duck St. Gabriel, the Catfish Billy (catfish filet topped with crawfish etouffee), and whatever special they have on the menu. It can get very packed during lunch time and dinner rush hours so you may have to wait a bit, but I promise it is worth the wait!
(5)Brandon T.
Roberto's River Road Restaurant is my favorite Louisiana cooking restaurant hands down. Situated in an old house, this restaurant has a ton of charm and warmth. We made a reservation for 12 people the night before graduation at LSU and they accommodated us very well. Words cannot describe how good this is, just check out the pictures I posted and try it for yourself. Only that will do justice!
(5)McRae T.
It's really tough giving a 2 star review to what was once my favorite restaurant in the Baton Rouge area... This place has charm and feel like nowhere else, and it's ALWAYS been "worth the drive." Some of the dishes (river road shrimp app is one) are classics and absolutely delicious! Unfortunately though, the prices have gone up significantly, and without any increase in quality, whatsoever. Also, the competition for good food in BR is MUCH stronger now than it used to be (even over the last 4 years!), and I just don't feel like Roberto's has "kept up." If they are going to try to keep up with the market on price points, then they really needs to grow, from a culinary standpoint, to keep up with the competition... While they may still be packed out every weekend, I hope they don't rest on their laurels... They need to keep up. to illustrate my point - every entree comes with extra al dente garlic green beans (too firm for my taste, but I recognize that's a matter of opinion), and mashed potatoes that are pretty good, but not great. But that's it! This comes with every dish! This was acceptable EVEN A FEW years ago when prices and competition were much lower, but today I just think this is unacceptable for the price points. Also - they should really consider a cocktail menu. I know that's "trendy" right now, but it's trendy for a reason. Even if they are classics, why not try to up-sell them? As far as our specific experience went, my wife, and both other dining companions, got the stuffed fish of the day. Black drum, I believe. All were WAY over cooked, and came with the same veggies mentioned above. I got the grilled grouper over seafood pasta, which of course, came with those green beans. It wasn't a bad meal, but when I got the check and saw that it was $37, I was floored! For a small piece of grouper and pasta with a few shrimp?? Honestly, that alone was enough for me to not go back to Roberto's... That's insulting, ESPECIALLY when you don't put the "special" prices on your menu. It's a shame, because as I said, this USED to be one of my favorite places in Baton Rouge. It used to be where I wanted to go for birthday dinners and special occasions. One of my wife and I's first dates was there. The River Road Shrimp is STILL one of my favorite appetizers in Baton Rouge, and I will miss it greatly... Because unfortunately, I no longer feel that Roberto's is "worth the drive..."
(2)Mimi B.
Good food and off and on good service. I have been eating there off and on for over 10 years and I wish they would change up the menu a bit. Same ol' tired menu. I do not particularly like green beans and that always seems to be the side veggie. They always bring bread to there table that is never cooked long enough, doughy and barely warm. I am disappointed that the prices have gone up from $$ to $$$ especially on fish and specials are pricey. Acoustics are terrible in the smaller rooms and can barely hear what others at your table are saying. I have to say the renovations from a couple years ago were a nice improvements. Still has it's rustic charm.
(3)Bill A.
This place is amazing! Love the venue, the people and of course the food! Everything was amazing! Can't wait to make another trip from Pennsylvania! Love Baton Rouge and the people nearby all around Louisiana! Thank you!
(5)Jannean D.
From appetizers to dessert, this hidden treasure is a delight! Fresh ingredients and interesting combinations make each meal exciting. The Crawfish Salad is amazing and zings. The River Road Shrimp packs a punch!! The fresh catch is always an excellent choice! The entire dessert menu is fabulous! Grab a spoon!
(5)Melissa M.
We went here for our anniversary. Loved this little place!! If it's on the menu when you go, you have GOT to try the king cake bread pudding. It was AMAZING!!!
(4)Michele B.
Loved eating in Sunshine, LA! :) Our waitress Anna was wonderful! She made great suggestions and we went with them. (exactly) The salad was so fresh, my sister asked Anna, if she had just picked it. The Catfish Billie was awesome! We will come back for another serving soon.
(5)Jude C.
This place never disappoints. It doesn't look like much from the road but that's part of it's charm. Shrimp and grits appetizer is excellent. Two in our party had fish dinners and two had River Road Shrimp. Everything was well seasoned but not where it was too much. Always worth the drive, we'll be back soon
(5)Kelsey W.
