I'm not hard to please, but this place sucked. None of the staff smiled the whole time we were there. Our waiter greeted us ten minutes after we'd been seated by saying, "Sorry, we're missing some people." The place was maybe a quarter full, and we saw waitstaff leaning against the walls several times while we were waiting for our consistently absent waiter. He rushed us, talked so fast we couldn't even keep up with him, interrupted us, and was overall very unfriendly. And dripping with sweat, which was unappetizing. Wish I'd known his name, but he didn't even say hello, let alone give us his name. Apparently the restaurant doesn't "allow" you rolls until the waiter keys in his order, which we found rather cheap. So we had to wait on Mr. Sweaty to finally get back to take our order to then begin waiting on the rolls. Which arrived cold and hard, with cold, hard butter. Not delicious. Seafood gumbo was above par. Which was the only redeeming thing about this place. Our Bacon/cheese/shrimp appetizers arrived with the entree, and the shrimp was raw. Our waiter brought us another, which was also raw. At which point we said #@%$ it, and called it quits. I'll be sure to warn my friends against this one.
(1)
Rick V.
Stopped here for dinner on 12/30/13. My wife had been here before. The service was good and the prices were OK. Open 7 days a week 7 AM to 10 PM. Large menu. To start we had Duck Gumbo - 6.95 and Crawfish Bisque - 7.95. Kind of pricey for the quantity served. My wife had Catfish Catahoula which consisted of a catfish fillet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked and served in a cream sauce with rice dressing and corn macque choux - 18.95. She said it was very good. I had the Three Time Gold Medal Crawfish Etoufee served atop steamed rice and accompanied by a plump, homemade crawfish pie. Also very good. Great atmosphere and nice people.
(4)
David H.
Great food! Great Service! Great Atmosphere! The Gumbo was delicious along with the shrimp and catfish. I would recommend trying. I have been several times and never have had a bad experience.
(5)
Elizabeth H.
I was born and raised in Lafayette and have never liked Prejean's. It gets a lot of tourist traffic because of its location and "Cajun" theme. It may be a fun atmosphere but the food is awful. Go for the Cajun dancing enjoy a beer and then you can find GREAT Cajun food at The Boiling Point (New Iberia) and Guidry's Reef. These are my two favorite places and a must stop whenever I am back home.
(1)
Gail B.
We loved Prejeans when we lived in Lafayette for 2 years. Went there often. But, this last time during a visit, it fell down a few notches for a few reasons. 1. Several in our party ordered seafood gumbo for an app. Never came and when the entrees came out, we had to tell the waitress to take them off the bill because we didn't want them with all the other food. She looked lost and confused. 2. See above reference to waitress. Just didn't seem to know what was going on most of the time. We asked for unsweet tea and yep, got the super sweet stuff instead. 3. Hush puppies were like rocks...dense. Not my favorite. On the plus side, the special (flounder) was good, as was the eggplant dish and the gumbo I had for a main entree. I'd go back next time I was in town, just hope like hell I had a better server!
Food was good but service is less than desirable. If you are in a hurry, this is not the place to stop.
(3)
Shu Z.
Tourist trap. What's that you said? Tourist trap. Yep, the mediocrity of this so called local favorite does not deserve your out of the way drive to get to. Sure, if you just happen to need a spot to refuel after a long haul then take the time to enjoy some of the live music in this bustling establishment, but don't expect top notch food. The gumbo and bbq shrimp, hands down one of the least impressive things I've tried since being down in Louisiana. Presentation is non-existent and the quality like this can be easily found anywhere else in the immediate region.
(2)
Danny C.
Is this place hard to find? Yes. Is it in the right place on Google Maps? No. Is it worth driving around for an extra 10-15 minutes when you're starving and it's morning time but you really want Cajun food for breakfast? Absolutely. I hope your luckometer is at "full" because then you'll get to Prejeans in time for breakfast and you'll be served by the fantastic Megan. She's amazing, she's personable, and she's full of excellent morning food suggestions. The only thing she's not good at: letting you leave hungry. We dug right into the breakfast breads that were placed before us, and we wanted more. Don't worry, we didn't get more. We ordered beignets instead. And then whilst we were devouring the amazing little fried goodness smothered in powdered sugar - breakfast was served. I never thought I'd be eating seafood for breakfast, but when Megan suggested the Breaux Bridge Benedict, neither of us could say "no." Two grilled butter biscuit, each sandwiching homemade boudin patties, topped with a poached egg and smothered in crawfish etouffee. Yes please! The food was amazing, we couldn't have made a better choice, and it's all thanks to Yelp that the beginning of our road trip started at Prejean's. If I'm ever in this neck of the woods again, I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)
A S.
The service was outstanding as were the rolls (the most unbelievable, melt-in-your mouth rolls I've ever eaten) and the Parmesan vinaigrette salad dressing was so good I bought a pint to bring home. But that's where it ended. We began with Boudan Balls. They were over seasoned with red pepper and we could hardly taste the other ingredients. The dipping sauce (shrimp butter sauce, I think) was wonderful, though. Next, we ordered the Shrimp Festival Platter to share so we could get a taste of it all. Shrimp gumbo was pretty good but appeared to be boiled shrimp in a thin broth with some rice, though the broth had a nice coffee taste to it. Stuffed shrimp had a generous portion of crab stuffing but, again, flavor was red pepper and nothing more. Grilled and fried shrimp were OK though nothing memorable and the remoulade sauce resembled ranch dressing. The rice dressing was virtually tasteless. Decor is touristy cajun and the large rooms with concrete floors make for a noisy dining experience.
(2)
Jessica S.
This was my third time here and I was very disappointed. My family and I have been overseas for the past 6 years and this was an anticipated stop when planning our trip from TX to GA. I ordered the dish with the fried soft shell crab, crab cakes, and pasta with lumps of crab meat. The soft shell crab was bland, the cakes doughy, and the pasta overcooked and swimming in sauce. Our server was great but the food was extremely over priced and the quality has gone downhill. hope it's a fluke.
excellent cajun food! Great stop if you're on your way to new orleans
(4)
Mel L.
I went a little crawfish crazy here. Got the crawfish platter which comes with a soup with crawfish, salad with crawfish, and the crawfish entree with crawfish prepared two ways. We also had the gator. And a cup of gumbo. Everything was delicious and spicy (duh, it's Cajun). The white chocolate bread pudding was AMAZING. Our server was efficient and helpful. Great dinner.
(4)
Grant K.
Not good. My food was over cooked and the shrimp made me sick!!
(1)
Agenda B.
I love their Eggplant Abevillea and also the Stuffed Mushrooms.. can not pass through Lafayette on the way to NO w/o stopping at least for an appetizer!! The sauce on the Eggplant is to die for Music is old school Acadian...not very peppy....the old guys look like they are about to fall asleep playing just anytime....but guess it goes with the atmosphere....fun to laugh at them. They probably are sick of playing the same ol songs night after night.....!
(5)
Matthew B.
i cannot pass 49 without stopping here....good lawd this place is awesome. Though I admit it was great in 2007 and may have lost a little something (expanded, got bigger) in the recent years....but the menu and flavors will blow your mind don't leave without getting the shrimp sassafrass
(5)
Blake C.
On my way from New Orleans to Shreveport, the highway went through Lafayette. I was a bit hungry and settled on this restaurant just off of the main road and hard to miss. This turned out to be a great choice. The ambiance was the always likable Louisiana bayou setup with a big open area of tables with a couple smaller rooms off to the side that included more seating. A lovely woman greeted us, and having deep love for the southern belle accent, I'm sure I started to blush. Once seated, a gentleman quickly took our drink orders as we browsed the menu. Whoa, is their selection ever huge. The menu was about 5 pages of everything cajun one would expect to see : Gator, catfish, crawfish, gumbo. The list goes on. We ordered the popcorn crawfish to share amongst ourselves which was very good and better alone than dipped in the sherry wine sauce that comes with it. I also started with a smoked duck gumbo, and ordered the Catfish Acadiana as my main. Holy moly and a bucket of sweet was that gumbo delicious. It comes as a deep brown broth and rice to mix in on the side. It had an amazing spicy kick that wasn't too overpowering so you could enjoy the other flavours as well. The duck in it was plentiful and extremely tender. A very positive start to my meal. The catfish acadiana soon arrived, and I was instantly impressed by the great presentation. It is a battered filet of catfish served with corn macque choux and rice dressing. The fish itself is covered with shrimp Etouffee sauce. Now anybody who is familiar with catfish knows how delicate this particular fish is and how difficult it can be to cook properly without destroying the flavour. This one was perfect. Fried just right, the fish was a melt in your mouth bundle of awesomeville stacked high with 'I must be in heaven' tastiness. I was blown away. The corn was great and I wasn't a huge fan of the rice, but it was alright. The prices can be on the steep side, but it is worth every penny and maybe even a pinky toe to try out.
(5)
Ron L.
There are several famous Cajun restaurants around Lafayette, and this is one of them. I still haven't made it to Randall's, but this is good enough. You gotta love a restaurant with a stuffed alligator near the front door. It's been a while since I ate here, probably seven years. I had met a girl online in the Beaumont TX area, we came to like each other, so one day we had a big afternoon together. We drove into Louisiana, moseying down US 90, and ended up in Lafayette. This is where we ate lunch. To me, a native Californian, it came off as a real Cajun place. Regional food, a little dark, tables can be moved around for the Friday nights when they have live music. The food was taaaas-tee. My guess is that it gets loud and rowdy during the live music. If I was to be back in Lafayette, I'd want to check out the hole-in-the-wall places. But this was good too, a fitting place for our first big date. Good introduction to the whole scene for outsiders. Oh yeah, whatever happened to that girl? We've been married six years now ;-)
(4)
Tcs H.
Fried banana foster cheesecake...omg!
(4)
Mike M.
Definitely kind of a tourist trap, but everything was outstanding. Some of the best food I HAVE EVER HAD.
(5)
Kevin T.
I stopped in a couple of days ago for an early dinner. I ordered the blackened catfish etouffee, which is a nice blackened catfish fillet with a side of crawfish etouffee over white rice with corn macque choux. The first time they brought it out, the only thing on the plate that was hot was the catfish. So I pointed this out to the waiter, and he took it back to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, he brought out a fresh plate of food. This time, only the catfish and rice were hot. I then made a bad decision: I ate the plate of food. What I should have done was ask to speak to the manager, and tell him/her that food safety requires that hot foods be served hot, and that cold foods be served cold, and then go someplace else to eat. The plate of food was tasty. BUT, the past two days I have been bedridden with terrible food poisoning. A quick internet search came up with the likely culprit: Clostridium Perfringens, known to occur in meats and gravies, especially when cooked before hand and stored at room temperature. The etouffee was exactly that. I did call Prejeans and talked to the manager on duty, Jonathan. He handled the conversation very well, said that he was going to immediately speak to his executive chef about it. And he asked me to come back, ask for him, and he would ensure a proper meal, on the house. I'll try and do that.
(1)
L. P. H.
Been eating there for 10 years but this last trip which was last Thursday the 28th and my stomach is still not well. Tasted great but something was BAD!!!!! It was fried shrimps and oysters. Have not been poisoned like this for a loooooong time. Take your chances folks.........
(1)
Linda J.
This is our favorite place to eat in Lafayette. It's pricey, but well worth it!
(5)
mian g.
Is it weird to have only 4 or 5 star reviews. I'm a newb yelper so I'm just backtracking to all the places I love to eat. This review isn't going to help that average. I love prejean's. I remember it was and still is THE place to go to whenever my coworkers travel through that area. I heard about it constantly and even seen it on video. They have a live webcam in the main dining room. My friends used it to tease me many many times. Finally I get to be up close and personal. The thing to eat here is gumbo. They are famous for it. Well you know it's good when they sell it by the gallons. Yes you can buy some to take home but at $75/gallon I had a hard time convincing my wife that I needed to eat gumbo for the next week or more. I usually have the seafood gumbo. It has plenty of shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, and okra. It was just right, not too watery and not too salty. I have tried the andouille gumbo while it's good it's a little too salty for my taste. I had the Red Snapper Pontchartrain. It's pan sauteed topped with crawfish and butter sauce. I mean how can you go wrong with this combination? Ok maybe you could overcook the fish or not have enough crawfish. But neither was the case here. There was a ton of crawfish. Makes me wonder why anyone would order the crawfish platter for 24 bucks when my entree was only $18 and it came with a red snapper. My wife had the fried seafood platter. Big mistake. She ended up eating. I didn't want to say I told you so. But you might as well eat a shrimp poboy or something at Danny and Clyde's. Why waste your money on that here? You're here to eat Cajun food.
(5)
Lance R.
Fried oyster spinach salad is awesome.
(4)
Dia N.
I love Prejeans! It is authentic Cajun food and the promise of eating there is what makes me drive to NOLA rather than fly. Seriously. Every time I go I get the Cochin du lait. I consider trying something new but I love it so much I can't bring myself to get anything different. My husband and friends have tried a variety of things and everyone walks away happy. Of you find yourself in the area it is must do!
(5)
Scott K.
Gumbo is very flavorful. Bread that comes with it is phenomenal
(5)
Jeff G.
ate here twice, and everyhing we had was very good. fried gator, crawfish enchiladas, etc. two separate locals who live there independent suggested this place as legit and good.
(4)
Andrea J.
The crabcake was awesome, pure crabmeat no filler. The gumbo both chicken and sausage and the shrimp that my husband ate were outstanding. The only thing not perfect was the service which was very slow.
(5)
Regan H.
Really great food! Hush puppies were exceptional! And definitely go for the bread pudding, you could get drunk off that Jack Daniel's sauce!
(4)
Steve M.
Not a bad thing on the menu. I strongly recommend the crawfish enchiladas and the corn and crab bisque is the best that I've ever had
(5)
Ben N.
Although I lived in New Orleans for a number of years, I don't really know all that much about Cajun food per se, which is native to south-central and southwestern Louisiana. Contrary to popular belief, "Cajun" food is almost nonexistent in the New Orleans area. Only a few restaurants there purport to serve mainly Cajun or Cajun-influenced fare. Having dutifully attended Jazzfest in New Orleans, though, I always thought Prejean's pheasant, quail, and andouille gumbo was just about the most amazing thing out of many amazing culinary treats at the Fairgrounds. So I finally got to Prejean's restaurant in Lafayette this past weekend. Yeah, it's a bit touristy, as a lot of the reviewers say here. The restaurant is located on the I-49 frontage road and looks like a big barn inside, complete with a big bayou mural (not unlike the murals at Jacques-Imo's I mention in my recent review of that place) and Cajun and zydeco bands. Prejean's even has a gift shop up front. So what, I say. The lunch I had was rock solid: A delicious cup of smoked duck and andouille gumbo. (I love the dark, smoky roux that is the base for the Cajun, as opposed to Creole, gumbos.) A dish called Catfish Catahoula, with crawfish, shrimp, and crab dressing and some kind of creamy tasso sauce, with tasty dirty rice and corn macque choux as sides. I don't know how authentically Cajun this entree was, but it was authentically good, fresh seafood. And whatever its touristy rep, the restaurant seemed to be filled almost entirely with locals chowing down on heaping plates of fried seafood and giant bowls of gumbo. Do yourself a favor if you're driving I-10 between Houston and New Orleans and stop in at Prejean's, which is only a couple of miles north of the I-10/I-49 interchange.
(4)
Christy L.
I so wanted to love this restaurant! I heard positive things about this so was very excited to finally give it a try. To start with the waitress not very friendly or helpful. She seemed apathetic. Apparently she does not care if her customers are satisfied or not. It was very obvious that I only took 4 bites of my food (2 of the tuna and 1 of each of the sides) and instead of asking if there was something wrong with it, she just asked if I was finished with it. I said yes and she said okay. You would think that she would be concerned and at least ask me if there was something wrong with it. I ordered the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller. It was VERY dry and just lukewarm, as was everything else on my plate. The tuna had no flavor and the texture was inedible. I did not care for the corn or the rice that came as the side, but that could have been just a matter of not being my taste. I have had tuna before and typically love it, but definitely not from here! We should have had an inkling of how our meal would be when the bread and our Alligator bites were both cold. (Like I said, we REALLY wanted to like it, so wanted to get the full experience) We also were never offered tea refills. My husband ordered the Crawfish Half & Half and it was okay. At $58.70 for lunch, this was an expensive disappointment! Oh and we even had to go up to the cashier to pay because we got tired of waiting for the waitress to come get our payment.
(1)
Tony W.
Got there late tonight... Loved the chicken & sausage gumbo... Be back tomorrow earlier for more of an in depth tasting of the menue... So far not so good but GREAT!!! Not any fault of the establishment at all... Google maps and navigation are wrong wrong wrong
(4)
Leslie L.
This place is delicious. My daughter gives 5 stars, and the rest of the family agrees!
(5)
Jes B.
Everything was amazing! I posted pictures. Logan was great & very helpful! Go for the stuffed mushrooms!
(5)
Carrie S.
We decided to try Prejeans for dinner on the way home from a road trip. We were pleasantly surprised. We had the Crawfish Boudin Balls which were really good. Also tried the Corn and Crab Bisque which was creamy, had a little kick and was awesome. For the entree we had the Stuffed Tilapia, also excellent. Dirty rice and corn were good sides. Rolls are buttery and yummy! For dessert we tried the Coconut Cream Pie and Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce. Bread pudding was so-so. Pie had whipped cream instead of meringue like I'm used to, but was still good. Great place to try if passing thru Lafayette.
(4)
Brent L.
BEST GUMBO ON THE PLANET: Smoked Duck & Andouille!!!...dark - chocolate roux!! I know many locals deplore this 'tourist-trap', but I've eaten all around Acadiana and the gumbo ROCKS! If your momma, grandma or grandpa can cook a better gumbo, please send me some or let me know where I can stop to eat it. I've enjoyed many of the other dishes, including the house salad dressing - DELICIOUS! Most dishes will clog your arteries, but it's worth the risk in moderation! I luv the music!....Especially for those of us who don't hear it live often. And it's always nice seeing the younger generations keeping the musical talents/traditions of the area moving forward! I wish they would bring back the bbq soft shell crab from years ago! If you're driving down I-10, take a moment to test it out on your taste buds.
(5)
Ben C.
I was in town for business, and was told this place was a must if I was only staying for the night. To be honest I was a little burned out on fried food, so I was looking for something lighter. I was very happy to see they had a section healthy choices on the menu, and I was very content to go with the Tilapia. At first I was expecting a little 6-8oz piece, but i was surprised to see the very respectable 10oz portion they laid on my plate. It was tastfully seasoned, and well cooked. No overpowering spices here, and I truly enjoyed the meal that came with steamed veggies, white rice, and some sort of crawfish soup. If your in town for business then make it a point to stop by, you won't regret it. If your local and haven't been here then put it on the list. And to locals, I am moderately jealous that you have a place like this close to home.
(4)
Laura S.
Touristy, but pretty good food! Seafood gumbo had a good bite to it, but the crab is in the form of a crab claw, so you have to dig them out. Oyster appetizer was pretty good, even if it reminded me of a spinach dip with fried oysters on top.
(4)
Jenny L.
The best food we have had near a major highway ever. Make the stop. It has a fun webcam that you can send to your friends to watch (kind of creepy but can be fun).
(4)
Meli N.
Food was good. We shared 2 platters, several sides, several gumbos, bisque, salad & peanut butter dessert. I think overall the service by Scott was friendly. Except waters were not automatically refilled & you had to ask for everything.
Among your Bucket List restaurants, Prejean's deserves a high ranking. The food is truly authentic and amazing. This is no French Quarter, trying-too-hard, Big Mamou kind of place. This is a slice of heaven on the border of Lafayette & Carencro. I have stopped here so many times, I cannot count. They offer a refreshingly unique breakfast menu, so if you are on the early side of the day, fear not. They also offer daily lunch specials. You should check these out before making up your mind. The Crawfish Enchiladas are so unique that you may find yourself stopping just for them. On weekend nights, they have live Cajun music in the dining room. This most recent visit was a quickee lunch stop. I ordered the Shrimp Gumbo, for a change, and the Sassafras Shrimp appetizer. The Sassafras Shrimp is shrimp stuffed with tasso & cheese, battered & fried. I believe the accompanying sauce is the Crawfish Cardinale. That alone is heaven. The Shrimp Gumbo is not my usual choice. It has a nice, dark roux, but it is not too thick. They always serve the rice on the side. I was thoroughly impressed with the gumbo's flavor...gently spicy and full. Our family favorites are the Corn & Crab Bisque and the Duck & Andouille Gumbo...though I have to say I just adore the Crawfish Bisque. All their gumbos are available frozen (to-go). Get a cooler if you are on a road trip, and plan for the inevitable. The gift shop area also has plenty of locally-inspired stuff, and some great Zydeco & Louisiana music CDs. I must recommend their cookbook. Not all the recipes are in there, but it is a wonderful resource. I know they also offer shaded kennels for pets traveling with you, but I have no idea how that works. So, the next time you are driving through Lafayette, let your car steer you to Gloria Switch Road (Exit 2) on I-49. Your tummy will thank you.
Given the price and quality of food, this is a no go. You do not get what you paid for. I got the crab cake ($10) and sirloin ($20) and they were not bad. But they were definitely not worth the price tag. The service was good. The staff were friendly and checked on our table regularly. No issues in service. But the food quality was just so poor combined with the price tag, that my expectations were not met. Refer to my pictures for visual confirmation. The crab cake was pan grilled. It tasted like a crab cake no doubt and the sauce was tasty (despite its presentation). However, the texture was very mushy. It resembled more of a circular disk of mashed potatoes or creamed corn. The outer breading of the crab cake showed some signs of pan searing, which should give it a slight crunch or semi hard outer layer. However, it was mushy all throughout the cake. The 8oz sirloin came with a baked potato and seasonal veggies. This was the most disappointing. I ordered medium and as seen in the photo, it was well done. No big deal. I'll eat it without a problem. However, the meat quality was average and poorly cooked. It was overcooked and dry. No juices or tenderness to the meat. Nothing wrong with the baked potato. The veggies were simply steamed. No seasoning. Nothing. It was straight steamed veggies. I know they were steamed or boiled because half my plate was drenched in a pool of water. Not even salt or pepper on the veggies. Maybe this place is known for a specific dish I didn't get. My co worker got the Prejean's Seafood Alfredo ($20) and was not impressed with the seafood, which consisted of crawfish, shrimp, and crab meat. If you're craving a good steak, you're better off going to Outback or Longhorn. If you want fresh seafood, I would also consider other local options in the area. I'm not sure what those are because I'm not from the area, but you surely do not get what you pay for here. For the same prices paid here, you can get way better steak and seafood I'm sure.
(2)
Melissa D.
Solid 3.5 stars rounded up. Really liked the atmosphere here. The live music added to the ambience. We came here on 8/8/15 for lunch. My son and I shared a bowl of seafood gumbo. For $12 it was full of seafood, as well it should. Served with potato salad and rice on the side. The roux was a little charred for my taste. It lended to a burnt aftertaste but overall 3 stars. We also shared the seafood alfredo. Big portion but literally drowning in sauce. Too rich but flavor wise it was very good. Growing up in Louisiana I used to love this kind of food. But loving in the West coast for the past 8 years has really changed my palate. I can't seem to stomach all the fried, salty, buttered and creamed dishes lule I used to. This may have been an excellent meal for most Southerners but I find it a little too rich and overly seasoned. I will return here and hopefully try other dishes.
(3)
Kelly D.
This place is amazing! We came in thinking it would be a touristy greasy spoon but we were hungry... Wow. The food is worth traveling for. We ordered drinks and starters to quell our hunger but I was pleasantly surprised by a real hurricane not the watered down fruit juice you get in the quarter. Delicately flavored crab nachos- not flavorless but a mouthful of the most crispy delicious nachos I have ever had. We ordered two yummy shrimp dishes, sassafras and kicking shrimp. Omg ridiculous, it was so good. We finished with the sinful seven cake and it was a chocolate orgasm in my mouth. Ok, so the place sells Cajun souvenirs and has a huge stuffed alligator but the food is amazing! We came during lunch and had the honor of listening to a small zydeco trio playing fun Cajun songs right out of the wedding scene from steel magnolias- such fun! Make this a destination!
(5)
Donna T.
Stopped in on our way back to Houston chicken & sausage gumbo was great, service was great, and prices are great. Will def stop here again next time we are in the area
(5)
Tammi B.
Absolute best seafood gumbo my husband has ever had. I'm not a seafood fan, and there were still options for me. I chose the pasta with cream sauce and blackened chicken. The chicken tasted like it was smoked first. It was so tender. Amazing! This will be a "must stop" on our way to/from Houston. It's only about 3 miles north of I-10. Totally worth the extra mile or two.
(5)
Curtis B.
Good food and great service. Portions are big so if your driving then be prepared to want to nap. Crawfish enchilada was good. Wish they didn't use flour tortillas, ( gringo move ) but still had awesome flavor. Great stop on the way to New Orleans via Texas
(5)
Gene E.
Always great food and fun. Live Cajun music, great service, and interesting decor. Today I had Alligator Grand Chenier. It is a large piece of alligator tail that is grilled then stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat and topped with crawfish etouffee.
(4)
Erika J.
Food good. Service was good. Waiter attention but not to bothersome. Food yummy. Wide range of foods on the menu. I had the crawfish enchiladas. They were very good. Seafood gumbo. Yummy.
(4)
Becky W.
Boudin Balls, Mardi Gras oysters, fried green tomatoes, duck andouille gumbo.....YUM!!!!!!!! Best fried green tomatoes I've ever had.
(5)
Jeannie B.
Prejean's is always a winner for locals and tourists alike. The fondue appetizer is out of this world. The atmosphere reeks Cajun heartland. Go when there's a live band which is almost always. There's a dance floor too!
(4)
Dana P.
While visiting in Lafayette we decided to have dinner at Prejean's. The Fried Green Tomatoes were delicious. They give you a generous portion, too. We had plenty to share. We enjoyed the Parmesan rolls a lot also. Very fluffy! We split a seafood platter for our main entree. The Corn Maque Choux, Stuffed Crab and Seafood Gumbo were excellent. The Dirty Rice wasn't very good. There was a wide variety of seafood on the plate which included Catfish, Oysters, Shrimp, Alligator and Frog Legs. It was all fine. I wouldn't say the best, but it was good. We got a piece of the Peanut Butter Pie to go. It was decadent and good. Overall, it was a fine meal.
(4)
Robert N Mary W.
Food is good. Service was alright. Overall would come back. We had frog legs they were good. Had the enchiladas they were good
(3)
Jim B.
Expensive tourist trip. The fried oysters were served very quickly but greasy and stale. The gumbo resembled gravy and had the texture of hot and sour soup.
(1)
Laurie M.
Fried alligator, crab cakes, corn & crab bisque all superb. We stop to eat here whenever we are passing through Lafayette.
(5)
Ken L.
Food and service were good. We tried both fried and grilled frogs legs. The fried were better, but both tasted like chicken. We liked the music and the etoufee, but neither was quite as good as Randol's.
(4)
Shane M.
3 words.....catfish.oscar.style. Wow. Would have been 5 stars but it's a tad bit pricey if you ask me.
(4)
Stacy G.
It's been about 10yrs since we have been here and made a special stop. Our waitress Cory was as sweet as can be and very attentive, but the food was a tremendous disappointment. We are big fans and love dark/dirty gumbo and couldn't wait to wrap our taste buds around the smoked duck gumbo. It was so salty we couldn't even finish 3 bites. We have had gumbo every way you can think of it but this was sludge and like it had been in the pot on the stove for days. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo instead and same thing but not as salty. I also had a grilled crab cake that was O..K and didn't finish any of my food and neither my husband or I are one to return or complain about food but this was awful. We left 15min ago and my tongue feels like I just spent hours on a bag of sunflower seeds. As we were walking out we were going to say something but 3 of the staff just sat and talked at the counter as if we weren't there. I'm not sure if there is new management or what but it's not the same place anymore and we have no interests in going back. Its sad because we have always recommended Prejean's and don't think we will any more.
(1)
Phoebe N.
The Fried Green Tomatoes were unbelievable, as was the Seafood Gumbo. If I'm ever within a hundred miles of this place again, I'll be back.
(5)
Alisha M.
Very good restaurant! I had came here to Lafayette for an anime convention and decided to try this place out. I had got the Seafood Gumbo and the Red Beans and Rice. This is best best Cajun restaurant Ive ever been to. The staff are friendly and the place is clean. They have a little gift shop if you're interested.
(5)
Eric C.
Never have had a let down meal at prejeans. Every time I go through Lafayette, this is where I'll stop to eat no matter the time of day. If I know I'm going through there I'll skip a meal. The go to items for me , starter crawfish boudin balls, cup of the crawfish bisque, then for main course is the crispy duck or alligator under the wild game portion. Don't settle for chicken or a hamburger here. Get the real Cajun food this place offers.
(5)
Ethan L.
Now here is an annomaly of a place... The place sells itself as one of the best authentic places to eat Cajun food, a true experience decorated with numerous awards and medals. First off finding this place and getting to it is a pain. Secondly upon entering and seeing the numerous out of state license plates, it does appear to look more popular with tourists than the locals. Once inside the place has all the appeal and charm of eating at TGIF complete with gaggles of junior high kids, with a mish mash of some even French tourists. The menu seems hit and miss. There's a very good unique gumbo that is black as death consisting of duck and andouille. It's quite exceptional and one of the unique items on the menu. There's the so called gold medal crawfish etouffee is great as well, however other items on the menu such as a Asian-Cajun section just defy explanation. Why in the world would you want to make cajun fusion cuisine?? It just seems wrong and a waste of time... The cajun food I'll admit is quite good, but there was nothing I didn't have elsewhere in New Orleans or Louisianna that compelled me to come crawling back here. Also side salads contain a great parmessan dressing, but the main salads are advertised misleadingly. The house salad described as fresh field greens, Louisianna citrus, tear drop tomatoes, with goat cheese actually was 90% iceberg lettuce with canned mandarin oranges and grocery packaged blue cheese.. not goat cheese. Hardly truth in advertising (except the cajun pecans it came with). The place has live music which is great, but the place is really busy and you're not going to hear it well. I noticed that when I left and was hearing the music pipped outside by speaker it actually sounded better cause I could actually hear it. It also builds itself as a place where couples can dance but it's obvious that there is not much room to do this.. or even watch dancers easily. It's not the best, not the worst I had, but I don't think I'll be wanting to return...
This place has, what I consider-hands down, to be the best Gumbo in the world. The game fowl combined with amazing sausage makes for a breathtaking flavor.
(4)
Denis C.
On our way back to Houston from Biloxi, we wanted to stop at an authentic Cajun restaurant and this was it. Everything about it was five star. I had the crabcakes and some gumbo and both were excellent. Great service and a great band added to the overall great experience. We will be back!
(5)
Alyce P.
We had dinner tonight at Prejean's in Lafayette. We got there a little earlier than we thought we would after a busy day. We had called earlier in the day to ask about reservations and they don't take reservations for fewer than six guests. I asked what the typical wait might be on a Friday evening and the pleasant person on the phone guessed about 30 minutes. But when we arrived, there was no wait. We were asked if we wanted a table near and Cajun band, and of course we did! Once seated, there was a longer than expected wait for our server's attention, considering how few tables were seated in our area. But after that, our drink orders were taken, delivered quickly and our meal order taken. I regret that we'd had a late (and filling) lunch and it was a bit earlier than we normally dine, so we didn't try any of the amusing sounding appetizers. I ordered the eggplant pirogue, a half eggplant, hollowed, breaded and deep fried, filled with a not-too-heavy Louis sauce with shrimp and crab. My husband got the alligator Grand Chenier, with shrimp and spicy tomato sauce atop a very spicy seafood stuffing. Both were served with a tartlet shell filled with corn macque choux (cooked with bell peppers, onion and garlic, with a touch of heat) and "rice dressing," which appeared to be rice mixed with a good dark roux, onion and occasional small chunks of andouille. I loved 'em both! Once finished with our dinner the server brought the check. The restaurant still had open tables, and we were enjoying the Cajun music, so we ordered one more round of beverages. Our server seemed a bit flustered by that (how to handle the new charge). Overall, our experience was positive, the food was good and reasonably priced. I used to live in NOLA and traveled throughout southern LA so I'm pretty sure there are still better places that this, but you gotta know somebody to find them!
(4)
Mike T.
The short story is I have never had a bad food item from the menu, but the service is horrible! My family has 6 people in it, so Prejean's think we should automatically pay a gratuity. I normally don't have an issue, but when you have to find your server to ask for the check you know there is a problem. Then when asking to speak to a manager, their reaction was, "what do you want me to do?" Geaux for the food, but expect to pay too much and have less than 6 people in your party! I hope they fix this issue, as the food will only keep this place open so long!
(3)
Ben J.
It is OK but still NOT true Cajun food and as said in previous reviews, VERY TOURISTY... Plus I think it has gotten less authentic over the years... Not sure who the chef is over there now... Might be different than a few years back. There USE to be when I was little another restaurant across the hwy called Prudommes... It was very similar except without the loud music. It was owned by Mrs. Prudomme a friend of my grandmothers. Her FOOD made Prejeans look like MacDonalds... She died and they closed the place down. So sadly this is all that's left in the area. Not sure of any others around that area of Lafayette. More businesses need to use the "INTERNET" down there... I swear I think they're still living in the early 1990's in some parts of LA... LOL...
(2)
Mike D.
Cool place but the food is fhshy
(2)
Gabriela M.
Great restaurant for a Cajun country tourist like me. The decor is fun and makes for excellent Instagram opportunities...there is beautiful Spanish moss everywhere, taxidermy alligators that make your jaw drop, and cartoonish maps of Louisiana for you to track your road trip and feel a sense of accomplishment worthy of a heaping pile of Cajun food for dinner. And you will get that because the portions are quite large! I had the fried alligator served with a side of alligator sausage and it was deee-licious. Came with some yummy sides...I got full so fast I had leftovers for the next day. My friend had the shrimp gumbo which was equally delectable. We enjoyed our meal while listening to a fabulous zydeco band. The staff was super friendly and efficient. Taking a star off only because the prices were a bit steep, but I would definitely go back and eat there again!
(4)
Jen R.
A family joint, to be sure. Not intended for romantic, intimate dinners. A large room, decorated like the Pirates of the Carribbean ride at Disneyland (or is it the other way around?), live Cajun music, lotsa kids spilling drinks everywhere, friendly atmosphere. I had the crawfish enchilladas, grilled alligator stuffed with crab meat, and macque-choux. Enchilladas were the standout. Alligator was good but hard to compare since I've never had it served that way before...and I was pretty stuffed after the enchilladas.
(3)
Steve G.
Although I've always enjoyed my business travel through the area, Prejean's is consistently high on the list of memories I take-away. I've traveled and dined from Houston to NOLA; through the Delta and up to Lafayette-- Cajun cuisine isn't new to me. There is a homey feel about the cooking at Prejean's, although I can see where the locals consider this a "tourist trap" compromise. Just as most folks from this area may never experience "real" pizza, corned beef or bagels, and yet, enjoy what they have eaten, I've always enjoyed Prejean's. Anticipation of their duck and andouille gumbo has kept me a motivated driver for many miles. Service is okay.
(4)
wes m.
This is the best true Cajun restaurant that ive been to in La. It combines good food with a great cajun ambiance. Staff is great but know nothing about how to get to merlots in Bon'temps.... If u get what im saying in that last statement thats excellent!!! Must try.
(4)
Jennifer A.
The restaurant itself is great with a fun decor, live music and a tiny giftshop where you can buy anything from cookbooks to alligator teeth. The food...the gumbo is good, very very dark thick roux. The absolute best to die for dish is the Shrimp Sassafrass for an appetizer or the Pepperjack Shrimp on the dinner menu. Amazing. The only reason I put three stars is because, other than the gumbo and the two shrimp dishes I mentioned, the food is just ok. Their crawfish etoufee is strange tasting and the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller which was recommeded to us on both of our visits was small and blah.
(3)
Suzy F.
We went to New Orleans for the weekend expecting to find plentiful, delicious, cheap, authentic Cajun food everywhere. Maybe we were on the wrong streets in the French Quarter, Magazine Street, the Garden District, and greater New Orleans, but Cajun food wasn't easy for us to find...until we stopped at Prejean's on the way back home. Our friends had vouched for this place, and so had the trophy case of awards sitting underneath the giant, stuffed alligator on the way to our table. The atmosphere was fun with murals, faux trees and spanish moss. Our server was helpful and friendly, and the dishes we ordered were reasonably priced. We started with a CRAWFISH ENCHILADA that was packed with fresh flavorful crawfish and baked in a tangy, cheese sauce. My husband ordered the crawfish etouffee, which was also delicious but almost a crawfish overload after the enchilada. I got the DUCK and ANDOUILLE GUMBO filled with big, juicy, tender duck and sausage bites as well as a rich, velvety gumbo sauce. I substituted the plain rice with the dirty rice, and I am super glad I did. The DIRTY RICE was the best I've had at a restaurant and it paired really well with the gumbo. I would highly recommend those dishes. If we are ever back in Lafayette, I know where we will be stopping to eat.
(5)
Jonathan C.
It's touristy. It's noisy. But it's reputation and crowd are well deserved. Ample portions - loaded with seafood - great flavors. And on weekends, live Zydeco! May not be the best Cajun ever, but with easy location, renowned name, and quality food, worth a trip - especially for out-of-towners like me.
(5)
Nacheska G.
What a great find...traveling with my grandchild on the way from Florida to Texas, my husband mentioned how wonderful this restaurant was which he stumbled on while on business travel. I had the veggie stuffed eggplant...YUM! There was a Zydeco band that delighted and intrigued my 6 yr. old grandson and another little girl was dancing to the upbeat music lending to the ambiance of the Lousiana experience...a happy and scrumptious visit.
(5)
A. R.
I usually go to Prejeans on Sunday for lunch, as most of the other local seafood restaurants are closed. Lately I have been ordering the Crab Extravaganza--a yummy trio of crab pasta, a crab cake, and a fried soft shelled crab. Very rich. My other Prejeans' favorites are the crawfish bisque and the zydeco shrimp. Be ready to rub elbows with lots of other diners. This is a family friendly restaurant, and you will often see tables of 15 or more enjoying the food and the live Cajun band.
(4)
Michael P.
This place was pretty good but I did think it was a little overpriced and the service could have been a little better. Overall, I would go back. Frog legs were gross though. Tasted like swamp water! Everything else was delish!
(3)
Ed L.
Prejeans restaurant is one of the must do's while in Lafayette, LA. As I was told by a friend who used to live there, it shouldn't be missed. With that said, I met another new friend of that friend who lives in Lafayette, but originally from New Orleans for lunch here and it was a culture shock to be sure. After arrival in Baton Rouge, I drove majority west bound on the I-10 into Lafayette and hit up this place for good Cajun food. Previously, it was more creole food that I had experienced and devoured. Now I wanted more Cajun. I found out or discovered that Cajun food was basically spicy seafood and they use a lot of crawfish in their dishes. I had eaten crawfish before and it gave me the creeps. Prejeans restaurant is located in Lafayette along US highway 167S. The drive from Baton Rouge to Lafayette was about an hour, so that was cool. My friend and I came to Prejeans, after hitting up Vermilionville earlier in the day. The culture clash was very much evident, but at least the restaurant itself was not busy or crowded at 1pm when we strolled in. Took a photo of the Mardi Gras alligator before sitting down at the booth to kick off the weekend in the Deep South. A few people looked up at me while I was walking, but it was alright. Ever seen a person from Hawaii in these parts?? Prejeans has a private parking lot and accepts major credit cards, which is always awesome. The overall experience was an interesting one. The service was kind of slow, considering how much tables were occupied at the time. The lights were dim, even on a Thursday early afternoon, but I guess they stay in business somehow! The server was a bit perky, so at least she loved her job there. First order of business was to try alligator!! My friend pointed out that they deep fry everything here, so we ordered the alligator grilled. Alligator really does taste like chicken. A bit tough around the edges, but chicken! Definitely chicken! That was pretty wild, but $10 for a small plate. Not so hot. I didn't want to spend too much money on their signature Cajun entrees, so I just did their oyster po boy and a cup of gumbo. First time trying gumbo too, which turned out to be a weird spicy watery something. Oh well, first time for everything. The service was slower for me, but I guess I didn't care, as I was on vacation. The po boy itself was pretty good, although the bread itself was a bit dry, but overall pretty good. I did love the oysters though. While I can't say that my experience here was stellar, it was just okay. I liked trying new things and the Deep South is one of those places to do just that. Support local! B
(3)
Mark G.
Suppa Friday night- While driving to NOLA, we stopped based on some solid advice. ... we were not disappointed. Good call. I had the duck and sausage gumbo. Yeah, that's right, duck and sausage gumbo, a cup. 'Wish I had gotten a bowl. And then had the Half & Half Crawdads. Half fried, half ettouffe'. Another good call. The Zydeco band was pretty good as was the service. The atmosphere is relaxing. A definite stop when we come through.
(5)
Patty C.
Stopped here on the way to New Orleans looking for some delicious cajun food. Definitely worth a stop! The inside is roomy and a bit loud with the band playing, but every little bite of the food was delicious. We ended up sitting in the back area by the bar, so it was a little less noisy. Definitely try the duck and sausage gumbo. It's made with a dark brown savory roux. The only flaw was that it was a tad on the salty side, but the tender duck pieces melt in your mouth. The hushpuppies were really tasty. Golden and bite-sized, they have a surprise little spicy kick! Try the corn macque choux. It's like creamed corn in a pie crust. It's super delicious with a touch of sweetness. The complimentary rolls were hot and toasty with a light crunch. I could eat a whole basket of these and happily fall into a food coma. I dipped some of this into my gumbo. The service was a bit on the slow side, so take your time and eat up with enjoying the sights.
(4)
Clarice W.
If there is a word to describe the opposite of hole-in-the-wall, it would be fitting for Prejean's. Prejean's is huge. It's off a highway. It's packed with tourists. There's even a gift shop that sells stuffed crawfish inside! Now, this doesn't mean it isn't good, but I think it is what keeps it from being great. I say this because all the items we tried were just in that "good but okay" zone. The fried alligator was tough and chewy, though the tender frogs legs were tasty. The crawfish boudins were flavorful; the etouffee wasn't so much. Prices are inflated to tourist-y levels; however, you do come away with a LOT of food. Though there's nothing blatantly wrong with Prejeans, I'm not convinced you can't find better food elsewhere.
(3)
Bob P.
Bayou cooking supreme!! From the frog legs to the eggplant... Everything was wonderful from the service, to the decor, to the live band. Definitely a place to stop for business or pleasure.
(5)
Jacob DG M.
Place is amazing! Delicious food, and fresh atmosphere. Is a bit pricy, but as it's fresh never frozen seafood, I expected as much! Would've been 4 stars but my server Mindy was swamped and not very attentive
(4)
Steve T.
I've visited here many times over the years. Great food and service. Then why not 5 stars? The crowds and noise. Mercy can this place be a zoo during peak dining hours. Plan carefully.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
The staff was very friendly and attentive. We were a larger group dining here for the first time. Our waitress was even nice enough to take some family photos for us!! THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS!!! Best place to get home style cooked Cajun!
(5)
Jason J.
First of all, they're a little pricey but it's worth every penny IMHO. The Seafood Platter is what I would call a large sampler dinner and you will know what I'm talking about when you get it. Now to the rice and beans of my review...the food can make you happy or put a smile on your face. It's super tasty and well balanced with flavor and spices. DO NOT dismiss anything on your plate including the frog legs. The building is well kept and they stay true to the Cajun/bayou theme. The service was awesome and my waitress was super. The location is off a service road which can be a challenge for people passing through and just want to eat some Cajun food. Overall, I'm going back SOON.
The ambience was wonderful with a Zydeco band playing the whole time! The seafood platter was wonderful. The frog legs were crisp and not slimy at all, as were the pieces of alligator. Definitely a great place to stop!
(4)
Rodney T.
Poor hostess staff. They need to be trained better. Many open tables a hostess sits us by the kitchen door. Then we have to wait 10 minutes and I have to approach the hostess to find out who is waiting on us because no one has approached the table. If I hadn't been before and liked the food I would have walked out. Amber was an awesome server.
Best Cajun food ever! delicious flavors, shrimp Etoufee is so good, seafood gumbo out of sight! Must visit to understand how good this really is.
(5)
Rick B.
Unfortunately, the high price doesn't match the quality of the food. The mains were all excellent, but the sides disappointed badly. Vegetables were steamed, frozen packaged vegetables, the salads had the uneatable ends of the lettuce heads (for filler?). We had three mains (my wife and I shared), a kids shrimp, ice tea and one well drink - and it was $95..... Fun atmosphere, good mains, but not worth the price.
(3)
Jethro C.
Spectacular cajun food. If you're on the highway, passing through Louisiana and are wondering which of the restaurants should be your stop -- this is the one. Don't miss the boudin balls and crawfish enchiladas... although, absolutely everything I tried was great. Not quite as touristy as a few reviewers have said (at least when I was there), and the restaurant is enthusiastically recommended by several genuine Louisiana cooking experts that I know. Live music every night, too, they say (a small acoustic group when I was there). The only caveat -- service is very friendly, naturally, but it was a bit slow, so this might not be the place to go if you're in a huge rush.
(5)
Lina X.
Great food and service. It's everything I have hoped for in a Cajun restaurant. The crawfish platter is so good and big enough for two people. I love the sweet corn and gumbo as well. The price seems high until the food arrives, giant portions. Will come back again
(5)
Robert L.
Four stars based upon only what I have eaten since 2002. 1. Chix & Sausage Gumbo - FIVE STARS and they deserve it! Best I've had! 2. Duck and Andouille Gumbo - See above! Too rich for a bowl though... Order a cup! 3. Duck Entree' - Unbelievable! (Just wish the sauce didn't have shrooms) 4. Crab Au Gratin - OMG... A bit rich, though... 5. Dirty Rice & Corn Mac Choux - To die for! 6. Zydeco Music - Very annoying... Sit at the bar, away from the noise! Overall - A must try place! :-)
(4)
Jonathan S.
I have been twice and it was okay both times. Alligator Grand Chenier=okay Corn macque choux=not a big fan Chicken and sausage gumbo= Fantastic! Crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake=not great Catfish Prejean=alright Rice dressing=not the greatest Atmosphere=Good. It's a neat place Service=Good the first time... subpar the second Bottom line... if friends wanted to go again, I'm cool with it, but as for me, I'll give another place a shot over Prejean's.
Prejean's and Blue Dog Cafe have always been listed as the go to places when my friends tell me where I need to eat when visiting Lafayette. Blue Dog Cafe was absolutely terrible & made me sick. I would not list either as the go to place for Lafayette. I have eaten at Prejean's several times and it is decent. The service was great and very attentive. The decoration is very touristy and I see why out of towners would want to go to this "Cajun" restaurant. The food is decent, nothing exciting. It relies on butter to carry the flavor. Butter can make anything delicious. Their rolls were extremely delicious and buttery, but definitely not healthy. The place is definitely not cheap for what it is. If you are looking for something lighter or fairly healthy, keep looking.
Awesome food and live entertainment. We were on the front row of the 3 man band. Folks were clapping and singing along. The crab stuffed tilapia was excellent. Waiter was attentive and friendly. All in all a good experience.
(5)
Madison A.
E were traveling through the area to head back home to Texas and wanted one last authentic meal. I found Prejean's on Yelp so we decided to eat there. IT WAS SO GOOD! The boudin balls were amazing.
(4)
Kristen S.
Stopping at Prejean's restaurant has become a tradition for us as we are headed to or from New Orleans. Food is always tasty. We usually eat till we can't take another bite and leave stuffed! The decor makes you feel like you are at a big Cajun picnic surrounded by alligators and moss covered swamp trees. Enjoy!
(4)
Phil M.
The duck gumbo is worth writing home about.
(5)
Donna H.
Prejean's lived up to our expectations for atmosphere, food quality, and service (great!) But why why do so many restaurants in warm/hot climates have to have their air-conditioner turned down to 50? We dressed for the climate, in summery attire, but should have brought our snow jackets. After complaining 2 times, the management finally adjusted our side room down to only what felt like 65 instead of 50. Still....wished I had brought more than a light sweater. .Our server was so friendly, professional and helpful, we much appreciated his tips on the menu. We came with a group of 8 friends, and everyone was pleased with the food. It was a bit noisy and hard to hear one another, but we weren't out for romance on this evening. We started with the Alligator cheese cake and had to order a second round it was so good.The gumbo I would give a B, The Yellow fin tuna, was good quality and fresh and with wonderful flavors. We loved the cheese rolls, best bread in Louisiana.
(4)
Whitney B.
The food was ok. Nothing compared to Pappadeauxs or Fezzos. Our waiter Joe was pretty bad. He was not very attentive... Portion sizes were small for the price paid. We were quite shocked.
(2)
Kelly S.
The food was good but not worth the price. We ate lunch on a Saturday and the entrees were $20.
(3)
George H.
Had dinner there on Sunday evening June 21st. restarurent was not that busy but took 30 min to place our order and another 40 min to receive it. Food was just barely warm. The worst part was not that they had burned the rue in making the gumbo, but that they actually served it to us. George
(2)
Ray F.
Great food, great beer, great service! This was our first visit & we were pleasantly surprised! Amber was our server. She was awesome & answered all our questions about the menu. I had the Crab Cakes Covington.... So good! No complaints whatsoever. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. And, Amber recommended the Tin Roof Blonde Ale. Great beer! I hope we are able to visit again soon.
This was a last minute decision, but so worth it. Corn and crab bisque was phenomenal! House dressing was a pleasant surprise. I have to go back.
(5)
Sweets M.
YES. Musicians using instruments and not auto tone? Fried Alligators and gumbo? I'M IN.
(5)
Tom J.
I kept looking for the chicken and sausage in my gumbo. Lots of liquid but little to no substance in the bowl.
(3)
Faith A.
This review is ONLY for their gumbo. I love their gumbo at jazz fest so when I was passing through Laffayette I decided I would go to them instead of waiting for jazz fest. They must get a lot of tourist folk in their because there was a mini store selling all kinds of Louisiana and cajun merchandise. They also had a freezer selling gumbo by the quart. They did not have the famous one from jazz fest so I opted for the duck and andouille gumbo. It was $20...Whoa! that's a lot of peanuts for some gumbo. But, after all...that IS what I came for so whatever. Despite being a touristy place and overpriced. I love love looooove their gumbo. If you like a dark and rich roux you would like Prejean's gumbo. It's the best!
(4)
Jason M.
This food was really good. I wasn't sure what to expect because it seemed touristy, but it exceeded expectations. The fries green tomatoes were ridiculous and I usually don't eat them. Also the chicken and sausage gumbo was great. My wife had the crab and corn chowder, which was also good. The portions are large enough to share, but the food is so good you may not want to.
(4)
Paul P.
First Cajun food since arriving off the plane. This met every expectation of spicy, deep fried, gumbo, fish, and shellfish one associates with cajun cuisine. And plenty of it. The place was full and there was a 3 man band playing good cajun music. Not too lively but good for the crowd.
(4)
Ali B.
Stopped here on a whim in the middle of a road trip. Was pleasantly surprised. Friendly staff from the start. Cool looking place inside. But the food was great. Ordered a crawfish poboy. Crispy crawfish without being overcooked and just right so you taste batter and crawfish together. Light dressing and a little lettuce to top it off and the roll was amazingly soft. Great sandwich. So glad I decided to stop in, only wish it was closer so I'd have the opportunity to stop in again. ...maybe next road trip that way.... :)
(5)
Vince A.
One of my favorite all time places to have Duck and andouille gumbo. I don't believe anyone can make better gumbo than these guys , not even my mama!
(5)
Marc M.
Cajun food at its best! Try the chicken and sausage gumbo - this place is a three time world champion. Advertisement like that in the heart of Cajun country really means something. Definitely a "locals" place... thank goodness to Yelp directing us to eat here. Lafayette definitely has more than it's share of great restaurants. I live in "The Big City" and I am jealous. I had shrimp stuffed with cheese wrapped on bacon - kind of like a shrimp brochette, except this was deep fried. Did I mention that I didn't see too much that was "healthy" on the menu. The corn side is like a dessert. In fact, I was so stuffed after my entree, I didn't have room for dessert.
(5)
John L. H.
Prejeans offers traditional Cajun food, but is geared toward the tourist trade. We decided to stop here while driving through Lafayette. When we were seated in front of the stage with a live Cajun band, I was quite happy. Unfortunately the band stopped playing after one song. The food is traditional. Lots of fried or grilled seafood along with gumbos and etouffes. I decided to split the fried seafood platter and was not impressed. It was fried perfectly, but just average compared to many of the other platters I've had in the region. Service was very slow. Our server seemed either overwhelmed or disinterested the entire meal. Drink refills were few and far between and he seemed to vanish right when he was needed. In summary, Prejeans wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. If you're in the area and want a touristy seafood restaurant, hopefully your luck will be better than mine.
(2)
KArla M.
This place was amazing, the food was excellent the wait staff was attentive our drinks and bread basket were refilled instantly. The food was sooo good had the specialty catfish it was crispy in the outside and soo flaky inside. The food was out quickly and overall it was a great experience
(5)
Jim J.
Fantastic. My wife & I have eaten here each time we have visited Lafayette Parish & the experience has always been wonderful. It is a must-visit restaurant for authentic Cajun country cuisine. Always great service & never a bad meal from any choice on the menu.
(5)
Misty L.
So disappointed on our experience here, visiting family in Lafayette, they wanted to take us here because of the good food.. But instead we were all disappointed. To start off our bread plates came out soaked, we had to dry them ourselves so our bread didn't get soggy. Waitress was pitiful took 20 minutes to get my beverage and then another 45 minutes to get the other beverages and to take our food order.. And the waitress was rude and acted like she didn't care. Spoke with the manager and she didn't seem to get it that we felt ignored and not getting the service that one should get when dining out. When the food came it was so cold! The only 2 things that were hot was the blackened fish and my baked potato everyone else plate was cold.. Very disappointed because my family has eaten here and always been pleased. But it was horrible, my daughter ended up being sick most of the night. Not a place will come back to when we visit again, there are much better Cajun food restaurants.
(1)
Tracy D.
My BF and I stopped here on our way back to Texas from Florida. Since I had already worked his nerves by insisting that I will not eat at a chain restaurant when I travel, I prayed that my random pick from a billboard would not disappoint. It didn't! He ordered a cup of the Duck Gumbo and the fried catfish plate. I ordered a bowl of the Seafood Gumbo. OMG!! Everything was awesome! The hot bread, the gumbo, the fish... the two us couldn't believe how good the food was. The portions were generous, and our server was on point. We loved Prejean's. We were stuffed at the end of the meal, but that didn't stop us from taking 3 to-go containers of gumbo out of their freezer. Score!! Needless to say we will be stopping here again if we are ever in Lafayette.
(5)
Jim K.
I had the crawfish enchiladas appetizer- that was the absolute best food I have ever eaten. The wife had the stuffed shrimp- ok but not great. We finished with a shared bowl of crawfish bisque which was a bit thick but good. This place is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for here.
(4)
Nora S.
We walked into this place and immediately thought tourist trap. Yes, it is. That doesn't mean the food isn't spot on. While we were in Louisiana, I ate seafood gumbo three times. This was far and away the best of the three. Gumbo was really different than any I had ever had before. It was a thin soup with chunks of fish, shrimp, crawdad and crab. I was used to eating gumbo with a thicker base. The broth was also very dark. They clearly used a very well developed roux as their base. The flavor was unlike any I had ever had. The gumbo was so delicious and spicy. They had clearly added the chunks of seafood later as nothing was overcooked. They sell their gumbo to take home and I can see why. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his crawdad ettouffee. Again a knockout. Really good stuff here. Kids liked the touristy atmosphere with the swamp decor.
(4)
Steve R.
We hit this joint up for lunch, found it on YELP while passing through town on our quest for greatness and worldwide domination. Thanks, YELP. The decor is cool, the food was great (One guy had the catfish Prejean and he loved it, it looked super-duper) I had a pork tenderloin sandwich and it was AWESOME. Tenderloin was thin and fried perfectly. Slaw was good, I added salt though, but I am weird like that. Onion rings were home made and fried just right. Boogie on down here and try it. DOnt laugh when you go to the bathroom, it looks like a casino restroom, not what you would expect...I figured there would be a trough with a urinal cake, but they are super modern.
(4)
Timothy L.
Awesome! Ordered chef's special for the day (fried fish dish, comes with garlic bread and the crawfish, stil can't find on the menu...) 40minutes wait I made up my mind it has to be good or it's gonna leave bad impression. Turn out, IT was worth every minute of the wait. Fish is fried just nice. Really juicy inside. And their Cajan style crawfish is as good as it could be. We ordered a King cake (Mardi Gras special I believe) and it is good. Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Virginia W.
I wish it was lunchtime so we could eat here again. We just passed the exit. My husband, daughter and grandchildren ate here in June 2013 and we were surprised at how delicious every item on our plates were. The grandkids were so amazed by the decor, ie alligators etc, that they had a difficult time concentrating on their food. We had to buy them a gift at the gift shop. I will definitely eat at Prejeans again, probably on the way to Florida next March.
(5)
Heidi J.
Driving up this place looks like nothing special, but when you walk in it's serious Louisiana. The decor is fantastic and the food is out of this world! Great service with a fun Cajun atmosphere.
(5)
Carl M.
I finished my job in Lafayette and checked into the hotel. I am always looking for a good local haunt and both the people at the desk recommended this place. Just a few miles later I walked into Prejean's and was led to the lounge. The crawfish enchilada was what was recommended and I was given a coupon for a cup of chicken and sausage gumbo. I sat for a few minutes before the barkeep arrived and served me. The iced sweet was pretty good but I couldn't read the menu having forgotten my readers. He cleaned up a pair and handed them to me while putting in the order for the gumbo. The menu was pretty straightforward but I went with the recommended crawfish enchilada. By the time I had settled on that, he brought my gumbo. I have had many different types of gumbo but this was great. Rice served separately from the gumbo with a plate to combine them and a fresh hot roll with all the traditional ecoutrements. Rice hit the plate as I smothered it with fresh gumbo and as I reached for the hot sauce, it gracefully slid behind the bar and broke. He was very gracious as he quickly replaced it and called for a cleanup. I felt bad, but I sprinkled the hot sauce onto my mixture and fell in love with the first taste of what turned out to be an excellent dining experience. The gumbo was so good with that earthy Cajun taste sporting good size chunks of both chicken and an excellent sausage. The combination set my tastebuds in high gear and it was all I could do to restrain myself from going caveman on it. The hot roll was the teaser as I sopped any remaining vestiges of the gravy and quickly scarfed that plate clean. I also ordered a beer...something I never do...because I was feeling the mood now. I sat back to savor what I had just elated when the door swings open and out comes a very hot plate...of which I was warned about several times...with my enchilada. Having just come out of the oven, it was hot so I sampled the other sides on the plate. The corm pastry stood on its own as did the ball of rice spiced with liver and several other tasty components before adventuring into the enchilada. It was cheesy so it initially strung out my first bite but when I blew it cool and placed it on my tongue, it was pure magic. The combination was mind blowing and I asked several questions as I was eating it. The staff was so accommodating and the bartender so down to earth that I felt comfortable wolfing this plate of food down and watching them bet on whether I would finish it. I WON. If you ever go there remember that this is not your run of the mill eatery, this is true Cajun masterpiece food presented in truly traditional style. It is earthy, spicy and so good it deserves to be listed as a landmark, not just another restaurant.
(5)
Ivan J.
Prejeans is like a Cajun-style Cracker Barrel: open seating, clever decor, convenient interstate frontage, menu heavy on the fried and sauced foods, reasonable prices and good service. Which is great if you're looking for a place that offers that kind of atmosphere and fare. But if you want someplace that has healthier offerings, doesn't bread and fry everything, and yet still gives you a Cajun experience, there are better choices in the area.
(2)
Adam B.
I was expecting a awesome Cajun experience maybe I built it up in my head or something but the food was bland and very mediocre. I didn't enjoy anything about my time there. The decor was tacky and the food was a serious let down. We waited a hour to sit down and maybe that started the bad experience.
(2)
Clint B.
One word. Gumbo! This place is money. I will come back often. I would love to work here just to eat their gumbo everyday. I have rendered this place to a bunch of friends as well. THREE thumbs up. Thanks for being in business.
(5)
Andrew G.
I ate here last month under protest. Didn't want to go, but since I was at my GF's house who lives over there, there is not much of a choice in that area.She had her Dad in town, who is part Cajun, and he needed some Cajun grub. This meal was so bad that my GF was totally embarassed to have taken her Dad there. The gumbo just plain sucks, has very little meat or veggies in it, and the Crawfish Etouffee was salty and horrible. This joint with all of its good reviews baffles me. I suspect most of the reviews are coming from tourists passing through Lafayette as they're too ignorant or lazy to find a good Cajun place, of which there are many in Lafayette. I gor-on-damn-tee you that very few of these good reviews were written by locals or Cajuns. If you're passing through Lafayette, do yourself a favor and eat at Charlie G's or lue Dog - or better yet - Fezzo's, which is right along I-10 near the Amb Caffery exit. Stay away from Prejean's. This place is crap.
(2)
Naveed B.
You might think this is a tourist trap. Well it may have lot's of tourists, but the food here is incredible. I've been here several times and every time I have come it's been a spectacular experience. The largest party I ever came here with was a party of fifteen for my birthday. Of the fifteen, I was the only one that had ever ate here before. After we left it was everyone's favorite restaurant. This place knows how to make Cajun food. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that my mother(a Cajun woman) thought the gumbo was better than her's. Of their gumbos, I usually get the smoked duck and andouille. The crawfish half & half (etouffee and fried crawfish) is excellent. Every appetizer is good. When we came for my party we literally ordered every appetizer. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. My absolute favorite item here though is the Cajun rack of venison. I ordered the Cajun rack of venison for the first time on my birthday and it was one of the best things I've ever ate. Everyone tried it and was pissed they didn't order it. Now my friends take regular pilgrimages to Lafayette for the Cajun rack of venison. This place is awesome. Check it out.
(5)
Amanda B.
I had high expectations for this place, given it's reputation, but living in New Orleans, my expectations for Cajun food may be too high. Started off great, and to me, my meal tasted just fine. Not spectacular, but good. I got SO sick from the food; "Shrimp Festival something"! Luckily we have family in Opelousas. I would've been unable to drive home in the state I was in. No thank you, Lafayette!
(1)
Kelly S.
I was pleased with this place. I had a crab cake that was decent and came covered with a crawfish sauce of some sort. My son loved the oyster saxophone (open-faced sandwich) that he had. I tried my daughter's catfish etoufee and it was excellent. I wish I had gotten that instead of the crab cake actually. Our server was great and even offered us to go cups for refills. AWESOME!
Stopped by on road trip to florida. The reviews made it seem to be a pleasant place to stop. I feel like I just wasted an hour. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo, I was not impressed. The server was not friendly or attentive. Our drinks not only took a while but also were not refilled until we got up to find her and asked for a refill. The hostesses and server cleaning tables near ours were friendly and helpful though.
(2)
Patrick W.
I love Gumbo. I eat it at most all restaurants that offer it. I make it myself often. The time and patience it takes to make a good dark roux alone eliminates many restaurants from the ability to make a good gumbo. Prejean's roux is good. There gumbo is average. I got a $12 bowl of seafood gumbo and found it very sparse, no veggies, just an occasional shrimp, and crawfish with some crab. I was disappointed. Atmosphere is nice and unique. My server was good (he called me boss), but the food (all I had was the gumbo) was average.
(3)
Dean L.
We stop here every time we are going through Louisiana. The service is great and the food is incredible. I got the seafood platter (grilled) and my friend had the alligator grand chenier, which is what he gets every time. Can't wait til we get back though again!
(5)
Dawn N.
Hands down awesome. Our server Mark was great. The duck gumbo is out of this world the best gumbo I've ever had. The crawfish boudin balls were yummy. Music entertaining all around wonderful place for the family it is a MUST stop.
(5)
Cate C.
I had the catfish catahoula and my partner ordered the seafood platter. The rice dressing was OK. I'm used to eating it a little spicier (Zatarain's). The macque choux was delicious, as were the bread rolls. While the catfish was cooked perfectly, I felt there was too much crawfish/crabmeat/shrimp stuffing and not enough catfish. This led to a texture I wasn't satisfied with, although overall, the food was fine. The fried seafood was absolutely divine. You cannot get better Cajun seafood than this! We also had the gator appetizer, which was also tasty. Overall, I would definitely come here again.
(4)
Wendi S.
Mixed review for our family. We didn't get off to a great start when after we were seated, they kinda forgot about us. But once they figured out who our server was, it was fine service wise. I realllly wanted jambalaya, but they didn't have that, so I got Shrimp etouffee. It was good, better with their hot sauce. Hubby had a catfish dish he liked. Son had Oyster Saxaphone which he LOVED! My other son had the seafood gumbo. He disliked it, and we all tried it and it was pretty bad. We will probably try somewhere different next time. :(
(3)
K. B.
Recommended by many locals and tourists, Prejeans is a fun place to go for dinner. They have a good gift shop and bar to pass the time if you have to wait for a table. I had a seafood salad and gumbo that had plenty of meat in it. A Cajun band was playing and the place is nicely decorated. I loved the sink in themen's bathroom. Service as alittle slow but I was with good company. I would return.
(4)
Elaine V.
Very great! Just hate to leave the state and all this Cajun food. The bowl of crawfish bisque is huge. More of a meal for two.
(5)
Michael T.
This was my second trip through Lafayette, LA. This place is a must stop and an outstanding place to eat great Cajun style food. Service is top notch and the food is prepared such that you can enjoy every bite. Don't leave without ordering the bread pudding. If you're full after dinner, order it to go.
warning.. this place will cost you at least $20.. If you can manage the $20, then I highly recommend this place! I ordered the Catfish filet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked.. topped with a nice cajun sauce. My coworker ordered the Catfish Oscar Prejean and he was also blown away. corn macque choux.. I don't know what that means but it's tasty! It's served in a little edible bowl and the bowl is just as good as the corn. Grilled asparagus was on point. The rice dressing had some kick! I loved every bit of my dinner. The desserts looked killer! Next time, I'll have to break my $20 budget. One of my coworkers ordered the Crabmeat AuGratin and she didn't like it. I tasted it and I thought it was very good. It had a lot of flavor and a lot of cheese. I think this would probably make for a better appetizer to share than an individual meal.
(5)
Jeremy M.
Best Cajun restaurant I've been to, and I've been to my share! Everything from the boudin balls to the bread pudding was excellent. Great live music and a 14 foot Gator to threaten the kids with being eaten if they don't behave....PERFECT!
(5)
K S.
My fella and I have had to make several trips from Houston to Mississippi in the past few months. He remembered this place from maybe decades ago and we looked to see if it was still open. It was, and it's great! It's become our stopping point on the long dull drive. The gumbos are amazing. If you're there at dinnertime and get to hear the music, it's incredibly fun. All of our servers have been sweet. I recommend it to everyone making that hideous drive across I-10.
(5)
Dawn M.
Coming from Austin, we have few selections when it comes to authentic Cajun food. This trip to Lafayette had high expectations on experiencing what the locals eat on a daily basis. I needed crawfish and oysters and catfish in a bad way. Thanks to the stunning reviews on Prejean's on Yelp, our group heads out, in search of Cajun delightfulness. As we walk in, it looks like a Joe's or a Razzou's. Lot's of flair on the walls, merchandise for sale and beads, beads everywhere. The place is packed with families, large groups and couples. Honestly, I'm a bit hesitant that Prejean's will deliver. Boy was I wrong. After spying at the table across from us, we see this lovely skillet of bubbling goodness accompanied with buttery toast triangles. Scanning the menu, we come across the seafood skillet fondeaux for two. Our group of four orders it, and devours it with sighs of joy. Cleaning the skillet with our rolls, the table is giddy with excitement. My hurricane, which is strong as shit, is going down quite nicely. The amount of time between the appetizer and food is perfect, just enough time for us to talk, digest and get hungry again. And now the food arrives. Sweet heaven, it's amazing. The red snapper pontchartrain almost made me cry it was so good. My friend had the catfish catahoula, and judging from the few bites I scored was immaculate. The boys has a fried seafood smorgasbord. The fried crawfish were juicy and breaded perfectly. Every person ended the night with full tummies and huge smiles on our faces. We couldn't stop raving about the richness of the food and how surprised we were at how everything ended up perfect. So thank you Prejean's for the perfect Cajun food experience.
(5)
Christine T.
On the way to New Orleans from Lake Charles... had to stop by and get me some of that cajun food. Third time I ever had a cajun meal.... and by all means this is the best I ever had. I ordered the crawfish platter and shared it with my mom since it's quite a big meal. First comes the crawfish bisque. Really good... loaded with whole crawfish. Then came the crawfish salad... salad, house vinaigrette dressing, topped with fried crawfish. Then came the whole entree which consist of fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish potpie, crawfish boulettes, cajun fries, and dirty rice. It was more than enough to serve 2 people. That platter was enough to fill up 3 people. The food was AMAZING!!! Even the bread was really good. famous for their gumbo and po boy. Offer everything from gumbo, crawfish, oysters, shrimp, crab, alligator, chicken, steak, po boy, Prejean's is really as good as it gets because I saw two tour bus loaded with people drive in while I was leaving.
(5)
Barry M.
Best of the best, hands-down. Period. Seafood cooked just right, always tender, always done to perfection, served by a friendly, attentive and cheerful staff. I love the gator and the alligator gar on display, and the live band keeps the atmosphere festive!
(5)
Nina H.
Had good food but wow exapenive. Too expensive I think. I ordered the crawfish enchiladas and shrimp and sausage gumbo both were very good. I never had crawfish before and I don't like fishy things but this was awesome. I loved the enchiladas. The gumbo was 10.95 but it was a very large bowl and good once you put some heat in it. I recommend the bottle that said gold on it. It has a good zip so don't add too much. We went for lunch and it was way packed. The decor was cool. Alligators everywhere picture on the wall, moss hanging from the ceiling. Very nice. They had a gift shop too for memories or something. Idk but the price was steep. Most meals at lunch were at 20 and up. There were a few under 20 maybe 5 or so things.
(4)
Joe T.
Pretty good gumbo and minced, not lump crabcake. Definitly not worth the $. Good waiter.
(2)
Kristi P.
I was traveling and although I was by myself I had a blast! Funky cajun band rocking out, web cam in the corner had all my friends "eating with me". The food was outa this world! Gumbo like I've never tasted before, this stuffed deep fried shrimp with pepper jack cheese and this melt in your mouth sauce. Perfect presentation. Fun fun fun! My only regret?? Trying somewhere else when I was there. Should have just gone back for more!
(5)
Will R.
Fun live music, good food, ok prices, prompt and friendly services.
(4)
TJ Lee W.
I only gave you that second star because of the zydeco music. That being said this was one of the most disappointing experiences I've ever had with cajun/coonass cuisine. I really wanted to love this place. How can you screw up cajun food this badly? If you must go to see for yourself, don't get the crawfish bisque. It's dark brown and as thick as molasses, and the only reason I even ate half of it was because it was 9 dollars a bowl. For a cuisine that has such flavorful offerings, Prejeans fails at living up to this claim. Your pallet is as ignorant as the clientele here if you enjoy this overrated sub par establishment. Truly the Mcfood version of Louisiana cooking.
(2)
Jennifer P.
We have been eating here for several years everytime we come to town. Our favorite dishes are the pepper jack shrimp, crawfish enchiladas, & boudin balls. On our last visit we noticed the the prices have increased while the portions have decreased. Food was still very tasty, just be prepared to pay a little more.
(4)
Rick T.
OMG...........died and gone to heaven eating their Fried Green Tomatoes, with crawfish and shrimp, smothered in a sherry cream sauce and topped with lump crab meat!!!
(4)
Lan T.
I took my sister and her husband here when they came in town to visit me. I had lived in Lafayette for approximately 7 years and this was my first time dining here. I just never wanted to drive to Carencro to eat here. I regret that mistake now. We started off with the Oysters Rockefeller which was excellent. It's been about 4 or 5 years since this experience, so I don't quite remember what I had for my entree. I do remember that I almost licked my plate clean. I've been all around this country, from the South to the West to the East and North, and there is no food like there is in Louisiana. Lafayette is my second favorite city to eat in, right behind NOLA, my home town.
(5)
Lisa C.
This is the allegator place! When you walk through the doors, you'll be greeted by a massive allegator hanging on the wall!! I loved this place. There is a band playing music on the stage, pretty much every table is full and the food is a plenty. Warning: the portions are h.u.g.e. but the food definitely does not disappoint. I ordered the gumbo which was yummy and the sides are pretty good too. It's definitely a place for people watching. The wait staff are SO friendly. Love it!!!
(3)
Happy C.
Prejean's, this is a letter from the row of my bottom teeth on the right side of my mouth: DO YOU THINK NEXT TIME YOU CAN KEEP THE PECAN SHELLS OUT OF THE MINISCULE PECAN PIE SLICE YOU GAVE ME LAST NIGHT? Thanks, My Nearly Broken Chompers
(3)
Tina H.
Large rooms with lots of seating. Was very packed when we came in for lunch. The seafood gumbo was very good. Others had the chowder and said it was very good. Prawns were very large and they had a friendly staff. Waiter was very helpful with menu items and quick with refills. The lump Blue crab cakes had large hunks of crab and a delicious crawfish Louis sauce on top. I had mine fried. Not to spicy on initial bite but felt the heat after I ate-- just right! Served with rice dressing and corn macque choux. Lots of gator- stuff around (stuffed of course) and they have a gift store inside where you can also order some of their soups/gumbos online and have them shipped or takeaway right on the premises.
(5)
Hieu B.
This place is AMAZING! I tried a lot of gumbo at different restaurants and majority of the time its bland and flavorless. But the gumbo here is a different story! Its a dark roux and surprisingly, it was THAT GOOD. The crawfish enchilada is a MUST! Eating it at the restaurant compared to eating it at Gretna Fest is worlds apart because the flavor is out of this world!!!! The portions are also big.
(5)
Chris E.
Have been here twice and have enjoyed both visits. The Cajun music is wonderful and the atmosphere great. The food is tasty (and plentiful) and is very reasonable. I enjoy this place and hope you will, too.
(4)
steve o.
The gumbos here are out of this world. There is a chicken and sausage gumbo, a duck and andouille sausage gumbo, and a seafood gumbo -- all of them are outstanding! I had all three. My mother-in-law had the Pontchartrain Red Snapper and it was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the people in the place for dinner appeared to be locals. As near as I could tell, we looked like the only tourists there. The service was very prompt, friendly and attentive. There is a live cajun band playing every night at 7:00 p.m. and we enjoyed the music a great deal. Prices are very fair. Highly recommended!
(4)
Lori G.
Passing thru Lafayette saw Prejean's and loved it. The smoked duck and andouille sausage gumbo was amazing. Dark flavorful roux, with generous amounts of tender duck and great andouille. We bought 1/2 gallon to take home. The blackened catfish was flavorful, moist and delicious, as was the fried catfish. We loved the various side dishes and look forward to future Prejean visits. An added bonus...there was some nice live Cajun music and a gift shop.
(4)
Amy N.
My family and I drove through from Dallas. I have to say, this place offered the best gumbo i ever had. My husband ordered the crawfish bisque. And that was better than the gumbo! i will never go to Pappadeaux's or Razzoo's ever again after eating here!
(5)
Dena S.
I, too was expecting a touristy place in Prejean's, but I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was not at all what I expected either with it's plastic red and white-checkered table cloths, but I didn't mind it. The live Cajun music helped. I found the service to be decent and all of our courses arrived in a timely manner. We started with Barbecue Shrimp. They were delicious but somewhat overcooked and hard to peel. Also, the sauce was much thicker than any BBQ shrimp sauce I've ever tasted. The french bread rolls that came with the dish were outstanding. It was served in a small cast iron skillet and with two rolls for dipping. I'm glad there weren't more rolls, because I could not have resisted eating them. We decided to split an entree after the server told us the crawfish platter we were contemplating was a large portion, and I'm glad we did. We weren't able to finish it and ended up bringing part of it home. The crawfish platter comes with Fried Crawfish, Crawfish Etouffee, Crawfish Pie, Crawfish Boulettes, & Crawfish Bisque and is served with Cajun Fries, Dirty Rice, and Crawfish Salad for $23.55. Fried Crawfish - Hands down the best fried crawfish I have EVER eaten. They were extremely tender and not over battered or over cooked. EXCELLENT! Crawfish Etouffee - Very good, even by my standards. Crawfish Pie - This was served in an aluminum tart pan with what appeared to be cheese topping, which I thought was odd. Also, the crust was unexpectedly sweet. We really didn't like the crust and didn't eat it. The filling was probably the etouffee and was good. Crawfish Boulettes - The platter only came with one boulette, which was quite nice, though a little more squishy than I am accustomed to. Crawfish Bisque - The bisque was not my idea of bisque at all. It was much thicker and I couldn't detect the cream element at all. Having said that, I enjoyed it anyway. Cajun Fries - Yummy Dirty Rice - Yummy Crawfish Salad - this was the house salad (side salad portion) with fried crawfish tails on top. The salad was less than average with iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and croutons, but the fried crawfish tails made it edible. Incidentally, the less than average side salad would cost you $5.50 without the crawfish tails if you ordered it separately. Seriously? Overall, we really enjoyed the meal and the music. There were tons of other things on the menu I'd love to try. We'll definitely go back next time we're in town.
(4)
Joe F.
Completely gross, gut bomb, thought I was going to puke in the parking lot, 100 percent hype, 0 percent good!
(1)
Kirk F.
This is a good tourist place that is not a tourist trap (IMHO). There is good food here. I had the duck and andoulle gumbo which was outstanding. But a lot of the food (stuffed snapper, fried catfish) was just OK. The stuffed alligators are a kinda trite decoration. The decor is fine. The location is a pain. The live music a cool touch though, and locals go there to dance (a little, anyway). That's what makes this more than a tourist trap, Prejeans is better than that...but it's still not down home, or fancy, it's a tweener.
(3)
Dave A.
Prejean's is classic Cajun kitsch. The food was solid but a bit overpriced for the style and presentation of the food. It was hard to spend over $20 per person knowing that I was spitting distance from a major interstate. If I had more time, I would have searched for another restaurant on Caliste Saloom Rd. in Lafayette. Despite this, the service was 5 star. Aaron, our waiter, talked with us about Acadiana for about 15 minutes. He also pointed us to the deep fried banana cheesecake for dessert - a recommendation for which we are very grateful. One word of warning. If you are a vegetarian, vegan, or don't like seafood, avoid coming here. There was exactly ONE vegetable dish that did not sound particularly inventive or unique.
(3)
Christina M.
If you didn't want touristy, you should have turned around at the giant 'gator! We live nine hours away and have seriously contemplated making the drive just to eat there again. We tried our first alligator there and no place has been able to compare. The food was great, service was good and the live music made it feel even more authentic. And they have kennels for your pups to hang out in while you're inside, which is great if they're traveling with you - or maybe those were for misbehaving children...?
(5)
Jando S.
I cannot say how impressed I am with the food at Prejean's. The location is off the highway, a bit out of the way of the rest of Lafayette. Apparently its touristy, but for an out-of-towner like myself its about as impressive as it gets and a real treat for the city of Lafayette. The service isn't the greatest (I had to flag them down several times just for water, bill, and questions about the menu) but I'd be lying if I didn't say their boudin balls, catfish, and dirty rice aren't near incredible. Just typing this review makes me hungry for their food. The boudin balls were delicious and the catfish was just heavenly. If you don't wish to deal with the service, highly recommend at least getting takeout ... its totally worth it.
(5)
Tekk A.
2 stars initially, but another star for the bread. If you know me, then you know how much I love bread! WIth that said... Visited this place with the Women's Soccer team while on our way back from kickin' some Ragin' Cajun a** at ULa-La. Truthfully, I was excited the game was over because I was starving and couldn't wait to eat at this place, especially after hearing so much about it. I didn't read any reviews prior because I didn't want to spoil my experience. Now, in all honesty, I just think I ordered the wrong thing. I ordered a bland serving of Garlic Shrimp Pasta, served with asparagus, and a sauce that tasted like air - nothing! Luckily, the ladies let me sample their food; Kylie and Jayne had the alligator (yum!), and Kayla ordered stuffed crabs (I think), but whatever it was, it was good. So 3 stars, because what I ordered was bad, so I didn't finish it, but the dishes the girls ordered was great, yet, they didn't finish theirs. Everyone was happy!
(3)
Joey H.
Straight from the menu: Cajun Surf and Turf Choice ribeye cooked to your specification. Smothered with crawfish etouffee and accompanied with six blackened shrimp. Served with corn macque choux and a twice baked potato. (10oz) $26.50 (14oz) $29.50 I'm a gout victim, so I need to stay away from both surf and turf, but who cares. With my trusty cherry extract by my side, I'm ready to jump in, get dirty and learn what a dickido is. I apologize for the wrong spelling, but it's not a word, it's a phrase. Ask me if you're dying to know. The food was great. I only ate half because I was eating all week here in Lafayette. I ordered the 14oz just because I wasn't really sure...oh hell, I knew it would be big, but we deserved it. I was sure if the ribeye was cooked to my spec because it was drenched in crawfish etouffee. My goodness, it was a meal for royalty. We sat right under the webcam so people could watch us eat. Yeah. watch me eat. Awk---ward. Anyway, couple days later, I finished the ribeye and twice baked potato, and they tasted good and delicious still. If you want it all, go here. If you want to watch your weight, don't come to Lafayette.
(5)
Benjamin C.
I was a bit surprised to see all the 4 and 5 star reviews after dining at Prejean's last week. The food in general was good, but when compared to other restaurants in the area that feature similar menus it falls short. And this is the be all end all of touristy decors in the Lafayette area. I was always told Randol's was touristy, but Prejean's takes the gator, going as far as to have a gift shop and live cam so you can view diners on their website, always a riveting activity. The gumbo, which is award winning (not sure which award) was mediocre at best. The band was the star of the night, not only musically but the members were all nice as can be and outgoing. Not bad, just not as good as the competition, head to Randol's instead.
(2)
P R.
Stopped to eat here on way home from NOLA. Had heard good things but it was awful. Food was cold, service was terrible. Staff stood around laughing and kissing and I had to wave someone down to get drink refills. Had to wave someone down again to get check and they weren't busy at all -- maybe 3 other tables in whole restaurant. Will not return.
(1)
Mardi C.
this is a spot that I've heard about FOREVER and a day. and its all its supposed to be, if you want straight up louisiana cooking. we had a little bit of everything, while entertained by a cajun band, and a room filled with all kinds of knick knack looziana style. If you've not been here? go. ample portions of yummy goodness, I even did the frog legs.. sampler plate had it all, and we couldn't finish everything, it was just too much, but made for great leftovers, and great memories. I took a friend who was in louisiana for the first time, and it was def his fave meal.
(4)
Tobi D.
*Note: I am not related to the owners.* I'm going to agree that it's a bit touristy. I was born and raised in Lafayette and have been to Prejean's maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. The food was always good. The last time I was there was 2003... why should I write a review after such a long period of time? Well the last time was my wedding rehearsal dinner. It was a destination wedding in that that the groom and his family were native Texans and the bride (me) was now living there as well... As did 70% of the wedding attendees. Everyone was really impressed with the menu Prejean's staff worked out with my mother-in-law that showcased a lot of local favorites and some really unique items like the Bayou Platter featuring alligator. I was very happy with my fish that had a crab topping. For dessert... well the Jack Daniels bread pudding, of course. It's so decadent and delicious. We were lucky enough to have the dinner on a night where there was live music so it just made it that much better of an experience for the guests.
(4)
R H.
Excellent food, cool atmosphere. Stuffed tilapia was great. Try the alliagtor cheesecake, very good!
I truly wanted to like this spot, but it's just not going to happen today :-( I was SO disappointed with the andouille sausage gumbo. That's all it takes for me is the Gumbo.
(2)
Christine T.
Love seafood but this place didn't meet my expectation. Based on local's raves on it, I went and was disappointed with the food and how long it took to make it to our table. The price was not worth it.
(1)
Matt K.
The food was phenomenal, the wait staff was excellent, the atmosphere was good. The seafood cheesecake appetizer is a must try.
(5)
Michael H.
Just had to eat at the place due to all the rave reviews. The food was great and the place was decor. Great authentic Cajun food.
(4)
Marina V.
Thank goodness for Prejean's! We'd had a bad culinary experience in Baton Rouge after arriving with high expectations... so on the way home, we stopped here (I say "stopped" but it was a little more difficult than that.. be warned: the directions on the Yelp iPhone app are WRONG and sent us into a random neighborhood!) It was totally worth the scenic route though... we walked inside and were greeted by live zydeco! I'd just been talking about how I wanted to find a little Cajun place with live music! No one dancing unfortunately, as it was pretty empty. They also decorate the place to look like you're "in the bayou" and they accomplish this without being over the top cheesy (in my opinion) With many more miles to go before home, we both ordered coffee. The menu was extremely hard to choose from... everything looked awesome!! We didn't want to gorge on too much and then get back in the car and we were running low on cash-money after our weekend in Baton Rouge... but we wanted to try out some new stuff as well...so we decided to split a platter that came with catfish, alligator, frog's legs, oysters, shrimp, and stuffed crab! The one downside is that you had to choose either everything fried or everything grilled... rather than a combination of the two... and the idea of grilled frogs legs and alligator kinda freaked me out... (a. this was my first time eating either and b. everything tastes good fried, right??) so we went with fried. We also order a cup of seafood gumbo but was great!! Much better than our gumbo experience in Baton Rouge! I can't wait to return and try their smoked duck/andouille gumbo! When the main course arrived, I was really pleased that we didn't just get a platter of BROWN in all different shapes! In fact, everything seemed to be fried a little different... the catfish had a cornmeal crust... perhaps the oysters too... but the alligator had a darker and spicier coating and the frog's legs really did kind of "taste like chicken" and had a fried-chicken-esque coating. It came with a scoop of blackened boudin on the side which was awesome...I thought the corn macque choux was a little sweet for the rest of the plate (some roasted corn in a pastry shell) and the "Cajun fries" were a bust, though it might have been because we were there at almost 9:00 and they closed at 9:30. Our server was very informative and professional for the most part. We did feel slightly neglected at the end too (just trying to get the check) because he was off somewhere doing sidework... But I'll definitely be back! Maybe next time on the way to New Orleans??