I took my husband here for his birthday dinner Saturday night. We hadn't been in awhile, and they've remodeled the inside a bit which looks great! (Apparently it was done 2 years ago, it's almost a crime that we haven't been back in that time!!) They don't take reservations, so just know there might be a wait! We didn't have one at about 6:45 for two. Our waitress was Adrienne and she was great! She was polite, attentive, and timed our meal just right, we never felt rushed or ignored. We brought our own bottle of wine, corkage fee is I believe $12. We shared an appetizer of BBQ Shrimp&Grit cake. Looks good, tastes good, wish there was more of it but it's a good sized app to begin with. For our meals I had the roast duck with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans, and my husband had the steak with lump crab meat over mashed potatoes with green beans. I ended up taking home half of my duck, and my husband cleared his plate (and gave it back with his requisite: "It was terrible" line, it makes every server smile, though if it's out of genuine amusement or sheer pity, I'm not sure). Dessert was a slice of the chocolate caramel pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it tastes like a milky way candy bar! All in all it was a great meal at a restaurant with character and good service. The restaurant's namesake, Roberto, makes his way to every table to check on you at some point during the night as well, which is a great touch! Next time we won't wait 2 years to come back!!
(5)Michelle J.
Went with a party of 7 and though we were told that they don't take reservations we were seated fairly quickly considering it was around 6pm on a Friday. Our apps were fried green tomatoes and crab cakes both very good. The portion size of the fgt was very large for an app, it alone with a side salad would be efficient. Speaking of salad... I got the sensation dressing and the name is fitting for sure. I'm glad I didn't go with a standard flavor. It was full of garlic which I love but I felt bad for the people sitting next to me. *I wish I could get a bottle of it* My entre was Catfish Dot which is just broiled catfish typed with crawfish tails with no sauce. Lots and lots of crawfish tails I had a hard time finding the little piece of fish. I found it kind of odd that you have no choice of sides...only the pick of the day. That day they were mashed potatoes and green beans which were both mediocre at best. The beans were sweet for some reason and I thought the potatoes were bagged or boxed but there were larger pieces in there. For dessert bread pudding was ordered and everyone thought it was very good. Overall I'd try it again.
(3)Paul N.
This is the hidden gem of Baton Rouge. The exterior is a little sketchy but once inside the interior is so pleasant. I felt like I was dining at a friends home. Ordered several items off the menu. All were excellent.
(5)Crystal S.
Their crab meat topping and mashed potatoes make you believe in love. If it were an option to order them a la carte I would. Of course their asparagus and steak was delicious but nothing could touch the crab meat and mashed potatoes. Their chef definitely knows how to stir up some magic.
(5)Terry B.
We're from California. We love this place and now even more. Their Aunt Terri's pecan pie is to die for, and my husband's favorite. Didn't want to go without it for Thanksgiving so we emailed Roberto. God bless them, his wife is at ups right now overnighting 2 for us. Now that is exceptional service! We go to Baton Rouge once a month on business and try to never miss a Roberto's dinner. Fantastic food and atmosphere. Thank you Roberto.
(5)Newly P.
So glad we ditched the usual seafood places in Baton Rouge and took a little drive on River Road to get to Robertos. I hear the restaurant is housed in an 1850s building that used to be a general store. I love me some history! The decor is rustic--wood all around--nice comfortable chairs for diners, spacious tables (thank god for that as restaurants seem like they're cutting down on table sizes to fit more people in). I got the fried green tomato appetizers and they came topped with spinach and crab meat. Yum yum! For the main course I got the spicy River Road shrimp pasta and the husband got the Fish en Papillote. Both were delicious! The pasta came with shrimp, bell pepper and onions in a spicy butter sauce, with a side of sauteed green beans, and the fish came with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. It was soft and flaky and flavored just right. Both entrees came with a side salad and bread. We would have loved to cram some bread pudding in, but were too stuffed. All the more reason to go back!
(5)Brad P.
My favorite place to eat out at. Food is always super fresh and it is all great. The BBQ Shrimp I will put up against anyone's in New Orleans. Full bar and excellent wine list. Friendly and professional staff and a fun place to eat and drink.
(5)Dee m.