(4)
Luke H.
Easy to find. Hard to Forget. Corn Maque Choux. Shiner Bock on tap. Always packed with locals and tourists alike. Avoid the Blue Ribbon Entrees, and go for the Pepper Jack Shrimp.
(5)
Lindsey R.
Love this place! As a tradition we go each year on the way to Florida for vacation. Always excellent service and live zydeco music. The food is wonderful! Try the seafood gumbo with crab claws.....mmm! This past July there were less crab claws in the gumbo than ususal, hence only 4 stars. I look forward to this each year and I can't wait to go again!
(4)
Yung L.
Food was good and the bread/biscuits were the best part of the meal. Overpriced though. Now for a warning. The waiter tried to double dip on the tip and the manager was obviously in on it. We were a party of 6 and here's the story. Waiter was really friendly and at the end of the meal brought the bill. It only had two copies of the grand total. I didn't think much of it at first and just asked the waiter whether the tip was included. He told us no the tip can't be included because it was against the laws of the state. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt of mishearing it if he didn't add the little extra reasoning. So I proceeded to add the tip on top of the grand total amount. Someone in the party mentioned the bill seemed high so we did a tally and it did seem high. So I asked the waiter for our itemized bill. He said it's in the garbage and he'll see if he could find it. He proceeded to rummage through the garbage and came back and said he couldn't find it. I asked him to reprint the itemized bill again since everything is computerized. He finally brought the bill and the tip was already included on the bill. I went up to talk to the manager about this. He heard my story and immediately said "I don't believe you. He's been with us for a long time" and so on He acted confrontational and nervous from the beginning. He basically said I was lying and by this time I knew he was in on it. I told him to take off the tip because I'm not tipping a scammer. He takes of the tip and I sign the new bill. He then said he was going to talk to the waiter about this. He proceeded to walk away to the kitchen. The waiter was standing with all the other waiters at the station in plain site. The manager basically was hiding in the kitchen until we left which we eventually did. I don't know how the restaurant was before but this place is running a scam. I don't believe it's the whole restaurant, I believe it's only the manager and a few of the servers. This is a very touristy joint and I'm sure they have gotten away with this before. I hope the owners are reading this because you get too many of this and the word gets out. I'm sure they scammed many large groups.
There's nothing wrong with touristy, if you're in the mood for it. Really, the worst offense is the giant stuffed alligator as you enter. The food was delicious, particularly the crawfish boudin balls. I had the fried catfish po'boy, which was also amazing. The service was friendly and pretty good.
(4)
Molly B.
Very good food and fun atmosphere! Liked it alot!
(4)
Lauren D.
Um...wow. Excellent. I tried alligator for the first time and it was not bad at all. My mom and I shared a chicken dinner that was to die for!
(5)
Matthew P.
Okay, I decided to wade into this fight since I hit up Lafayette on a road-trip. I like good food, don't like hype, and not keen on touristy stuff. I dropped by Old Tyme grocery but it only had po'boys. Dropped by Dwyer's but it was all standard diner food rather than Cajun. So I shrugged and came up to Prejean's. The decor was ornate, but honestly not in terribly poor taste. It was more like a theatre set than an Applebee's "buncha crap on the walls" kind of place. Plus they had a live accordion-fiddle-guitar combo onstage, which was excellent. I had the crawfish bisque, and it was great. Wonderful complex texture, great seasoning, tails tasted very fresh and the stuffed shell was great too. For the main I had the alligator tail stuffed with crab and smothered with crawfish sauce. The alligator was broiled rather than the fried everywhere else does, so was a great way to taste alligator rather than breading and grease. The crab filling was some of the best crab stuffing I've ever had; not even slightly fishy, very fresh, great texture where it was complemented but not overpowered by the cream. The crawfish sauce had a great base, though the tails weren't quite as fresh as in the bisque. The macque choux was, as mentioned above, kinda meh. Not bad, but not distinctive. The dirty rice was quite tasty though. Given the local options I've seen and read about, this seems a good place to go for a full Cajun-influenced menu, with a wide selection based on fresh ingredients, and if you can catch the live music, all the better. I ate the next day at Catahoula's in Grand Coteau (NOT the unrelated one in Lafayette, the one eight miles north). Catahoula's is not to be missed if you like high-class Southern, but I was completely satisfied with Prejean's as a "slightly touristy but very accessible trad Cajun-influenced".
(4)
Kristian M.
The alligator cheese cake should not be missed. It is more like a quiche, very rich and tasty. It was really loud with the music. Would be great for groups but not so much for a date. It is a big fun place and the staff was very nice.
(4)
Robert H.
Simply did not have a very memorable experience. Food wasn't that great and it was overpriced for what I got. Seemed a little too much like a tourist trap. I'm open to giving it another shot one day, when I have the money of course.
(2)
Michele L.
A live band, fried alligator, duck and andouille gumbo, crawfish fajita, and bread pudding doused in rum. Not sure what else you need for a good time, but I walked out of here about 5 lbs heavier than when I walked in. Just remember not to get the sweet ice tea. Sweet means something else entirely in the South. I thought my teeth would rot instantaneously.
(4)
GC Y.
It is OK at best. Very pricey and the menu is not as varied as in the past.
(2)
Andy M.
Three of us went here for lunch and were happy with the service and quality of the food. Prices were steep and on the overpriced side for Lunch. I got the Crab Cakes which were very good . . . others at the table got the Shrimp Platter which I have to say was very good. There was a Cajun band playing while there which added to the atmosphere. Overall we were happy with the Restaurant and would return if in the area again.
(4)
Jason J.
How hilarious that 90% of these reviews from the place are from people who don't live there. Oh wait - I guess I can be added to that list. My folks live in Lafayette and though I never have, I've frequented many Louisiana jukes and joints. So yes, like most things, I consider myself to be an authority on good "Cajun" cooking. No one does it like my pops, but Prejeans has a nice home cookin' feel to it. The highlights - seafood stuffed shrooms, croc de jacques (gator fillets for y'all not in the know), catfish, crawfish and my personal favorite the platter. It is a monster load of food, with frog legs, catfish, gator, boudin balls and some of the freshest tasting oysters around. I'm not a fan of their dirty rice, but that is more of a testament to how pops makes it more than to how they do. The bar is just too high. Love those boudin balls though. (stuffed sausage)
(4)
Zachary D.
Simply fantasic! The red snapper ponchatrain was delicious--just the right amount of seasoning. The corn and crab bisque and the chicken and sausage gumbo were the stars of the dinner, though. The atmosphere in the lounge lets you enjoy the music without it being too loud.
(5)
Jacob S.
I love Prejean. I go out of my way to eat at Prejean everytime I pass through Lafayette. Their gumbos are amazing. Not good. Not great. Amazing! Definitely worth trying at all costs.
(5)
Harold S.
If you are in the area and want a taste of local food and flair, stop by here!
(4)
Bev S.
My husband and I had lunch here. No waiting for seating even though they were busy. My husband ordered the mixed grill and I had the blackened shrimp over red beans and rice. The mixed grill has grilled chicken and chicken, along with steamed veggies. My husband enjoyed it--tasty, had good flavor and was nicely presented. My grilled shrimp were good--I liked the seasoning and the shrimp weren't overcooked. But, while the red beans and rice was good, it *was* a bit over-salted--hence 4 stars, not 5. I still enjoyed it and it was full of delicious sausage slices, but the extra salt was a distraction from the overall taste. I'd definitely go back and try something else from their well balanced menu.
(4)
Fred W.
We ate there Sunday night with another couple and the meal was fabulous. Friend & I had steaks, the best Fillet Mignon I've had in quite a while. Ladies had cat fish and crawfish etouffee. Wonderful meal with excellent service at moderate prices. Would definitely go back the next time we are in the area.
(5)
Greg H.
We have been on a two week road tour of eating in southern Louisiana ending up in New Orleans. With one day left cannot find seafood gumbo that could touch Prejean's, it had a very dark roux that I really like with incredible flavors. Crabcake Cardinale and Crawfish Enchilada were wonderful. Really enjoyed the three member cajun band, had a great time and even called up some friends to see us on the webcam.
(4)
Krista C.
Touristy? Absolutely, but I still won't hold it against 'em. The food is amazing and I'm still dreaming about their Jalalpeno Jack Shrimp- jumbo shrimp wrapped in applewood bacon, tasso, and cheese and then fried. Plus, you can wave to your friends on the "webcam"!
(5)
Groundresonance C.
Had a lunch 'special' here a few years back that was dynamite: Battered Catfish smothered with Crawfish Etouffee served with dirty rice and corn macque choux. I couldn't forget this meal! I liked the fact that the catfish was battered instead of the usual cornmeal covering. Don't get me wrong here: I love the cornmeal catfish that's served all over the South, but I LOVE battered fish. Now anytime something deep-fried comes covered in sauce, or in this case, etouffee, there's the very serious risk of the batter getting soggy from sitting too long in the kitchen with the sauce on it. Not a problem here. The fish was served fresh out of the fryer and was as crunchy as could be under the etouffee. The dirty rice and corn macque choux were both wonderful as well. Last night I happened to be driving through Lafayette and stopped into Prejean's in hopes of repeating my experience from years ago. Though that dish was not available for dinner, I was not dissapointed. The Catfish Oscar Prejean was the same battered fillet that I had had years ago, but this time it was sitting in a pool of brown-butter-wine sauce with a generous helping of asparagus spears laid across it accompanied by a scoop of dirty rice. My waiter was very helpful with the menu and the hostess was very nice as well.
(5)
Glenn W.
Aw yeah, baby! This is about as Cajun as it gets. My wife and I always stop here when passing through Lafayette; it's just too hard to resist when passing by on I-49. We just cannot get enough of the seafood stuffed mushrooms here; they are the best anywhere, bar none! The seafood dishes are excellent; catfish, flounder, snapper, and even alligator if you're feeling adventurous. Love the corn macque choux and the dirty rice as well. I also recommend the crawfish enchiladas for a Cajun twist on a Mexican favorite. I have no problem with the "touristy" atmosphere as the other 10 guys who reviewed this place have pointed out ad nauseum; it's all about the food. I've never been disappointed.
(5)
William P.
So sorry we even bothered! The food is overpriced and not worth it. I had what was to be a pork tenderloin ( lunch menu) and it was PORK CHOP with three asparagas that weren't even cooked..hardly hit the water...will admit the pork was tender. My friend had a crabcake which was mushy...taste less....This restaurant is riding on it's name and nothing else...!!!
(1)
Atif Q.
Excellent food & service. All staff were courteous & friendly...typical of Louisiana folks. Live cajun band was performing even on a Wednesday evening. The crab stuffed red snapper was delicious. Sides: Corn was out of the can. Dirty rice was o.k. Co-worker had the alligator and that was o.k. Great atmosphere. Large stuffed aligator near entrance. Large painted mural of a bayou along one wall, good for group pictures. Definately a touristy establishment but with great food & service.
(4)
Cheryl R.
Okay, I'm a bread junkie. If you serve good fresh baked yeast rolls or bread, you got me. And Prejean's gets me. They bring out a small loaf of their own bread piping hot from the oven, with a hint of garlic and parmesan sprinkled on top. Yum-e! And their menu is full of unique cajun cuisine. If you're from the north, you might turn up your nose at some of the menu items, but you're mouth will be mad at your nose. When I'm passing through, I can't resist. And they have great prices for groups too, you can get a group lunch for $16, and that includes salad, drink, entree, dessert & gratuity. I have booked them 3 years in a row for a luncheon and my guest love it. According to their sign, they even have a kennel out back for people that are traveling through, that want to stop and eat, but have a pet with them. They are located on the service road, off I-49, between Lafayette and Opelousas.
(5)
Jeff B.
This is the real deal! This is the place that all of the Cajun/Creole style places in my home state of Texas only aspire to be. The seasoning on their fried seafood items is the best I have had in my life. Crisp, not greasy, not overly spiced. Just right. Crawfish pie? Order it. Sublime. They have gator on the menu but it is not just a novelty item. Order it and you will wonder why you can't find it in your local grocery. Fantastic. The make corn macque choux in the flakiest pie shell you can imagine and it is delicious. I will drive 200 miles out of the way to eat here. Modest, comfortable, extremely friendly and one of the best places to eat in America.
(5)
Elaine P.
Stopped in a Prejeans on our way from Houston to Memphis and so glad we did. The Gumbo is terrific...both the shrimp and chicken/sausage. Shrimp PoBoy was served perfectly...on great bread and tender, crispy fried shrimp. Loved It!!
(5)
Traci F.
This place is amazing. I live in Louisiana, so when I got married and my parents from Texas came here, I HAS to bring them. They are award winning, friendly, and all around great. If you do go... GUMBO! A must have!
(5)
Eureeka S.
Scroll through the ratings & notice how no one from Lafayette enjoys this place or rates it well. I cringe when people tell me they've had "authentic Cajun cuisine at Prejean's." I would never, ever recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Louisiana; it's an embarrassment to our style of cooking & WAY too expensive for the quality of their food. Do yourself a favor & skip this tourist trap. Jolie's Bistro or Saint Street Inn are 2 of many restaurants that would be exponentially better. Or go the cheap route & get a Po-boy at Old Tyme Grocery. I don't eat shrimp, but even New Orleans folks profess that their Shrimp Po-boys are legendary.
(1)
Jeremy H.
A failure of epic proportions. Driving home to Miss. from Houston, we tried out this would be gem after reading great reviews and naively assuming that (allegedly) winning culinary competition medals equates to a good dining experience. How could one go wrong with Cajun food in Lafayette, right? Were we ever wrong. To begin with, our server was rude, uncaring, and non-existent. We ordered boudin balls as an appetizer. We waited, and waited, and waited. When asked for an update, she informed us that she's having them sent out with the meal b/c she is too busy to tend to them beforehand. We had her bring them out, and they were decent. But, in bringing them out, our food, which was apparently now ready, sit in the kitchen until we were done with the boudin. A few minutes later the food arrives cold to lukewarm without so much as an apology from Mrs. Friendly. Garbage service doesn't always mean bad food. Everyone has bad days. We tried to remain objective about the meal, considering the circumstances. My wife and I had the etouffee, which comes with rice and a crawfish pie. I am not from Louisiana and I do not pretend to be an expert on Cajun cuisine. However, if that's Cajun cooking, please take me off the list. The food had very little flavor, and I'm not sure what was going on with the crawfish pie, but it certainly did not taste like you would expect one to taste. Very bland overall. Several in our party ordered gumbo, and all had the same response. "Meh, we've had better." We pulled into the parking lot excited and expecting to have a good experience. We left disappointed and will probably never return. I would not/could not recommend Prejeans. There is way too much good food in South LA to waste your time/money at this kind of establishment.
(1)
Jennifer W.
Our local friends were really excited to take us here, so I guess my expectations might have been too high. We order an appetizer sampler of frog legs, alligator, crawfish, etc. Everything tasted the same cause it was fried and the batter wasn't that great. I ordered the catfish oscar and it didn't have enough bearnaise or asparagus to match the ginormous catfish it came on. The corn macque choux was delicious, as was the bread.
(3)
Tony S.
I swear that when I shuffle off this mortal coil I will awaken at Prejean's! And I will have the Jalapeno Pepper jack Shrimp endlessly, never feeling full, and never gaining weight!
(4)
Seif E.
Saw the reviews and decided to give it a try. Nothing fancy inside. Sat in the bar area. The baked oyster Rockefeller was excellent as was the duck and andouille gumbo
(4)
Rebecca S.
The owner is a fun caring person who cares about his customers and employees. The food was deliecious and fresh. Will definitely return!
(5)
Shannon S.
This place seems a lot like a tourist trap in many ways but it is probably worth a visit or two. The best thing to do on your first few trips here is to get one of the platters so you can sample multiple things. It seems to be a pretty common thing in a lot of the Cajun restaurants in the area to do a platter devoted to shrimp, crab, and crawfish, etc. (my favorite examples of these are at Blue Dog Cafe). At Prejean's I have had both a shrimp and a crawfish platter: The "Shrimp Platter" has shrimp grilled, stuffed, fried and blackened, served with a shrimp butter cream sauce for dipping, rice dressing, shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad, and French fries. The "Crawfish Platter" has crawfish bisque, fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish cornbread pie, crawfish boulettes (think giant fried ball like a hushpuppy but with crawfish in it), corn macque choux, fried crawfish salad, and french fries. So if you look at what you get this is some very HEAVY food with a lot of fried items and butter. I wish some of these places would let you mix it up a little more and pick and choose some items from different groups as I would like a little more mix of shrimp, crab, and crawfish instead of my whole plate being just the one item. This food is very rich and even with my iron clad stomach I still usually get a bit of a tummy ache from eating a whole platter of this stuff so you might want to split it between more people and each order a different platter so you each get to sample some of the different dishes without overdoing it.
(3)
Susan S.
Meh. We stopped here on a Thursday night on a 1-10 power trip to Baton Rouge. Hub, Teen-Age Girl and I were starving. We were seated immediately at 8:00 p.m. Live music in the main dining room. Hub and I ordered duck and andouille gumbo which was ok - the roux was super dark and kind of thick. Hub ordered crawfish etoufee and half fried; I ordered crawfish etoufee and Teen-Age Girl ordered fried catfish and french fries. Good news first - her french fries were tasty. I ate the crawfish out of my meal and that was it. Hub ate his, but wasn't impressed. We won't stop here ever again. Kitschy interior - bayou theme with faux Spanish moss. Pleasant, polite and attentive servers. There's much better food in LA - land of great food.
(2)
Rachel H.
I'm giving 4 stars because the Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo, the Corn & Crab Bisque, and the rolls were amazing! We should have just got the bowl portions for our lunch instead of the small cup because they were SO GOOD. For the lunch entrees we both decided upon some sort of crawfish etouffe covered fried catfish with a seafood stuffing. There were two different but very similar versions of this on the menu. I think the sauce was the only difference - I couldn't really tell. Anyway, it was not bad - but not amazing for the price. Kinda like you would expect a touristy restaurant to be.
(4)
Bobby B.
Pros: Very clean and modern bathrooms. Generally touristy but comfortable ambiance Friendly enough staff. Cons: No Raw Oysters No Boiled Crawfish OVER-PRICED to the extreme Once we saw the prices on the menu, we knew we wouldn't be eating full meals here. I can't see paying New York Cajun Prices for food right in the Heart of Louisiana. The duck breast came out to about 30 bucks a pound. Damn! Anyway...Since they didn't sell boiled crawfish, I just ordered a water instead of a beer (Mmmm...spicy crawfish and beer). The girly got tea. We ordered the bbq Shrimp (something I've been wanting to find a good version of for years) and shrimp sassafras. Both appetizers and both about 10 bucks a shot. The bbq shrimp came out in a "sauce" that tasted like flowers (I swear that must have used Restoration Ale or something in it) and was NOTHING like traditional bbq shrimp. It's Cajun and I swear that thickened it with corn starch! It was gelatinous, overly sweet and unappealing. Speaking of unappealing, the.shrimp were headless but had the feet left on. I do find that kind of lazy. But even that wouldn't have been so bad if that would have split the shell a bit to make it easier to peal. As it was, the shrimp had a really fishy flavor and one was straight out rotten. I ended up spitting it into my napkin. he girly couldn't eat hers at all. The Shrimp Sassafras was a better tasting dish, consisting of bacon wrapped shrimp with pepperjack cheese, deep fried. The problem? You couldn't taste the actual shrimp (ok...that might be a good thing in this case) though the texture on the shrimp was actually chewy like calamari. And let's face it. 10 bucks for 2 shrimp was NO value at all. I was going to give the entire experience 2 stars but for one thing... When the waiter asked how the food was, we told him about the bbq shrimp (which shouldn't even be called that) and the fact that we couldn't even eat it. But he still brought the full bill without offering to comp or discount for the almost full container of shrimp (minus the one stuck in my napkin after I spit it out). That, to me, means a lack of training for the servers or a bad management structure where they are expected to charge even when the food is bad. We took the day trip from NOLA out that way just to taste some authentic Cajun foods and freshert seafoods than we get in NOLA because everyone kept telling me how the good stuff comes from the western part of the state. It was such a disappointment, that at this point, we just turned around and drove back to NOLA.
(1)
Robert S.
Can't say enough good things about Prejean's. The food was out of this world...amazingly good. I went with a group of six friends (we were in Lafayette for a theatre festival), and this was our first "local" food stop. Their food was amazing, they had great service (a little slow, but they were very busy, too). I like the "swamp" decor. All in all, if you are in Lafayette, don't miss Prejean's. I'd go back there just for the food.
(5)
Keegan L.
I thought we had made a mistake when we walked in the door. Everything about this place honestly read "Louisiana Tourist Trap Chain Restaurant" to me. I resigned myself to it, because I don't mind a chain restaurant as much if it's not a chain I can find at home. Perusing the restaurant's website, though, I learned that it wasn't a chain at all. Just a wildly successful local favorite with some cheesy decorations and a gift-shop. Well, that's an alligator of a different color completely! I had crab cakes, served with rice and corn macque choux. What people do with corn in this part of the country just never ceases to amaze me. The partner had crawfish enchiladas, also served with corn macque choux. The food was dense with rich, slightly smoky flavor and an undercurrent of subtle heat. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The enchiladas were a black hole of cheese, cramming an impossible amount of delicious goo in the tortillas; yet the crawfish held its own and was not overwhelmed. As we were driving through town, I had hoped that Yelp would lead me to a place in the heart of Lafayette, so we could at least glimpse the city. Reviews swayed me to this nondescript frontage road location instead, and I'm sure glad they did.
Delicious. Grilled seafood platter was bangin'! Amazing decor & atmosphere, a great place with great music.
(5)
Pito G.
Stopped here on our way back to Texas from New Orleans and glad we found this nice little spot not too far from I-10. Everything we ordered was spot on and the atmosphere gave it a fun Cajun feel to your dining experience. I ordered the half and half crawfish ettoufee which was pretty tasty but the Chicken and Sausage gumbo I had earlier might have ruined it for me. It was AWESOME to say the least, Almost enough to lie to the waitress and tell her there was something in my ettoufee just so I can replace it with another bowl of gumbo. The crab lovers plate was descent but living in Maryland for a while, you become a harsh crab cake critic but all in all it was pretty good. Best thing there was definitley the Gumbo..good god it was delicious! Second best was the fried Boudin Balls..Dont visit this establishment without trying the Boudin Balls!
(4)
Sarah B.
I couldn't say that there is a better restaurant out there to welcome you into Louisiana the proper way. We were driving to New Orleans, and stopped because we heard this place was cookin' up some great stuff. It was lunchtime, so I don't know if this affected our wait time or not, but we were seated immediately! Live Zydeco music was playing right next to our table to add on to the tastiness of the food! I decided to go full force into the bayou with some frog legs, alligator, shrimp, mushrooms, and hushpuppies--all fried up so deliciously. I stuffed myself silly! Such a great restaurant, I'd be crazy if I didn't return to this restaurant of Cajun food heaven!
(4)
Justin K.
Chicken and sausage gumbo is a must! Try the shrimp po' boy for lunch. I had the Catfish Catahoula for dinner and it was excellent. Everything I've ever tried here has been great and I will keep giving them my business. It's a MUST stop if you ever come anywhere near Lafayette, LA. The food is 5 stars all the way. The only reason for the 4 stars is it needs a facelift to the decor inside. Just seems like I walked into a Rain Forest Cafe or something. Also, The Coke was served in a hard plastic cup that had chips on the rim from years of use and wash. It took at LEAST 5 minutes to be greeted by anyone at my table (looked like the servers all came out of a pre-shift meeting at once). After I finally was acknowledged, my server was very friendly and attentive.
(4)
Larry T.
The Cajun Surf and Turf was ok. Definitely not 46 dollars ok!! The steak was under cooked I ordered medium and it was easily medium rare. The corn stuff that they served with the steak was awful!! If you eat here stick to seafood. The steaks definitely leave something to be desired.
(3)
Leng S.
The seafood gumbo really saved this place for me, it was super delicious! However, the dim lighting and swamp motif was disorienting and cluttered. Service was just fine and if you are a fried food lover then this place is for you.
(3)
Wendell B.
I think we died and went to Cajun heaven! Wanting a bit more Cajun before leaving Louisiana on our trip home, we stopped in here just off the interstate. First of all, the place is very attractive on the outside and beckons you in. Then the inside is even more welcoming, with inside cypress trees dripping in Spanish moss and clever outhouse looking entrances into the modern rest rooms. Red and white checkered vinyl tablecloths this time add to the charm. There is even a shop for Prejean's merchandise and you can take home some of the culinary delights! Now to the food: we decided we wanted to taste the crab bisque, and I got cold chills when it got to my tongue. It was truly what heaven must taste like! My wife chose the daily special: delicious crawfish enchiladas, the special each Monday. YUM-O! Then I had the half and half crawfish platter, with fried crawfish and crawfish etouffee, which was just as good as I had had at Trio's in West Monroe a few weeks ago. Served with a delicious cocktail sauce with horseradish, the fried crawfish were perfect. Etouffee was to die for! Wonderful rolls accompanied the meal and we probably dreamed about the food that night! Don't miss this gem if you are traveling through LA!
(5)
Bruce B.
This is the benchmark for original cajun cuisine. It gets no better anywhere in the world, even New Orleans! Every dish is deliciously the real deal. Need more be said? Right off of I-10 and I-49 so time your drive-thru Lafayette at lunch or dinner. Atmosphere is great with faux cypress tree trunks right in the restaurant. Awesome place if cajun is your taste.
(5)
Sejin H.
Flavorful food and live music to enhance the cajun atmosphere. APPETIZERS: Crawfish Enchiladas - more like a gooey cheese dip (ask for bread). Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo - powerful smokiness. ENTRÉE: Catfish Catahoula - nice crawfish & tasso cream sauce, filled with seafood stuffing The meal was delicious. But everything was so rich and heavy that it felt like I was going to have a heart attack; I suppose in a good way though. SERVICE: Amateur. Our waitress just didn't have the skills. Felt rushed. Right as we sat down, before receiving any menus, we were asked for our drink orders. Main dishes came out too soon after the appetizers. We were asked if we wanted dessert right after being asked if we wanted the check. Our waitress just needed more training is all.
(4)
Kiet L.
Was on my way home to MS and saw this off the interstate and had to stop. One of the best random road trip eatries I have stopped at. I had the shrimp and oyster po boy and it was beyond amazizng. Maybe I'll stop by when I've driving through again.
(5)
Adam B.
I was expecting a awesome Cajun experience maybe I built it up in my head or something but the food was bland and very mediocre. I didn't enjoy anything about my time there. The decor was tacky and the food was a serious let down. We waited a hour to sit down and maybe that started the bad experience.
(2)
Clint B.
One word. Gumbo! This place is money. I will come back often. I would love to work here just to eat their gumbo everyday. I have rendered this place to a bunch of friends as well. THREE thumbs up. Thanks for being in business.
(5)
Andrew G.
I ate here last month under protest. Didn't want to go, but since I was at my GF's house who lives over there, there is not much of a choice in that area.She had her Dad in town, who is part Cajun, and he needed some Cajun grub. This meal was so bad that my GF was totally embarassed to have taken her Dad there. The gumbo just plain sucks, has very little meat or veggies in it, and the Crawfish Etouffee was salty and horrible. This joint with all of its good reviews baffles me. I suspect most of the reviews are coming from tourists passing through Lafayette as they're too ignorant or lazy to find a good Cajun place, of which there are many in Lafayette. I gor-on-damn-tee you that very few of these good reviews were written by locals or Cajuns. If you're passing through Lafayette, do yourself a favor and eat at Charlie G's or lue Dog - or better yet - Fezzo's, which is right along I-10 near the Amb Caffery exit. Stay away from Prejean's. This place is crap.
(2)
Naveed B.
You might think this is a tourist trap. Well it may have lot's of tourists, but the food here is incredible. I've been here several times and every time I have come it's been a spectacular experience. The largest party I ever came here with was a party of fifteen for my birthday. Of the fifteen, I was the only one that had ever ate here before. After we left it was everyone's favorite restaurant. This place knows how to make Cajun food. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that my mother(a Cajun woman) thought the gumbo was better than her's. Of their gumbos, I usually get the smoked duck and andouille. The crawfish half & half (etouffee and fried crawfish) is excellent. Every appetizer is good. When we came for my party we literally ordered every appetizer. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. My absolute favorite item here though is the Cajun rack of venison. I ordered the Cajun rack of venison for the first time on my birthday and it was one of the best things I've ever ate. Everyone tried it and was pissed they didn't order it. Now my friends take regular pilgrimages to Lafayette for the Cajun rack of venison. This place is awesome. Check it out.
(5)
Amanda B.
I had high expectations for this place, given it's reputation, but living in New Orleans, my expectations for Cajun food may be too high. Started off great, and to me, my meal tasted just fine. Not spectacular, but good. I got SO sick from the food; "Shrimp Festival something"! Luckily we have family in Opelousas. I would've been unable to drive home in the state I was in. No thank you, Lafayette!
(1)
Kelly S.
I was pleased with this place. I had a crab cake that was decent and came covered with a crawfish sauce of some sort. My son loved the oyster saxophone (open-faced sandwich) that he had. I tried my daughter's catfish etoufee and it was excellent. I wish I had gotten that instead of the crab cake actually. Our server was great and even offered us to go cups for refills. AWESOME!
Stopped by on road trip to florida. The reviews made it seem to be a pleasant place to stop. I feel like I just wasted an hour. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo, I was not impressed. The server was not friendly or attentive. Our drinks not only took a while but also were not refilled until we got up to find her and asked for a refill. The hostesses and server cleaning tables near ours were friendly and helpful though.
(2)
Patrick W.
I love Gumbo. I eat it at most all restaurants that offer it. I make it myself often. The time and patience it takes to make a good dark roux alone eliminates many restaurants from the ability to make a good gumbo. Prejean's roux is good. There gumbo is average. I got a $12 bowl of seafood gumbo and found it very sparse, no veggies, just an occasional shrimp, and crawfish with some crab. I was disappointed. Atmosphere is nice and unique. My server was good (he called me boss), but the food (all I had was the gumbo) was average.
(3)
Dean L.
We stop here every time we are going through Louisiana. The service is great and the food is incredible. I got the seafood platter (grilled) and my friend had the alligator grand chenier, which is what he gets every time. Can't wait til we get back though again!
(5)
Dawn N.
Hands down awesome. Our server Mark was great. The duck gumbo is out of this world the best gumbo I've ever had. The crawfish boudin balls were yummy. Music entertaining all around wonderful place for the family it is a MUST stop.
(5)
Cate C.
I had the catfish catahoula and my partner ordered the seafood platter. The rice dressing was OK. I'm used to eating it a little spicier (Zatarain's). The macque choux was delicious, as were the bread rolls. While the catfish was cooked perfectly, I felt there was too much crawfish/crabmeat/shrimp stuffing and not enough catfish. This led to a texture I wasn't satisfied with, although overall, the food was fine. The fried seafood was absolutely divine. You cannot get better Cajun seafood than this! We also had the gator appetizer, which was also tasty. Overall, I would definitely come here again.
(4)
Lauren L.
I'm not hard to please, but this place sucked. None of the staff smiled the whole time we were there. Our waiter greeted us ten minutes after we'd been seated by saying, "Sorry, we're missing some people." The place was maybe a quarter full, and we saw waitstaff leaning against the walls several times while we were waiting for our consistently absent waiter. He rushed us, talked so fast we couldn't even keep up with him, interrupted us, and was overall very unfriendly. And dripping with sweat, which was unappetizing. Wish I'd known his name, but he didn't even say hello, let alone give us his name. Apparently the restaurant doesn't "allow" you rolls until the waiter keys in his order, which we found rather cheap. So we had to wait on Mr. Sweaty to finally get back to take our order to then begin waiting on the rolls. Which arrived cold and hard, with cold, hard butter. Not delicious. Seafood gumbo was above par. Which was the only redeeming thing about this place. Our Bacon/cheese/shrimp appetizers arrived with the entree, and the shrimp was raw. Our waiter brought us another, which was also raw. At which point we said #@%$ it, and called it quits. I'll be sure to warn my friends against this one.
(1)
Rick V.
Stopped here for dinner on 12/30/13. My wife had been here before. The service was good and the prices were OK. Open 7 days a week 7 AM to 10 PM. Large menu. To start we had Duck Gumbo - 6.95 and Crawfish Bisque - 7.95. Kind of pricey for the quantity served. My wife had Catfish Catahoula which consisted of a catfish fillet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked and served in a cream sauce with rice dressing and corn macque choux - 18.95. She said it was very good. I had the Three Time Gold Medal Crawfish Etoufee served atop steamed rice and accompanied by a plump, homemade crawfish pie. Also very good. Great atmosphere and nice people.
(4)
David H.
Great food! Great Service! Great Atmosphere! The Gumbo was delicious along with the shrimp and catfish. I would recommend trying. I have been several times and never have had a bad experience.
(5)
Elizabeth H.
I was born and raised in Lafayette and have never liked Prejean's. It gets a lot of tourist traffic because of its location and "Cajun" theme. It may be a fun atmosphere but the food is awful. Go for the Cajun dancing enjoy a beer and then you can find GREAT Cajun food at The Boiling Point (New Iberia) and Guidry's Reef. These are my two favorite places and a must stop whenever I am back home.
(1)
Gail B.
We loved Prejeans when we lived in Lafayette for 2 years. Went there often. But, this last time during a visit, it fell down a few notches for a few reasons. 1. Several in our party ordered seafood gumbo for an app. Never came and when the entrees came out, we had to tell the waitress to take them off the bill because we didn't want them with all the other food. She looked lost and confused. 2. See above reference to waitress. Just didn't seem to know what was going on most of the time. We asked for unsweet tea and yep, got the super sweet stuff instead. 3. Hush puppies were like rocks...dense. Not my favorite. On the plus side, the special (flounder) was good, as was the eggplant dish and the gumbo I had for a main entree. I'd go back next time I was in town, just hope like hell I had a better server!
Food was good but service is less than desirable. If you are in a hurry, this is not the place to stop.
(3)
Shu Z.
Tourist trap. What's that you said? Tourist trap. Yep, the mediocrity of this so called local favorite does not deserve your out of the way drive to get to. Sure, if you just happen to need a spot to refuel after a long haul then take the time to enjoy some of the live music in this bustling establishment, but don't expect top notch food. The gumbo and bbq shrimp, hands down one of the least impressive things I've tried since being down in Louisiana. Presentation is non-existent and the quality like this can be easily found anywhere else in the immediate region.
(2)
Eureeka S.
Scroll through the ratings & notice how no one from Lafayette enjoys this place or rates it well. I cringe when people tell me they've had "authentic Cajun cuisine at Prejean's." I would never, ever recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Louisiana; it's an embarrassment to our style of cooking & WAY too expensive for the quality of their food. Do yourself a favor & skip this tourist trap. Jolie's Bistro or Saint Street Inn are 2 of many restaurants that would be exponentially better. Or go the cheap route & get a Po-boy at Old Tyme Grocery. I don't eat shrimp, but even New Orleans folks profess that their Shrimp Po-boys are legendary.
(1)
Jeremy H.
A failure of epic proportions. Driving home to Miss. from Houston, we tried out this would be gem after reading great reviews and naively assuming that (allegedly) winning culinary competition medals equates to a good dining experience. How could one go wrong with Cajun food in Lafayette, right? Were we ever wrong. To begin with, our server was rude, uncaring, and non-existent. We ordered boudin balls as an appetizer. We waited, and waited, and waited. When asked for an update, she informed us that she's having them sent out with the meal b/c she is too busy to tend to them beforehand. We had her bring them out, and they were decent. But, in bringing them out, our food, which was apparently now ready, sit in the kitchen until we were done with the boudin. A few minutes later the food arrives cold to lukewarm without so much as an apology from Mrs. Friendly. Garbage service doesn't always mean bad food. Everyone has bad days. We tried to remain objective about the meal, considering the circumstances. My wife and I had the etouffee, which comes with rice and a crawfish pie. I am not from Louisiana and I do not pretend to be an expert on Cajun cuisine. However, if that's Cajun cooking, please take me off the list. The food had very little flavor, and I'm not sure what was going on with the crawfish pie, but it certainly did not taste like you would expect one to taste. Very bland overall. Several in our party ordered gumbo, and all had the same response. "Meh, we've had better." We pulled into the parking lot excited and expecting to have a good experience. We left disappointed and will probably never return. I would not/could not recommend Prejeans. There is way too much good food in South LA to waste your time/money at this kind of establishment.
(1)
Jennifer W.
Our local friends were really excited to take us here, so I guess my expectations might have been too high. We order an appetizer sampler of frog legs, alligator, crawfish, etc. Everything tasted the same cause it was fried and the batter wasn't that great. I ordered the catfish oscar and it didn't have enough bearnaise or asparagus to match the ginormous catfish it came on. The corn macque choux was delicious, as was the bread.
(3)
Tony S.
I swear that when I shuffle off this mortal coil I will awaken at Prejean's! And I will have the Jalapeno Pepper jack Shrimp endlessly, never feeling full, and never gaining weight!
(4)
Seif E.
Saw the reviews and decided to give it a try. Nothing fancy inside. Sat in the bar area. The baked oyster Rockefeller was excellent as was the duck and andouille gumbo
(4)
Rebecca S.
The owner is a fun caring person who cares about his customers and employees. The food was deliecious and fresh. Will definitely return!
(5)
Shannon S.
This place seems a lot like a tourist trap in many ways but it is probably worth a visit or two. The best thing to do on your first few trips here is to get one of the platters so you can sample multiple things. It seems to be a pretty common thing in a lot of the Cajun restaurants in the area to do a platter devoted to shrimp, crab, and crawfish, etc. (my favorite examples of these are at Blue Dog Cafe). At Prejean's I have had both a shrimp and a crawfish platter: The "Shrimp Platter" has shrimp grilled, stuffed, fried and blackened, served with a shrimp butter cream sauce for dipping, rice dressing, shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad, and French fries. The "Crawfish Platter" has crawfish bisque, fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish cornbread pie, crawfish boulettes (think giant fried ball like a hushpuppy but with crawfish in it), corn macque choux, fried crawfish salad, and french fries. So if you look at what you get this is some very HEAVY food with a lot of fried items and butter. I wish some of these places would let you mix it up a little more and pick and choose some items from different groups as I would like a little more mix of shrimp, crab, and crawfish instead of my whole plate being just the one item. This food is very rich and even with my iron clad stomach I still usually get a bit of a tummy ache from eating a whole platter of this stuff so you might want to split it between more people and each order a different platter so you each get to sample some of the different dishes without overdoing it.
(3)
Susan S.
Meh. We stopped here on a Thursday night on a 1-10 power trip to Baton Rouge. Hub, Teen-Age Girl and I were starving. We were seated immediately at 8:00 p.m. Live music in the main dining room. Hub and I ordered duck and andouille gumbo which was ok - the roux was super dark and kind of thick. Hub ordered crawfish etoufee and half fried; I ordered crawfish etoufee and Teen-Age Girl ordered fried catfish and french fries. Good news first - her french fries were tasty. I ate the crawfish out of my meal and that was it. Hub ate his, but wasn't impressed. We won't stop here ever again. Kitschy interior - bayou theme with faux Spanish moss. Pleasant, polite and attentive servers. There's much better food in LA - land of great food.
(2)
Rachel H.
I'm giving 4 stars because the Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo, the Corn & Crab Bisque, and the rolls were amazing! We should have just got the bowl portions for our lunch instead of the small cup because they were SO GOOD. For the lunch entrees we both decided upon some sort of crawfish etouffe covered fried catfish with a seafood stuffing. There were two different but very similar versions of this on the menu. I think the sauce was the only difference - I couldn't really tell. Anyway, it was not bad - but not amazing for the price. Kinda like you would expect a touristy restaurant to be.
(4)
Bobby B.
Pros: Very clean and modern bathrooms. Generally touristy but comfortable ambiance Friendly enough staff. Cons: No Raw Oysters No Boiled Crawfish OVER-PRICED to the extreme Once we saw the prices on the menu, we knew we wouldn't be eating full meals here. I can't see paying New York Cajun Prices for food right in the Heart of Louisiana. The duck breast came out to about 30 bucks a pound. Damn! Anyway...Since they didn't sell boiled crawfish, I just ordered a water instead of a beer (Mmmm...spicy crawfish and beer). The girly got tea. We ordered the bbq Shrimp (something I've been wanting to find a good version of for years) and shrimp sassafras. Both appetizers and both about 10 bucks a shot. The bbq shrimp came out in a "sauce" that tasted like flowers (I swear that must have used Restoration Ale or something in it) and was NOTHING like traditional bbq shrimp. It's Cajun and I swear that thickened it with corn starch! It was gelatinous, overly sweet and unappealing. Speaking of unappealing, the.shrimp were headless but had the feet left on. I do find that kind of lazy. But even that wouldn't have been so bad if that would have split the shell a bit to make it easier to peal. As it was, the shrimp had a really fishy flavor and one was straight out rotten. I ended up spitting it into my napkin. he girly couldn't eat hers at all. The Shrimp Sassafras was a better tasting dish, consisting of bacon wrapped shrimp with pepperjack cheese, deep fried. The problem? You couldn't taste the actual shrimp (ok...that might be a good thing in this case) though the texture on the shrimp was actually chewy like calamari. And let's face it. 10 bucks for 2 shrimp was NO value at all. I was going to give the entire experience 2 stars but for one thing... When the waiter asked how the food was, we told him about the bbq shrimp (which shouldn't even be called that) and the fact that we couldn't even eat it. But he still brought the full bill without offering to comp or discount for the almost full container of shrimp (minus the one stuck in my napkin after I spit it out). That, to me, means a lack of training for the servers or a bad management structure where they are expected to charge even when the food is bad. We took the day trip from NOLA out that way just to taste some authentic Cajun foods and freshert seafoods than we get in NOLA because everyone kept telling me how the good stuff comes from the western part of the state. It was such a disappointment, that at this point, we just turned around and drove back to NOLA.
(1)
Robert S.
Can't say enough good things about Prejean's. The food was out of this world...amazingly good. I went with a group of six friends (we were in Lafayette for a theatre festival), and this was our first "local" food stop. Their food was amazing, they had great service (a little slow, but they were very busy, too). I like the "swamp" decor. All in all, if you are in Lafayette, don't miss Prejean's. I'd go back there just for the food.
(5)
Lance R.
Fried oyster spinach salad is awesome.
(4)
Dia N.
I love Prejeans! It is authentic Cajun food and the promise of eating there is what makes me drive to NOLA rather than fly. Seriously. Every time I go I get the Cochin du lait. I consider trying something new but I love it so much I can't bring myself to get anything different. My husband and friends have tried a variety of things and everyone walks away happy. Of you find yourself in the area it is must do!
(5)
Keegan L.
I thought we had made a mistake when we walked in the door. Everything about this place honestly read "Louisiana Tourist Trap Chain Restaurant" to me. I resigned myself to it, because I don't mind a chain restaurant as much if it's not a chain I can find at home. Perusing the restaurant's website, though, I learned that it wasn't a chain at all. Just a wildly successful local favorite with some cheesy decorations and a gift-shop. Well, that's an alligator of a different color completely! I had crab cakes, served with rice and corn macque choux. What people do with corn in this part of the country just never ceases to amaze me. The partner had crawfish enchiladas, also served with corn macque choux. The food was dense with rich, slightly smoky flavor and an undercurrent of subtle heat. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The enchiladas were a black hole of cheese, cramming an impossible amount of delicious goo in the tortillas; yet the crawfish held its own and was not overwhelmed. As we were driving through town, I had hoped that Yelp would lead me to a place in the heart of Lafayette, so we could at least glimpse the city. Reviews swayed me to this nondescript frontage road location instead, and I'm sure glad they did.
Delicious. Grilled seafood platter was bangin'! Amazing decor & atmosphere, a great place with great music.
(5)
Pito G.
Stopped here on our way back to Texas from New Orleans and glad we found this nice little spot not too far from I-10. Everything we ordered was spot on and the atmosphere gave it a fun Cajun feel to your dining experience. I ordered the half and half crawfish ettoufee which was pretty tasty but the Chicken and Sausage gumbo I had earlier might have ruined it for me. It was AWESOME to say the least, Almost enough to lie to the waitress and tell her there was something in my ettoufee just so I can replace it with another bowl of gumbo. The crab lovers plate was descent but living in Maryland for a while, you become a harsh crab cake critic but all in all it was pretty good. Best thing there was definitley the Gumbo..good god it was delicious! Second best was the fried Boudin Balls..Dont visit this establishment without trying the Boudin Balls!
(4)
Sarah B.
I couldn't say that there is a better restaurant out there to welcome you into Louisiana the proper way. We were driving to New Orleans, and stopped because we heard this place was cookin' up some great stuff. It was lunchtime, so I don't know if this affected our wait time or not, but we were seated immediately! Live Zydeco music was playing right next to our table to add on to the tastiness of the food! I decided to go full force into the bayou with some frog legs, alligator, shrimp, mushrooms, and hushpuppies--all fried up so deliciously. I stuffed myself silly! Such a great restaurant, I'd be crazy if I didn't return to this restaurant of Cajun food heaven!
(4)
Justin K.
Chicken and sausage gumbo is a must! Try the shrimp po' boy for lunch. I had the Catfish Catahoula for dinner and it was excellent. Everything I've ever tried here has been great and I will keep giving them my business. It's a MUST stop if you ever come anywhere near Lafayette, LA. The food is 5 stars all the way. The only reason for the 4 stars is it needs a facelift to the decor inside. Just seems like I walked into a Rain Forest Cafe or something. Also, The Coke was served in a hard plastic cup that had chips on the rim from years of use and wash. It took at LEAST 5 minutes to be greeted by anyone at my table (looked like the servers all came out of a pre-shift meeting at once). After I finally was acknowledged, my server was very friendly and attentive.
(4)
Larry T.
The Cajun Surf and Turf was ok. Definitely not 46 dollars ok!! The steak was under cooked I ordered medium and it was easily medium rare. The corn stuff that they served with the steak was awful!! If you eat here stick to seafood. The steaks definitely leave something to be desired.
(3)
Leng S.
The seafood gumbo really saved this place for me, it was super delicious! However, the dim lighting and swamp motif was disorienting and cluttered. Service was just fine and if you are a fried food lover then this place is for you.
(3)
Wendell B.
I think we died and went to Cajun heaven! Wanting a bit more Cajun before leaving Louisiana on our trip home, we stopped in here just off the interstate. First of all, the place is very attractive on the outside and beckons you in. Then the inside is even more welcoming, with inside cypress trees dripping in Spanish moss and clever outhouse looking entrances into the modern rest rooms. Red and white checkered vinyl tablecloths this time add to the charm. There is even a shop for Prejean's merchandise and you can take home some of the culinary delights! Now to the food: we decided we wanted to taste the crab bisque, and I got cold chills when it got to my tongue. It was truly what heaven must taste like! My wife chose the daily special: delicious crawfish enchiladas, the special each Monday. YUM-O! Then I had the half and half crawfish platter, with fried crawfish and crawfish etouffee, which was just as good as I had had at Trio's in West Monroe a few weeks ago. Served with a delicious cocktail sauce with horseradish, the fried crawfish were perfect. Etouffee was to die for! Wonderful rolls accompanied the meal and we probably dreamed about the food that night! Don't miss this gem if you are traveling through LA!
(5)
Bruce B.
This is the benchmark for original cajun cuisine. It gets no better anywhere in the world, even New Orleans! Every dish is deliciously the real deal. Need more be said? Right off of I-10 and I-49 so time your drive-thru Lafayette at lunch or dinner. Atmosphere is great with faux cypress tree trunks right in the restaurant. Awesome place if cajun is your taste.
(5)
Sejin H.
Flavorful food and live music to enhance the cajun atmosphere. APPETIZERS: Crawfish Enchiladas - more like a gooey cheese dip (ask for bread). Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo - powerful smokiness. ENTRÉE: Catfish Catahoula - nice crawfish & tasso cream sauce, filled with seafood stuffing The meal was delicious. But everything was so rich and heavy that it felt like I was going to have a heart attack; I suppose in a good way though. SERVICE: Amateur. Our waitress just didn't have the skills. Felt rushed. Right as we sat down, before receiving any menus, we were asked for our drink orders. Main dishes came out too soon after the appetizers. We were asked if we wanted dessert right after being asked if we wanted the check. Our waitress just needed more training is all.
(4)
Kiet L.
Was on my way home to MS and saw this off the interstate and had to stop. One of the best random road trip eatries I have stopped at. I had the shrimp and oyster po boy and it was beyond amazizng. Maybe I'll stop by when I've driving through again.
(5)
Danny C.
Is this place hard to find? Yes. Is it in the right place on Google Maps? No. Is it worth driving around for an extra 10-15 minutes when you're starving and it's morning time but you really want Cajun food for breakfast? Absolutely. I hope your luckometer is at "full" because then you'll get to Prejeans in time for breakfast and you'll be served by the fantastic Megan. She's amazing, she's personable, and she's full of excellent morning food suggestions. The only thing she's not good at: letting you leave hungry. We dug right into the breakfast breads that were placed before us, and we wanted more. Don't worry, we didn't get more. We ordered beignets instead. And then whilst we were devouring the amazing little fried goodness smothered in powdered sugar - breakfast was served. I never thought I'd be eating seafood for breakfast, but when Megan suggested the Breaux Bridge Benedict, neither of us could say "no." Two grilled butter biscuit, each sandwiching homemade boudin patties, topped with a poached egg and smothered in crawfish etouffee. Yes please! The food was amazing, we couldn't have made a better choice, and it's all thanks to Yelp that the beginning of our road trip started at Prejean's. If I'm ever in this neck of the woods again, I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)
A S.
The service was outstanding as were the rolls (the most unbelievable, melt-in-your mouth rolls I've ever eaten) and the Parmesan vinaigrette salad dressing was so good I bought a pint to bring home. But that's where it ended. We began with Boudan Balls. They were over seasoned with red pepper and we could hardly taste the other ingredients. The dipping sauce (shrimp butter sauce, I think) was wonderful, though. Next, we ordered the Shrimp Festival Platter to share so we could get a taste of it all. Shrimp gumbo was pretty good but appeared to be boiled shrimp in a thin broth with some rice, though the broth had a nice coffee taste to it. Stuffed shrimp had a generous portion of crab stuffing but, again, flavor was red pepper and nothing more. Grilled and fried shrimp were OK though nothing memorable and the remoulade sauce resembled ranch dressing. The rice dressing was virtually tasteless. Decor is touristy cajun and the large rooms with concrete floors make for a noisy dining experience.
(2)
Jessica S.
This was my third time here and I was very disappointed. My family and I have been overseas for the past 6 years and this was an anticipated stop when planning our trip from TX to GA. I ordered the dish with the fried soft shell crab, crab cakes, and pasta with lumps of crab meat. The soft shell crab was bland, the cakes doughy, and the pasta overcooked and swimming in sauce. Our server was great but the food was extremely over priced and the quality has gone downhill. hope it's a fluke.
(2)
Scott K.
Gumbo is very flavorful. Bread that comes with it is phenomenal
(5)
Jeff G.
ate here twice, and everyhing we had was very good. fried gator, crawfish enchiladas, etc. two separate locals who live there independent suggested this place as legit and good.
excellent cajun food! Great stop if you're on your way to new orleans
(4)
Mel L.
I went a little crawfish crazy here. Got the crawfish platter which comes with a soup with crawfish, salad with crawfish, and the crawfish entree with crawfish prepared two ways. We also had the gator. And a cup of gumbo. Everything was delicious and spicy (duh, it's Cajun). The white chocolate bread pudding was AMAZING. Our server was efficient and helpful. Great dinner.
(4)
Grant K.
Not good. My food was over cooked and the shrimp made me sick!!
(1)
Agenda B.
I love their Eggplant Abevillea and also the Stuffed Mushrooms.. can not pass through Lafayette on the way to NO w/o stopping at least for an appetizer!! The sauce on the Eggplant is to die for Music is old school Acadian...not very peppy....the old guys look like they are about to fall asleep playing just anytime....but guess it goes with the atmosphere....fun to laugh at them. They probably are sick of playing the same ol songs night after night.....!
(5)
Matthew B.
i cannot pass 49 without stopping here....good lawd this place is awesome. Though I admit it was great in 2007 and may have lost a little something (expanded, got bigger) in the recent years....but the menu and flavors will blow your mind don't leave without getting the shrimp sassafrass
(5)
Blake C.
On my way from New Orleans to Shreveport, the highway went through Lafayette. I was a bit hungry and settled on this restaurant just off of the main road and hard to miss. This turned out to be a great choice. The ambiance was the always likable Louisiana bayou setup with a big open area of tables with a couple smaller rooms off to the side that included more seating. A lovely woman greeted us, and having deep love for the southern belle accent, I'm sure I started to blush. Once seated, a gentleman quickly took our drink orders as we browsed the menu. Whoa, is their selection ever huge. The menu was about 5 pages of everything cajun one would expect to see : Gator, catfish, crawfish, gumbo. The list goes on. We ordered the popcorn crawfish to share amongst ourselves which was very good and better alone than dipped in the sherry wine sauce that comes with it. I also started with a smoked duck gumbo, and ordered the Catfish Acadiana as my main. Holy moly and a bucket of sweet was that gumbo delicious. It comes as a deep brown broth and rice to mix in on the side. It had an amazing spicy kick that wasn't too overpowering so you could enjoy the other flavours as well. The duck in it was plentiful and extremely tender. A very positive start to my meal. The catfish acadiana soon arrived, and I was instantly impressed by the great presentation. It is a battered filet of catfish served with corn macque choux and rice dressing. The fish itself is covered with shrimp Etouffee sauce. Now anybody who is familiar with catfish knows how delicate this particular fish is and how difficult it can be to cook properly without destroying the flavour. This one was perfect. Fried just right, the fish was a melt in your mouth bundle of awesomeville stacked high with 'I must be in heaven' tastiness. I was blown away. The corn was great and I wasn't a huge fan of the rice, but it was alright. The prices can be on the steep side, but it is worth every penny and maybe even a pinky toe to try out.
(5)
Ron L.
There are several famous Cajun restaurants around Lafayette, and this is one of them. I still haven't made it to Randall's, but this is good enough. You gotta love a restaurant with a stuffed alligator near the front door. It's been a while since I ate here, probably seven years. I had met a girl online in the Beaumont TX area, we came to like each other, so one day we had a big afternoon together. We drove into Louisiana, moseying down US 90, and ended up in Lafayette. This is where we ate lunch. To me, a native Californian, it came off as a real Cajun place. Regional food, a little dark, tables can be moved around for the Friday nights when they have live music. The food was taaaas-tee. My guess is that it gets loud and rowdy during the live music. If I was to be back in Lafayette, I'd want to check out the hole-in-the-wall places. But this was good too, a fitting place for our first big date. Good introduction to the whole scene for outsiders. Oh yeah, whatever happened to that girl? We've been married six years now ;-)
(4)
Tcs H.
Fried banana foster cheesecake...omg!
(4)
Mike M.
Definitely kind of a tourist trap, but everything was outstanding. Some of the best food I HAVE EVER HAD.
(5)
Kevin T.
I stopped in a couple of days ago for an early dinner. I ordered the blackened catfish etouffee, which is a nice blackened catfish fillet with a side of crawfish etouffee over white rice with corn macque choux. The first time they brought it out, the only thing on the plate that was hot was the catfish. So I pointed this out to the waiter, and he took it back to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, he brought out a fresh plate of food. This time, only the catfish and rice were hot. I then made a bad decision: I ate the plate of food. What I should have done was ask to speak to the manager, and tell him/her that food safety requires that hot foods be served hot, and that cold foods be served cold, and then go someplace else to eat. The plate of food was tasty. BUT, the past two days I have been bedridden with terrible food poisoning. A quick internet search came up with the likely culprit: Clostridium Perfringens, known to occur in meats and gravies, especially when cooked before hand and stored at room temperature. The etouffee was exactly that. I did call Prejeans and talked to the manager on duty, Jonathan. He handled the conversation very well, said that he was going to immediately speak to his executive chef about it. And he asked me to come back, ask for him, and he would ensure a proper meal, on the house. I'll try and do that.
(1)
L. P. H.
Been eating there for 10 years but this last trip which was last Thursday the 28th and my stomach is still not well. Tasted great but something was BAD!!!!! It was fried shrimps and oysters. Have not been poisoned like this for a loooooong time. Take your chances folks.........
(1)
Linda J.
This is our favorite place to eat in Lafayette. It's pricey, but well worth it!
(5)
mian g.
Is it weird to have only 4 or 5 star reviews. I'm a newb yelper so I'm just backtracking to all the places I love to eat. This review isn't going to help that average. I love prejean's. I remember it was and still is THE place to go to whenever my coworkers travel through that area. I heard about it constantly and even seen it on video. They have a live webcam in the main dining room. My friends used it to tease me many many times. Finally I get to be up close and personal. The thing to eat here is gumbo. They are famous for it. Well you know it's good when they sell it by the gallons. Yes you can buy some to take home but at $75/gallon I had a hard time convincing my wife that I needed to eat gumbo for the next week or more. I usually have the seafood gumbo. It has plenty of shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, and okra. It was just right, not too watery and not too salty. I have tried the andouille gumbo while it's good it's a little too salty for my taste. I had the Red Snapper Pontchartrain. It's pan sauteed topped with crawfish and butter sauce. I mean how can you go wrong with this combination? Ok maybe you could overcook the fish or not have enough crawfish. But neither was the case here. There was a ton of crawfish. Makes me wonder why anyone would order the crawfish platter for 24 bucks when my entree was only $18 and it came with a red snapper. My wife had the fried seafood platter. Big mistake. She ended up eating. I didn't want to say I told you so. But you might as well eat a shrimp poboy or something at Danny and Clyde's. Why waste your money on that here? You're here to eat Cajun food.
(5)
Ben N.
Although I lived in New Orleans for a number of years, I don't really know all that much about Cajun food per se, which is native to south-central and southwestern Louisiana. Contrary to popular belief, "Cajun" food is almost nonexistent in the New Orleans area. Only a few restaurants there purport to serve mainly Cajun or Cajun-influenced fare. Having dutifully attended Jazzfest in New Orleans, though, I always thought Prejean's pheasant, quail, and andouille gumbo was just about the most amazing thing out of many amazing culinary treats at the Fairgrounds. So I finally got to Prejean's restaurant in Lafayette this past weekend. Yeah, it's a bit touristy, as a lot of the reviewers say here. The restaurant is located on the I-49 frontage road and looks like a big barn inside, complete with a big bayou mural (not unlike the murals at Jacques-Imo's I mention in my recent review of that place) and Cajun and zydeco bands. Prejean's even has a gift shop up front. So what, I say. The lunch I had was rock solid: A delicious cup of smoked duck and andouille gumbo. (I love the dark, smoky roux that is the base for the Cajun, as opposed to Creole, gumbos.) A dish called Catfish Catahoula, with crawfish, shrimp, and crab dressing and some kind of creamy tasso sauce, with tasty dirty rice and corn macque choux as sides. I don't know how authentically Cajun this entree was, but it was authentically good, fresh seafood. And whatever its touristy rep, the restaurant seemed to be filled almost entirely with locals chowing down on heaping plates of fried seafood and giant bowls of gumbo. Do yourself a favor if you're driving I-10 between Houston and New Orleans and stop in at Prejean's, which is only a couple of miles north of the I-10/I-49 interchange.
(4)
Christy L.
I so wanted to love this restaurant! I heard positive things about this so was very excited to finally give it a try. To start with the waitress not very friendly or helpful. She seemed apathetic. Apparently she does not care if her customers are satisfied or not. It was very obvious that I only took 4 bites of my food (2 of the tuna and 1 of each of the sides) and instead of asking if there was something wrong with it, she just asked if I was finished with it. I said yes and she said okay. You would think that she would be concerned and at least ask me if there was something wrong with it. I ordered the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller. It was VERY dry and just lukewarm, as was everything else on my plate. The tuna had no flavor and the texture was inedible. I did not care for the corn or the rice that came as the side, but that could have been just a matter of not being my taste. I have had tuna before and typically love it, but definitely not from here! We should have had an inkling of how our meal would be when the bread and our Alligator bites were both cold. (Like I said, we REALLY wanted to like it, so wanted to get the full experience) We also were never offered tea refills. My husband ordered the Crawfish Half & Half and it was okay. At $58.70 for lunch, this was an expensive disappointment! Oh and we even had to go up to the cashier to pay because we got tired of waiting for the waitress to come get our payment.
(1)
Tony W.
Got there late tonight... Loved the chicken & sausage gumbo... Be back tomorrow earlier for more of an in depth tasting of the menue... So far not so good but GREAT!!! Not any fault of the establishment at all... Google maps and navigation are wrong wrong wrong
(4)
Andrea J.
The crabcake was awesome, pure crabmeat no filler. The gumbo both chicken and sausage and the shrimp that my husband ate were outstanding. The only thing not perfect was the service which was very slow.
(5)
Regan H.
Really great food! Hush puppies were exceptional! And definitely go for the bread pudding, you could get drunk off that Jack Daniel's sauce!
(4)
Steve M.
Not a bad thing on the menu. I strongly recommend the crawfish enchiladas and the corn and crab bisque is the best that I've ever had
(5)
Leslie L.
This place is delicious. My daughter gives 5 stars, and the rest of the family agrees!
(5)
Jes B.
Everything was amazing! I posted pictures. Logan was great & very helpful! Go for the stuffed mushrooms!
(5)
Carrie S.
We decided to try Prejeans for dinner on the way home from a road trip. We were pleasantly surprised. We had the Crawfish Boudin Balls which were really good. Also tried the Corn and Crab Bisque which was creamy, had a little kick and was awesome. For the entree we had the Stuffed Tilapia, also excellent. Dirty rice and corn were good sides. Rolls are buttery and yummy! For dessert we tried the Coconut Cream Pie and Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce. Bread pudding was so-so. Pie had whipped cream instead of meringue like I'm used to, but was still good. Great place to try if passing thru Lafayette.
(4)
Brent L.
BEST GUMBO ON THE PLANET: Smoked Duck & Andouille!!!...dark - chocolate roux!! I know many locals deplore this 'tourist-trap', but I've eaten all around Acadiana and the gumbo ROCKS! If your momma, grandma or grandpa can cook a better gumbo, please send me some or let me know where I can stop to eat it. I've enjoyed many of the other dishes, including the house salad dressing - DELICIOUS! Most dishes will clog your arteries, but it's worth the risk in moderation! I luv the music!....Especially for those of us who don't hear it live often. And it's always nice seeing the younger generations keeping the musical talents/traditions of the area moving forward! I wish they would bring back the bbq soft shell crab from years ago! If you're driving down I-10, take a moment to test it out on your taste buds.
(5)
Ben C.
I was in town for business, and was told this place was a must if I was only staying for the night. To be honest I was a little burned out on fried food, so I was looking for something lighter. I was very happy to see they had a section healthy choices on the menu, and I was very content to go with the Tilapia. At first I was expecting a little 6-8oz piece, but i was surprised to see the very respectable 10oz portion they laid on my plate. It was tastfully seasoned, and well cooked. No overpowering spices here, and I truly enjoyed the meal that came with steamed veggies, white rice, and some sort of crawfish soup. If your in town for business then make it a point to stop by, you won't regret it. If your local and haven't been here then put it on the list. And to locals, I am moderately jealous that you have a place like this close to home.
(4)
Laura S.
Touristy, but pretty good food! Seafood gumbo had a good bite to it, but the crab is in the form of a crab claw, so you have to dig them out. Oyster appetizer was pretty good, even if it reminded me of a spinach dip with fried oysters on top.
(4)
Jenny L.
The best food we have had near a major highway ever. Make the stop. It has a fun webcam that you can send to your friends to watch (kind of creepy but can be fun).
(4)
Ethan L.
Now here is an annomaly of a place... The place sells itself as one of the best authentic places to eat Cajun food, a true experience decorated with numerous awards and medals. First off finding this place and getting to it is a pain. Secondly upon entering and seeing the numerous out of state license plates, it does appear to look more popular with tourists than the locals. Once inside the place has all the appeal and charm of eating at TGIF complete with gaggles of junior high kids, with a mish mash of some even French tourists. The menu seems hit and miss. There's a very good unique gumbo that is black as death consisting of duck and andouille. It's quite exceptional and one of the unique items on the menu. There's the so called gold medal crawfish etouffee is great as well, however other items on the menu such as a Asian-Cajun section just defy explanation. Why in the world would you want to make cajun fusion cuisine?? It just seems wrong and a waste of time... The cajun food I'll admit is quite good, but there was nothing I didn't have elsewhere in New Orleans or Louisianna that compelled me to come crawling back here. Also side salads contain a great parmessan dressing, but the main salads are advertised misleadingly. The house salad described as fresh field greens, Louisianna citrus, tear drop tomatoes, with goat cheese actually was 90% iceberg lettuce with canned mandarin oranges and grocery packaged blue cheese.. not goat cheese. Hardly truth in advertising (except the cajun pecans it came with). The place has live music which is great, but the place is really busy and you're not going to hear it well. I noticed that when I left and was hearing the music pipped outside by speaker it actually sounded better cause I could actually hear it. It also builds itself as a place where couples can dance but it's obvious that there is not much room to do this.. or even watch dancers easily. It's not the best, not the worst I had, but I don't think I'll be wanting to return...
This place has, what I consider-hands down, to be the best Gumbo in the world. The game fowl combined with amazing sausage makes for a breathtaking flavor.
(4)
Alyce P.
We had dinner tonight at Prejean's in Lafayette. We got there a little earlier than we thought we would after a busy day. We had called earlier in the day to ask about reservations and they don't take reservations for fewer than six guests. I asked what the typical wait might be on a Friday evening and the pleasant person on the phone guessed about 30 minutes. But when we arrived, there was no wait. We were asked if we wanted a table near and Cajun band, and of course we did! Once seated, there was a longer than expected wait for our server's attention, considering how few tables were seated in our area. But after that, our drink orders were taken, delivered quickly and our meal order taken. I regret that we'd had a late (and filling) lunch and it was a bit earlier than we normally dine, so we didn't try any of the amusing sounding appetizers. I ordered the eggplant pirogue, a half eggplant, hollowed, breaded and deep fried, filled with a not-too-heavy Louis sauce with shrimp and crab. My husband got the alligator Grand Chenier, with shrimp and spicy tomato sauce atop a very spicy seafood stuffing. Both were served with a tartlet shell filled with corn macque choux (cooked with bell peppers, onion and garlic, with a touch of heat) and "rice dressing," which appeared to be rice mixed with a good dark roux, onion and occasional small chunks of andouille. I loved 'em both! Once finished with our dinner the server brought the check. The restaurant still had open tables, and we were enjoying the Cajun music, so we ordered one more round of beverages. Our server seemed a bit flustered by that (how to handle the new charge). Overall, our experience was positive, the food was good and reasonably priced. I used to live in NOLA and traveled throughout southern LA so I'm pretty sure there are still better places that this, but you gotta know somebody to find them!
(4)
Mike T.
The short story is I have never had a bad food item from the menu, but the service is horrible! My family has 6 people in it, so Prejean's think we should automatically pay a gratuity. I normally don't have an issue, but when you have to find your server to ask for the check you know there is a problem. Then when asking to speak to a manager, their reaction was, "what do you want me to do?" Geaux for the food, but expect to pay too much and have less than 6 people in your party! I hope they fix this issue, as the food will only keep this place open so long!
(3)
Ben J.
It is OK but still NOT true Cajun food and as said in previous reviews, VERY TOURISTY... Plus I think it has gotten less authentic over the years... Not sure who the chef is over there now... Might be different than a few years back. There USE to be when I was little another restaurant across the hwy called Prudommes... It was very similar except without the loud music. It was owned by Mrs. Prudomme a friend of my grandmothers. Her FOOD made Prejeans look like MacDonalds... She died and they closed the place down. So sadly this is all that's left in the area. Not sure of any others around that area of Lafayette. More businesses need to use the "INTERNET" down there... I swear I think they're still living in the early 1990's in some parts of LA... LOL...
(2)
Mike D.
Cool place but the food is fhshy
(2)
Denis C.
On our way back to Houston from Biloxi, we wanted to stop at an authentic Cajun restaurant and this was it. Everything about it was five star. I had the crabcakes and some gumbo and both were excellent. Great service and a great band added to the overall great experience. We will be back!
(5)
Gabriela M.
Great restaurant for a Cajun country tourist like me. The decor is fun and makes for excellent Instagram opportunities...there is beautiful Spanish moss everywhere, taxidermy alligators that make your jaw drop, and cartoonish maps of Louisiana for you to track your road trip and feel a sense of accomplishment worthy of a heaping pile of Cajun food for dinner. And you will get that because the portions are quite large! I had the fried alligator served with a side of alligator sausage and it was deee-licious. Came with some yummy sides...I got full so fast I had leftovers for the next day. My friend had the shrimp gumbo which was equally delectable. We enjoyed our meal while listening to a fabulous zydeco band. The staff was super friendly and efficient. Taking a star off only because the prices were a bit steep, but I would definitely go back and eat there again!
(4)
Jen R.
A family joint, to be sure. Not intended for romantic, intimate dinners. A large room, decorated like the Pirates of the Carribbean ride at Disneyland (or is it the other way around?), live Cajun music, lotsa kids spilling drinks everywhere, friendly atmosphere. I had the crawfish enchilladas, grilled alligator stuffed with crab meat, and macque-choux. Enchilladas were the standout. Alligator was good but hard to compare since I've never had it served that way before...and I was pretty stuffed after the enchilladas.
(3)
Steve G.
Although I've always enjoyed my business travel through the area, Prejean's is consistently high on the list of memories I take-away. I've traveled and dined from Houston to NOLA; through the Delta and up to Lafayette-- Cajun cuisine isn't new to me. There is a homey feel about the cooking at Prejean's, although I can see where the locals consider this a "tourist trap" compromise. Just as most folks from this area may never experience "real" pizza, corned beef or bagels, and yet, enjoy what they have eaten, I've always enjoyed Prejean's. Anticipation of their duck and andouille gumbo has kept me a motivated driver for many miles. Service is okay.
(4)
wes m.
This is the best true Cajun restaurant that ive been to in La. It combines good food with a great cajun ambiance. Staff is great but know nothing about how to get to merlots in Bon'temps.... If u get what im saying in that last statement thats excellent!!! Must try.
(4)
Suzy F.
We went to New Orleans for the weekend expecting to find plentiful, delicious, cheap, authentic Cajun food everywhere. Maybe we were on the wrong streets in the French Quarter, Magazine Street, the Garden District, and greater New Orleans, but Cajun food wasn't easy for us to find...until we stopped at Prejean's on the way back home. Our friends had vouched for this place, and so had the trophy case of awards sitting underneath the giant, stuffed alligator on the way to our table. The atmosphere was fun with murals, faux trees and spanish moss. Our server was helpful and friendly, and the dishes we ordered were reasonably priced. We started with a CRAWFISH ENCHILADA that was packed with fresh flavorful crawfish and baked in a tangy, cheese sauce. My husband ordered the crawfish etouffee, which was also delicious but almost a crawfish overload after the enchilada. I got the DUCK and ANDOUILLE GUMBO filled with big, juicy, tender duck and sausage bites as well as a rich, velvety gumbo sauce. I substituted the plain rice with the dirty rice, and I am super glad I did. The DIRTY RICE was the best I've had at a restaurant and it paired really well with the gumbo. I would highly recommend those dishes. If we are ever back in Lafayette, I know where we will be stopping to eat.
(5)
Jonathan C.
It's touristy. It's noisy. But it's reputation and crowd are well deserved. Ample portions - loaded with seafood - great flavors. And on weekends, live Zydeco! May not be the best Cajun ever, but with easy location, renowned name, and quality food, worth a trip - especially for out-of-towners like me.
(5)
Nacheska G.
What a great find...traveling with my grandchild on the way from Florida to Texas, my husband mentioned how wonderful this restaurant was which he stumbled on while on business travel. I had the veggie stuffed eggplant...YUM! There was a Zydeco band that delighted and intrigued my 6 yr. old grandson and another little girl was dancing to the upbeat music lending to the ambiance of the Lousiana experience...a happy and scrumptious visit.
(5)
A. R.
I usually go to Prejeans on Sunday for lunch, as most of the other local seafood restaurants are closed. Lately I have been ordering the Crab Extravaganza--a yummy trio of crab pasta, a crab cake, and a fried soft shelled crab. Very rich. My other Prejeans' favorites are the crawfish bisque and the zydeco shrimp. Be ready to rub elbows with lots of other diners. This is a family friendly restaurant, and you will often see tables of 15 or more enjoying the food and the live Cajun band.
(4)
Michael P.
This place was pretty good but I did think it was a little overpriced and the service could have been a little better. Overall, I would go back. Frog legs were gross though. Tasted like swamp water! Everything else was delish!
(3)
Robert T.
warning.. this place will cost you at least $20.. If you can manage the $20, then I highly recommend this place! I ordered the Catfish filet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked.. topped with a nice cajun sauce. My coworker ordered the Catfish Oscar Prejean and he was also blown away. corn macque choux.. I don't know what that means but it's tasty! It's served in a little edible bowl and the bowl is just as good as the corn. Grilled asparagus was on point. The rice dressing had some kick! I loved every bit of my dinner. The desserts looked killer! Next time, I'll have to break my $20 budget. One of my coworkers ordered the Crabmeat AuGratin and she didn't like it. I tasted it and I thought it was very good. It had a lot of flavor and a lot of cheese. I think this would probably make for a better appetizer to share than an individual meal.
(5)
Jeremy M.
Best Cajun restaurant I've been to, and I've been to my share! Everything from the boudin balls to the bread pudding was excellent. Great live music and a 14 foot Gator to threaten the kids with being eaten if they don't behave....PERFECT!
(5)
K S.
My fella and I have had to make several trips from Houston to Mississippi in the past few months. He remembered this place from maybe decades ago and we looked to see if it was still open. It was, and it's great! It's become our stopping point on the long dull drive. The gumbos are amazing. If you're there at dinnertime and get to hear the music, it's incredibly fun. All of our servers have been sweet. I recommend it to everyone making that hideous drive across I-10.
(5)
Dawn M.
Coming from Austin, we have few selections when it comes to authentic Cajun food. This trip to Lafayette had high expectations on experiencing what the locals eat on a daily basis. I needed crawfish and oysters and catfish in a bad way. Thanks to the stunning reviews on Prejean's on Yelp, our group heads out, in search of Cajun delightfulness. As we walk in, it looks like a Joe's or a Razzou's. Lot's of flair on the walls, merchandise for sale and beads, beads everywhere. The place is packed with families, large groups and couples. Honestly, I'm a bit hesitant that Prejean's will deliver. Boy was I wrong. After spying at the table across from us, we see this lovely skillet of bubbling goodness accompanied with buttery toast triangles. Scanning the menu, we come across the seafood skillet fondeaux for two. Our group of four orders it, and devours it with sighs of joy. Cleaning the skillet with our rolls, the table is giddy with excitement. My hurricane, which is strong as shit, is going down quite nicely. The amount of time between the appetizer and food is perfect, just enough time for us to talk, digest and get hungry again. And now the food arrives. Sweet heaven, it's amazing. The red snapper pontchartrain almost made me cry it was so good. My friend had the catfish catahoula, and judging from the few bites I scored was immaculate. The boys has a fried seafood smorgasbord. The fried crawfish were juicy and breaded perfectly. Every person ended the night with full tummies and huge smiles on our faces. We couldn't stop raving about the richness of the food and how surprised we were at how everything ended up perfect. So thank you Prejean's for the perfect Cajun food experience.
(5)
Christine T.
On the way to New Orleans from Lake Charles... had to stop by and get me some of that cajun food. Third time I ever had a cajun meal.... and by all means this is the best I ever had. I ordered the crawfish platter and shared it with my mom since it's quite a big meal. First comes the crawfish bisque. Really good... loaded with whole crawfish. Then came the crawfish salad... salad, house vinaigrette dressing, topped with fried crawfish. Then came the whole entree which consist of fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish potpie, crawfish boulettes, cajun fries, and dirty rice. It was more than enough to serve 2 people. That platter was enough to fill up 3 people. The food was AMAZING!!! Even the bread was really good. famous for their gumbo and po boy. Offer everything from gumbo, crawfish, oysters, shrimp, crab, alligator, chicken, steak, po boy, Prejean's is really as good as it gets because I saw two tour bus loaded with people drive in while I was leaving.
(5)
Barry M.
Best of the best, hands-down. Period. Seafood cooked just right, always tender, always done to perfection, served by a friendly, attentive and cheerful staff. I love the gator and the alligator gar on display, and the live band keeps the atmosphere festive!
(5)
Nina H.
Had good food but wow exapenive. Too expensive I think. I ordered the crawfish enchiladas and shrimp and sausage gumbo both were very good. I never had crawfish before and I don't like fishy things but this was awesome. I loved the enchiladas. The gumbo was 10.95 but it was a very large bowl and good once you put some heat in it. I recommend the bottle that said gold on it. It has a good zip so don't add too much. We went for lunch and it was way packed. The decor was cool. Alligators everywhere picture on the wall, moss hanging from the ceiling. Very nice. They had a gift shop too for memories or something. Idk but the price was steep. Most meals at lunch were at 20 and up. There were a few under 20 maybe 5 or so things.
(4)
Joe T.
Pretty good gumbo and minced, not lump crabcake. Definitly not worth the $. Good waiter.
(2)
Kristi P.
I was traveling and although I was by myself I had a blast! Funky cajun band rocking out, web cam in the corner had all my friends "eating with me". The food was outa this world! Gumbo like I've never tasted before, this stuffed deep fried shrimp with pepper jack cheese and this melt in your mouth sauce. Perfect presentation. Fun fun fun! My only regret?? Trying somewhere else when I was there. Should have just gone back for more!
(5)
Will R.
Fun live music, good food, ok prices, prompt and friendly services.
(4)
TJ Lee W.
I only gave you that second star because of the zydeco music. That being said this was one of the most disappointing experiences I've ever had with cajun/coonass cuisine. I really wanted to love this place. How can you screw up cajun food this badly? If you must go to see for yourself, don't get the crawfish bisque. It's dark brown and as thick as molasses, and the only reason I even ate half of it was because it was 9 dollars a bowl. For a cuisine that has such flavorful offerings, Prejeans fails at living up to this claim. Your pallet is as ignorant as the clientele here if you enjoy this overrated sub par establishment. Truly the Mcfood version of Louisiana cooking.
(2)
Jennifer P.
We have been eating here for several years everytime we come to town. Our favorite dishes are the pepper jack shrimp, crawfish enchiladas, & boudin balls. On our last visit we noticed the the prices have increased while the portions have decreased. Food was still very tasty, just be prepared to pay a little more.
(4)
Rick T.
OMG...........died and gone to heaven eating their Fried Green Tomatoes, with crawfish and shrimp, smothered in a sherry cream sauce and topped with lump crab meat!!!
(4)
Lan T.
I took my sister and her husband here when they came in town to visit me. I had lived in Lafayette for approximately 7 years and this was my first time dining here. I just never wanted to drive to Carencro to eat here. I regret that mistake now. We started off with the Oysters Rockefeller which was excellent. It's been about 4 or 5 years since this experience, so I don't quite remember what I had for my entree. I do remember that I almost licked my plate clean. I've been all around this country, from the South to the West to the East and North, and there is no food like there is in Louisiana. Lafayette is my second favorite city to eat in, right behind NOLA, my home town.
(5)
Lisa C.
This is the allegator place! When you walk through the doors, you'll be greeted by a massive allegator hanging on the wall!! I loved this place. There is a band playing music on the stage, pretty much every table is full and the food is a plenty. Warning: the portions are h.u.g.e. but the food definitely does not disappoint. I ordered the gumbo which was yummy and the sides are pretty good too. It's definitely a place for people watching. The wait staff are SO friendly. Love it!!!
(3)
Happy C.
Prejean's, this is a letter from the row of my bottom teeth on the right side of my mouth: DO YOU THINK NEXT TIME YOU CAN KEEP THE PECAN SHELLS OUT OF THE MINISCULE PECAN PIE SLICE YOU GAVE ME LAST NIGHT? Thanks, My Nearly Broken Chompers
(3)
Tina H.
Large rooms with lots of seating. Was very packed when we came in for lunch. The seafood gumbo was very good. Others had the chowder and said it was very good. Prawns were very large and they had a friendly staff. Waiter was very helpful with menu items and quick with refills. The lump Blue crab cakes had large hunks of crab and a delicious crawfish Louis sauce on top. I had mine fried. Not to spicy on initial bite but felt the heat after I ate-- just right! Served with rice dressing and corn macque choux. Lots of gator- stuff around (stuffed of course) and they have a gift store inside where you can also order some of their soups/gumbos online and have them shipped or takeaway right on the premises.
(5)
Hieu B.
This place is AMAZING! I tried a lot of gumbo at different restaurants and majority of the time its bland and flavorless. But the gumbo here is a different story! Its a dark roux and surprisingly, it was THAT GOOD. The crawfish enchilada is a MUST! Eating it at the restaurant compared to eating it at Gretna Fest is worlds apart because the flavor is out of this world!!!! The portions are also big.
(5)
Chris E.
Have been here twice and have enjoyed both visits. The Cajun music is wonderful and the atmosphere great. The food is tasty (and plentiful) and is very reasonable. I enjoy this place and hope you will, too.
(4)
steve o.
The gumbos here are out of this world. There is a chicken and sausage gumbo, a duck and andouille sausage gumbo, and a seafood gumbo -- all of them are outstanding! I had all three. My mother-in-law had the Pontchartrain Red Snapper and it was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the people in the place for dinner appeared to be locals. As near as I could tell, we looked like the only tourists there. The service was very prompt, friendly and attentive. There is a live cajun band playing every night at 7:00 p.m. and we enjoyed the music a great deal. Prices are very fair. Highly recommended!
(4)
Lori G.
Passing thru Lafayette saw Prejean's and loved it. The smoked duck and andouille sausage gumbo was amazing. Dark flavorful roux, with generous amounts of tender duck and great andouille. We bought 1/2 gallon to take home. The blackened catfish was flavorful, moist and delicious, as was the fried catfish. We loved the various side dishes and look forward to future Prejean visits. An added bonus...there was some nice live Cajun music and a gift shop.
(4)
Amy N.
My family and I drove through from Dallas. I have to say, this place offered the best gumbo i ever had. My husband ordered the crawfish bisque. And that was better than the gumbo! i will never go to Pappadeaux's or Razzoo's ever again after eating here!
(5)
Dena S.
I, too was expecting a touristy place in Prejean's, but I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was not at all what I expected either with it's plastic red and white-checkered table cloths, but I didn't mind it. The live Cajun music helped. I found the service to be decent and all of our courses arrived in a timely manner. We started with Barbecue Shrimp. They were delicious but somewhat overcooked and hard to peel. Also, the sauce was much thicker than any BBQ shrimp sauce I've ever tasted. The french bread rolls that came with the dish were outstanding. It was served in a small cast iron skillet and with two rolls for dipping. I'm glad there weren't more rolls, because I could not have resisted eating them. We decided to split an entree after the server told us the crawfish platter we were contemplating was a large portion, and I'm glad we did. We weren't able to finish it and ended up bringing part of it home. The crawfish platter comes with Fried Crawfish, Crawfish Etouffee, Crawfish Pie, Crawfish Boulettes, & Crawfish Bisque and is served with Cajun Fries, Dirty Rice, and Crawfish Salad for $23.55. Fried Crawfish - Hands down the best fried crawfish I have EVER eaten. They were extremely tender and not over battered or over cooked. EXCELLENT! Crawfish Etouffee - Very good, even by my standards. Crawfish Pie - This was served in an aluminum tart pan with what appeared to be cheese topping, which I thought was odd. Also, the crust was unexpectedly sweet. We really didn't like the crust and didn't eat it. The filling was probably the etouffee and was good. Crawfish Boulettes - The platter only came with one boulette, which was quite nice, though a little more squishy than I am accustomed to. Crawfish Bisque - The bisque was not my idea of bisque at all. It was much thicker and I couldn't detect the cream element at all. Having said that, I enjoyed it anyway. Cajun Fries - Yummy Dirty Rice - Yummy Crawfish Salad - this was the house salad (side salad portion) with fried crawfish tails on top. The salad was less than average with iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and croutons, but the fried crawfish tails made it edible. Incidentally, the less than average side salad would cost you $5.50 without the crawfish tails if you ordered it separately. Seriously? Overall, we really enjoyed the meal and the music. There were tons of other things on the menu I'd love to try. We'll definitely go back next time we're in town.
(4)
Joe F.
Completely gross, gut bomb, thought I was going to puke in the parking lot, 100 percent hype, 0 percent good!
(1)
Kirk F.
This is a good tourist place that is not a tourist trap (IMHO). There is good food here. I had the duck and andoulle gumbo which was outstanding. But a lot of the food (stuffed snapper, fried catfish) was just OK. The stuffed alligators are a kinda trite decoration. The decor is fine. The location is a pain. The live music a cool touch though, and locals go there to dance (a little, anyway). That's what makes this more than a tourist trap, Prejeans is better than that...but it's still not down home, or fancy, it's a tweener.
(3)
Dave A.
Prejean's is classic Cajun kitsch. The food was solid but a bit overpriced for the style and presentation of the food. It was hard to spend over $20 per person knowing that I was spitting distance from a major interstate. If I had more time, I would have searched for another restaurant on Caliste Saloom Rd. in Lafayette. Despite this, the service was 5 star. Aaron, our waiter, talked with us about Acadiana for about 15 minutes. He also pointed us to the deep fried banana cheesecake for dessert - a recommendation for which we are very grateful. One word of warning. If you are a vegetarian, vegan, or don't like seafood, avoid coming here. There was exactly ONE vegetable dish that did not sound particularly inventive or unique.