When my family and I left Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, La, we were looking for a great place to eat. We heard about Roberto's from a friend, who told us that it was amazing! Don't be alarmed when you get there, however. Although the exterior looks like a shack, the interior is decorative and a great environment. My husband and I both got the seafood gumbo, which was very delicious. As an entree, I got eggplant crab cakes, filled with lots of eggplant and crab! My husband got the 'sensational salad,' which ironically enough was sensational! My son got shrimp Roberto - stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon and fried, with mash, and string beans. Out waitress, Lauren, was extremely and outwardly helpful. friendly A lot of great food, for a fair price, in an restaurant defined by a rich history. Loved it and hoped to be back again!!!
(5)Judi V.
Been here before and it was good. I wasn't feeling well later that evening but I figured I just ate too much since it was so good Tonight, we arrived just before 7:00, told it would be an hour wait, no problem...waiting in the bar, watching Saints football. Hour and 15 mins later start seeing other people who arrived after us getting seated so hubby asks about that...told they had to rewrite list, just 5 more tables...half hour more, ask about it again, hostess cops attitude and we get seated. Waitress very nice but soup cold, two entrees not edible, anniversary dinner ruined and now I am home sick again ...very disappointed. Don't think I will go back.
(1)R W.
Great food. Always fresh. If you have not been, put it on you list.
(4)David F.
Having lived in the Baton Rouge area for 45 years, it takes a LOT to impress me when it comes to Louisiana-style seafood joints. Well, Roberto's impressed me. I'm not even going to go into detail: just GO. Oh, and get there early, like at opening time, or you will wait.
(5)R. S.
Overrated, underwhelming. Pros: -Authentic river road ambiance. A good visual taste of South Louisiana for visitors from afar. No kitschy creole manapalap, just real been-here-forever patina, almost but not quite approaching the line between authenticity and shabbiness. -Very casual. Despite the prices (high for Baton Rouge,) a t-shirt and jeans are not out of place. Cons: -Amateur hour service. Our waitress made me take my knife off my plate. Our wine was served in dirty glass: they were both smudged and they left a smear of mustard, or something, on the table. -Sub-par food execution. My date's Catfish Billy was half-burnt, which we were not supposed to notice because it was covered with etouffe. My Sauteed Fish of the Day (drum) came out without the sauce or garnish. When I asked the waitress, she took it back and brought it our correctly dressed. She or the kitchen should not have left the execution of the food to my memory of the menu. My date doesn't like Romaine, so we asked for our salads to use spinach instead. The stems were left on the spinach and many of the leaves were rotting. -Value: the shaky food might be forgivable at lower prices, but at $18 to $20 for an entree, I expect basic quality control. I might go back when my out of state parents come to visit. Especially if they're paying. Otherwise, I think I have a better chance at a good meal elsewhere.
(3)Jonathon H.
Probably the best place in Baton Rouge for Cajun & Creole food.
(5)SJ L.
Everything is great here, and loved the atmosphere. Everyone met had been working there over 5 years and knew everything
(5)Norman R.
My favorite restaurant in the Baton Rouge Area. If you haven't yet experienced this unique restaurant, make it your next dining venue. Entirely worth the drive to Sunshine, everything on the menu is superb. Roberto is an unsurpassed chef and host, and the actual restaurant is unique and charming. The Catfish Billy and bread pudding are my favorites.
(5)Marcy S.
Unless you live in University Club, you may not know about Roberto's. It's a little drive from Baton Rouge proper but definitely worth it. I was lucky enough to have a friend on a cleanse (no drinking for her) and talked her into driving! There was a hefty crowd on Friday night but our table was ready in about 10 minutes. This was my second visit to Roberto's so I really wanted to hear the specials...which turned out to be right up my ally. I started with a crawfish bisque and at first, was thrown by the crawfish being so ground up. But the flavor was great and there were enough mudbugs to make up for the size. For my entree, I also ordered a special. The filet topped with soft shell crab and a creole sauce....WOW!! This was truly great! My steak (ordered rare) was cooked perfectly and the crab was the best possible icing on this cake. Even the sides, mashed potatoes and veggies, were tasty. The potatoes tasted of smokey bacon goodness!!! My cleanse friend was even able to order a fish dish topped with shrimp and a side of veggies...without butter (no dairy for her either). The waitress was very accomodating to the special request and made us feel that it was no problem at all. In my opinion, the food, atmosphere and service are more than enough reasons to warrant the drive!!
(4)Joi B.