(3)
Christina M.
If you didn't want touristy, you should have turned around at the giant 'gator! We live nine hours away and have seriously contemplated making the drive just to eat there again. We tried our first alligator there and no place has been able to compare. The food was great, service was good and the live music made it feel even more authentic. And they have kennels for your pups to hang out in while you're inside, which is great if they're traveling with you - or maybe those were for misbehaving children...?
(5)
Jando S.
I cannot say how impressed I am with the food at Prejean's. The location is off the highway, a bit out of the way of the rest of Lafayette. Apparently its touristy, but for an out-of-towner like myself its about as impressive as it gets and a real treat for the city of Lafayette. The service isn't the greatest (I had to flag them down several times just for water, bill, and questions about the menu) but I'd be lying if I didn't say their boudin balls, catfish, and dirty rice aren't near incredible. Just typing this review makes me hungry for their food. The boudin balls were delicious and the catfish was just heavenly. If you don't wish to deal with the service, highly recommend at least getting takeout ... its totally worth it.
(5)
Tekk A.
2 stars initially, but another star for the bread. If you know me, then you know how much I love bread! WIth that said... Visited this place with the Women's Soccer team while on our way back from kickin' some Ragin' Cajun a** at ULa-La. Truthfully, I was excited the game was over because I was starving and couldn't wait to eat at this place, especially after hearing so much about it. I didn't read any reviews prior because I didn't want to spoil my experience. Now, in all honesty, I just think I ordered the wrong thing. I ordered a bland serving of Garlic Shrimp Pasta, served with asparagus, and a sauce that tasted like air - nothing! Luckily, the ladies let me sample their food; Kylie and Jayne had the alligator (yum!), and Kayla ordered stuffed crabs (I think), but whatever it was, it was good. So 3 stars, because what I ordered was bad, so I didn't finish it, but the dishes the girls ordered was great, yet, they didn't finish theirs. Everyone was happy!
(3)
Joey H.
Straight from the menu: Cajun Surf and Turf Choice ribeye cooked to your specification. Smothered with crawfish etouffee and accompanied with six blackened shrimp. Served with corn macque choux and a twice baked potato. (10oz) $26.50 (14oz) $29.50 I'm a gout victim, so I need to stay away from both surf and turf, but who cares. With my trusty cherry extract by my side, I'm ready to jump in, get dirty and learn what a dickido is. I apologize for the wrong spelling, but it's not a word, it's a phrase. Ask me if you're dying to know. The food was great. I only ate half because I was eating all week here in Lafayette. I ordered the 14oz just because I wasn't really sure...oh hell, I knew it would be big, but we deserved it. I was sure if the ribeye was cooked to my spec because it was drenched in crawfish etouffee. My goodness, it was a meal for royalty. We sat right under the webcam so people could watch us eat. Yeah. watch me eat. Awk---ward. Anyway, couple days later, I finished the ribeye and twice baked potato, and they tasted good and delicious still. If you want it all, go here. If you want to watch your weight, don't come to Lafayette.
(5)
Benjamin C.
I was a bit surprised to see all the 4 and 5 star reviews after dining at Prejean's last week. The food in general was good, but when compared to other restaurants in the area that feature similar menus it falls short. And this is the be all end all of touristy decors in the Lafayette area. I was always told Randol's was touristy, but Prejean's takes the gator, going as far as to have a gift shop and live cam so you can view diners on their website, always a riveting activity. The gumbo, which is award winning (not sure which award) was mediocre at best. The band was the star of the night, not only musically but the members were all nice as can be and outgoing. Not bad, just not as good as the competition, head to Randol's instead.
(2)
P R.
Stopped to eat here on way home from NOLA. Had heard good things but it was awful. Food was cold, service was terrible. Staff stood around laughing and kissing and I had to wave someone down to get drink refills. Had to wave someone down again to get check and they weren't busy at all -- maybe 3 other tables in whole restaurant. Will not return.
(1)
Mardi C.
this is a spot that I've heard about FOREVER and a day. and its all its supposed to be, if you want straight up louisiana cooking. we had a little bit of everything, while entertained by a cajun band, and a room filled with all kinds of knick knack looziana style. If you've not been here? go. ample portions of yummy goodness, I even did the frog legs.. sampler plate had it all, and we couldn't finish everything, it was just too much, but made for great leftovers, and great memories. I took a friend who was in louisiana for the first time, and it was def his fave meal.
(4)
Tobi D.
*Note: I am not related to the owners.* I'm going to agree that it's a bit touristy. I was born and raised in Lafayette and have been to Prejean's maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. The food was always good. The last time I was there was 2003... why should I write a review after such a long period of time? Well the last time was my wedding rehearsal dinner. It was a destination wedding in that that the groom and his family were native Texans and the bride (me) was now living there as well... As did 70% of the wedding attendees. Everyone was really impressed with the menu Prejean's staff worked out with my mother-in-law that showcased a lot of local favorites and some really unique items like the Bayou Platter featuring alligator. I was very happy with my fish that had a crab topping. For dessert... well the Jack Daniels bread pudding, of course. It's so decadent and delicious. We were lucky enough to have the dinner on a night where there was live music so it just made it that much better of an experience for the guests.
(4)
R H.
Excellent food, cool atmosphere. Stuffed tilapia was great. Try the alliagtor cheesecake, very good!
(4)
Matthew P.
Okay, I decided to wade into this fight since I hit up Lafayette on a road-trip. I like good food, don't like hype, and not keen on touristy stuff. I dropped by Old Tyme grocery but it only had po'boys. Dropped by Dwyer's but it was all standard diner food rather than Cajun. So I shrugged and came up to Prejean's. The decor was ornate, but honestly not in terribly poor taste. It was more like a theatre set than an Applebee's "buncha crap on the walls" kind of place. Plus they had a live accordion-fiddle-guitar combo onstage, which was excellent. I had the crawfish bisque, and it was great. Wonderful complex texture, great seasoning, tails tasted very fresh and the stuffed shell was great too. For the main I had the alligator tail stuffed with crab and smothered with crawfish sauce. The alligator was broiled rather than the fried everywhere else does, so was a great way to taste alligator rather than breading and grease. The crab filling was some of the best crab stuffing I've ever had; not even slightly fishy, very fresh, great texture where it was complemented but not overpowered by the cream. The crawfish sauce had a great base, though the tails weren't quite as fresh as in the bisque. The macque choux was, as mentioned above, kinda meh. Not bad, but not distinctive. The dirty rice was quite tasty though. Given the local options I've seen and read about, this seems a good place to go for a full Cajun-influenced menu, with a wide selection based on fresh ingredients, and if you can catch the live music, all the better. I ate the next day at Catahoula's in Grand Coteau (NOT the unrelated one in Lafayette, the one eight miles north). Catahoula's is not to be missed if you like high-class Southern, but I was completely satisfied with Prejean's as a "slightly touristy but very accessible trad Cajun-influenced".
(4)
Kristian M.
The alligator cheese cake should not be missed. It is more like a quiche, very rich and tasty. It was really loud with the music. Would be great for groups but not so much for a date. It is a big fun place and the staff was very nice.
(4)
Marina V.
Thank goodness for Prejean's! We'd had a bad culinary experience in Baton Rouge after arriving with high expectations... so on the way home, we stopped here (I say "stopped" but it was a little more difficult than that.. be warned: the directions on the Yelp iPhone app are WRONG and sent us into a random neighborhood!) It was totally worth the scenic route though... we walked inside and were greeted by live zydeco! I'd just been talking about how I wanted to find a little Cajun place with live music! No one dancing unfortunately, as it was pretty empty. They also decorate the place to look like you're "in the bayou" and they accomplish this without being over the top cheesy (in my opinion) With many more miles to go before home, we both ordered coffee. The menu was extremely hard to choose from... everything looked awesome!! We didn't want to gorge on too much and then get back in the car and we were running low on cash-money after our weekend in Baton Rouge... but we wanted to try out some new stuff as well...so we decided to split a platter that came with catfish, alligator, frog's legs, oysters, shrimp, and stuffed crab! The one downside is that you had to choose either everything fried or everything grilled... rather than a combination of the two... and the idea of grilled frogs legs and alligator kinda freaked me out... (a. this was my first time eating either and b. everything tastes good fried, right??) so we went with fried. We also order a cup of seafood gumbo but was great!! Much better than our gumbo experience in Baton Rouge! I can't wait to return and try their smoked duck/andouille gumbo! When the main course arrived, I was really pleased that we didn't just get a platter of BROWN in all different shapes! In fact, everything seemed to be fried a little different... the catfish had a cornmeal crust... perhaps the oysters too... but the alligator had a darker and spicier coating and the frog's legs really did kind of "taste like chicken" and had a fried-chicken-esque coating. It came with a scoop of blackened boudin on the side which was awesome...I thought the corn macque choux was a little sweet for the rest of the plate (some roasted corn in a pastry shell) and the "Cajun fries" were a bust, though it might have been because we were there at almost 9:00 and they closed at 9:30. Our server was very informative and professional for the most part. We did feel slightly neglected at the end too (just trying to get the check) because he was off somewhere doing sidework... But I'll definitely be back! Maybe next time on the way to New Orleans??
(4)
Luke H.
Easy to find. Hard to Forget. Corn Maque Choux. Shiner Bock on tap. Always packed with locals and tourists alike. Avoid the Blue Ribbon Entrees, and go for the Pepper Jack Shrimp.
(5)
Lindsey R.
Love this place! As a tradition we go each year on the way to Florida for vacation. Always excellent service and live zydeco music. The food is wonderful! Try the seafood gumbo with crab claws.....mmm! This past July there were less crab claws in the gumbo than ususal, hence only 4 stars. I look forward to this each year and I can't wait to go again!
(4)
Yung L.
Food was good and the bread/biscuits were the best part of the meal. Overpriced though. Now for a warning. The waiter tried to double dip on the tip and the manager was obviously in on it. We were a party of 6 and here's the story. Waiter was really friendly and at the end of the meal brought the bill. It only had two copies of the grand total. I didn't think much of it at first and just asked the waiter whether the tip was included. He told us no the tip can't be included because it was against the laws of the state. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt of mishearing it if he didn't add the little extra reasoning. So I proceeded to add the tip on top of the grand total amount. Someone in the party mentioned the bill seemed high so we did a tally and it did seem high. So I asked the waiter for our itemized bill. He said it's in the garbage and he'll see if he could find it. He proceeded to rummage through the garbage and came back and said he couldn't find it. I asked him to reprint the itemized bill again since everything is computerized. He finally brought the bill and the tip was already included on the bill. I went up to talk to the manager about this. He heard my story and immediately said "I don't believe you. He's been with us for a long time" and so on He acted confrontational and nervous from the beginning. He basically said I was lying and by this time I knew he was in on it. I told him to take off the tip because I'm not tipping a scammer. He takes of the tip and I sign the new bill. He then said he was going to talk to the waiter about this. He proceeded to walk away to the kitchen. The waiter was standing with all the other waiters at the station in plain site. The manager basically was hiding in the kitchen until we left which we eventually did. I don't know how the restaurant was before but this place is running a scam. I don't believe it's the whole restaurant, I believe it's only the manager and a few of the servers. This is a very touristy joint and I'm sure they have gotten away with this before. I hope the owners are reading this because you get too many of this and the word gets out. I'm sure they scammed many large groups.
There's nothing wrong with touristy, if you're in the mood for it. Really, the worst offense is the giant stuffed alligator as you enter. The food was delicious, particularly the crawfish boudin balls. I had the fried catfish po'boy, which was also amazing. The service was friendly and pretty good.
(4)
Molly B.
Very good food and fun atmosphere! Liked it alot!
(4)
Lauren D.
Um...wow. Excellent. I tried alligator for the first time and it was not bad at all. My mom and I shared a chicken dinner that was to die for!
I truly wanted to like this spot, but it's just not going to happen today :-( I was SO disappointed with the andouille sausage gumbo. That's all it takes for me is the Gumbo.
(2)
Christine T.
Love seafood but this place didn't meet my expectation. Based on local's raves on it, I went and was disappointed with the food and how long it took to make it to our table. The price was not worth it.
(1)
Matt K.
The food was phenomenal, the wait staff was excellent, the atmosphere was good. The seafood cheesecake appetizer is a must try.
(5)
Michael H.
Just had to eat at the place due to all the rave reviews. The food was great and the place was decor. Great authentic Cajun food.
(4)
Robert H.
Simply did not have a very memorable experience. Food wasn't that great and it was overpriced for what I got. Seemed a little too much like a tourist trap. I'm open to giving it another shot one day, when I have the money of course.
(2)
Michele L.
A live band, fried alligator, duck and andouille gumbo, crawfish fajita, and bread pudding doused in rum. Not sure what else you need for a good time, but I walked out of here about 5 lbs heavier than when I walked in. Just remember not to get the sweet ice tea. Sweet means something else entirely in the South. I thought my teeth would rot instantaneously.
(4)
GC Y.
It is OK at best. Very pricey and the menu is not as varied as in the past.
(2)
Jennifer A.
The restaurant itself is great with a fun decor, live music and a tiny giftshop where you can buy anything from cookbooks to alligator teeth. The food...the gumbo is good, very very dark thick roux. The absolute best to die for dish is the Shrimp Sassafrass for an appetizer or the Pepperjack Shrimp on the dinner menu. Amazing. The only reason I put three stars is because, other than the gumbo and the two shrimp dishes I mentioned, the food is just ok. Their crawfish etoufee is strange tasting and the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller which was recommeded to us on both of our visits was small and blah.
(3)
Andy M.
Three of us went here for lunch and were happy with the service and quality of the food. Prices were steep and on the overpriced side for Lunch. I got the Crab Cakes which were very good . . . others at the table got the Shrimp Platter which I have to say was very good. There was a Cajun band playing while there which added to the atmosphere. Overall we were happy with the Restaurant and would return if in the area again.
(4)
Jason J.
How hilarious that 90% of these reviews from the place are from people who don't live there. Oh wait - I guess I can be added to that list. My folks live in Lafayette and though I never have, I've frequented many Louisiana jukes and joints. So yes, like most things, I consider myself to be an authority on good "Cajun" cooking. No one does it like my pops, but Prejeans has a nice home cookin' feel to it. The highlights - seafood stuffed shrooms, croc de jacques (gator fillets for y'all not in the know), catfish, crawfish and my personal favorite the platter. It is a monster load of food, with frog legs, catfish, gator, boudin balls and some of the freshest tasting oysters around. I'm not a fan of their dirty rice, but that is more of a testament to how pops makes it more than to how they do. The bar is just too high. Love those boudin balls though. (stuffed sausage)
(4)
Zachary D.
Simply fantasic! The red snapper ponchatrain was delicious--just the right amount of seasoning. The corn and crab bisque and the chicken and sausage gumbo were the stars of the dinner, though. The atmosphere in the lounge lets you enjoy the music without it being too loud.
(5)
Jacob S.
I love Prejean. I go out of my way to eat at Prejean everytime I pass through Lafayette. Their gumbos are amazing. Not good. Not great. Amazing! Definitely worth trying at all costs.
(5)
Harold S.
If you are in the area and want a taste of local food and flair, stop by here!
(4)
Bev S.
My husband and I had lunch here. No waiting for seating even though they were busy. My husband ordered the mixed grill and I had the blackened shrimp over red beans and rice. The mixed grill has grilled chicken and chicken, along with steamed veggies. My husband enjoyed it--tasty, had good flavor and was nicely presented. My grilled shrimp were good--I liked the seasoning and the shrimp weren't overcooked. But, while the red beans and rice was good, it *was* a bit over-salted--hence 4 stars, not 5. I still enjoyed it and it was full of delicious sausage slices, but the extra salt was a distraction from the overall taste. I'd definitely go back and try something else from their well balanced menu.
(4)
Fred W.
We ate there Sunday night with another couple and the meal was fabulous. Friend & I had steaks, the best Fillet Mignon I've had in quite a while. Ladies had cat fish and crawfish etouffee. Wonderful meal with excellent service at moderate prices. Would definitely go back the next time we are in the area.
(5)
Greg H.
We have been on a two week road tour of eating in southern Louisiana ending up in New Orleans. With one day left cannot find seafood gumbo that could touch Prejean's, it had a very dark roux that I really like with incredible flavors. Crabcake Cardinale and Crawfish Enchilada were wonderful. Really enjoyed the three member cajun band, had a great time and even called up some friends to see us on the webcam.
(4)
Krista C.
Touristy? Absolutely, but I still won't hold it against 'em. The food is amazing and I'm still dreaming about their Jalalpeno Jack Shrimp- jumbo shrimp wrapped in applewood bacon, tasso, and cheese and then fried. Plus, you can wave to your friends on the "webcam"!
(5)
Groundresonance C.
Had a lunch 'special' here a few years back that was dynamite: Battered Catfish smothered with Crawfish Etouffee served with dirty rice and corn macque choux. I couldn't forget this meal! I liked the fact that the catfish was battered instead of the usual cornmeal covering. Don't get me wrong here: I love the cornmeal catfish that's served all over the South, but I LOVE battered fish. Now anytime something deep-fried comes covered in sauce, or in this case, etouffee, there's the very serious risk of the batter getting soggy from sitting too long in the kitchen with the sauce on it. Not a problem here. The fish was served fresh out of the fryer and was as crunchy as could be under the etouffee. The dirty rice and corn macque choux were both wonderful as well. Last night I happened to be driving through Lafayette and stopped into Prejean's in hopes of repeating my experience from years ago. Though that dish was not available for dinner, I was not dissapointed. The Catfish Oscar Prejean was the same battered fillet that I had had years ago, but this time it was sitting in a pool of brown-butter-wine sauce with a generous helping of asparagus spears laid across it accompanied by a scoop of dirty rice. My waiter was very helpful with the menu and the hostess was very nice as well.
(5)
Glenn W.
Aw yeah, baby! This is about as Cajun as it gets. My wife and I always stop here when passing through Lafayette; it's just too hard to resist when passing by on I-49. We just cannot get enough of the seafood stuffed mushrooms here; they are the best anywhere, bar none! The seafood dishes are excellent; catfish, flounder, snapper, and even alligator if you're feeling adventurous. Love the corn macque choux and the dirty rice as well. I also recommend the crawfish enchiladas for a Cajun twist on a Mexican favorite. I have no problem with the "touristy" atmosphere as the other 10 guys who reviewed this place have pointed out ad nauseum; it's all about the food. I've never been disappointed.
(5)
William P.
So sorry we even bothered! The food is overpriced and not worth it. I had what was to be a pork tenderloin ( lunch menu) and it was PORK CHOP with three asparagas that weren't even cooked..hardly hit the water...will admit the pork was tender. My friend had a crabcake which was mushy...taste less....This restaurant is riding on it's name and nothing else...!!!
(1)
Atif Q.
Excellent food & service. All staff were courteous & friendly...typical of Louisiana folks. Live cajun band was performing even on a Wednesday evening. The crab stuffed red snapper was delicious. Sides: Corn was out of the can. Dirty rice was o.k. Co-worker had the alligator and that was o.k. Great atmosphere. Large stuffed aligator near entrance. Large painted mural of a bayou along one wall, good for group pictures. Definately a touristy establishment but with great food & service.
(4)
Cheryl R.
Okay, I'm a bread junkie. If you serve good fresh baked yeast rolls or bread, you got me. And Prejean's gets me. They bring out a small loaf of their own bread piping hot from the oven, with a hint of garlic and parmesan sprinkled on top. Yum-e! And their menu is full of unique cajun cuisine. If you're from the north, you might turn up your nose at some of the menu items, but you're mouth will be mad at your nose. When I'm passing through, I can't resist. And they have great prices for groups too, you can get a group lunch for $16, and that includes salad, drink, entree, dessert & gratuity. I have booked them 3 years in a row for a luncheon and my guest love it. According to their sign, they even have a kennel out back for people that are traveling through, that want to stop and eat, but have a pet with them. They are located on the service road, off I-49, between Lafayette and Opelousas.
(5)
Jeff B.
This is the real deal! This is the place that all of the Cajun/Creole style places in my home state of Texas only aspire to be. The seasoning on their fried seafood items is the best I have had in my life. Crisp, not greasy, not overly spiced. Just right. Crawfish pie? Order it. Sublime. They have gator on the menu but it is not just a novelty item. Order it and you will wonder why you can't find it in your local grocery. Fantastic. The make corn macque choux in the flakiest pie shell you can imagine and it is delicious. I will drive 200 miles out of the way to eat here. Modest, comfortable, extremely friendly and one of the best places to eat in America.
(5)
Elaine P.
Stopped in a Prejeans on our way from Houston to Memphis and so glad we did. The Gumbo is terrific...both the shrimp and chicken/sausage. Shrimp PoBoy was served perfectly...on great bread and tender, crispy fried shrimp. Loved It!!
(5)
Traci F.
This place is amazing. I live in Louisiana, so when I got married and my parents from Texas came here, I HAS to bring them. They are award winning, friendly, and all around great. If you do go... GUMBO! A must have!
(5)
Dana P.
While visiting in Lafayette we decided to have dinner at Prejean's. The Fried Green Tomatoes were delicious. They give you a generous portion, too. We had plenty to share. We enjoyed the Parmesan rolls a lot also. Very fluffy! We split a seafood platter for our main entree. The Corn Maque Choux, Stuffed Crab and Seafood Gumbo were excellent. The Dirty Rice wasn't very good. There was a wide variety of seafood on the plate which included Catfish, Oysters, Shrimp, Alligator and Frog Legs. It was all fine. I wouldn't say the best, but it was good. We got a piece of the Peanut Butter Pie to go. It was decadent and good. Overall, it was a fine meal.
(4)
Torrey S.
Among your Bucket List restaurants, Prejean's deserves a high ranking. The food is truly authentic and amazing. This is no French Quarter, trying-too-hard, Big Mamou kind of place. This is a slice of heaven on the border of Lafayette & Carencro. I have stopped here so many times, I cannot count. They offer a refreshingly unique breakfast menu, so if you are on the early side of the day, fear not. They also offer daily lunch specials. You should check these out before making up your mind. The Crawfish Enchiladas are so unique that you may find yourself stopping just for them. On weekend nights, they have live Cajun music in the dining room. This most recent visit was a quickee lunch stop. I ordered the Shrimp Gumbo, for a change, and the Sassafras Shrimp appetizer. The Sassafras Shrimp is shrimp stuffed with tasso & cheese, battered & fried. I believe the accompanying sauce is the Crawfish Cardinale. That alone is heaven. The Shrimp Gumbo is not my usual choice. It has a nice, dark roux, but it is not too thick. They always serve the rice on the side. I was thoroughly impressed with the gumbo's flavor...gently spicy and full. Our family favorites are the Corn & Crab Bisque and the Duck & Andouille Gumbo...though I have to say I just adore the Crawfish Bisque. All their gumbos are available frozen (to-go). Get a cooler if you are on a road trip, and plan for the inevitable. The gift shop area also has plenty of locally-inspired stuff, and some great Zydeco & Louisiana music CDs. I must recommend their cookbook. Not all the recipes are in there, but it is a wonderful resource. I know they also offer shaded kennels for pets traveling with you, but I have no idea how that works. So, the next time you are driving through Lafayette, let your car steer you to Gloria Switch Road (Exit 2) on I-49. Your tummy will thank you.
Given the price and quality of food, this is a no go. You do not get what you paid for. I got the crab cake ($10) and sirloin ($20) and they were not bad. But they were definitely not worth the price tag. The service was good. The staff were friendly and checked on our table regularly. No issues in service. But the food quality was just so poor combined with the price tag, that my expectations were not met. Refer to my pictures for visual confirmation. The crab cake was pan grilled. It tasted like a crab cake no doubt and the sauce was tasty (despite its presentation). However, the texture was very mushy. It resembled more of a circular disk of mashed potatoes or creamed corn. The outer breading of the crab cake showed some signs of pan searing, which should give it a slight crunch or semi hard outer layer. However, it was mushy all throughout the cake. The 8oz sirloin came with a baked potato and seasonal veggies. This was the most disappointing. I ordered medium and as seen in the photo, it was well done. No big deal. I'll eat it without a problem. However, the meat quality was average and poorly cooked. It was overcooked and dry. No juices or tenderness to the meat. Nothing wrong with the baked potato. The veggies were simply steamed. No seasoning. Nothing. It was straight steamed veggies. I know they were steamed or boiled because half my plate was drenched in a pool of water. Not even salt or pepper on the veggies. Maybe this place is known for a specific dish I didn't get. My co worker got the Prejean's Seafood Alfredo ($20) and was not impressed with the seafood, which consisted of crawfish, shrimp, and crab meat. If you're craving a good steak, you're better off going to Outback or Longhorn. If you want fresh seafood, I would also consider other local options in the area. I'm not sure what those are because I'm not from the area, but you surely do not get what you pay for here. For the same prices paid here, you can get way better steak and seafood I'm sure.
(2)
Meli N.
Food was good. We shared 2 platters, several sides, several gumbos, bisque, salad & peanut butter dessert. I think overall the service by Scott was friendly. Except waters were not automatically refilled & you had to ask for everything.
(3)
Melissa D.
Solid 3.5 stars rounded up. Really liked the atmosphere here. The live music added to the ambience. We came here on 8/8/15 for lunch. My son and I shared a bowl of seafood gumbo. For $12 it was full of seafood, as well it should. Served with potato salad and rice on the side. The roux was a little charred for my taste. It lended to a burnt aftertaste but overall 3 stars. We also shared the seafood alfredo. Big portion but literally drowning in sauce. Too rich but flavor wise it was very good. Growing up in Louisiana I used to love this kind of food. But loving in the West coast for the past 8 years has really changed my palate. I can't seem to stomach all the fried, salty, buttered and creamed dishes lule I used to. This may have been an excellent meal for most Southerners but I find it a little too rich and overly seasoned. I will return here and hopefully try other dishes.
(3)
Kelly D.
This place is amazing! We came in thinking it would be a touristy greasy spoon but we were hungry... Wow. The food is worth traveling for. We ordered drinks and starters to quell our hunger but I was pleasantly surprised by a real hurricane not the watered down fruit juice you get in the quarter. Delicately flavored crab nachos- not flavorless but a mouthful of the most crispy delicious nachos I have ever had. We ordered two yummy shrimp dishes, sassafras and kicking shrimp. Omg ridiculous, it was so good. We finished with the sinful seven cake and it was a chocolate orgasm in my mouth. Ok, so the place sells Cajun souvenirs and has a huge stuffed alligator but the food is amazing! We came during lunch and had the honor of listening to a small zydeco trio playing fun Cajun songs right out of the wedding scene from steel magnolias- such fun! Make this a destination!
(5)
Donna T.
Stopped in on our way back to Houston chicken & sausage gumbo was great, service was great, and prices are great. Will def stop here again next time we are in the area
(5)
Tammi B.
Absolute best seafood gumbo my husband has ever had. I'm not a seafood fan, and there were still options for me. I chose the pasta with cream sauce and blackened chicken. The chicken tasted like it was smoked first. It was so tender. Amazing! This will be a "must stop" on our way to/from Houston. It's only about 3 miles north of I-10. Totally worth the extra mile or two.
(5)
Curtis B.
Good food and great service. Portions are big so if your driving then be prepared to want to nap. Crawfish enchilada was good. Wish they didn't use flour tortillas, ( gringo move ) but still had awesome flavor. Great stop on the way to New Orleans via Texas
(5)
Gene E.
Always great food and fun. Live Cajun music, great service, and interesting decor. Today I had Alligator Grand Chenier. It is a large piece of alligator tail that is grilled then stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat and topped with crawfish etouffee.
(4)
Erika J.
Food good. Service was good. Waiter attention but not to bothersome. Food yummy. Wide range of foods on the menu. I had the crawfish enchiladas. They were very good. Seafood gumbo. Yummy.
Food is good. Service was alright. Overall would come back. We had frog legs they were good. Had the enchiladas they were good
(3)
Jim B.
Expensive tourist trip. The fried oysters were served very quickly but greasy and stale. The gumbo resembled gravy and had the texture of hot and sour soup.
(1)
Laurie M.
Fried alligator, crab cakes, corn & crab bisque all superb. We stop to eat here whenever we are passing through Lafayette.
(5)
Ken L.
Food and service were good. We tried both fried and grilled frogs legs. The fried were better, but both tasted like chicken. We liked the music and the etoufee, but neither was quite as good as Randol's.
(4)
Shane M.
3 words.....catfish.oscar.style. Wow. Would have been 5 stars but it's a tad bit pricey if you ask me.
(4)
Stacy G.
It's been about 10yrs since we have been here and made a special stop. Our waitress Cory was as sweet as can be and very attentive, but the food was a tremendous disappointment. We are big fans and love dark/dirty gumbo and couldn't wait to wrap our taste buds around the smoked duck gumbo. It was so salty we couldn't even finish 3 bites. We have had gumbo every way you can think of it but this was sludge and like it had been in the pot on the stove for days. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo instead and same thing but not as salty. I also had a grilled crab cake that was O..K and didn't finish any of my food and neither my husband or I are one to return or complain about food but this was awful. We left 15min ago and my tongue feels like I just spent hours on a bag of sunflower seeds. As we were walking out we were going to say something but 3 of the staff just sat and talked at the counter as if we weren't there. I'm not sure if there is new management or what but it's not the same place anymore and we have no interests in going back. Its sad because we have always recommended Prejean's and don't think we will any more.
(1)
Phoebe N.
The Fried Green Tomatoes were unbelievable, as was the Seafood Gumbo. If I'm ever within a hundred miles of this place again, I'll be back.
(5)
Alisha M.
Very good restaurant! I had came here to Lafayette for an anime convention and decided to try this place out. I had got the Seafood Gumbo and the Red Beans and Rice. This is best best Cajun restaurant Ive ever been to. The staff are friendly and the place is clean. They have a little gift shop if you're interested.
(5)
Eric C.
Never have had a let down meal at prejeans. Every time I go through Lafayette, this is where I'll stop to eat no matter the time of day. If I know I'm going through there I'll skip a meal. The go to items for me , starter crawfish boudin balls, cup of the crawfish bisque, then for main course is the crispy duck or alligator under the wild game portion. Don't settle for chicken or a hamburger here. Get the real Cajun food this place offers.
(5)
Ed L.
Prejeans restaurant is one of the must do's while in Lafayette, LA. As I was told by a friend who used to live there, it shouldn't be missed. With that said, I met another new friend of that friend who lives in Lafayette, but originally from New Orleans for lunch here and it was a culture shock to be sure. After arrival in Baton Rouge, I drove majority west bound on the I-10 into Lafayette and hit up this place for good Cajun food. Previously, it was more creole food that I had experienced and devoured. Now I wanted more Cajun. I found out or discovered that Cajun food was basically spicy seafood and they use a lot of crawfish in their dishes. I had eaten crawfish before and it gave me the creeps. Prejeans restaurant is located in Lafayette along US highway 167S. The drive from Baton Rouge to Lafayette was about an hour, so that was cool. My friend and I came to Prejeans, after hitting up Vermilionville earlier in the day. The culture clash was very much evident, but at least the restaurant itself was not busy or crowded at 1pm when we strolled in. Took a photo of the Mardi Gras alligator before sitting down at the booth to kick off the weekend in the Deep South. A few people looked up at me while I was walking, but it was alright. Ever seen a person from Hawaii in these parts?? Prejeans has a private parking lot and accepts major credit cards, which is always awesome. The overall experience was an interesting one. The service was kind of slow, considering how much tables were occupied at the time. The lights were dim, even on a Thursday early afternoon, but I guess they stay in business somehow! The server was a bit perky, so at least she loved her job there. First order of business was to try alligator!! My friend pointed out that they deep fry everything here, so we ordered the alligator grilled. Alligator really does taste like chicken. A bit tough around the edges, but chicken! Definitely chicken! That was pretty wild, but $10 for a small plate. Not so hot. I didn't want to spend too much money on their signature Cajun entrees, so I just did their oyster po boy and a cup of gumbo. First time trying gumbo too, which turned out to be a weird spicy watery something. Oh well, first time for everything. The service was slower for me, but I guess I didn't care, as I was on vacation. The po boy itself was pretty good, although the bread itself was a bit dry, but overall pretty good. I did love the oysters though. While I can't say that my experience here was stellar, it was just okay. I liked trying new things and the Deep South is one of those places to do just that. Support local! B
(3)
Mark G.
Suppa Friday night- While driving to NOLA, we stopped based on some solid advice. ... we were not disappointed. Good call. I had the duck and sausage gumbo. Yeah, that's right, duck and sausage gumbo, a cup. 'Wish I had gotten a bowl. And then had the Half & Half Crawdads. Half fried, half ettouffe'. Another good call. The Zydeco band was pretty good as was the service. The atmosphere is relaxing. A definite stop when we come through.
(5)
Patty C.
Stopped here on the way to New Orleans looking for some delicious cajun food. Definitely worth a stop! The inside is roomy and a bit loud with the band playing, but every little bite of the food was delicious. We ended up sitting in the back area by the bar, so it was a little less noisy. Definitely try the duck and sausage gumbo. It's made with a dark brown savory roux. The only flaw was that it was a tad on the salty side, but the tender duck pieces melt in your mouth. The hushpuppies were really tasty. Golden and bite-sized, they have a surprise little spicy kick! Try the corn macque choux. It's like creamed corn in a pie crust. It's super delicious with a touch of sweetness. The complimentary rolls were hot and toasty with a light crunch. I could eat a whole basket of these and happily fall into a food coma. I dipped some of this into my gumbo. The service was a bit on the slow side, so take your time and eat up with enjoying the sights.
(4)
Clarice W.
If there is a word to describe the opposite of hole-in-the-wall, it would be fitting for Prejean's. Prejean's is huge. It's off a highway. It's packed with tourists. There's even a gift shop that sells stuffed crawfish inside! Now, this doesn't mean it isn't good, but I think it is what keeps it from being great. I say this because all the items we tried were just in that "good but okay" zone. The fried alligator was tough and chewy, though the tender frogs legs were tasty. The crawfish boudins were flavorful; the etouffee wasn't so much. Prices are inflated to tourist-y levels; however, you do come away with a LOT of food. Though there's nothing blatantly wrong with Prejeans, I'm not convinced you can't find better food elsewhere.
(3)
Bob P.
Bayou cooking supreme!! From the frog legs to the eggplant... Everything was wonderful from the service, to the decor, to the live band. Definitely a place to stop for business or pleasure.
(5)
Jacob DG M.
Place is amazing! Delicious food, and fresh atmosphere. Is a bit pricy, but as it's fresh never frozen seafood, I expected as much! Would've been 4 stars but my server Mindy was swamped and not very attentive
(4)
Steve T.
I've visited here many times over the years. Great food and service. Then why not 5 stars? The crowds and noise. Mercy can this place be a zoo during peak dining hours. Plan carefully.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
The staff was very friendly and attentive. We were a larger group dining here for the first time. Our waitress was even nice enough to take some family photos for us!! THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS!!! Best place to get home style cooked Cajun!
(5)
Jason J.
First of all, they're a little pricey but it's worth every penny IMHO. The Seafood Platter is what I would call a large sampler dinner and you will know what I'm talking about when you get it. Now to the rice and beans of my review...the food can make you happy or put a smile on your face. It's super tasty and well balanced with flavor and spices. DO NOT dismiss anything on your plate including the frog legs. The building is well kept and they stay true to the Cajun/bayou theme. The service was awesome and my waitress was super. The location is off a service road which can be a challenge for people passing through and just want to eat some Cajun food. Overall, I'm going back SOON.
The ambience was wonderful with a Zydeco band playing the whole time! The seafood platter was wonderful. The frog legs were crisp and not slimy at all, as were the pieces of alligator. Definitely a great place to stop!
(4)
Rodney T.
Poor hostess staff. They need to be trained better. Many open tables a hostess sits us by the kitchen door. Then we have to wait 10 minutes and I have to approach the hostess to find out who is waiting on us because no one has approached the table. If I hadn't been before and liked the food I would have walked out. Amber was an awesome server.
Best Cajun food ever! delicious flavors, shrimp Etoufee is so good, seafood gumbo out of sight! Must visit to understand how good this really is.
(5)
Rick B.
Unfortunately, the high price doesn't match the quality of the food. The mains were all excellent, but the sides disappointed badly. Vegetables were steamed, frozen packaged vegetables, the salads had the uneatable ends of the lettuce heads (for filler?). We had three mains (my wife and I shared), a kids shrimp, ice tea and one well drink - and it was $95..... Fun atmosphere, good mains, but not worth the price.
(3)
Jethro C.
Spectacular cajun food. If you're on the highway, passing through Louisiana and are wondering which of the restaurants should be your stop -- this is the one. Don't miss the boudin balls and crawfish enchiladas... although, absolutely everything I tried was great. Not quite as touristy as a few reviewers have said (at least when I was there), and the restaurant is enthusiastically recommended by several genuine Louisiana cooking experts that I know. Live music every night, too, they say (a small acoustic group when I was there). The only caveat -- service is very friendly, naturally, but it was a bit slow, so this might not be the place to go if you're in a huge rush.
(5)
Lina X.
Great food and service. It's everything I have hoped for in a Cajun restaurant. The crawfish platter is so good and big enough for two people. I love the sweet corn and gumbo as well. The price seems high until the food arrives, giant portions. Will come back again
(5)
Robert L.
Four stars based upon only what I have eaten since 2002. 1. Chix & Sausage Gumbo - FIVE STARS and they deserve it! Best I've had! 2. Duck and Andouille Gumbo - See above! Too rich for a bowl though... Order a cup! 3. Duck Entree' - Unbelievable! (Just wish the sauce didn't have shrooms) 4. Crab Au Gratin - OMG... A bit rich, though... 5. Dirty Rice & Corn Mac Choux - To die for! 6. Zydeco Music - Very annoying... Sit at the bar, away from the noise! Overall - A must try place! :-)
(4)
Jonathan S.
I have been twice and it was okay both times. Alligator Grand Chenier=okay Corn macque choux=not a big fan Chicken and sausage gumbo= Fantastic! Crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake=not great Catfish Prejean=alright Rice dressing=not the greatest Atmosphere=Good. It's a neat place Service=Good the first time... subpar the second Bottom line... if friends wanted to go again, I'm cool with it, but as for me, I'll give another place a shot over Prejean's.
The food was good but not worth the price. We ate lunch on a Saturday and the entrees were $20.
(3)
George H.
Had dinner there on Sunday evening June 21st. restarurent was not that busy but took 30 min to place our order and another 40 min to receive it. Food was just barely warm. The worst part was not that they had burned the rue in making the gumbo, but that they actually served it to us. George
(2)
Eric B.
Prejean's and Blue Dog Cafe have always been listed as the go to places when my friends tell me where I need to eat when visiting Lafayette. Blue Dog Cafe was absolutely terrible & made me sick. I would not list either as the go to place for Lafayette. I have eaten at Prejean's several times and it is decent. The service was great and very attentive. The decoration is very touristy and I see why out of towners would want to go to this "Cajun" restaurant. The food is decent, nothing exciting. It relies on butter to carry the flavor. Butter can make anything delicious. Their rolls were extremely delicious and buttery, but definitely not healthy. The place is definitely not cheap for what it is. If you are looking for something lighter or fairly healthy, keep looking.
Awesome food and live entertainment. We were on the front row of the 3 man band. Folks were clapping and singing along. The crab stuffed tilapia was excellent. Waiter was attentive and friendly. All in all a good experience.
(5)
Madison A.
E were traveling through the area to head back home to Texas and wanted one last authentic meal. I found Prejean's on Yelp so we decided to eat there. IT WAS SO GOOD! The boudin balls were amazing.
(4)
Kristen S.
Stopping at Prejean's restaurant has become a tradition for us as we are headed to or from New Orleans. Food is always tasty. We usually eat till we can't take another bite and leave stuffed! The decor makes you feel like you are at a big Cajun picnic surrounded by alligators and moss covered swamp trees. Enjoy!
(4)
Phil M.
The duck gumbo is worth writing home about.
(5)
Donna H.
Prejean's lived up to our expectations for atmosphere, food quality, and service (great!) But why why do so many restaurants in warm/hot climates have to have their air-conditioner turned down to 50? We dressed for the climate, in summery attire, but should have brought our snow jackets. After complaining 2 times, the management finally adjusted our side room down to only what felt like 65 instead of 50. Still....wished I had brought more than a light sweater. .Our server was so friendly, professional and helpful, we much appreciated his tips on the menu. We came with a group of 8 friends, and everyone was pleased with the food. It was a bit noisy and hard to hear one another, but we weren't out for romance on this evening. We started with the Alligator cheese cake and had to order a second round it was so good.The gumbo I would give a B, The Yellow fin tuna, was good quality and fresh and with wonderful flavors. We loved the cheese rolls, best bread in Louisiana.
(4)
Whitney B.
The food was ok. Nothing compared to Pappadeauxs or Fezzos. Our waiter Joe was pretty bad. He was not very attentive... Portion sizes were small for the price paid. We were quite shocked.
(2)
Ray F.
Great food, great beer, great service! This was our first visit & we were pleasantly surprised! Amber was our server. She was awesome & answered all our questions about the menu. I had the Crab Cakes Covington.... So good! No complaints whatsoever. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. And, Amber recommended the Tin Roof Blonde Ale. Great beer! I hope we are able to visit again soon.
This was a last minute decision, but so worth it. Corn and crab bisque was phenomenal! House dressing was a pleasant surprise. I have to go back.
(5)
Faith A.
This review is ONLY for their gumbo. I love their gumbo at jazz fest so when I was passing through Laffayette I decided I would go to them instead of waiting for jazz fest. They must get a lot of tourist folk in their because there was a mini store selling all kinds of Louisiana and cajun merchandise. They also had a freezer selling gumbo by the quart. They did not have the famous one from jazz fest so I opted for the duck and andouille gumbo. It was $20...Whoa! that's a lot of peanuts for some gumbo. But, after all...that IS what I came for so whatever. Despite being a touristy place and overpriced. I love love looooove their gumbo. If you like a dark and rich roux you would like Prejean's gumbo. It's the best!
(4)
Jason M.
This food was really good. I wasn't sure what to expect because it seemed touristy, but it exceeded expectations. The fries green tomatoes were ridiculous and I usually don't eat them. Also the chicken and sausage gumbo was great. My wife had the crab and corn chowder, which was also good. The portions are large enough to share, but the food is so good you may not want to.
(4)
Paul P.
First Cajun food since arriving off the plane. This met every expectation of spicy, deep fried, gumbo, fish, and shellfish one associates with cajun cuisine. And plenty of it. The place was full and there was a 3 man band playing good cajun music. Not too lively but good for the crowd.
(4)
Ali B.
Stopped here on a whim in the middle of a road trip. Was pleasantly surprised. Friendly staff from the start. Cool looking place inside. But the food was great. Ordered a crawfish poboy. Crispy crawfish without being overcooked and just right so you taste batter and crawfish together. Light dressing and a little lettuce to top it off and the roll was amazingly soft. Great sandwich. So glad I decided to stop in, only wish it was closer so I'd have the opportunity to stop in again. ...maybe next road trip that way.... :)
(5)
Vince A.