Ahhh, Roberto's, located in a charming rustic cottage on scenic River Road (the part of it that isn't overrun with chemical plants) in lovely, Sunshine, Louisiana! It's exactly what you'd expect... if you were expecting: -tables scattered through the homiest of rooms -memorabilia-covered walls -big plates of Louisiana home cookin' (think: fried seafood, comfort foods crowding the sides of the plate) -big hunks of pie for dessert -personnel as sweet as the aforementioned pie. -antiques scattered throughout (check out the hundred year old cash register by the ladies room) You'd be a fool to drive on past this roadside food attraction on your way to Carville...
(4)Brandon B.
Raised by cajun grandparents in Lafayette, LA I can safely say this is an authentic Louisiana foodie gem. The building is perfectly old and charming giving a nostalgic vibe that compliments the menu. The crawfish étouffée and seafood gumbo both reminded me of home cooking without trying to be too fancy. The river road shrimp was spicy and sweet and so good. Catfish billy is a great dish! Seafood platter is huge, please split.
(5)Jeff Z.
Roberto's would get 10 stars from me if this were an option! It is by far my favorite restaurant in the world! Their gumbo is the best I've ever had and even though I'm not a dessert guy, their malted chocolate caramel pie is hands down my most favorite dessert ever! Every bite of it makes my eyes roll back in my head! There simply is nothing better! I "discovered" Roberto's while I was working in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005-06 and have wanted to go back since then. Last week I took my wife and kids on vacation to Louisiana and Roberto's was a MUST! After a week of eating wonderful food throughout the state, we all agreed that our meal at Roberto's was the best! If I were a rich man, flying to Baton Rouge just to eat at Roberto's would be worth it! Oh yes, and of course the folks who work there are just as wonderful and the atmosphere is so relaxing and just makes the experience all the better.
(5)Blake C.
Roberto's is one of the things I miss most in Louisiana. The restaurant is in an old general store from the 1800's. Shrimp Roberto is awesome and used to be my go to dish until recently when I fell in love with something else - River Road Shrimp. Wow so much flavor. You can get it as an entree over linguini or appetizer in a bread bowl. Sides are fresh veggies. They have good fish specials - lemonfish, tripletail, flounder, etc. They changed the layout inside not too long ago. It feels bigger and less cramped now.
(5)Christina V.
First time trying this place and definitely will be going back! All together my party tried the Shrimp Roberto, Shrimp platter, Crawfish Étouffée, Crab & Brie Soup, and Bread Pudding! I recommend all of these dishes! Service was awesome and the environment is like you are sitting at your grandmother's house having Sunday dinner!!
(5)Bernardo A.
This place is phenomenal. Owned by a Central American restauranteur and built on the site of an old country convenience store, Roberto's serves uncomplicated food, flawlessly. This is not a place where you'll find the latest food trends; but reliable, honest, stick to your ribs comfort food. Recommended are the fried catfish topped with crawfish etouffee, the roast duck, and the beef tournedos. All dishes cooked to perfection. The waitstaff couldn't possibly friendlier and helpful when it comes to recommendations or special accommodations. They are professional and efficient. Roberto's is not cheap and they don't take reservations; but it's sure worth the money and the possible wait.
(4)Daniel B.
I absolutely love this Restaurant! There is something for everyone, the owner suggested the Duck St. Gabriel which is fantastic! Most of my friends who love seafood try a variety of things but the one that stands out is the Shrimp Roberto which is absolutely amazing. Personally i love the Golden Gate Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing. They have the best blue cheese i've ever tried!
(5)Toni W.
Kind of pricey at night....but the Crayfish Étouffée is fantastic! Coming from a cajun cook, that's a pretty high complement.
(5)Gordon M.
I've been to Roberto's a few times, but just had a poor experience there. I ordered a ribeye, which was listed on the menu for $25. The steak was great (the food always is), but when the check arrived, it said the steak was $34. I was wondering about it, but my wife said she thought the menu said the ribeye was $34, so I thought maybe I had just misread it. When I got home, I checked on their website to see what was really up. There I saw that the Rib-Eye was listed at $25, just like I had read in my menu. I called them up, and was told by the woman on the phone that the Rib-Eye is $34, and that it went up because they are using a new source of beef. I told her that the online menu said it was $25, and that I specifically remember it being $25 on my menu, and I suggested they check their menus for one that has the old, incorrect price. She said that she doesn't think an incorrect menu would have gone unnoticed for the past few months since they changed the price. Which is a load of crap. If there was one menu that had the incorrect price, it is totally possible that no one using it has ordered a ribeye since they changed the price. I was upset to be charged more than I was expecting, but I can handle that mistakes are made and things can get missed. What really bothered me about the experience is that I felt I was treated like a liar. Where would I have come up with the former price of $25 if I hadn't seen it on their menu? After such an unfortunate experience, I just can't see myself going back. There are way too many places out there that actually want my business to waste my time with one who won't listen to a customer who is just trying to help them out.