One of my favorite all time places to have Duck and andouille gumbo. I don't believe anyone can make better gumbo than these guys , not even my mama!
(5)
Marc M.
Cajun food at its best! Try the chicken and sausage gumbo - this place is a three time world champion. Advertisement like that in the heart of Cajun country really means something. Definitely a "locals" place... thank goodness to Yelp directing us to eat here. Lafayette definitely has more than it's share of great restaurants. I live in "The Big City" and I am jealous. I had shrimp stuffed with cheese wrapped on bacon - kind of like a shrimp brochette, except this was deep fried. Did I mention that I didn't see too much that was "healthy" on the menu. The corn side is like a dessert. In fact, I was so stuffed after my entree, I didn't have room for dessert.
(5)
John L. H.
Prejeans offers traditional Cajun food, but is geared toward the tourist trade. We decided to stop here while driving through Lafayette. When we were seated in front of the stage with a live Cajun band, I was quite happy. Unfortunately the band stopped playing after one song. The food is traditional. Lots of fried or grilled seafood along with gumbos and etouffes. I decided to split the fried seafood platter and was not impressed. It was fried perfectly, but just average compared to many of the other platters I've had in the region. Service was very slow. Our server seemed either overwhelmed or disinterested the entire meal. Drink refills were few and far between and he seemed to vanish right when he was needed. In summary, Prejeans wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. If you're in the area and want a touristy seafood restaurant, hopefully your luck will be better than mine.
(2)
KArla M.
This place was amazing, the food was excellent the wait staff was attentive our drinks and bread basket were refilled instantly. The food was sooo good had the specialty catfish it was crispy in the outside and soo flaky inside. The food was out quickly and overall it was a great experience
(5)
Jim J.
Fantastic. My wife & I have eaten here each time we have visited Lafayette Parish & the experience has always been wonderful. It is a must-visit restaurant for authentic Cajun country cuisine. Always great service & never a bad meal from any choice on the menu.
(5)
Misty L.
So disappointed on our experience here, visiting family in Lafayette, they wanted to take us here because of the good food.. But instead we were all disappointed. To start off our bread plates came out soaked, we had to dry them ourselves so our bread didn't get soggy. Waitress was pitiful took 20 minutes to get my beverage and then another 45 minutes to get the other beverages and to take our food order.. And the waitress was rude and acted like she didn't care. Spoke with the manager and she didn't seem to get it that we felt ignored and not getting the service that one should get when dining out. When the food came it was so cold! The only 2 things that were hot was the blackened fish and my baked potato everyone else plate was cold.. Very disappointed because my family has eaten here and always been pleased. But it was horrible, my daughter ended up being sick most of the night. Not a place will come back to when we visit again, there are much better Cajun food restaurants.
(1)
Tracy D.
My BF and I stopped here on our way back to Texas from Florida. Since I had already worked his nerves by insisting that I will not eat at a chain restaurant when I travel, I prayed that my random pick from a billboard would not disappoint. It didn't! He ordered a cup of the Duck Gumbo and the fried catfish plate. I ordered a bowl of the Seafood Gumbo. OMG!! Everything was awesome! The hot bread, the gumbo, the fish... the two us couldn't believe how good the food was. The portions were generous, and our server was on point. We loved Prejean's. We were stuffed at the end of the meal, but that didn't stop us from taking 3 to-go containers of gumbo out of their freezer. Score!! Needless to say we will be stopping here again if we are ever in Lafayette.
(5)
Sweets M.
YES. Musicians using instruments and not auto tone? Fried Alligators and gumbo? I'M IN.
(5)
Tom J.
I kept looking for the chicken and sausage in my gumbo. Lots of liquid but little to no substance in the bowl.
(3)
Jim K.
I had the crawfish enchiladas appetizer- that was the absolute best food I have ever eaten. The wife had the stuffed shrimp- ok but not great. We finished with a shared bowl of crawfish bisque which was a bit thick but good. This place is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for here.
(4)
Nora S.
We walked into this place and immediately thought tourist trap. Yes, it is. That doesn't mean the food isn't spot on. While we were in Louisiana, I ate seafood gumbo three times. This was far and away the best of the three. Gumbo was really different than any I had ever had before. It was a thin soup with chunks of fish, shrimp, crawdad and crab. I was used to eating gumbo with a thicker base. The broth was also very dark. They clearly used a very well developed roux as their base. The flavor was unlike any I had ever had. The gumbo was so delicious and spicy. They had clearly added the chunks of seafood later as nothing was overcooked. They sell their gumbo to take home and I can see why. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his crawdad ettouffee. Again a knockout. Really good stuff here. Kids liked the touristy atmosphere with the swamp decor.
(4)
Steve R.
We hit this joint up for lunch, found it on YELP while passing through town on our quest for greatness and worldwide domination. Thanks, YELP. The decor is cool, the food was great (One guy had the catfish Prejean and he loved it, it looked super-duper) I had a pork tenderloin sandwich and it was AWESOME. Tenderloin was thin and fried perfectly. Slaw was good, I added salt though, but I am weird like that. Onion rings were home made and fried just right. Boogie on down here and try it. DOnt laugh when you go to the bathroom, it looks like a casino restroom, not what you would expect...I figured there would be a trough with a urinal cake, but they are super modern.
(4)
Timothy L.
Awesome! Ordered chef's special for the day (fried fish dish, comes with garlic bread and the crawfish, stil can't find on the menu...) 40minutes wait I made up my mind it has to be good or it's gonna leave bad impression. Turn out, IT was worth every minute of the wait. Fish is fried just nice. Really juicy inside. And their Cajan style crawfish is as good as it could be. We ordered a King cake (Mardi Gras special I believe) and it is good. Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Carl M.
I finished my job in Lafayette and checked into the hotel. I am always looking for a good local haunt and both the people at the desk recommended this place. Just a few miles later I walked into Prejean's and was led to the lounge. The crawfish enchilada was what was recommended and I was given a coupon for a cup of chicken and sausage gumbo. I sat for a few minutes before the barkeep arrived and served me. The iced sweet was pretty good but I couldn't read the menu having forgotten my readers. He cleaned up a pair and handed them to me while putting in the order for the gumbo. The menu was pretty straightforward but I went with the recommended crawfish enchilada. By the time I had settled on that, he brought my gumbo. I have had many different types of gumbo but this was great. Rice served separately from the gumbo with a plate to combine them and a fresh hot roll with all the traditional ecoutrements. Rice hit the plate as I smothered it with fresh gumbo and as I reached for the hot sauce, it gracefully slid behind the bar and broke. He was very gracious as he quickly replaced it and called for a cleanup. I felt bad, but I sprinkled the hot sauce onto my mixture and fell in love with the first taste of what turned out to be an excellent dining experience. The gumbo was so good with that earthy Cajun taste sporting good size chunks of both chicken and an excellent sausage. The combination set my tastebuds in high gear and it was all I could do to restrain myself from going caveman on it. The hot roll was the teaser as I sopped any remaining vestiges of the gravy and quickly scarfed that plate clean. I also ordered a beer...something I never do...because I was feeling the mood now. I sat back to savor what I had just elated when the door swings open and out comes a very hot plate...of which I was warned about several times...with my enchilada. Having just come out of the oven, it was hot so I sampled the other sides on the plate. The corm pastry stood on its own as did the ball of rice spiced with liver and several other tasty components before adventuring into the enchilada. It was cheesy so it initially strung out my first bite but when I blew it cool and placed it on my tongue, it was pure magic. The combination was mind blowing and I asked several questions as I was eating it. The staff was so accommodating and the bartender so down to earth that I felt comfortable wolfing this plate of food down and watching them bet on whether I would finish it. I WON. If you ever go there remember that this is not your run of the mill eatery, this is true Cajun masterpiece food presented in truly traditional style. It is earthy, spicy and so good it deserves to be listed as a landmark, not just another restaurant.
(5)
Ivan J.
Prejeans is like a Cajun-style Cracker Barrel: open seating, clever decor, convenient interstate frontage, menu heavy on the fried and sauced foods, reasonable prices and good service. Which is great if you're looking for a place that offers that kind of atmosphere and fare. But if you want someplace that has healthier offerings, doesn't bread and fry everything, and yet still gives you a Cajun experience, there are better choices in the area.
(2)
Virginia W.
I wish it was lunchtime so we could eat here again. We just passed the exit. My husband, daughter and grandchildren ate here in June 2013 and we were surprised at how delicious every item on our plates were. The grandkids were so amazed by the decor, ie alligators etc, that they had a difficult time concentrating on their food. We had to buy them a gift at the gift shop. I will definitely eat at Prejeans again, probably on the way to Florida next March.
(5)
Heidi J.
Driving up this place looks like nothing special, but when you walk in it's serious Louisiana. The decor is fantastic and the food is out of this world! Great service with a fun Cajun atmosphere.
(5)
Wendi S.
Mixed review for our family. We didn't get off to a great start when after we were seated, they kinda forgot about us. But once they figured out who our server was, it was fine service wise. I realllly wanted jambalaya, but they didn't have that, so I got Shrimp etouffee. It was good, better with their hot sauce. Hubby had a catfish dish he liked. Son had Oyster Saxaphone which he LOVED! My other son had the seafood gumbo. He disliked it, and we all tried it and it was pretty bad. We will probably try somewhere different next time. :(
(3)
K. B.
Recommended by many locals and tourists, Prejeans is a fun place to go for dinner. They have a good gift shop and bar to pass the time if you have to wait for a table. I had a seafood salad and gumbo that had plenty of meat in it. A Cajun band was playing and the place is nicely decorated. I loved the sink in themen's bathroom. Service as alittle slow but I was with good company. I would return.
(4)
Elaine V.
Very great! Just hate to leave the state and all this Cajun food. The bowl of crawfish bisque is huge. More of a meal for two.
(5)
Michael T.
This was my second trip through Lafayette, LA. This place is a must stop and an outstanding place to eat great Cajun style food. Service is top notch and the food is prepared such that you can enjoy every bite. Don't leave without ordering the bread pudding. If you're full after dinner, order it to go.
Boudin Balls, Mardi Gras oysters, fried green tomatoes, duck andouille gumbo.....YUM!!!!!!!! Best fried green tomatoes I've ever had.
(5)
Jeannie B.
Prejean's is always a winner for locals and tourists alike. The fondue appetizer is out of this world. The atmosphere reeks Cajun heartland. Go when there's a live band which is almost always. There's a dance floor too!
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :3480 NE Evangeline Trwy
Lafayette, LA, 70507
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Touristy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lauren L.
I'm not hard to please, but this place sucked. None of the staff smiled the whole time we were there. Our waiter greeted us ten minutes after we'd been seated by saying, "Sorry, we're missing some people." The place was maybe a quarter full, and we saw waitstaff leaning against the walls several times while we were waiting for our consistently absent waiter. He rushed us, talked so fast we couldn't even keep up with him, interrupted us, and was overall very unfriendly. And dripping with sweat, which was unappetizing. Wish I'd known his name, but he didn't even say hello, let alone give us his name. Apparently the restaurant doesn't "allow" you rolls until the waiter keys in his order, which we found rather cheap. So we had to wait on Mr. Sweaty to finally get back to take our order to then begin waiting on the rolls. Which arrived cold and hard, with cold, hard butter. Not delicious. Seafood gumbo was above par. Which was the only redeeming thing about this place. Our Bacon/cheese/shrimp appetizers arrived with the entree, and the shrimp was raw. Our waiter brought us another, which was also raw. At which point we said #@%$ it, and called it quits. I'll be sure to warn my friends against this one.
(1)Rick V.
Stopped here for dinner on 12/30/13. My wife had been here before. The service was good and the prices were OK. Open 7 days a week 7 AM to 10 PM. Large menu. To start we had Duck Gumbo - 6.95 and Crawfish Bisque - 7.95. Kind of pricey for the quantity served. My wife had Catfish Catahoula which consisted of a catfish fillet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked and served in a cream sauce with rice dressing and corn macque choux - 18.95. She said it was very good. I had the Three Time Gold Medal Crawfish Etoufee served atop steamed rice and accompanied by a plump, homemade crawfish pie. Also very good. Great atmosphere and nice people.
(4)David H.
Great food! Great Service! Great Atmosphere! The Gumbo was delicious along with the shrimp and catfish. I would recommend trying. I have been several times and never have had a bad experience.
(5)Elizabeth H.
I was born and raised in Lafayette and have never liked Prejean's. It gets a lot of tourist traffic because of its location and "Cajun" theme. It may be a fun atmosphere but the food is awful. Go for the Cajun dancing enjoy a beer and then you can find GREAT Cajun food at The Boiling Point (New Iberia) and Guidry's Reef. These are my two favorite places and a must stop whenever I am back home.
(1)Gail B.
We loved Prejeans when we lived in Lafayette for 2 years. Went there often. But, this last time during a visit, it fell down a few notches for a few reasons. 1. Several in our party ordered seafood gumbo for an app. Never came and when the entrees came out, we had to tell the waitress to take them off the bill because we didn't want them with all the other food. She looked lost and confused. 2. See above reference to waitress. Just didn't seem to know what was going on most of the time. We asked for unsweet tea and yep, got the super sweet stuff instead. 3. Hush puppies were like rocks...dense. Not my favorite. On the plus side, the special (flounder) was good, as was the eggplant dish and the gumbo I had for a main entree. I'd go back next time I was in town, just hope like hell I had a better server!
(3)Peggy V.
A colleague of my husband's learned we were headed to New Orleans, and said "If you're driving through Lafayette, you ought to eat at Prejean's." We were there at lunchtime and decided to stop. Boy, were we glad we did! I had Catfish Prejean: catfish topped with a shrimp étouffée sauce, served with corn macque choux and rice dressing (like wild rice). The catfish was cooked perfectly, the shrimp etoufee sauce was divine, and the corn macque choux was unlike anything I've ever tasted - creamy, spicy, and in a delicious tart shell. My husband had the Carencro mixed grill (mesquite-grilled catfish and chicken breast served with mixed veggies and grilled potato slices; and our friend had the Blackened Shrimp Skillet Creole, with perfectly grilled shrimp served with red beans and rice. Each meal was $9.95, and our orders included a basket of delicious sourdough rolls. We were so pleased with our meals that we stopped there again on the way back home! I only wish I'd known about the live webcam that their website offers, and we'd have let our families back home know to tune in and watch us enjoying our lunches!
(4)Kim T.
Food was good but service is less than desirable. If you are in a hurry, this is not the place to stop.
(3)Shu Z.
Tourist trap. What's that you said? Tourist trap. Yep, the mediocrity of this so called local favorite does not deserve your out of the way drive to get to. Sure, if you just happen to need a spot to refuel after a long haul then take the time to enjoy some of the live music in this bustling establishment, but don't expect top notch food. The gumbo and bbq shrimp, hands down one of the least impressive things I've tried since being down in Louisiana. Presentation is non-existent and the quality like this can be easily found anywhere else in the immediate region.
(2)Danny C.
Is this place hard to find? Yes. Is it in the right place on Google Maps? No. Is it worth driving around for an extra 10-15 minutes when you're starving and it's morning time but you really want Cajun food for breakfast? Absolutely. I hope your luckometer is at "full" because then you'll get to Prejeans in time for breakfast and you'll be served by the fantastic Megan. She's amazing, she's personable, and she's full of excellent morning food suggestions. The only thing she's not good at: letting you leave hungry. We dug right into the breakfast breads that were placed before us, and we wanted more. Don't worry, we didn't get more. We ordered beignets instead. And then whilst we were devouring the amazing little fried goodness smothered in powdered sugar - breakfast was served. I never thought I'd be eating seafood for breakfast, but when Megan suggested the Breaux Bridge Benedict, neither of us could say "no." Two grilled butter biscuit, each sandwiching homemade boudin patties, topped with a poached egg and smothered in crawfish etouffee. Yes please! The food was amazing, we couldn't have made a better choice, and it's all thanks to Yelp that the beginning of our road trip started at Prejean's. If I'm ever in this neck of the woods again, I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)A S.
The service was outstanding as were the rolls (the most unbelievable, melt-in-your mouth rolls I've ever eaten) and the Parmesan vinaigrette salad dressing was so good I bought a pint to bring home. But that's where it ended. We began with Boudan Balls. They were over seasoned with red pepper and we could hardly taste the other ingredients. The dipping sauce (shrimp butter sauce, I think) was wonderful, though. Next, we ordered the Shrimp Festival Platter to share so we could get a taste of it all. Shrimp gumbo was pretty good but appeared to be boiled shrimp in a thin broth with some rice, though the broth had a nice coffee taste to it. Stuffed shrimp had a generous portion of crab stuffing but, again, flavor was red pepper and nothing more. Grilled and fried shrimp were OK though nothing memorable and the remoulade sauce resembled ranch dressing. The rice dressing was virtually tasteless. Decor is touristy cajun and the large rooms with concrete floors make for a noisy dining experience.
(2)Jessica S.
This was my third time here and I was very disappointed. My family and I have been overseas for the past 6 years and this was an anticipated stop when planning our trip from TX to GA. I ordered the dish with the fried soft shell crab, crab cakes, and pasta with lumps of crab meat. The soft shell crab was bland, the cakes doughy, and the pasta overcooked and swimming in sauce. Our server was great but the food was extremely over priced and the quality has gone downhill. hope it's a fluke.
(2)Samantha S.
My son and I stopped for dinner while traveling from Texas to North Carolina. I had eaten at Prejean's several years ago and it had a lasting impression of great service and amazing food and was excited for my son to experience the food and atmosphere. This visit however, was horrible. We arrived later in the evening so there were only a few other tables. From the beginning our waitress seemed as if we were an inconvenience. We ordered 2 appetizers, one of which never arrived, the other was mediocre at best. We ordered our food at the same time as the apps. My Crawfish Étouffée was not edible. It had so much cayenne pepper in it the before the first bite of food was in my mouth I choked on it. I couldn't eat it. My son ordered a stuffed shrimp entrée that was again ok. But heavily peppered. Added to the very poor quality of food we had to wait long periods of time to even see our waitress, to the point I couldn't even ask for my meal to be corrected. When she came to offer dessert, only the 4th time she had come to our table since we were seated, I politely explained to her why my meal was untouched and would not like it boxed. She apologized and said she would remove it from the check. We then waited 20 minutes for her to bring me the check. And while she did take my meal off, the appetizer that she never brought was on there and she acted surprised when I meantioned. Overall, a huge disappointment to what I was excited to experience. I have to say I will not be back and would not recommend to anyone with all the other excellent options in Lafayette.
(1)Guam D.
excellent cajun food! Great stop if you're on your way to new orleans
(4)Mel L.
I went a little crawfish crazy here. Got the crawfish platter which comes with a soup with crawfish, salad with crawfish, and the crawfish entree with crawfish prepared two ways. We also had the gator. And a cup of gumbo. Everything was delicious and spicy (duh, it's Cajun). The white chocolate bread pudding was AMAZING. Our server was efficient and helpful. Great dinner.
(4)Grant K.
Not good. My food was over cooked and the shrimp made me sick!!
(1)Agenda B.
I love their Eggplant Abevillea and also the Stuffed Mushrooms.. can not pass through Lafayette on the way to NO w/o stopping at least for an appetizer!! The sauce on the Eggplant is to die for Music is old school Acadian...not very peppy....the old guys look like they are about to fall asleep playing just anytime....but guess it goes with the atmosphere....fun to laugh at them. They probably are sick of playing the same ol songs night after night.....!
(5)Matthew B.
i cannot pass 49 without stopping here....good lawd this place is awesome. Though I admit it was great in 2007 and may have lost a little something (expanded, got bigger) in the recent years....but the menu and flavors will blow your mind don't leave without getting the shrimp sassafrass
(5)Blake C.
On my way from New Orleans to Shreveport, the highway went through Lafayette. I was a bit hungry and settled on this restaurant just off of the main road and hard to miss. This turned out to be a great choice. The ambiance was the always likable Louisiana bayou setup with a big open area of tables with a couple smaller rooms off to the side that included more seating. A lovely woman greeted us, and having deep love for the southern belle accent, I'm sure I started to blush. Once seated, a gentleman quickly took our drink orders as we browsed the menu. Whoa, is their selection ever huge. The menu was about 5 pages of everything cajun one would expect to see : Gator, catfish, crawfish, gumbo. The list goes on. We ordered the popcorn crawfish to share amongst ourselves which was very good and better alone than dipped in the sherry wine sauce that comes with it. I also started with a smoked duck gumbo, and ordered the Catfish Acadiana as my main. Holy moly and a bucket of sweet was that gumbo delicious. It comes as a deep brown broth and rice to mix in on the side. It had an amazing spicy kick that wasn't too overpowering so you could enjoy the other flavours as well. The duck in it was plentiful and extremely tender. A very positive start to my meal. The catfish acadiana soon arrived, and I was instantly impressed by the great presentation. It is a battered filet of catfish served with corn macque choux and rice dressing. The fish itself is covered with shrimp Etouffee sauce. Now anybody who is familiar with catfish knows how delicate this particular fish is and how difficult it can be to cook properly without destroying the flavour. This one was perfect. Fried just right, the fish was a melt in your mouth bundle of awesomeville stacked high with 'I must be in heaven' tastiness. I was blown away. The corn was great and I wasn't a huge fan of the rice, but it was alright. The prices can be on the steep side, but it is worth every penny and maybe even a pinky toe to try out.
(5)Ron L.
There are several famous Cajun restaurants around Lafayette, and this is one of them. I still haven't made it to Randall's, but this is good enough. You gotta love a restaurant with a stuffed alligator near the front door. It's been a while since I ate here, probably seven years. I had met a girl online in the Beaumont TX area, we came to like each other, so one day we had a big afternoon together. We drove into Louisiana, moseying down US 90, and ended up in Lafayette. This is where we ate lunch. To me, a native Californian, it came off as a real Cajun place. Regional food, a little dark, tables can be moved around for the Friday nights when they have live music. The food was taaaas-tee. My guess is that it gets loud and rowdy during the live music. If I was to be back in Lafayette, I'd want to check out the hole-in-the-wall places. But this was good too, a fitting place for our first big date. Good introduction to the whole scene for outsiders. Oh yeah, whatever happened to that girl? We've been married six years now ;-)
(4)Tcs H.
Fried banana foster cheesecake...omg!
(4)Mike M.
Definitely kind of a tourist trap, but everything was outstanding. Some of the best food I HAVE EVER HAD.
(5)Kevin T.
I stopped in a couple of days ago for an early dinner. I ordered the blackened catfish etouffee, which is a nice blackened catfish fillet with a side of crawfish etouffee over white rice with corn macque choux. The first time they brought it out, the only thing on the plate that was hot was the catfish. So I pointed this out to the waiter, and he took it back to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, he brought out a fresh plate of food. This time, only the catfish and rice were hot. I then made a bad decision: I ate the plate of food. What I should have done was ask to speak to the manager, and tell him/her that food safety requires that hot foods be served hot, and that cold foods be served cold, and then go someplace else to eat. The plate of food was tasty. BUT, the past two days I have been bedridden with terrible food poisoning. A quick internet search came up with the likely culprit: Clostridium Perfringens, known to occur in meats and gravies, especially when cooked before hand and stored at room temperature. The etouffee was exactly that. I did call Prejeans and talked to the manager on duty, Jonathan. He handled the conversation very well, said that he was going to immediately speak to his executive chef about it. And he asked me to come back, ask for him, and he would ensure a proper meal, on the house. I'll try and do that.
(1)L. P. H.
Been eating there for 10 years but this last trip which was last Thursday the 28th and my stomach is still not well. Tasted great but something was BAD!!!!! It was fried shrimps and oysters. Have not been poisoned like this for a loooooong time. Take your chances folks.........
(1)Linda J.
This is our favorite place to eat in Lafayette. It's pricey, but well worth it!
(5)mian g.
Is it weird to have only 4 or 5 star reviews. I'm a newb yelper so I'm just backtracking to all the places I love to eat. This review isn't going to help that average. I love prejean's. I remember it was and still is THE place to go to whenever my coworkers travel through that area. I heard about it constantly and even seen it on video. They have a live webcam in the main dining room. My friends used it to tease me many many times. Finally I get to be up close and personal. The thing to eat here is gumbo. They are famous for it. Well you know it's good when they sell it by the gallons. Yes you can buy some to take home but at $75/gallon I had a hard time convincing my wife that I needed to eat gumbo for the next week or more. I usually have the seafood gumbo. It has plenty of shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, and okra. It was just right, not too watery and not too salty. I have tried the andouille gumbo while it's good it's a little too salty for my taste. I had the Red Snapper Pontchartrain. It's pan sauteed topped with crawfish and butter sauce. I mean how can you go wrong with this combination? Ok maybe you could overcook the fish or not have enough crawfish. But neither was the case here. There was a ton of crawfish. Makes me wonder why anyone would order the crawfish platter for 24 bucks when my entree was only $18 and it came with a red snapper. My wife had the fried seafood platter. Big mistake. She ended up eating. I didn't want to say I told you so. But you might as well eat a shrimp poboy or something at Danny and Clyde's. Why waste your money on that here? You're here to eat Cajun food.
(5)Lance R.
Fried oyster spinach salad is awesome.
(4)Dia N.
I love Prejeans! It is authentic Cajun food and the promise of eating there is what makes me drive to NOLA rather than fly. Seriously. Every time I go I get the Cochin du lait. I consider trying something new but I love it so much I can't bring myself to get anything different. My husband and friends have tried a variety of things and everyone walks away happy. Of you find yourself in the area it is must do!
(5)Scott K.
Gumbo is very flavorful. Bread that comes with it is phenomenal
(5)Jeff G.
ate here twice, and everyhing we had was very good. fried gator, crawfish enchiladas, etc. two separate locals who live there independent suggested this place as legit and good.
(4)Andrea J.
The crabcake was awesome, pure crabmeat no filler. The gumbo both chicken and sausage and the shrimp that my husband ate were outstanding. The only thing not perfect was the service which was very slow.
(5)Regan H.
Really great food! Hush puppies were exceptional! And definitely go for the bread pudding, you could get drunk off that Jack Daniel's sauce!
(4)Steve M.
Not a bad thing on the menu. I strongly recommend the crawfish enchiladas and the corn and crab bisque is the best that I've ever had
(5)Ben N.
Although I lived in New Orleans for a number of years, I don't really know all that much about Cajun food per se, which is native to south-central and southwestern Louisiana. Contrary to popular belief, "Cajun" food is almost nonexistent in the New Orleans area. Only a few restaurants there purport to serve mainly Cajun or Cajun-influenced fare. Having dutifully attended Jazzfest in New Orleans, though, I always thought Prejean's pheasant, quail, and andouille gumbo was just about the most amazing thing out of many amazing culinary treats at the Fairgrounds. So I finally got to Prejean's restaurant in Lafayette this past weekend. Yeah, it's a bit touristy, as a lot of the reviewers say here. The restaurant is located on the I-49 frontage road and looks like a big barn inside, complete with a big bayou mural (not unlike the murals at Jacques-Imo's I mention in my recent review of that place) and Cajun and zydeco bands. Prejean's even has a gift shop up front. So what, I say. The lunch I had was rock solid: A delicious cup of smoked duck and andouille gumbo. (I love the dark, smoky roux that is the base for the Cajun, as opposed to Creole, gumbos.) A dish called Catfish Catahoula, with crawfish, shrimp, and crab dressing and some kind of creamy tasso sauce, with tasty dirty rice and corn macque choux as sides. I don't know how authentically Cajun this entree was, but it was authentically good, fresh seafood. And whatever its touristy rep, the restaurant seemed to be filled almost entirely with locals chowing down on heaping plates of fried seafood and giant bowls of gumbo. Do yourself a favor if you're driving I-10 between Houston and New Orleans and stop in at Prejean's, which is only a couple of miles north of the I-10/I-49 interchange.
(4)Christy L.
I so wanted to love this restaurant! I heard positive things about this so was very excited to finally give it a try. To start with the waitress not very friendly or helpful. She seemed apathetic. Apparently she does not care if her customers are satisfied or not. It was very obvious that I only took 4 bites of my food (2 of the tuna and 1 of each of the sides) and instead of asking if there was something wrong with it, she just asked if I was finished with it. I said yes and she said okay. You would think that she would be concerned and at least ask me if there was something wrong with it. I ordered the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller. It was VERY dry and just lukewarm, as was everything else on my plate. The tuna had no flavor and the texture was inedible. I did not care for the corn or the rice that came as the side, but that could have been just a matter of not being my taste. I have had tuna before and typically love it, but definitely not from here! We should have had an inkling of how our meal would be when the bread and our Alligator bites were both cold. (Like I said, we REALLY wanted to like it, so wanted to get the full experience) We also were never offered tea refills. My husband ordered the Crawfish Half & Half and it was okay. At $58.70 for lunch, this was an expensive disappointment! Oh and we even had to go up to the cashier to pay because we got tired of waiting for the waitress to come get our payment.
(1)Tony W.
Got there late tonight... Loved the chicken & sausage gumbo... Be back tomorrow earlier for more of an in depth tasting of the menue... So far not so good but GREAT!!! Not any fault of the establishment at all... Google maps and navigation are wrong wrong wrong
(4)Leslie L.
This place is delicious. My daughter gives 5 stars, and the rest of the family agrees!
(5)Jes B.
Everything was amazing! I posted pictures. Logan was great & very helpful! Go for the stuffed mushrooms!
(5)Carrie S.
We decided to try Prejeans for dinner on the way home from a road trip. We were pleasantly surprised. We had the Crawfish Boudin Balls which were really good. Also tried the Corn and Crab Bisque which was creamy, had a little kick and was awesome. For the entree we had the Stuffed Tilapia, also excellent. Dirty rice and corn were good sides. Rolls are buttery and yummy! For dessert we tried the Coconut Cream Pie and Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce. Bread pudding was so-so. Pie had whipped cream instead of meringue like I'm used to, but was still good. Great place to try if passing thru Lafayette.
(4)Brent L.
BEST GUMBO ON THE PLANET: Smoked Duck & Andouille!!!...dark - chocolate roux!! I know many locals deplore this 'tourist-trap', but I've eaten all around Acadiana and the gumbo ROCKS! If your momma, grandma or grandpa can cook a better gumbo, please send me some or let me know where I can stop to eat it. I've enjoyed many of the other dishes, including the house salad dressing - DELICIOUS! Most dishes will clog your arteries, but it's worth the risk in moderation! I luv the music!....Especially for those of us who don't hear it live often. And it's always nice seeing the younger generations keeping the musical talents/traditions of the area moving forward! I wish they would bring back the bbq soft shell crab from years ago! If you're driving down I-10, take a moment to test it out on your taste buds.
(5)Ben C.
I was in town for business, and was told this place was a must if I was only staying for the night. To be honest I was a little burned out on fried food, so I was looking for something lighter. I was very happy to see they had a section healthy choices on the menu, and I was very content to go with the Tilapia. At first I was expecting a little 6-8oz piece, but i was surprised to see the very respectable 10oz portion they laid on my plate. It was tastfully seasoned, and well cooked. No overpowering spices here, and I truly enjoyed the meal that came with steamed veggies, white rice, and some sort of crawfish soup. If your in town for business then make it a point to stop by, you won't regret it. If your local and haven't been here then put it on the list. And to locals, I am moderately jealous that you have a place like this close to home.
(4)Laura S.
Touristy, but pretty good food! Seafood gumbo had a good bite to it, but the crab is in the form of a crab claw, so you have to dig them out. Oyster appetizer was pretty good, even if it reminded me of a spinach dip with fried oysters on top.
(4)Jenny L.
The best food we have had near a major highway ever. Make the stop. It has a fun webcam that you can send to your friends to watch (kind of creepy but can be fun).
(4)Meli N.
Food was good. We shared 2 platters, several sides, several gumbos, bisque, salad & peanut butter dessert. I think overall the service by Scott was friendly. Except waters were not automatically refilled & you had to ask for everything.
(3)Jud K.
Prejean's is one of my favorite restaurants. Fantastic seafood gumbo, just the way it should be (without oysters) - perfect roux, plenty of bite-size shrimp and crawfish, just the right amount of heat. Good crawfish poboy. Great étouffée and crawfish pies. Swampland decor. This joint is about as Louisiana as it gets!
(5)James D.
Simply put, this was some of the best food I've ever had in my life. The crawfish étouffée topped stuffed catfish (mouthful to say) was incredible. The sweet tea was incredible. The duck and sausage gumbo made life so much better. It's thick and simply effing amazing. The boudin balls here are tasty as hell and the hush puppies??? Great!! I live in Jacksonville, FL and I would consider a road trip to LA just to eat here again. The rice dressing was great too. Nothing I ate here was bad. Oh lord thank you. You must eat here before you die and bring your tums and Pepsid!
(5)Torrey S.
Among your Bucket List restaurants, Prejean's deserves a high ranking. The food is truly authentic and amazing. This is no French Quarter, trying-too-hard, Big Mamou kind of place. This is a slice of heaven on the border of Lafayette & Carencro. I have stopped here so many times, I cannot count. They offer a refreshingly unique breakfast menu, so if you are on the early side of the day, fear not. They also offer daily lunch specials. You should check these out before making up your mind. The Crawfish Enchiladas are so unique that you may find yourself stopping just for them. On weekend nights, they have live Cajun music in the dining room. This most recent visit was a quickee lunch stop. I ordered the Shrimp Gumbo, for a change, and the Sassafras Shrimp appetizer. The Sassafras Shrimp is shrimp stuffed with tasso & cheese, battered & fried. I believe the accompanying sauce is the Crawfish Cardinale. That alone is heaven. The Shrimp Gumbo is not my usual choice. It has a nice, dark roux, but it is not too thick. They always serve the rice on the side. I was thoroughly impressed with the gumbo's flavor...gently spicy and full. Our family favorites are the Corn & Crab Bisque and the Duck & Andouille Gumbo...though I have to say I just adore the Crawfish Bisque. All their gumbos are available frozen (to-go). Get a cooler if you are on a road trip, and plan for the inevitable. The gift shop area also has plenty of locally-inspired stuff, and some great Zydeco & Louisiana music CDs. I must recommend their cookbook. Not all the recipes are in there, but it is a wonderful resource. I know they also offer shaded kennels for pets traveling with you, but I have no idea how that works. So, the next time you are driving through Lafayette, let your car steer you to Gloria Switch Road (Exit 2) on I-49. Your tummy will thank you.
(5)Princess A.
Food and service both AMAZING! Classic Cajun food with orgasmic flavor. We had the fried Boudin balls and shrimp gumbo as a appetizer. They're gumbo is the absolute best we've ever had. For entree, we had the fried alligator with a side of crawfish étouffée (amazing) and crawfish enchiladas (a little too cheesy for my liking but still delicious). If I could give this place additional stars I would... We were traveling with our dog and they have kennels outside the facility and provide you with a lock for your fur baby! How awesome is that?! It's very hard to find a dog-friendly restaurant in Lafayette. Our server was attentive and very nice, best service we've had in a while. Definitely going to come back on our next road trip.
(5)Janeene S.
The last time I was here they had a live camera on the restaurant & friends could watch you coming in. This place has great atmosphere and you talk about all the decor while waiting for your scrumptious food to arrive. Went with a large group & we all ordered all kinds of interesting dishes and shared. Tasted the crocodile for the first time in my life...had such a small piece that I really couldn't tell how it tasted -- think it tastes like chicken. Someone ordered frog legs, said it tasted like chicken. I had shrimp étouffée with fries & it was wonderful! Ended up with food to go and the next day it was still yummy! Love stopping here whenever I'm in the region - great restaurant with very interesting decorations!
(5)Michael K.
Given the price and quality of food, this is a no go. You do not get what you paid for. I got the crab cake ($10) and sirloin ($20) and they were not bad. But they were definitely not worth the price tag. The service was good. The staff were friendly and checked on our table regularly. No issues in service. But the food quality was just so poor combined with the price tag, that my expectations were not met. Refer to my pictures for visual confirmation. The crab cake was pan grilled. It tasted like a crab cake no doubt and the sauce was tasty (despite its presentation). However, the texture was very mushy. It resembled more of a circular disk of mashed potatoes or creamed corn. The outer breading of the crab cake showed some signs of pan searing, which should give it a slight crunch or semi hard outer layer. However, it was mushy all throughout the cake. The 8oz sirloin came with a baked potato and seasonal veggies. This was the most disappointing. I ordered medium and as seen in the photo, it was well done. No big deal. I'll eat it without a problem. However, the meat quality was average and poorly cooked. It was overcooked and dry. No juices or tenderness to the meat. Nothing wrong with the baked potato. The veggies were simply steamed. No seasoning. Nothing. It was straight steamed veggies. I know they were steamed or boiled because half my plate was drenched in a pool of water. Not even salt or pepper on the veggies. Maybe this place is known for a specific dish I didn't get. My co worker got the Prejean's Seafood Alfredo ($20) and was not impressed with the seafood, which consisted of crawfish, shrimp, and crab meat. If you're craving a good steak, you're better off going to Outback or Longhorn. If you want fresh seafood, I would also consider other local options in the area. I'm not sure what those are because I'm not from the area, but you surely do not get what you pay for here. For the same prices paid here, you can get way better steak and seafood I'm sure.
(2)Melissa D.
Solid 3.5 stars rounded up. Really liked the atmosphere here. The live music added to the ambience. We came here on 8/8/15 for lunch. My son and I shared a bowl of seafood gumbo. For $12 it was full of seafood, as well it should. Served with potato salad and rice on the side. The roux was a little charred for my taste. It lended to a burnt aftertaste but overall 3 stars. We also shared the seafood alfredo. Big portion but literally drowning in sauce. Too rich but flavor wise it was very good. Growing up in Louisiana I used to love this kind of food. But loving in the West coast for the past 8 years has really changed my palate. I can't seem to stomach all the fried, salty, buttered and creamed dishes lule I used to. This may have been an excellent meal for most Southerners but I find it a little too rich and overly seasoned. I will return here and hopefully try other dishes.
(3)Kelly D.
This place is amazing! We came in thinking it would be a touristy greasy spoon but we were hungry... Wow. The food is worth traveling for. We ordered drinks and starters to quell our hunger but I was pleasantly surprised by a real hurricane not the watered down fruit juice you get in the quarter. Delicately flavored crab nachos- not flavorless but a mouthful of the most crispy delicious nachos I have ever had. We ordered two yummy shrimp dishes, sassafras and kicking shrimp. Omg ridiculous, it was so good. We finished with the sinful seven cake and it was a chocolate orgasm in my mouth. Ok, so the place sells Cajun souvenirs and has a huge stuffed alligator but the food is amazing! We came during lunch and had the honor of listening to a small zydeco trio playing fun Cajun songs right out of the wedding scene from steel magnolias- such fun! Make this a destination!
(5)Donna T.
Stopped in on our way back to Houston chicken & sausage gumbo was great, service was great, and prices are great. Will def stop here again next time we are in the area
(5)Tammi B.
Absolute best seafood gumbo my husband has ever had. I'm not a seafood fan, and there were still options for me. I chose the pasta with cream sauce and blackened chicken. The chicken tasted like it was smoked first. It was so tender. Amazing! This will be a "must stop" on our way to/from Houston. It's only about 3 miles north of I-10. Totally worth the extra mile or two.
(5)Curtis B.
Good food and great service. Portions are big so if your driving then be prepared to want to nap. Crawfish enchilada was good. Wish they didn't use flour tortillas, ( gringo move ) but still had awesome flavor. Great stop on the way to New Orleans via Texas
(5)Gene E.
Always great food and fun. Live Cajun music, great service, and interesting decor. Today I had Alligator Grand Chenier. It is a large piece of alligator tail that is grilled then stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat and topped with crawfish etouffee.
(4)Erika J.
Food good. Service was good. Waiter attention but not to bothersome. Food yummy. Wide range of foods on the menu. I had the crawfish enchiladas. They were very good. Seafood gumbo. Yummy.
(4)Becky W.
Boudin Balls, Mardi Gras oysters, fried green tomatoes, duck andouille gumbo.....YUM!!!!!!!! Best fried green tomatoes I've ever had.
(5)Jeannie B.
Prejean's is always a winner for locals and tourists alike. The fondue appetizer is out of this world. The atmosphere reeks Cajun heartland. Go when there's a live band which is almost always. There's a dance floor too!
(4)Dana P.
While visiting in Lafayette we decided to have dinner at Prejean's. The Fried Green Tomatoes were delicious. They give you a generous portion, too. We had plenty to share. We enjoyed the Parmesan rolls a lot also. Very fluffy! We split a seafood platter for our main entree. The Corn Maque Choux, Stuffed Crab and Seafood Gumbo were excellent. The Dirty Rice wasn't very good. There was a wide variety of seafood on the plate which included Catfish, Oysters, Shrimp, Alligator and Frog Legs. It was all fine. I wouldn't say the best, but it was good. We got a piece of the Peanut Butter Pie to go. It was decadent and good. Overall, it was a fine meal.
(4)Robert N Mary W.
Food is good. Service was alright. Overall would come back. We had frog legs they were good. Had the enchiladas they were good
(3)Jim B.
Expensive tourist trip. The fried oysters were served very quickly but greasy and stale. The gumbo resembled gravy and had the texture of hot and sour soup.
(1)Laurie M.
Fried alligator, crab cakes, corn & crab bisque all superb. We stop to eat here whenever we are passing through Lafayette.
(5)Ken L.
Food and service were good. We tried both fried and grilled frogs legs. The fried were better, but both tasted like chicken. We liked the music and the etoufee, but neither was quite as good as Randol's.
(4)Shane M.
3 words.....catfish.oscar.style. Wow. Would have been 5 stars but it's a tad bit pricey if you ask me.
(4)Stacy G.
It's been about 10yrs since we have been here and made a special stop. Our waitress Cory was as sweet as can be and very attentive, but the food was a tremendous disappointment. We are big fans and love dark/dirty gumbo and couldn't wait to wrap our taste buds around the smoked duck gumbo. It was so salty we couldn't even finish 3 bites. We have had gumbo every way you can think of it but this was sludge and like it had been in the pot on the stove for days. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo instead and same thing but not as salty. I also had a grilled crab cake that was O..K and didn't finish any of my food and neither my husband or I are one to return or complain about food but this was awful. We left 15min ago and my tongue feels like I just spent hours on a bag of sunflower seeds. As we were walking out we were going to say something but 3 of the staff just sat and talked at the counter as if we weren't there. I'm not sure if there is new management or what but it's not the same place anymore and we have no interests in going back. Its sad because we have always recommended Prejean's and don't think we will any more.
(1)Phoebe N.
The Fried Green Tomatoes were unbelievable, as was the Seafood Gumbo. If I'm ever within a hundred miles of this place again, I'll be back.
(5)Alisha M.
Very good restaurant! I had came here to Lafayette for an anime convention and decided to try this place out. I had got the Seafood Gumbo and the Red Beans and Rice. This is best best Cajun restaurant Ive ever been to. The staff are friendly and the place is clean. They have a little gift shop if you're interested.
(5)Eric C.
Never have had a let down meal at prejeans. Every time I go through Lafayette, this is where I'll stop to eat no matter the time of day. If I know I'm going through there I'll skip a meal. The go to items for me , starter crawfish boudin balls, cup of the crawfish bisque, then for main course is the crispy duck or alligator under the wild game portion. Don't settle for chicken or a hamburger here. Get the real Cajun food this place offers.
(5)Ethan L.
Now here is an annomaly of a place... The place sells itself as one of the best authentic places to eat Cajun food, a true experience decorated with numerous awards and medals. First off finding this place and getting to it is a pain. Secondly upon entering and seeing the numerous out of state license plates, it does appear to look more popular with tourists than the locals. Once inside the place has all the appeal and charm of eating at TGIF complete with gaggles of junior high kids, with a mish mash of some even French tourists. The menu seems hit and miss. There's a very good unique gumbo that is black as death consisting of duck and andouille. It's quite exceptional and one of the unique items on the menu. There's the so called gold medal crawfish etouffee is great as well, however other items on the menu such as a Asian-Cajun section just defy explanation. Why in the world would you want to make cajun fusion cuisine?? It just seems wrong and a waste of time... The cajun food I'll admit is quite good, but there was nothing I didn't have elsewhere in New Orleans or Louisianna that compelled me to come crawling back here. Also side salads contain a great parmessan dressing, but the main salads are advertised misleadingly. The house salad described as fresh field greens, Louisianna citrus, tear drop tomatoes, with goat cheese actually was 90% iceberg lettuce with canned mandarin oranges and grocery packaged blue cheese.. not goat cheese. Hardly truth in advertising (except the cajun pecans it came with). The place has live music which is great, but the place is really busy and you're not going to hear it well. I noticed that when I left and was hearing the music pipped outside by speaker it actually sounded better cause I could actually hear it. It also builds itself as a place where couples can dance but it's obvious that there is not much room to do this.. or even watch dancers easily. It's not the best, not the worst I had, but I don't think I'll be wanting to return...
(3)David D.
Needed a stop between Alabama and Houston drive with wife and 5 & 3 yr old. This was great! Noon on a Tuesday and only 3 of 40ish tables were empty. Service was fast, decor was fun and kept the kids interested. Popcorn shrimp for the kids was same as in wife's poor boy. Good quality. Cup of seafood gumbo was rich and not too thick. Crab stuffed fried catfish with étouffée was complex and rich. Loved the corn. We will make this local joint a regular stop on our journeys back and forth. Thanks Prejeans!
(5)Ryan W.
This place has, what I consider-hands down, to be the best Gumbo in the world. The game fowl combined with amazing sausage makes for a breathtaking flavor.
(4)Denis C.
On our way back to Houston from Biloxi, we wanted to stop at an authentic Cajun restaurant and this was it. Everything about it was five star. I had the crabcakes and some gumbo and both were excellent. Great service and a great band added to the overall great experience. We will be back!
(5)Alyce P.
We had dinner tonight at Prejean's in Lafayette. We got there a little earlier than we thought we would after a busy day. We had called earlier in the day to ask about reservations and they don't take reservations for fewer than six guests. I asked what the typical wait might be on a Friday evening and the pleasant person on the phone guessed about 30 minutes. But when we arrived, there was no wait. We were asked if we wanted a table near and Cajun band, and of course we did! Once seated, there was a longer than expected wait for our server's attention, considering how few tables were seated in our area. But after that, our drink orders were taken, delivered quickly and our meal order taken. I regret that we'd had a late (and filling) lunch and it was a bit earlier than we normally dine, so we didn't try any of the amusing sounding appetizers. I ordered the eggplant pirogue, a half eggplant, hollowed, breaded and deep fried, filled with a not-too-heavy Louis sauce with shrimp and crab. My husband got the alligator Grand Chenier, with shrimp and spicy tomato sauce atop a very spicy seafood stuffing. Both were served with a tartlet shell filled with corn macque choux (cooked with bell peppers, onion and garlic, with a touch of heat) and "rice dressing," which appeared to be rice mixed with a good dark roux, onion and occasional small chunks of andouille. I loved 'em both! Once finished with our dinner the server brought the check. The restaurant still had open tables, and we were enjoying the Cajun music, so we ordered one more round of beverages. Our server seemed a bit flustered by that (how to handle the new charge). Overall, our experience was positive, the food was good and reasonably priced. I used to live in NOLA and traveled throughout southern LA so I'm pretty sure there are still better places that this, but you gotta know somebody to find them!
(4)Mike T.
The short story is I have never had a bad food item from the menu, but the service is horrible! My family has 6 people in it, so Prejean's think we should automatically pay a gratuity. I normally don't have an issue, but when you have to find your server to ask for the check you know there is a problem. Then when asking to speak to a manager, their reaction was, "what do you want me to do?" Geaux for the food, but expect to pay too much and have less than 6 people in your party! I hope they fix this issue, as the food will only keep this place open so long!
(3)Ben J.
It is OK but still NOT true Cajun food and as said in previous reviews, VERY TOURISTY... Plus I think it has gotten less authentic over the years... Not sure who the chef is over there now... Might be different than a few years back. There USE to be when I was little another restaurant across the hwy called Prudommes... It was very similar except without the loud music. It was owned by Mrs. Prudomme a friend of my grandmothers. Her FOOD made Prejeans look like MacDonalds... She died and they closed the place down. So sadly this is all that's left in the area. Not sure of any others around that area of Lafayette. More businesses need to use the "INTERNET" down there... I swear I think they're still living in the early 1990's in some parts of LA... LOL...
(2)Mike D.
Cool place but the food is fhshy
(2)Gabriela M.
Great restaurant for a Cajun country tourist like me. The decor is fun and makes for excellent Instagram opportunities...there is beautiful Spanish moss everywhere, taxidermy alligators that make your jaw drop, and cartoonish maps of Louisiana for you to track your road trip and feel a sense of accomplishment worthy of a heaping pile of Cajun food for dinner. And you will get that because the portions are quite large! I had the fried alligator served with a side of alligator sausage and it was deee-licious. Came with some yummy sides...I got full so fast I had leftovers for the next day. My friend had the shrimp gumbo which was equally delectable. We enjoyed our meal while listening to a fabulous zydeco band. The staff was super friendly and efficient. Taking a star off only because the prices were a bit steep, but I would definitely go back and eat there again!
(4)Jen R.
A family joint, to be sure. Not intended for romantic, intimate dinners. A large room, decorated like the Pirates of the Carribbean ride at Disneyland (or is it the other way around?), live Cajun music, lotsa kids spilling drinks everywhere, friendly atmosphere. I had the crawfish enchilladas, grilled alligator stuffed with crab meat, and macque-choux. Enchilladas were the standout. Alligator was good but hard to compare since I've never had it served that way before...and I was pretty stuffed after the enchilladas.
(3)Steve G.
Although I've always enjoyed my business travel through the area, Prejean's is consistently high on the list of memories I take-away. I've traveled and dined from Houston to NOLA; through the Delta and up to Lafayette-- Cajun cuisine isn't new to me. There is a homey feel about the cooking at Prejean's, although I can see where the locals consider this a "tourist trap" compromise. Just as most folks from this area may never experience "real" pizza, corned beef or bagels, and yet, enjoy what they have eaten, I've always enjoyed Prejean's. Anticipation of their duck and andouille gumbo has kept me a motivated driver for many miles. Service is okay.
(4)wes m.
This is the best true Cajun restaurant that ive been to in La. It combines good food with a great cajun ambiance. Staff is great but know nothing about how to get to merlots in Bon'temps.... If u get what im saying in that last statement thats excellent!!! Must try.
(4)Jennifer A.
The restaurant itself is great with a fun decor, live music and a tiny giftshop where you can buy anything from cookbooks to alligator teeth. The food...the gumbo is good, very very dark thick roux. The absolute best to die for dish is the Shrimp Sassafrass for an appetizer or the Pepperjack Shrimp on the dinner menu. Amazing. The only reason I put three stars is because, other than the gumbo and the two shrimp dishes I mentioned, the food is just ok. Their crawfish etoufee is strange tasting and the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller which was recommeded to us on both of our visits was small and blah.
(3)Suzy F.
We went to New Orleans for the weekend expecting to find plentiful, delicious, cheap, authentic Cajun food everywhere. Maybe we were on the wrong streets in the French Quarter, Magazine Street, the Garden District, and greater New Orleans, but Cajun food wasn't easy for us to find...until we stopped at Prejean's on the way back home. Our friends had vouched for this place, and so had the trophy case of awards sitting underneath the giant, stuffed alligator on the way to our table. The atmosphere was fun with murals, faux trees and spanish moss. Our server was helpful and friendly, and the dishes we ordered were reasonably priced. We started with a CRAWFISH ENCHILADA that was packed with fresh flavorful crawfish and baked in a tangy, cheese sauce. My husband ordered the crawfish etouffee, which was also delicious but almost a crawfish overload after the enchilada. I got the DUCK and ANDOUILLE GUMBO filled with big, juicy, tender duck and sausage bites as well as a rich, velvety gumbo sauce. I substituted the plain rice with the dirty rice, and I am super glad I did. The DIRTY RICE was the best I've had at a restaurant and it paired really well with the gumbo. I would highly recommend those dishes. If we are ever back in Lafayette, I know where we will be stopping to eat.
(5)Jonathan C.
It's touristy. It's noisy. But it's reputation and crowd are well deserved. Ample portions - loaded with seafood - great flavors. And on weekends, live Zydeco! May not be the best Cajun ever, but with easy location, renowned name, and quality food, worth a trip - especially for out-of-towners like me.
(5)Nacheska G.
What a great find...traveling with my grandchild on the way from Florida to Texas, my husband mentioned how wonderful this restaurant was which he stumbled on while on business travel. I had the veggie stuffed eggplant...YUM! There was a Zydeco band that delighted and intrigued my 6 yr. old grandson and another little girl was dancing to the upbeat music lending to the ambiance of the Lousiana experience...a happy and scrumptious visit.
(5)A. R.
I usually go to Prejeans on Sunday for lunch, as most of the other local seafood restaurants are closed. Lately I have been ordering the Crab Extravaganza--a yummy trio of crab pasta, a crab cake, and a fried soft shelled crab. Very rich. My other Prejeans' favorites are the crawfish bisque and the zydeco shrimp. Be ready to rub elbows with lots of other diners. This is a family friendly restaurant, and you will often see tables of 15 or more enjoying the food and the live Cajun band.
(4)Michael P.
This place was pretty good but I did think it was a little overpriced and the service could have been a little better. Overall, I would go back. Frog legs were gross though. Tasted like swamp water! Everything else was delish!
(3)Ed L.
Prejeans restaurant is one of the must do's while in Lafayette, LA. As I was told by a friend who used to live there, it shouldn't be missed. With that said, I met another new friend of that friend who lives in Lafayette, but originally from New Orleans for lunch here and it was a culture shock to be sure. After arrival in Baton Rouge, I drove majority west bound on the I-10 into Lafayette and hit up this place for good Cajun food. Previously, it was more creole food that I had experienced and devoured. Now I wanted more Cajun. I found out or discovered that Cajun food was basically spicy seafood and they use a lot of crawfish in their dishes. I had eaten crawfish before and it gave me the creeps. Prejeans restaurant is located in Lafayette along US highway 167S. The drive from Baton Rouge to Lafayette was about an hour, so that was cool. My friend and I came to Prejeans, after hitting up Vermilionville earlier in the day. The culture clash was very much evident, but at least the restaurant itself was not busy or crowded at 1pm when we strolled in. Took a photo of the Mardi Gras alligator before sitting down at the booth to kick off the weekend in the Deep South. A few people looked up at me while I was walking, but it was alright. Ever seen a person from Hawaii in these parts?? Prejeans has a private parking lot and accepts major credit cards, which is always awesome. The overall experience was an interesting one. The service was kind of slow, considering how much tables were occupied at the time. The lights were dim, even on a Thursday early afternoon, but I guess they stay in business somehow! The server was a bit perky, so at least she loved her job there. First order of business was to try alligator!! My friend pointed out that they deep fry everything here, so we ordered the alligator grilled. Alligator really does taste like chicken. A bit tough around the edges, but chicken! Definitely chicken! That was pretty wild, but $10 for a small plate. Not so hot. I didn't want to spend too much money on their signature Cajun entrees, so I just did their oyster po boy and a cup of gumbo. First time trying gumbo too, which turned out to be a weird spicy watery something. Oh well, first time for everything. The service was slower for me, but I guess I didn't care, as I was on vacation. The po boy itself was pretty good, although the bread itself was a bit dry, but overall pretty good. I did love the oysters though. While I can't say that my experience here was stellar, it was just okay. I liked trying new things and the Deep South is one of those places to do just that. Support local! B
(3)Mark G.
Suppa Friday night- While driving to NOLA, we stopped based on some solid advice. ... we were not disappointed. Good call. I had the duck and sausage gumbo. Yeah, that's right, duck and sausage gumbo, a cup. 'Wish I had gotten a bowl. And then had the Half & Half Crawdads. Half fried, half ettouffe'. Another good call. The Zydeco band was pretty good as was the service. The atmosphere is relaxing. A definite stop when we come through.
(5)Patty C.
Stopped here on the way to New Orleans looking for some delicious cajun food. Definitely worth a stop! The inside is roomy and a bit loud with the band playing, but every little bite of the food was delicious. We ended up sitting in the back area by the bar, so it was a little less noisy. Definitely try the duck and sausage gumbo. It's made with a dark brown savory roux. The only flaw was that it was a tad on the salty side, but the tender duck pieces melt in your mouth. The hushpuppies were really tasty. Golden and bite-sized, they have a surprise little spicy kick! Try the corn macque choux. It's like creamed corn in a pie crust. It's super delicious with a touch of sweetness. The complimentary rolls were hot and toasty with a light crunch. I could eat a whole basket of these and happily fall into a food coma. I dipped some of this into my gumbo. The service was a bit on the slow side, so take your time and eat up with enjoying the sights.
(4)Clarice W.
If there is a word to describe the opposite of hole-in-the-wall, it would be fitting for Prejean's. Prejean's is huge. It's off a highway. It's packed with tourists. There's even a gift shop that sells stuffed crawfish inside! Now, this doesn't mean it isn't good, but I think it is what keeps it from being great. I say this because all the items we tried were just in that "good but okay" zone. The fried alligator was tough and chewy, though the tender frogs legs were tasty. The crawfish boudins were flavorful; the etouffee wasn't so much. Prices are inflated to tourist-y levels; however, you do come away with a LOT of food. Though there's nothing blatantly wrong with Prejeans, I'm not convinced you can't find better food elsewhere.
(3)Bob P.
Bayou cooking supreme!! From the frog legs to the eggplant... Everything was wonderful from the service, to the decor, to the live band. Definitely a place to stop for business or pleasure.
(5)Jacob DG M.
Place is amazing! Delicious food, and fresh atmosphere. Is a bit pricy, but as it's fresh never frozen seafood, I expected as much! Would've been 4 stars but my server Mindy was swamped and not very attentive
(4)Steve T.
I've visited here many times over the years. Great food and service. Then why not 5 stars? The crowds and noise. Mercy can this place be a zoo during peak dining hours. Plan carefully.
(4)Elizabeth W.
The staff was very friendly and attentive. We were a larger group dining here for the first time. Our waitress was even nice enough to take some family photos for us!! THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS!!! Best place to get home style cooked Cajun!
(5)Jason J.
First of all, they're a little pricey but it's worth every penny IMHO. The Seafood Platter is what I would call a large sampler dinner and you will know what I'm talking about when you get it. Now to the rice and beans of my review...the food can make you happy or put a smile on your face. It's super tasty and well balanced with flavor and spices. DO NOT dismiss anything on your plate including the frog legs. The building is well kept and they stay true to the Cajun/bayou theme. The service was awesome and my waitress was super. The location is off a service road which can be a challenge for people passing through and just want to eat some Cajun food. Overall, I'm going back SOON.
(5)Howard S.
My wife, Australian friends, and I visited this restaurant based on T A recommendations. It was a nice surprise that there was a decent side of cool band playing during dinner. The quality of the food was good-to very good. Unfortunately, the service was disappointing. Our server was terse, did not attend to us very often, and when he brought the entrées, simply laid them down in front of us without comment and walked away. Throughout the meal, he really seemed uninterested. All in all, it was an average experience and I am not sure we would return the next time we visited Lafayette.
(3)Amy E.
The ambience was wonderful with a Zydeco band playing the whole time! The seafood platter was wonderful. The frog legs were crisp and not slimy at all, as were the pieces of alligator. Definitely a great place to stop!
(4)Rodney T.
Poor hostess staff. They need to be trained better. Many open tables a hostess sits us by the kitchen door. Then we have to wait 10 minutes and I have to approach the hostess to find out who is waiting on us because no one has approached the table. If I hadn't been before and liked the food I would have walked out. Amber was an awesome server.
(1)Bill B.
As we traveled the Interstate we noticed the parking lot at this restaurant was full of cars. We stopped and went in and found a very large dining room with red and white checked table cloths on each table plus Louisiana décor throughout the restaurant. The service was excellent. Ordered the blackened baked fish and my spouse ordered the chicken Panini sandwich. Lots of sea food options from the menu. Both were excellent. The restaurant was full of customers kept coming in. Nice stop for lunch with reasonable prices.
(5)Kevin G.
Best Cajun food ever! delicious flavors, shrimp Etoufee is so good, seafood gumbo out of sight! Must visit to understand how good this really is.
(5)Rick B.
Unfortunately, the high price doesn't match the quality of the food. The mains were all excellent, but the sides disappointed badly. Vegetables were steamed, frozen packaged vegetables, the salads had the uneatable ends of the lettuce heads (for filler?). We had three mains (my wife and I shared), a kids shrimp, ice tea and one well drink - and it was $95..... Fun atmosphere, good mains, but not worth the price.
(3)Jethro C.
Spectacular cajun food. If you're on the highway, passing through Louisiana and are wondering which of the restaurants should be your stop -- this is the one. Don't miss the boudin balls and crawfish enchiladas... although, absolutely everything I tried was great. Not quite as touristy as a few reviewers have said (at least when I was there), and the restaurant is enthusiastically recommended by several genuine Louisiana cooking experts that I know. Live music every night, too, they say (a small acoustic group when I was there). The only caveat -- service is very friendly, naturally, but it was a bit slow, so this might not be the place to go if you're in a huge rush.
(5)Lina X.
Great food and service. It's everything I have hoped for in a Cajun restaurant. The crawfish platter is so good and big enough for two people. I love the sweet corn and gumbo as well. The price seems high until the food arrives, giant portions. Will come back again
(5)Robert L.
Four stars based upon only what I have eaten since 2002. 1. Chix & Sausage Gumbo - FIVE STARS and they deserve it! Best I've had! 2. Duck and Andouille Gumbo - See above! Too rich for a bowl though... Order a cup! 3. Duck Entree' - Unbelievable! (Just wish the sauce didn't have shrooms) 4. Crab Au Gratin - OMG... A bit rich, though... 5. Dirty Rice & Corn Mac Choux - To die for! 6. Zydeco Music - Very annoying... Sit at the bar, away from the noise! Overall - A must try place! :-)
(4)Jonathan S.
I have been twice and it was okay both times. Alligator Grand Chenier=okay Corn macque choux=not a big fan Chicken and sausage gumbo= Fantastic! Crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake=not great Catfish Prejean=alright Rice dressing=not the greatest Atmosphere=Good. It's a neat place Service=Good the first time... subpar the second Bottom line... if friends wanted to go again, I'm cool with it, but as for me, I'll give another place a shot over Prejean's.
(3)Diane W.
We visited PreJeans this AM for breakfast. What a treat! The meal started with homemade sweet potato biscuits ad regular biscuits. The sweet potato biscuits were amazing. They tasted like a moist gingerbread. Very Yummy! The shrimp and grits with Creole sauce was excellent. I had the PreJeans Benedict. Seafood and crab boudin patties with an egg on top all smothered with crawfish étouffée. Absolute delicious. Would definitely recommend stopping at the Cajun institution for breakfast in the future. Only the slow service kept this rating from being a 5. The food was definitely a 5.
(4)Eric B.
Prejean's and Blue Dog Cafe have always been listed as the go to places when my friends tell me where I need to eat when visiting Lafayette. Blue Dog Cafe was absolutely terrible & made me sick. I would not list either as the go to place for Lafayette. I have eaten at Prejean's several times and it is decent. The service was great and very attentive. The decoration is very touristy and I see why out of towners would want to go to this "Cajun" restaurant. The food is decent, nothing exciting. It relies on butter to carry the flavor. Butter can make anything delicious. Their rolls were extremely delicious and buttery, but definitely not healthy. The place is definitely not cheap for what it is. If you are looking for something lighter or fairly healthy, keep looking.
(3)James M.
Blackened catfish was juicy and delicious. Étouffée really good too. Atmosphere was enjoyable with a band playing and good company. I recommend when you get a chance.
(5)Jen G.
Awesome food and live entertainment. We were on the front row of the 3 man band. Folks were clapping and singing along. The crab stuffed tilapia was excellent. Waiter was attentive and friendly. All in all a good experience.
(5)Madison A.
E were traveling through the area to head back home to Texas and wanted one last authentic meal. I found Prejean's on Yelp so we decided to eat there. IT WAS SO GOOD! The boudin balls were amazing.
(4)Kristen S.
Stopping at Prejean's restaurant has become a tradition for us as we are headed to or from New Orleans. Food is always tasty. We usually eat till we can't take another bite and leave stuffed! The decor makes you feel like you are at a big Cajun picnic surrounded by alligators and moss covered swamp trees. Enjoy!
(4)Phil M.
The duck gumbo is worth writing home about.
(5)Donna H.
Prejean's lived up to our expectations for atmosphere, food quality, and service (great!) But why why do so many restaurants in warm/hot climates have to have their air-conditioner turned down to 50? We dressed for the climate, in summery attire, but should have brought our snow jackets. After complaining 2 times, the management finally adjusted our side room down to only what felt like 65 instead of 50. Still....wished I had brought more than a light sweater. .Our server was so friendly, professional and helpful, we much appreciated his tips on the menu. We came with a group of 8 friends, and everyone was pleased with the food. It was a bit noisy and hard to hear one another, but we weren't out for romance on this evening. We started with the Alligator cheese cake and had to order a second round it was so good.The gumbo I would give a B, The Yellow fin tuna, was good quality and fresh and with wonderful flavors. We loved the cheese rolls, best bread in Louisiana.
(4)Whitney B.
The food was ok. Nothing compared to Pappadeauxs or Fezzos. Our waiter Joe was pretty bad. He was not very attentive... Portion sizes were small for the price paid. We were quite shocked.
(2)Kelly S.
The food was good but not worth the price. We ate lunch on a Saturday and the entrees were $20.
(3)George H.
Had dinner there on Sunday evening June 21st. restarurent was not that busy but took 30 min to place our order and another 40 min to receive it. Food was just barely warm. The worst part was not that they had burned the rue in making the gumbo, but that they actually served it to us. George
(2)Ray F.
Great food, great beer, great service! This was our first visit & we were pleasantly surprised! Amber was our server. She was awesome & answered all our questions about the menu. I had the Crab Cakes Covington.... So good! No complaints whatsoever. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. And, Amber recommended the Tin Roof Blonde Ale. Great beer! I hope we are able to visit again soon.
(5)Dinah H.
Great alligator cheesecake and étouffée. Mmm sopped the plate with bread. Would come back. Service was pretty good. $50 for 2 ppl with no booze and sharing entree.
(3)Patti R.
This was a last minute decision, but so worth it. Corn and crab bisque was phenomenal! House dressing was a pleasant surprise. I have to go back.
(5)Sweets M.
YES. Musicians using instruments and not auto tone? Fried Alligators and gumbo? I'M IN.
(5)Tom J.
I kept looking for the chicken and sausage in my gumbo. Lots of liquid but little to no substance in the bowl.
(3)Faith A.
This review is ONLY for their gumbo. I love their gumbo at jazz fest so when I was passing through Laffayette I decided I would go to them instead of waiting for jazz fest. They must get a lot of tourist folk in their because there was a mini store selling all kinds of Louisiana and cajun merchandise. They also had a freezer selling gumbo by the quart. They did not have the famous one from jazz fest so I opted for the duck and andouille gumbo. It was $20...Whoa! that's a lot of peanuts for some gumbo. But, after all...that IS what I came for so whatever. Despite being a touristy place and overpriced. I love love looooove their gumbo. If you like a dark and rich roux you would like Prejean's gumbo. It's the best!
(4)Jason M.
This food was really good. I wasn't sure what to expect because it seemed touristy, but it exceeded expectations. The fries green tomatoes were ridiculous and I usually don't eat them. Also the chicken and sausage gumbo was great. My wife had the crab and corn chowder, which was also good. The portions are large enough to share, but the food is so good you may not want to.
(4)Paul P.
First Cajun food since arriving off the plane. This met every expectation of spicy, deep fried, gumbo, fish, and shellfish one associates with cajun cuisine. And plenty of it. The place was full and there was a 3 man band playing good cajun music. Not too lively but good for the crowd.
(4)Ali B.
Stopped here on a whim in the middle of a road trip. Was pleasantly surprised. Friendly staff from the start. Cool looking place inside. But the food was great. Ordered a crawfish poboy. Crispy crawfish without being overcooked and just right so you taste batter and crawfish together. Light dressing and a little lettuce to top it off and the roll was amazingly soft. Great sandwich. So glad I decided to stop in, only wish it was closer so I'd have the opportunity to stop in again. ...maybe next road trip that way.... :)
(5)Vince A.
One of my favorite all time places to have Duck and andouille gumbo. I don't believe anyone can make better gumbo than these guys , not even my mama!
(5)Marc M.
Cajun food at its best! Try the chicken and sausage gumbo - this place is a three time world champion. Advertisement like that in the heart of Cajun country really means something. Definitely a "locals" place... thank goodness to Yelp directing us to eat here. Lafayette definitely has more than it's share of great restaurants. I live in "The Big City" and I am jealous. I had shrimp stuffed with cheese wrapped on bacon - kind of like a shrimp brochette, except this was deep fried. Did I mention that I didn't see too much that was "healthy" on the menu. The corn side is like a dessert. In fact, I was so stuffed after my entree, I didn't have room for dessert.
(5)John L. H.
Prejeans offers traditional Cajun food, but is geared toward the tourist trade. We decided to stop here while driving through Lafayette. When we were seated in front of the stage with a live Cajun band, I was quite happy. Unfortunately the band stopped playing after one song. The food is traditional. Lots of fried or grilled seafood along with gumbos and etouffes. I decided to split the fried seafood platter and was not impressed. It was fried perfectly, but just average compared to many of the other platters I've had in the region. Service was very slow. Our server seemed either overwhelmed or disinterested the entire meal. Drink refills were few and far between and he seemed to vanish right when he was needed. In summary, Prejeans wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. If you're in the area and want a touristy seafood restaurant, hopefully your luck will be better than mine.
(2)KArla M.
This place was amazing, the food was excellent the wait staff was attentive our drinks and bread basket were refilled instantly. The food was sooo good had the specialty catfish it was crispy in the outside and soo flaky inside. The food was out quickly and overall it was a great experience
(5)Jim J.
Fantastic. My wife & I have eaten here each time we have visited Lafayette Parish & the experience has always been wonderful. It is a must-visit restaurant for authentic Cajun country cuisine. Always great service & never a bad meal from any choice on the menu.
(5)Misty L.
So disappointed on our experience here, visiting family in Lafayette, they wanted to take us here because of the good food.. But instead we were all disappointed. To start off our bread plates came out soaked, we had to dry them ourselves so our bread didn't get soggy. Waitress was pitiful took 20 minutes to get my beverage and then another 45 minutes to get the other beverages and to take our food order.. And the waitress was rude and acted like she didn't care. Spoke with the manager and she didn't seem to get it that we felt ignored and not getting the service that one should get when dining out. When the food came it was so cold! The only 2 things that were hot was the blackened fish and my baked potato everyone else plate was cold.. Very disappointed because my family has eaten here and always been pleased. But it was horrible, my daughter ended up being sick most of the night. Not a place will come back to when we visit again, there are much better Cajun food restaurants.
(1)Tracy D.
My BF and I stopped here on our way back to Texas from Florida. Since I had already worked his nerves by insisting that I will not eat at a chain restaurant when I travel, I prayed that my random pick from a billboard would not disappoint. It didn't! He ordered a cup of the Duck Gumbo and the fried catfish plate. I ordered a bowl of the Seafood Gumbo. OMG!! Everything was awesome! The hot bread, the gumbo, the fish... the two us couldn't believe how good the food was. The portions were generous, and our server was on point. We loved Prejean's. We were stuffed at the end of the meal, but that didn't stop us from taking 3 to-go containers of gumbo out of their freezer. Score!! Needless to say we will be stopping here again if we are ever in Lafayette.
(5)Jim K.
I had the crawfish enchiladas appetizer- that was the absolute best food I have ever eaten. The wife had the stuffed shrimp- ok but not great. We finished with a shared bowl of crawfish bisque which was a bit thick but good. This place is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for here.
(4)Nora S.
We walked into this place and immediately thought tourist trap. Yes, it is. That doesn't mean the food isn't spot on. While we were in Louisiana, I ate seafood gumbo three times. This was far and away the best of the three. Gumbo was really different than any I had ever had before. It was a thin soup with chunks of fish, shrimp, crawdad and crab. I was used to eating gumbo with a thicker base. The broth was also very dark. They clearly used a very well developed roux as their base. The flavor was unlike any I had ever had. The gumbo was so delicious and spicy. They had clearly added the chunks of seafood later as nothing was overcooked. They sell their gumbo to take home and I can see why. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his crawdad ettouffee. Again a knockout. Really good stuff here. Kids liked the touristy atmosphere with the swamp decor.
(4)Steve R.
We hit this joint up for lunch, found it on YELP while passing through town on our quest for greatness and worldwide domination. Thanks, YELP. The decor is cool, the food was great (One guy had the catfish Prejean and he loved it, it looked super-duper) I had a pork tenderloin sandwich and it was AWESOME. Tenderloin was thin and fried perfectly. Slaw was good, I added salt though, but I am weird like that. Onion rings were home made and fried just right. Boogie on down here and try it. DOnt laugh when you go to the bathroom, it looks like a casino restroom, not what you would expect...I figured there would be a trough with a urinal cake, but they are super modern.
(4)Timothy L.
Awesome! Ordered chef's special for the day (fried fish dish, comes with garlic bread and the crawfish, stil can't find on the menu...) 40minutes wait I made up my mind it has to be good or it's gonna leave bad impression. Turn out, IT was worth every minute of the wait. Fish is fried just nice. Really juicy inside. And their Cajan style crawfish is as good as it could be. We ordered a King cake (Mardi Gras special I believe) and it is good. Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Virginia W.
I wish it was lunchtime so we could eat here again. We just passed the exit. My husband, daughter and grandchildren ate here in June 2013 and we were surprised at how delicious every item on our plates were. The grandkids were so amazed by the decor, ie alligators etc, that they had a difficult time concentrating on their food. We had to buy them a gift at the gift shop. I will definitely eat at Prejeans again, probably on the way to Florida next March.
(5)Heidi J.
Driving up this place looks like nothing special, but when you walk in it's serious Louisiana. The decor is fantastic and the food is out of this world! Great service with a fun Cajun atmosphere.
(5)Carl M.
I finished my job in Lafayette and checked into the hotel. I am always looking for a good local haunt and both the people at the desk recommended this place. Just a few miles later I walked into Prejean's and was led to the lounge. The crawfish enchilada was what was recommended and I was given a coupon for a cup of chicken and sausage gumbo. I sat for a few minutes before the barkeep arrived and served me. The iced sweet was pretty good but I couldn't read the menu having forgotten my readers. He cleaned up a pair and handed them to me while putting in the order for the gumbo. The menu was pretty straightforward but I went with the recommended crawfish enchilada. By the time I had settled on that, he brought my gumbo. I have had many different types of gumbo but this was great. Rice served separately from the gumbo with a plate to combine them and a fresh hot roll with all the traditional ecoutrements. Rice hit the plate as I smothered it with fresh gumbo and as I reached for the hot sauce, it gracefully slid behind the bar and broke. He was very gracious as he quickly replaced it and called for a cleanup. I felt bad, but I sprinkled the hot sauce onto my mixture and fell in love with the first taste of what turned out to be an excellent dining experience. The gumbo was so good with that earthy Cajun taste sporting good size chunks of both chicken and an excellent sausage. The combination set my tastebuds in high gear and it was all I could do to restrain myself from going caveman on it. The hot roll was the teaser as I sopped any remaining vestiges of the gravy and quickly scarfed that plate clean. I also ordered a beer...something I never do...because I was feeling the mood now. I sat back to savor what I had just elated when the door swings open and out comes a very hot plate...of which I was warned about several times...with my enchilada. Having just come out of the oven, it was hot so I sampled the other sides on the plate. The corm pastry stood on its own as did the ball of rice spiced with liver and several other tasty components before adventuring into the enchilada. It was cheesy so it initially strung out my first bite but when I blew it cool and placed it on my tongue, it was pure magic. The combination was mind blowing and I asked several questions as I was eating it. The staff was so accommodating and the bartender so down to earth that I felt comfortable wolfing this plate of food down and watching them bet on whether I would finish it. I WON. If you ever go there remember that this is not your run of the mill eatery, this is true Cajun masterpiece food presented in truly traditional style. It is earthy, spicy and so good it deserves to be listed as a landmark, not just another restaurant.
(5)Ivan J.
Prejeans is like a Cajun-style Cracker Barrel: open seating, clever decor, convenient interstate frontage, menu heavy on the fried and sauced foods, reasonable prices and good service. Which is great if you're looking for a place that offers that kind of atmosphere and fare. But if you want someplace that has healthier offerings, doesn't bread and fry everything, and yet still gives you a Cajun experience, there are better choices in the area.
(2)Adam B.
I was expecting a awesome Cajun experience maybe I built it up in my head or something but the food was bland and very mediocre. I didn't enjoy anything about my time there. The decor was tacky and the food was a serious let down. We waited a hour to sit down and maybe that started the bad experience.
(2)Clint B.
One word. Gumbo! This place is money. I will come back often. I would love to work here just to eat their gumbo everyday. I have rendered this place to a bunch of friends as well. THREE thumbs up. Thanks for being in business.
(5)Andrew G.
I ate here last month under protest. Didn't want to go, but since I was at my GF's house who lives over there, there is not much of a choice in that area.She had her Dad in town, who is part Cajun, and he needed some Cajun grub. This meal was so bad that my GF was totally embarassed to have taken her Dad there. The gumbo just plain sucks, has very little meat or veggies in it, and the Crawfish Etouffee was salty and horrible. This joint with all of its good reviews baffles me. I suspect most of the reviews are coming from tourists passing through Lafayette as they're too ignorant or lazy to find a good Cajun place, of which there are many in Lafayette. I gor-on-damn-tee you that very few of these good reviews were written by locals or Cajuns. If you're passing through Lafayette, do yourself a favor and eat at Charlie G's or lue Dog - or better yet - Fezzo's, which is right along I-10 near the Amb Caffery exit. Stay away from Prejean's. This place is crap.
(2)Naveed B.
You might think this is a tourist trap. Well it may have lot's of tourists, but the food here is incredible. I've been here several times and every time I have come it's been a spectacular experience. The largest party I ever came here with was a party of fifteen for my birthday. Of the fifteen, I was the only one that had ever ate here before. After we left it was everyone's favorite restaurant. This place knows how to make Cajun food. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that my mother(a Cajun woman) thought the gumbo was better than her's. Of their gumbos, I usually get the smoked duck and andouille. The crawfish half & half (etouffee and fried crawfish) is excellent. Every appetizer is good. When we came for my party we literally ordered every appetizer. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. My absolute favorite item here though is the Cajun rack of venison. I ordered the Cajun rack of venison for the first time on my birthday and it was one of the best things I've ever ate. Everyone tried it and was pissed they didn't order it. Now my friends take regular pilgrimages to Lafayette for the Cajun rack of venison. This place is awesome. Check it out.
(5)Amanda B.
I had high expectations for this place, given it's reputation, but living in New Orleans, my expectations for Cajun food may be too high. Started off great, and to me, my meal tasted just fine. Not spectacular, but good. I got SO sick from the food; "Shrimp Festival something"! Luckily we have family in Opelousas. I would've been unable to drive home in the state I was in. No thank you, Lafayette!
(1)Kelly S.
I was pleased with this place. I had a crab cake that was decent and came covered with a crawfish sauce of some sort. My son loved the oyster saxophone (open-faced sandwich) that he had. I tried my daughter's catfish etoufee and it was excellent. I wish I had gotten that instead of the crab cake actually. Our server was great and even offered us to go cups for refills. AWESOME!
(4)Cesar B.
I'm typing as I'm eating, so excuse my drooling here, haha! This place is fantastic! Great vibe, nice interior design, I really felt like if I was in one of those little houses by the swamps right at the bayou. Nicely done! The live music was great too! But the food, oh my the food! That was fantastic! I've tried several gumbos at several locations, both in and outside Louisiana. And this is the absolute best! I had a cup of Duck and Andouille sausage Gumbo. The roux was thick just as I like it (I don't like the runny roux), and was spicy (not terribly, but had a nice kick). For an Entreé I had (still eating here) the Enchiladas. Oh my, what a perfect choice! Beautifully crafted with a crawfish sauce and cheese, and all the goodies. By the way, I got to thank my server Matt who walked me through the menu, and helped me out choosing the right stuff. Thank you guys! Keep it up! We'll see you soon, hopefully!
(5)Hannah W.
Stopped by on road trip to florida. The reviews made it seem to be a pleasant place to stop. I feel like I just wasted an hour. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo, I was not impressed. The server was not friendly or attentive. Our drinks not only took a while but also were not refilled until we got up to find her and asked for a refill. The hostesses and server cleaning tables near ours were friendly and helpful though.
(2)Patrick W.
I love Gumbo. I eat it at most all restaurants that offer it. I make it myself often. The time and patience it takes to make a good dark roux alone eliminates many restaurants from the ability to make a good gumbo. Prejean's roux is good. There gumbo is average. I got a $12 bowl of seafood gumbo and found it very sparse, no veggies, just an occasional shrimp, and crawfish with some crab. I was disappointed. Atmosphere is nice and unique. My server was good (he called me boss), but the food (all I had was the gumbo) was average.
(3)Dean L.
We stop here every time we are going through Louisiana. The service is great and the food is incredible. I got the seafood platter (grilled) and my friend had the alligator grand chenier, which is what he gets every time. Can't wait til we get back though again!
(5)Dawn N.
Hands down awesome. Our server Mark was great. The duck gumbo is out of this world the best gumbo I've ever had. The crawfish boudin balls were yummy. Music entertaining all around wonderful place for the family it is a MUST stop.
(5)Cate C.
I had the catfish catahoula and my partner ordered the seafood platter. The rice dressing was OK. I'm used to eating it a little spicier (Zatarain's). The macque choux was delicious, as were the bread rolls. While the catfish was cooked perfectly, I felt there was too much crawfish/crabmeat/shrimp stuffing and not enough catfish. This led to a texture I wasn't satisfied with, although overall, the food was fine. The fried seafood was absolutely divine. You cannot get better Cajun seafood than this! We also had the gator appetizer, which was also tasty. Overall, I would definitely come here again.
(4)Wendi S.
Mixed review for our family. We didn't get off to a great start when after we were seated, they kinda forgot about us. But once they figured out who our server was, it was fine service wise. I realllly wanted jambalaya, but they didn't have that, so I got Shrimp etouffee. It was good, better with their hot sauce. Hubby had a catfish dish he liked. Son had Oyster Saxaphone which he LOVED! My other son had the seafood gumbo. He disliked it, and we all tried it and it was pretty bad. We will probably try somewhere different next time. :(
(3)K. B.
Recommended by many locals and tourists, Prejeans is a fun place to go for dinner. They have a good gift shop and bar to pass the time if you have to wait for a table. I had a seafood salad and gumbo that had plenty of meat in it. A Cajun band was playing and the place is nicely decorated. I loved the sink in themen's bathroom. Service as alittle slow but I was with good company. I would return.
(4)Elaine V.
Very great! Just hate to leave the state and all this Cajun food. The bowl of crawfish bisque is huge. More of a meal for two.
(5)Michael T.
This was my second trip through Lafayette, LA. This place is a must stop and an outstanding place to eat great Cajun style food. Service is top notch and the food is prepared such that you can enjoy every bite. Don't leave without ordering the bread pudding. If you're full after dinner, order it to go.
(5)Corla L.
Tonight the fish special Mahi Mahi, very dry. Crawfish Étouffée not so good. Restaurant is dirty.thick dust from ceiling to floor. I was watching to see is dust bunnies would fall on my food. But the service was quick tonight.
(2)Robert T.
warning.. this place will cost you at least $20.. If you can manage the $20, then I highly recommend this place! I ordered the Catfish filet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked.. topped with a nice cajun sauce. My coworker ordered the Catfish Oscar Prejean and he was also blown away. corn macque choux.. I don't know what that means but it's tasty! It's served in a little edible bowl and the bowl is just as good as the corn. Grilled asparagus was on point. The rice dressing had some kick! I loved every bit of my dinner. The desserts looked killer! Next time, I'll have to break my $20 budget. One of my coworkers ordered the Crabmeat AuGratin and she didn't like it. I tasted it and I thought it was very good. It had a lot of flavor and a lot of cheese. I think this would probably make for a better appetizer to share than an individual meal.
(5)Jeremy M.
Best Cajun restaurant I've been to, and I've been to my share! Everything from the boudin balls to the bread pudding was excellent. Great live music and a 14 foot Gator to threaten the kids with being eaten if they don't behave....PERFECT!
(5)K S.
My fella and I have had to make several trips from Houston to Mississippi in the past few months. He remembered this place from maybe decades ago and we looked to see if it was still open. It was, and it's great! It's become our stopping point on the long dull drive. The gumbos are amazing. If you're there at dinnertime and get to hear the music, it's incredibly fun. All of our servers have been sweet. I recommend it to everyone making that hideous drive across I-10.
(5)Dawn M.
Coming from Austin, we have few selections when it comes to authentic Cajun food. This trip to Lafayette had high expectations on experiencing what the locals eat on a daily basis. I needed crawfish and oysters and catfish in a bad way. Thanks to the stunning reviews on Prejean's on Yelp, our group heads out, in search of Cajun delightfulness. As we walk in, it looks like a Joe's or a Razzou's. Lot's of flair on the walls, merchandise for sale and beads, beads everywhere. The place is packed with families, large groups and couples. Honestly, I'm a bit hesitant that Prejean's will deliver. Boy was I wrong. After spying at the table across from us, we see this lovely skillet of bubbling goodness accompanied with buttery toast triangles. Scanning the menu, we come across the seafood skillet fondeaux for two. Our group of four orders it, and devours it with sighs of joy. Cleaning the skillet with our rolls, the table is giddy with excitement. My hurricane, which is strong as shit, is going down quite nicely. The amount of time between the appetizer and food is perfect, just enough time for us to talk, digest and get hungry again. And now the food arrives. Sweet heaven, it's amazing. The red snapper pontchartrain almost made me cry it was so good. My friend had the catfish catahoula, and judging from the few bites I scored was immaculate. The boys has a fried seafood smorgasbord. The fried crawfish were juicy and breaded perfectly. Every person ended the night with full tummies and huge smiles on our faces. We couldn't stop raving about the richness of the food and how surprised we were at how everything ended up perfect. So thank you Prejean's for the perfect Cajun food experience.