(2)Damon R.
Top of my list for Louisiana gourmet Creole cooking. About 10 miles south of LSU on river road sits a 150 year old building that in the 1850's housed J.J. LaPlace & Son's General Store. Don't let the outside fool you, this place is a diamond in the rough. The food is incredible and South Louisiana based so there are plenty of seafood choices. Crab & Brie soup, Shrimp & Grits, Pasta, Steaks, Duck, and nightly specials hanging on the chalk board . Portions are big so save room for dessert, the bread pudding is insane (the night I was there they had chocolate, vanilla, and apple cinnamon all made in house). If you are in the area this is a must, worth the 15 min drive. pictures on my blog:
(5)Steve B.
Truly one of the world's great restaurants. My wife and I have been going to Roberto's for years. Not to be missed are the soups of the day, all of which have been winners in our experience; and don't overlook the best Sensation Salad in the area. We've never had a bad meal here, so whatever tastes are your own, you will likely be very pleased with your selections.
(5)David B.
American food sucks. Occasionally there is a setting or a dish that spices things up. Roberto's is in a funky oldish building left over from another American town that is crumbling apart from neglect. A BR friend suggested we eat here while in town. I usually fret dining suggestions in the US as there is nothing exceptional to be found in them. However, Roberto's had a small surprise for me in the Shrimp over Catfish with a fondant of onions. This was actually quite nice. I would recommend this place to any world traveler.
(4)Rebecca C.
Visit date: 12/29/2010 My brother who lives in Baton Rouge, LA with his family had heard good things about this place. So we decided to try it out when I was visiting from out of town. My brother got the spicy shrimp pasta - I do not remember the name of it. It came with a side salad and side vegetable. The side salad was lettuce, 1 cherry tomato, and some shredded cheese on top. My nephew got dibs on everyone's cherry tomato. The side vegetable for the day was succotash with beans, corn and ?alligator sausage. My brother seemed to like his dish but was not astounded. My sister-in-law got the shrimp, crab and brie soup (the soup-of-the-day). We all had a taste of it and thought it was very creamy and flavorful. She also got the shrimp and grits and seemed to enjoy it. I got the crawfish mornay linguini. I did not know what 'mornay' was but it apparently it is a cream sauce. It tasted like...crawfish tails, cream sauce and linguini - little flavor and nothing brought the dish together. I loved the succotash which also came with my meal and would have been happy to have just made a meal of that. Entrees came with a small piece of garlic bread. Shared chocolate chip bread pudding for dessert - the chocolate chips seemed to be melted in the bread pudding. Could not taste much of the chocolate, no hard sauce and not even any whipped cream on top. It was good but unmemorable. Pros: Good succotash and soup, nice ambiance, friendly waiters. Cons: Some dishes lacked flavor.
(4)Kevin P.
Overall very nice restaurant especially their fish en papilliote 1. It's in an old countryside home that looks almost rundown but it actually adds to it's uniqueness. 2. Casual to business casual dress. 3 Waitresses were super nice. 4. Appetizer 1: egg plant crabcakes. Great cream sauce and cake had good flavor. A little more pasty than lumpy (probably bc claw meat) but was still good. 6. App 2 River Road Shrimp: shrimp and squash and tomatoes in a remoulade sauce served in a sour dough bowl. Used white shrimp not gulf so they could've been bigger/had more flavor. But the sauce and sourdough were excellent 5. Great wine selection and was 40% off. Had Oregon Pinot Gris/grigio. Super. 6. Gf and I both had fish en papillote. Wow. Black drm w light seasoning huge chunks of lump crab and mashed red taters and snow peas on the side. Best I've had. Better than Louisiana lagniappe (which is hard to beat). Really brought out good flavors and fish was perfectly cooked. No cream sauce. Justmild fresh and delicate Too stuffed for dessert.
(3)