(5)Christine T.
On the way to New Orleans from Lake Charles... had to stop by and get me some of that cajun food. Third time I ever had a cajun meal.... and by all means this is the best I ever had. I ordered the crawfish platter and shared it with my mom since it's quite a big meal. First comes the crawfish bisque. Really good... loaded with whole crawfish. Then came the crawfish salad... salad, house vinaigrette dressing, topped with fried crawfish. Then came the whole entree which consist of fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish potpie, crawfish boulettes, cajun fries, and dirty rice. It was more than enough to serve 2 people. That platter was enough to fill up 3 people. The food was AMAZING!!! Even the bread was really good. famous for their gumbo and po boy. Offer everything from gumbo, crawfish, oysters, shrimp, crab, alligator, chicken, steak, po boy, Prejean's is really as good as it gets because I saw two tour bus loaded with people drive in while I was leaving.
(5)Barry M.
Best of the best, hands-down. Period. Seafood cooked just right, always tender, always done to perfection, served by a friendly, attentive and cheerful staff. I love the gator and the alligator gar on display, and the live band keeps the atmosphere festive!
(5)Nina H.
Had good food but wow exapenive. Too expensive I think. I ordered the crawfish enchiladas and shrimp and sausage gumbo both were very good. I never had crawfish before and I don't like fishy things but this was awesome. I loved the enchiladas. The gumbo was 10.95 but it was a very large bowl and good once you put some heat in it. I recommend the bottle that said gold on it. It has a good zip so don't add too much. We went for lunch and it was way packed. The decor was cool. Alligators everywhere picture on the wall, moss hanging from the ceiling. Very nice. They had a gift shop too for memories or something. Idk but the price was steep. Most meals at lunch were at 20 and up. There were a few under 20 maybe 5 or so things.
(4)Joe T.
Pretty good gumbo and minced, not lump crabcake. Definitly not worth the $. Good waiter.
(2)Kristi P.
I was traveling and although I was by myself I had a blast! Funky cajun band rocking out, web cam in the corner had all my friends "eating with me". The food was outa this world! Gumbo like I've never tasted before, this stuffed deep fried shrimp with pepper jack cheese and this melt in your mouth sauce. Perfect presentation. Fun fun fun! My only regret?? Trying somewhere else when I was there. Should have just gone back for more!
(5)Will R.
Fun live music, good food, ok prices, prompt and friendly services.
(4)TJ Lee W.
I only gave you that second star because of the zydeco music. That being said this was one of the most disappointing experiences I've ever had with cajun/coonass cuisine. I really wanted to love this place. How can you screw up cajun food this badly? If you must go to see for yourself, don't get the crawfish bisque. It's dark brown and as thick as molasses, and the only reason I even ate half of it was because it was 9 dollars a bowl. For a cuisine that has such flavorful offerings, Prejeans fails at living up to this claim. Your pallet is as ignorant as the clientele here if you enjoy this overrated sub par establishment. Truly the Mcfood version of Louisiana cooking.
(2)Jennifer P.
We have been eating here for several years everytime we come to town. Our favorite dishes are the pepper jack shrimp, crawfish enchiladas, & boudin balls. On our last visit we noticed the the prices have increased while the portions have decreased. Food was still very tasty, just be prepared to pay a little more.
(4)Rick T.
OMG...........died and gone to heaven eating their Fried Green Tomatoes, with crawfish and shrimp, smothered in a sherry cream sauce and topped with lump crab meat!!!
(4)Lan T.
I took my sister and her husband here when they came in town to visit me. I had lived in Lafayette for approximately 7 years and this was my first time dining here. I just never wanted to drive to Carencro to eat here. I regret that mistake now. We started off with the Oysters Rockefeller which was excellent. It's been about 4 or 5 years since this experience, so I don't quite remember what I had for my entree. I do remember that I almost licked my plate clean. I've been all around this country, from the South to the West to the East and North, and there is no food like there is in Louisiana. Lafayette is my second favorite city to eat in, right behind NOLA, my home town.
(5)Lisa C.
This is the allegator place! When you walk through the doors, you'll be greeted by a massive allegator hanging on the wall!! I loved this place. There is a band playing music on the stage, pretty much every table is full and the food is a plenty. Warning: the portions are h.u.g.e. but the food definitely does not disappoint. I ordered the gumbo which was yummy and the sides are pretty good too. It's definitely a place for people watching. The wait staff are SO friendly. Love it!!!
(3)Happy C.
Prejean's, this is a letter from the row of my bottom teeth on the right side of my mouth: DO YOU THINK NEXT TIME YOU CAN KEEP THE PECAN SHELLS OUT OF THE MINISCULE PECAN PIE SLICE YOU GAVE ME LAST NIGHT? Thanks, My Nearly Broken Chompers
(3)Tina H.
Large rooms with lots of seating. Was very packed when we came in for lunch. The seafood gumbo was very good. Others had the chowder and said it was very good. Prawns were very large and they had a friendly staff. Waiter was very helpful with menu items and quick with refills. The lump Blue crab cakes had large hunks of crab and a delicious crawfish Louis sauce on top. I had mine fried. Not to spicy on initial bite but felt the heat after I ate-- just right! Served with rice dressing and corn macque choux. Lots of gator- stuff around (stuffed of course) and they have a gift store inside where you can also order some of their soups/gumbos online and have them shipped or takeaway right on the premises.
(5)Hieu B.
This place is AMAZING! I tried a lot of gumbo at different restaurants and majority of the time its bland and flavorless. But the gumbo here is a different story! Its a dark roux and surprisingly, it was THAT GOOD. The crawfish enchilada is a MUST! Eating it at the restaurant compared to eating it at Gretna Fest is worlds apart because the flavor is out of this world!!!! The portions are also big.
(5)Chris E.
Have been here twice and have enjoyed both visits. The Cajun music is wonderful and the atmosphere great. The food is tasty (and plentiful) and is very reasonable. I enjoy this place and hope you will, too.
(4)steve o.
The gumbos here are out of this world. There is a chicken and sausage gumbo, a duck and andouille sausage gumbo, and a seafood gumbo -- all of them are outstanding! I had all three. My mother-in-law had the Pontchartrain Red Snapper and it was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the people in the place for dinner appeared to be locals. As near as I could tell, we looked like the only tourists there. The service was very prompt, friendly and attentive. There is a live cajun band playing every night at 7:00 p.m. and we enjoyed the music a great deal. Prices are very fair. Highly recommended!
(4)Lori G.
Passing thru Lafayette saw Prejean's and loved it. The smoked duck and andouille sausage gumbo was amazing. Dark flavorful roux, with generous amounts of tender duck and great andouille. We bought 1/2 gallon to take home. The blackened catfish was flavorful, moist and delicious, as was the fried catfish. We loved the various side dishes and look forward to future Prejean visits. An added bonus...there was some nice live Cajun music and a gift shop.
(4)Amy N.
My family and I drove through from Dallas. I have to say, this place offered the best gumbo i ever had. My husband ordered the crawfish bisque. And that was better than the gumbo! i will never go to Pappadeaux's or Razzoo's ever again after eating here!
(5)Dena S.
I, too was expecting a touristy place in Prejean's, but I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was not at all what I expected either with it's plastic red and white-checkered table cloths, but I didn't mind it. The live Cajun music helped. I found the service to be decent and all of our courses arrived in a timely manner. We started with Barbecue Shrimp. They were delicious but somewhat overcooked and hard to peel. Also, the sauce was much thicker than any BBQ shrimp sauce I've ever tasted. The french bread rolls that came with the dish were outstanding. It was served in a small cast iron skillet and with two rolls for dipping. I'm glad there weren't more rolls, because I could not have resisted eating them. We decided to split an entree after the server told us the crawfish platter we were contemplating was a large portion, and I'm glad we did. We weren't able to finish it and ended up bringing part of it home. The crawfish platter comes with Fried Crawfish, Crawfish Etouffee, Crawfish Pie, Crawfish Boulettes, & Crawfish Bisque and is served with Cajun Fries, Dirty Rice, and Crawfish Salad for $23.55. Fried Crawfish - Hands down the best fried crawfish I have EVER eaten. They were extremely tender and not over battered or over cooked. EXCELLENT! Crawfish Etouffee - Very good, even by my standards. Crawfish Pie - This was served in an aluminum tart pan with what appeared to be cheese topping, which I thought was odd. Also, the crust was unexpectedly sweet. We really didn't like the crust and didn't eat it. The filling was probably the etouffee and was good. Crawfish Boulettes - The platter only came with one boulette, which was quite nice, though a little more squishy than I am accustomed to. Crawfish Bisque - The bisque was not my idea of bisque at all. It was much thicker and I couldn't detect the cream element at all. Having said that, I enjoyed it anyway. Cajun Fries - Yummy Dirty Rice - Yummy Crawfish Salad - this was the house salad (side salad portion) with fried crawfish tails on top. The salad was less than average with iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and croutons, but the fried crawfish tails made it edible. Incidentally, the less than average side salad would cost you $5.50 without the crawfish tails if you ordered it separately. Seriously? Overall, we really enjoyed the meal and the music. There were tons of other things on the menu I'd love to try. We'll definitely go back next time we're in town.
(4)Joe F.
Completely gross, gut bomb, thought I was going to puke in the parking lot, 100 percent hype, 0 percent good!
(1)Kirk F.
This is a good tourist place that is not a tourist trap (IMHO). There is good food here. I had the duck and andoulle gumbo which was outstanding. But a lot of the food (stuffed snapper, fried catfish) was just OK. The stuffed alligators are a kinda trite decoration. The decor is fine. The location is a pain. The live music a cool touch though, and locals go there to dance (a little, anyway). That's what makes this more than a tourist trap, Prejeans is better than that...but it's still not down home, or fancy, it's a tweener.
(3)Dave A.
Prejean's is classic Cajun kitsch. The food was solid but a bit overpriced for the style and presentation of the food. It was hard to spend over $20 per person knowing that I was spitting distance from a major interstate. If I had more time, I would have searched for another restaurant on Caliste Saloom Rd. in Lafayette. Despite this, the service was 5 star. Aaron, our waiter, talked with us about Acadiana for about 15 minutes. He also pointed us to the deep fried banana cheesecake for dessert - a recommendation for which we are very grateful. One word of warning. If you are a vegetarian, vegan, or don't like seafood, avoid coming here. There was exactly ONE vegetable dish that did not sound particularly inventive or unique.
(3)Christina M.
If you didn't want touristy, you should have turned around at the giant 'gator! We live nine hours away and have seriously contemplated making the drive just to eat there again. We tried our first alligator there and no place has been able to compare. The food was great, service was good and the live music made it feel even more authentic. And they have kennels for your pups to hang out in while you're inside, which is great if they're traveling with you - or maybe those were for misbehaving children...?
(5)Jando S.
I cannot say how impressed I am with the food at Prejean's. The location is off the highway, a bit out of the way of the rest of Lafayette. Apparently its touristy, but for an out-of-towner like myself its about as impressive as it gets and a real treat for the city of Lafayette. The service isn't the greatest (I had to flag them down several times just for water, bill, and questions about the menu) but I'd be lying if I didn't say their boudin balls, catfish, and dirty rice aren't near incredible. Just typing this review makes me hungry for their food. The boudin balls were delicious and the catfish was just heavenly. If you don't wish to deal with the service, highly recommend at least getting takeout ... its totally worth it.
(5)Tekk A.
2 stars initially, but another star for the bread. If you know me, then you know how much I love bread! WIth that said... Visited this place with the Women's Soccer team while on our way back from kickin' some Ragin' Cajun a** at ULa-La. Truthfully, I was excited the game was over because I was starving and couldn't wait to eat at this place, especially after hearing so much about it. I didn't read any reviews prior because I didn't want to spoil my experience. Now, in all honesty, I just think I ordered the wrong thing. I ordered a bland serving of Garlic Shrimp Pasta, served with asparagus, and a sauce that tasted like air - nothing! Luckily, the ladies let me sample their food; Kylie and Jayne had the alligator (yum!), and Kayla ordered stuffed crabs (I think), but whatever it was, it was good. So 3 stars, because what I ordered was bad, so I didn't finish it, but the dishes the girls ordered was great, yet, they didn't finish theirs. Everyone was happy!
(3)Joey H.
Straight from the menu: Cajun Surf and Turf Choice ribeye cooked to your specification. Smothered with crawfish etouffee and accompanied with six blackened shrimp. Served with corn macque choux and a twice baked potato. (10oz) $26.50 (14oz) $29.50 I'm a gout victim, so I need to stay away from both surf and turf, but who cares. With my trusty cherry extract by my side, I'm ready to jump in, get dirty and learn what a dickido is. I apologize for the wrong spelling, but it's not a word, it's a phrase. Ask me if you're dying to know. The food was great. I only ate half because I was eating all week here in Lafayette. I ordered the 14oz just because I wasn't really sure...oh hell, I knew it would be big, but we deserved it. I was sure if the ribeye was cooked to my spec because it was drenched in crawfish etouffee. My goodness, it was a meal for royalty. We sat right under the webcam so people could watch us eat. Yeah. watch me eat. Awk---ward. Anyway, couple days later, I finished the ribeye and twice baked potato, and they tasted good and delicious still. If you want it all, go here. If you want to watch your weight, don't come to Lafayette.
(5)Benjamin C.
I was a bit surprised to see all the 4 and 5 star reviews after dining at Prejean's last week. The food in general was good, but when compared to other restaurants in the area that feature similar menus it falls short. And this is the be all end all of touristy decors in the Lafayette area. I was always told Randol's was touristy, but Prejean's takes the gator, going as far as to have a gift shop and live cam so you can view diners on their website, always a riveting activity. The gumbo, which is award winning (not sure which award) was mediocre at best. The band was the star of the night, not only musically but the members were all nice as can be and outgoing. Not bad, just not as good as the competition, head to Randol's instead.
(2)P R.
Stopped to eat here on way home from NOLA. Had heard good things but it was awful. Food was cold, service was terrible. Staff stood around laughing and kissing and I had to wave someone down to get drink refills. Had to wave someone down again to get check and they weren't busy at all -- maybe 3 other tables in whole restaurant. Will not return.
(1)Mardi C.
this is a spot that I've heard about FOREVER and a day. and its all its supposed to be, if you want straight up louisiana cooking. we had a little bit of everything, while entertained by a cajun band, and a room filled with all kinds of knick knack looziana style. If you've not been here? go. ample portions of yummy goodness, I even did the frog legs.. sampler plate had it all, and we couldn't finish everything, it was just too much, but made for great leftovers, and great memories. I took a friend who was in louisiana for the first time, and it was def his fave meal.
(4)Tobi D.
*Note: I am not related to the owners.* I'm going to agree that it's a bit touristy. I was born and raised in Lafayette and have been to Prejean's maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. The food was always good. The last time I was there was 2003... why should I write a review after such a long period of time? Well the last time was my wedding rehearsal dinner. It was a destination wedding in that that the groom and his family were native Texans and the bride (me) was now living there as well... As did 70% of the wedding attendees. Everyone was really impressed with the menu Prejean's staff worked out with my mother-in-law that showcased a lot of local favorites and some really unique items like the Bayou Platter featuring alligator. I was very happy with my fish that had a crab topping. For dessert... well the Jack Daniels bread pudding, of course. It's so decadent and delicious. We were lucky enough to have the dinner on a night where there was live music so it just made it that much better of an experience for the guests.
(4)R H.
Excellent food, cool atmosphere. Stuffed tilapia was great. Try the alliagtor cheesecake, very good!
(4)Phi N.
The food at Prejean's are very good and filling. I've had the duck and andouille sausage gumbo and it was fabulous. The gumbo tasted very rich and was very flavorful. I also had the Catfish grand Chenier which is basically a fried catfish rolled in their signature seafood stuffing and topped with crawfish etouffee with a side of rice dressing and corn macque choux. This is one of my favorite dish on the menu during lunch time. They usually bring you a side of rolls which is very good also. The prices during lunch are also very reasonable. An entrée with a drink usually runs about $12-$14 out the door and you come away very satisfied. There is also a live camera there where you can log on to the website and see people in the restaurant in real-time. I highly recommend this restaurant for lunch.
(4)P G.
I truly wanted to like this spot, but it's just not going to happen today :-( I was SO disappointed with the andouille sausage gumbo. That's all it takes for me is the Gumbo.
(2)Christine T.
Love seafood but this place didn't meet my expectation. Based on local's raves on it, I went and was disappointed with the food and how long it took to make it to our table. The price was not worth it.
(1)Matt K.
The food was phenomenal, the wait staff was excellent, the atmosphere was good. The seafood cheesecake appetizer is a must try.
(5)Michael H.
Just had to eat at the place due to all the rave reviews. The food was great and the place was decor. Great authentic Cajun food.
(4)Marina V.
Thank goodness for Prejean's! We'd had a bad culinary experience in Baton Rouge after arriving with high expectations... so on the way home, we stopped here (I say "stopped" but it was a little more difficult than that.. be warned: the directions on the Yelp iPhone app are WRONG and sent us into a random neighborhood!) It was totally worth the scenic route though... we walked inside and were greeted by live zydeco! I'd just been talking about how I wanted to find a little Cajun place with live music! No one dancing unfortunately, as it was pretty empty. They also decorate the place to look like you're "in the bayou" and they accomplish this without being over the top cheesy (in my opinion) With many more miles to go before home, we both ordered coffee. The menu was extremely hard to choose from... everything looked awesome!! We didn't want to gorge on too much and then get back in the car and we were running low on cash-money after our weekend in Baton Rouge... but we wanted to try out some new stuff as well...so we decided to split a platter that came with catfish, alligator, frog's legs, oysters, shrimp, and stuffed crab! The one downside is that you had to choose either everything fried or everything grilled... rather than a combination of the two... and the idea of grilled frogs legs and alligator kinda freaked me out... (a. this was my first time eating either and b. everything tastes good fried, right??) so we went with fried. We also order a cup of seafood gumbo but was great!! Much better than our gumbo experience in Baton Rouge! I can't wait to return and try their smoked duck/andouille gumbo! When the main course arrived, I was really pleased that we didn't just get a platter of BROWN in all different shapes! In fact, everything seemed to be fried a little different... the catfish had a cornmeal crust... perhaps the oysters too... but the alligator had a darker and spicier coating and the frog's legs really did kind of "taste like chicken" and had a fried-chicken-esque coating. It came with a scoop of blackened boudin on the side which was awesome...I thought the corn macque choux was a little sweet for the rest of the plate (some roasted corn in a pastry shell) and the "Cajun fries" were a bust, though it might have been because we were there at almost 9:00 and they closed at 9:30. Our server was very informative and professional for the most part. We did feel slightly neglected at the end too (just trying to get the check) because he was off somewhere doing sidework... But I'll definitely be back! Maybe next time on the way to New Orleans??
(4)Luke H.
Easy to find. Hard to Forget. Corn Maque Choux. Shiner Bock on tap. Always packed with locals and tourists alike. Avoid the Blue Ribbon Entrees, and go for the Pepper Jack Shrimp.
(5)Lindsey R.
Love this place! As a tradition we go each year on the way to Florida for vacation. Always excellent service and live zydeco music. The food is wonderful! Try the seafood gumbo with crab claws.....mmm! This past July there were less crab claws in the gumbo than ususal, hence only 4 stars. I look forward to this each year and I can't wait to go again!
(4)Yung L.
Food was good and the bread/biscuits were the best part of the meal. Overpriced though. Now for a warning. The waiter tried to double dip on the tip and the manager was obviously in on it. We were a party of 6 and here's the story. Waiter was really friendly and at the end of the meal brought the bill. It only had two copies of the grand total. I didn't think much of it at first and just asked the waiter whether the tip was included. He told us no the tip can't be included because it was against the laws of the state. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt of mishearing it if he didn't add the little extra reasoning. So I proceeded to add the tip on top of the grand total amount. Someone in the party mentioned the bill seemed high so we did a tally and it did seem high. So I asked the waiter for our itemized bill. He said it's in the garbage and he'll see if he could find it. He proceeded to rummage through the garbage and came back and said he couldn't find it. I asked him to reprint the itemized bill again since everything is computerized. He finally brought the bill and the tip was already included on the bill. I went up to talk to the manager about this. He heard my story and immediately said "I don't believe you. He's been with us for a long time" and so on He acted confrontational and nervous from the beginning. He basically said I was lying and by this time I knew he was in on it. I told him to take off the tip because I'm not tipping a scammer. He takes of the tip and I sign the new bill. He then said he was going to talk to the waiter about this. He proceeded to walk away to the kitchen. The waiter was standing with all the other waiters at the station in plain site. The manager basically was hiding in the kitchen until we left which we eventually did. I don't know how the restaurant was before but this place is running a scam. I don't believe it's the whole restaurant, I believe it's only the manager and a few of the servers. This is a very touristy joint and I'm sure they have gotten away with this before. I hope the owners are reading this because you get too many of this and the word gets out. I'm sure they scammed many large groups.
(3)Katharine L.
Ate Cajun food for three days previous in New Orleans, so you think we would've been over it. However we decided to stop here on the way home. Sooo glad we did!!! Excellent gumbo, fantastic étouffée, crawfish enchiladas to die for, good bread pudding, dreamy bread, and perfectly sweetened ice tea for my southern-girl self!! Loved, loved, loved!!! Will sooooo be back!!!
(5)Sira D.
There's nothing wrong with touristy, if you're in the mood for it. Really, the worst offense is the giant stuffed alligator as you enter. The food was delicious, particularly the crawfish boudin balls. I had the fried catfish po'boy, which was also amazing. The service was friendly and pretty good.
(4)Molly B.
Very good food and fun atmosphere! Liked it alot!
(4)Lauren D.
Um...wow. Excellent. I tried alligator for the first time and it was not bad at all. My mom and I shared a chicken dinner that was to die for!
(5)Matthew P.
Okay, I decided to wade into this fight since I hit up Lafayette on a road-trip. I like good food, don't like hype, and not keen on touristy stuff. I dropped by Old Tyme grocery but it only had po'boys. Dropped by Dwyer's but it was all standard diner food rather than Cajun. So I shrugged and came up to Prejean's. The decor was ornate, but honestly not in terribly poor taste. It was more like a theatre set than an Applebee's "buncha crap on the walls" kind of place. Plus they had a live accordion-fiddle-guitar combo onstage, which was excellent. I had the crawfish bisque, and it was great. Wonderful complex texture, great seasoning, tails tasted very fresh and the stuffed shell was great too. For the main I had the alligator tail stuffed with crab and smothered with crawfish sauce. The alligator was broiled rather than the fried everywhere else does, so was a great way to taste alligator rather than breading and grease. The crab filling was some of the best crab stuffing I've ever had; not even slightly fishy, very fresh, great texture where it was complemented but not overpowered by the cream. The crawfish sauce had a great base, though the tails weren't quite as fresh as in the bisque. The macque choux was, as mentioned above, kinda meh. Not bad, but not distinctive. The dirty rice was quite tasty though. Given the local options I've seen and read about, this seems a good place to go for a full Cajun-influenced menu, with a wide selection based on fresh ingredients, and if you can catch the live music, all the better. I ate the next day at Catahoula's in Grand Coteau (NOT the unrelated one in Lafayette, the one eight miles north). Catahoula's is not to be missed if you like high-class Southern, but I was completely satisfied with Prejean's as a "slightly touristy but very accessible trad Cajun-influenced".
(4)Kristian M.
The alligator cheese cake should not be missed. It is more like a quiche, very rich and tasty. It was really loud with the music. Would be great for groups but not so much for a date. It is a big fun place and the staff was very nice.
(4)Robert H.
Simply did not have a very memorable experience. Food wasn't that great and it was overpriced for what I got. Seemed a little too much like a tourist trap. I'm open to giving it another shot one day, when I have the money of course.
(2)Michele L.
A live band, fried alligator, duck and andouille gumbo, crawfish fajita, and bread pudding doused in rum. Not sure what else you need for a good time, but I walked out of here about 5 lbs heavier than when I walked in. Just remember not to get the sweet ice tea. Sweet means something else entirely in the South. I thought my teeth would rot instantaneously.
(4)GC Y.
It is OK at best. Very pricey and the menu is not as varied as in the past.
(2)Andy M.
Three of us went here for lunch and were happy with the service and quality of the food. Prices were steep and on the overpriced side for Lunch. I got the Crab Cakes which were very good . . . others at the table got the Shrimp Platter which I have to say was very good. There was a Cajun band playing while there which added to the atmosphere. Overall we were happy with the Restaurant and would return if in the area again.
(4)Jason J.
How hilarious that 90% of these reviews from the place are from people who don't live there. Oh wait - I guess I can be added to that list. My folks live in Lafayette and though I never have, I've frequented many Louisiana jukes and joints. So yes, like most things, I consider myself to be an authority on good "Cajun" cooking. No one does it like my pops, but Prejeans has a nice home cookin' feel to it. The highlights - seafood stuffed shrooms, croc de jacques (gator fillets for y'all not in the know), catfish, crawfish and my personal favorite the platter. It is a monster load of food, with frog legs, catfish, gator, boudin balls and some of the freshest tasting oysters around. I'm not a fan of their dirty rice, but that is more of a testament to how pops makes it more than to how they do. The bar is just too high. Love those boudin balls though. (stuffed sausage)
(4)Zachary D.
Simply fantasic! The red snapper ponchatrain was delicious--just the right amount of seasoning. The corn and crab bisque and the chicken and sausage gumbo were the stars of the dinner, though. The atmosphere in the lounge lets you enjoy the music without it being too loud.
(5)Jacob S.
I love Prejean. I go out of my way to eat at Prejean everytime I pass through Lafayette. Their gumbos are amazing. Not good. Not great. Amazing! Definitely worth trying at all costs.
(5)Harold S.
If you are in the area and want a taste of local food and flair, stop by here!
(4)Bev S.
My husband and I had lunch here. No waiting for seating even though they were busy. My husband ordered the mixed grill and I had the blackened shrimp over red beans and rice. The mixed grill has grilled chicken and chicken, along with steamed veggies. My husband enjoyed it--tasty, had good flavor and was nicely presented. My grilled shrimp were good--I liked the seasoning and the shrimp weren't overcooked. But, while the red beans and rice was good, it *was* a bit over-salted--hence 4 stars, not 5. I still enjoyed it and it was full of delicious sausage slices, but the extra salt was a distraction from the overall taste. I'd definitely go back and try something else from their well balanced menu.
(4)Fred W.
We ate there Sunday night with another couple and the meal was fabulous. Friend & I had steaks, the best Fillet Mignon I've had in quite a while. Ladies had cat fish and crawfish etouffee. Wonderful meal with excellent service at moderate prices. Would definitely go back the next time we are in the area.
(5)Greg H.
We have been on a two week road tour of eating in southern Louisiana ending up in New Orleans. With one day left cannot find seafood gumbo that could touch Prejean's, it had a very dark roux that I really like with incredible flavors. Crabcake Cardinale and Crawfish Enchilada were wonderful. Really enjoyed the three member cajun band, had a great time and even called up some friends to see us on the webcam.
(4)Krista C.
Touristy? Absolutely, but I still won't hold it against 'em. The food is amazing and I'm still dreaming about their Jalalpeno Jack Shrimp- jumbo shrimp wrapped in applewood bacon, tasso, and cheese and then fried. Plus, you can wave to your friends on the "webcam"!
(5)Groundresonance C.
Had a lunch 'special' here a few years back that was dynamite: Battered Catfish smothered with Crawfish Etouffee served with dirty rice and corn macque choux. I couldn't forget this meal! I liked the fact that the catfish was battered instead of the usual cornmeal covering. Don't get me wrong here: I love the cornmeal catfish that's served all over the South, but I LOVE battered fish. Now anytime something deep-fried comes covered in sauce, or in this case, etouffee, there's the very serious risk of the batter getting soggy from sitting too long in the kitchen with the sauce on it. Not a problem here. The fish was served fresh out of the fryer and was as crunchy as could be under the etouffee. The dirty rice and corn macque choux were both wonderful as well. Last night I happened to be driving through Lafayette and stopped into Prejean's in hopes of repeating my experience from years ago. Though that dish was not available for dinner, I was not dissapointed. The Catfish Oscar Prejean was the same battered fillet that I had had years ago, but this time it was sitting in a pool of brown-butter-wine sauce with a generous helping of asparagus spears laid across it accompanied by a scoop of dirty rice. My waiter was very helpful with the menu and the hostess was very nice as well.
(5)Glenn W.
Aw yeah, baby! This is about as Cajun as it gets. My wife and I always stop here when passing through Lafayette; it's just too hard to resist when passing by on I-49. We just cannot get enough of the seafood stuffed mushrooms here; they are the best anywhere, bar none! The seafood dishes are excellent; catfish, flounder, snapper, and even alligator if you're feeling adventurous. Love the corn macque choux and the dirty rice as well. I also recommend the crawfish enchiladas for a Cajun twist on a Mexican favorite. I have no problem with the "touristy" atmosphere as the other 10 guys who reviewed this place have pointed out ad nauseum; it's all about the food. I've never been disappointed.
(5)William P.
So sorry we even bothered! The food is overpriced and not worth it. I had what was to be a pork tenderloin ( lunch menu) and it was PORK CHOP with three asparagas that weren't even cooked..hardly hit the water...will admit the pork was tender. My friend had a crabcake which was mushy...taste less....This restaurant is riding on it's name and nothing else...!!!
(1)Atif Q.
Excellent food & service. All staff were courteous & friendly...typical of Louisiana folks. Live cajun band was performing even on a Wednesday evening. The crab stuffed red snapper was delicious. Sides: Corn was out of the can. Dirty rice was o.k. Co-worker had the alligator and that was o.k. Great atmosphere. Large stuffed aligator near entrance. Large painted mural of a bayou along one wall, good for group pictures. Definately a touristy establishment but with great food & service.
(4)Cheryl R.
Okay, I'm a bread junkie. If you serve good fresh baked yeast rolls or bread, you got me. And Prejean's gets me. They bring out a small loaf of their own bread piping hot from the oven, with a hint of garlic and parmesan sprinkled on top. Yum-e! And their menu is full of unique cajun cuisine. If you're from the north, you might turn up your nose at some of the menu items, but you're mouth will be mad at your nose. When I'm passing through, I can't resist. And they have great prices for groups too, you can get a group lunch for $16, and that includes salad, drink, entree, dessert & gratuity. I have booked them 3 years in a row for a luncheon and my guest love it. According to their sign, they even have a kennel out back for people that are traveling through, that want to stop and eat, but have a pet with them. They are located on the service road, off I-49, between Lafayette and Opelousas.
(5)Jeff B.
This is the real deal! This is the place that all of the Cajun/Creole style places in my home state of Texas only aspire to be. The seasoning on their fried seafood items is the best I have had in my life. Crisp, not greasy, not overly spiced. Just right. Crawfish pie? Order it. Sublime. They have gator on the menu but it is not just a novelty item. Order it and you will wonder why you can't find it in your local grocery. Fantastic. The make corn macque choux in the flakiest pie shell you can imagine and it is delicious. I will drive 200 miles out of the way to eat here. Modest, comfortable, extremely friendly and one of the best places to eat in America.
(5)Elaine P.
Stopped in a Prejeans on our way from Houston to Memphis and so glad we did. The Gumbo is terrific...both the shrimp and chicken/sausage. Shrimp PoBoy was served perfectly...on great bread and tender, crispy fried shrimp. Loved It!!
(5)Traci F.
This place is amazing. I live in Louisiana, so when I got married and my parents from Texas came here, I HAS to bring them. They are award winning, friendly, and all around great. If you do go... GUMBO! A must have!
(5)Eureeka S.
Scroll through the ratings & notice how no one from Lafayette enjoys this place or rates it well. I cringe when people tell me they've had "authentic Cajun cuisine at Prejean's." I would never, ever recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Louisiana; it's an embarrassment to our style of cooking & WAY too expensive for the quality of their food. Do yourself a favor & skip this tourist trap. Jolie's Bistro or Saint Street Inn are 2 of many restaurants that would be exponentially better. Or go the cheap route & get a Po-boy at Old Tyme Grocery. I don't eat shrimp, but even New Orleans folks profess that their Shrimp Po-boys are legendary.
(1)Jeremy H.
A failure of epic proportions. Driving home to Miss. from Houston, we tried out this would be gem after reading great reviews and naively assuming that (allegedly) winning culinary competition medals equates to a good dining experience. How could one go wrong with Cajun food in Lafayette, right? Were we ever wrong. To begin with, our server was rude, uncaring, and non-existent. We ordered boudin balls as an appetizer. We waited, and waited, and waited. When asked for an update, she informed us that she's having them sent out with the meal b/c she is too busy to tend to them beforehand. We had her bring them out, and they were decent. But, in bringing them out, our food, which was apparently now ready, sit in the kitchen until we were done with the boudin. A few minutes later the food arrives cold to lukewarm without so much as an apology from Mrs. Friendly. Garbage service doesn't always mean bad food. Everyone has bad days. We tried to remain objective about the meal, considering the circumstances. My wife and I had the etouffee, which comes with rice and a crawfish pie. I am not from Louisiana and I do not pretend to be an expert on Cajun cuisine. However, if that's Cajun cooking, please take me off the list. The food had very little flavor, and I'm not sure what was going on with the crawfish pie, but it certainly did not taste like you would expect one to taste. Very bland overall. Several in our party ordered gumbo, and all had the same response. "Meh, we've had better." We pulled into the parking lot excited and expecting to have a good experience. We left disappointed and will probably never return. I would not/could not recommend Prejeans. There is way too much good food in South LA to waste your time/money at this kind of establishment.
(1)Jennifer W.
Our local friends were really excited to take us here, so I guess my expectations might have been too high. We order an appetizer sampler of frog legs, alligator, crawfish, etc. Everything tasted the same cause it was fried and the batter wasn't that great. I ordered the catfish oscar and it didn't have enough bearnaise or asparagus to match the ginormous catfish it came on. The corn macque choux was delicious, as was the bread.
(3)Tony S.
I swear that when I shuffle off this mortal coil I will awaken at Prejean's! And I will have the Jalapeno Pepper jack Shrimp endlessly, never feeling full, and never gaining weight!
(4)Seif E.
Saw the reviews and decided to give it a try. Nothing fancy inside. Sat in the bar area. The baked oyster Rockefeller was excellent as was the duck and andouille gumbo
(4)Rebecca S.
The owner is a fun caring person who cares about his customers and employees. The food was deliecious and fresh. Will definitely return!
(5)Shannon S.
This place seems a lot like a tourist trap in many ways but it is probably worth a visit or two. The best thing to do on your first few trips here is to get one of the platters so you can sample multiple things. It seems to be a pretty common thing in a lot of the Cajun restaurants in the area to do a platter devoted to shrimp, crab, and crawfish, etc. (my favorite examples of these are at Blue Dog Cafe). At Prejean's I have had both a shrimp and a crawfish platter: The "Shrimp Platter" has shrimp grilled, stuffed, fried and blackened, served with a shrimp butter cream sauce for dipping, rice dressing, shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad, and French fries. The "Crawfish Platter" has crawfish bisque, fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish cornbread pie, crawfish boulettes (think giant fried ball like a hushpuppy but with crawfish in it), corn macque choux, fried crawfish salad, and french fries. So if you look at what you get this is some very HEAVY food with a lot of fried items and butter. I wish some of these places would let you mix it up a little more and pick and choose some items from different groups as I would like a little more mix of shrimp, crab, and crawfish instead of my whole plate being just the one item. This food is very rich and even with my iron clad stomach I still usually get a bit of a tummy ache from eating a whole platter of this stuff so you might want to split it between more people and each order a different platter so you each get to sample some of the different dishes without overdoing it.
(3)Susan S.
Meh. We stopped here on a Thursday night on a 1-10 power trip to Baton Rouge. Hub, Teen-Age Girl and I were starving. We were seated immediately at 8:00 p.m. Live music in the main dining room. Hub and I ordered duck and andouille gumbo which was ok - the roux was super dark and kind of thick. Hub ordered crawfish etoufee and half fried; I ordered crawfish etoufee and Teen-Age Girl ordered fried catfish and french fries. Good news first - her french fries were tasty. I ate the crawfish out of my meal and that was it. Hub ate his, but wasn't impressed. We won't stop here ever again. Kitschy interior - bayou theme with faux Spanish moss. Pleasant, polite and attentive servers. There's much better food in LA - land of great food.
(2)Rachel H.
I'm giving 4 stars because the Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo, the Corn & Crab Bisque, and the rolls were amazing! We should have just got the bowl portions for our lunch instead of the small cup because they were SO GOOD. For the lunch entrees we both decided upon some sort of crawfish etouffe covered fried catfish with a seafood stuffing. There were two different but very similar versions of this on the menu. I think the sauce was the only difference - I couldn't really tell. Anyway, it was not bad - but not amazing for the price. Kinda like you would expect a touristy restaurant to be.
(4)Bobby B.
Pros: Very clean and modern bathrooms. Generally touristy but comfortable ambiance Friendly enough staff. Cons: No Raw Oysters No Boiled Crawfish OVER-PRICED to the extreme Once we saw the prices on the menu, we knew we wouldn't be eating full meals here. I can't see paying New York Cajun Prices for food right in the Heart of Louisiana. The duck breast came out to about 30 bucks a pound. Damn! Anyway...Since they didn't sell boiled crawfish, I just ordered a water instead of a beer (Mmmm...spicy crawfish and beer). The girly got tea. We ordered the bbq Shrimp (something I've been wanting to find a good version of for years) and shrimp sassafras. Both appetizers and both about 10 bucks a shot. The bbq shrimp came out in a "sauce" that tasted like flowers (I swear that must have used Restoration Ale or something in it) and was NOTHING like traditional bbq shrimp. It's Cajun and I swear that thickened it with corn starch! It was gelatinous, overly sweet and unappealing. Speaking of unappealing, the.shrimp were headless but had the feet left on. I do find that kind of lazy. But even that wouldn't have been so bad if that would have split the shell a bit to make it easier to peal. As it was, the shrimp had a really fishy flavor and one was straight out rotten. I ended up spitting it into my napkin. he girly couldn't eat hers at all. The Shrimp Sassafras was a better tasting dish, consisting of bacon wrapped shrimp with pepperjack cheese, deep fried. The problem? You couldn't taste the actual shrimp (ok...that might be a good thing in this case) though the texture on the shrimp was actually chewy like calamari. And let's face it. 10 bucks for 2 shrimp was NO value at all. I was going to give the entire experience 2 stars but for one thing... When the waiter asked how the food was, we told him about the bbq shrimp (which shouldn't even be called that) and the fact that we couldn't even eat it. But he still brought the full bill without offering to comp or discount for the almost full container of shrimp (minus the one stuck in my napkin after I spit it out). That, to me, means a lack of training for the servers or a bad management structure where they are expected to charge even when the food is bad. We took the day trip from NOLA out that way just to taste some authentic Cajun foods and freshert seafoods than we get in NOLA because everyone kept telling me how the good stuff comes from the western part of the state. It was such a disappointment, that at this point, we just turned around and drove back to NOLA.
(1)Robert S.
Can't say enough good things about Prejean's. The food was out of this world...amazingly good. I went with a group of six friends (we were in Lafayette for a theatre festival), and this was our first "local" food stop. Their food was amazing, they had great service (a little slow, but they were very busy, too). I like the "swamp" decor. All in all, if you are in Lafayette, don't miss Prejean's. I'd go back there just for the food.
(5)Keegan L.
I thought we had made a mistake when we walked in the door. Everything about this place honestly read "Louisiana Tourist Trap Chain Restaurant" to me. I resigned myself to it, because I don't mind a chain restaurant as much if it's not a chain I can find at home. Perusing the restaurant's website, though, I learned that it wasn't a chain at all. Just a wildly successful local favorite with some cheesy decorations and a gift-shop. Well, that's an alligator of a different color completely! I had crab cakes, served with rice and corn macque choux. What people do with corn in this part of the country just never ceases to amaze me. The partner had crawfish enchiladas, also served with corn macque choux. The food was dense with rich, slightly smoky flavor and an undercurrent of subtle heat. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The enchiladas were a black hole of cheese, cramming an impossible amount of delicious goo in the tortillas; yet the crawfish held its own and was not overwhelmed. As we were driving through town, I had hoped that Yelp would lead me to a place in the heart of Lafayette, so we could at least glimpse the city. Reviews swayed me to this nondescript frontage road location instead, and I'm sure glad they did.
(4)April E.
We drove past Prejean's (pronounced pray-shjohn for you non-locals) several times on our recent visit to the Lafayette area. The parking lot was crowded at all times of the day and evening. We assumed this was a good indicator of the quality of food and service. Service: it wasn't terrible, but certainly nothing special. We didn't feel welcomed or even very well taken care of. Our server wasn't rude, just blasé and not around much. Decor: it was...interesting. There is a massive stuffed alligator and fake cypress trees scattered throughout with Spanish Moss hanging from them. It would have been very cool if there hadn't been a thick layer of dust on it, too. The large maps of Louisiana on the walls where we sat were neat. The gift shop really should have clued us in though, since a gift shop proclaims the "tourist trap" status of any restaurant loud and clear. Food: where to begin? I'll start with our kids' food. When my 10 year old son complained about how salty his fries were, my husband tried one and immediately spit it out. Then I tried one, since my husband has a very low salt tolerance, thinking it would be just a little salty. I, too, had to spit it out. Maybe the chef just went a little nuts with the seasoning salt, but they were inedible. Both my husband and I had rice casserole as our sides, both servings were very salty and cold. We told the server and she offered to get us fresh. What came back was clearly the same stuff, simply microwaved. My crab cakes were probably flavorful, but unfortunately the main thing I could taste was salt. I like a lot of salt, but I could only eat less than half because of the insane amount of salt. My husband had stuffed catfish. It was mediocre. The catfish was crunchy, but the sauce on it tasted canned or possibly from a mix. (Hubby used to be a chef, he would know.) Overall, a very overpriced let-down. I really can't comprehend why the place is busy. We highly recommend Copeland's in Lafayette as an alternative for good Cajun cuisine.
(2)Phil P.
Delicious. Grilled seafood platter was bangin'! Amazing decor & atmosphere, a great place with great music.
(5)Pito G.
Stopped here on our way back to Texas from New Orleans and glad we found this nice little spot not too far from I-10. Everything we ordered was spot on and the atmosphere gave it a fun Cajun feel to your dining experience. I ordered the half and half crawfish ettoufee which was pretty tasty but the Chicken and Sausage gumbo I had earlier might have ruined it for me. It was AWESOME to say the least, Almost enough to lie to the waitress and tell her there was something in my ettoufee just so I can replace it with another bowl of gumbo. The crab lovers plate was descent but living in Maryland for a while, you become a harsh crab cake critic but all in all it was pretty good. Best thing there was definitley the Gumbo..good god it was delicious! Second best was the fried Boudin Balls..Dont visit this establishment without trying the Boudin Balls!
(4)Sarah B.
I couldn't say that there is a better restaurant out there to welcome you into Louisiana the proper way. We were driving to New Orleans, and stopped because we heard this place was cookin' up some great stuff. It was lunchtime, so I don't know if this affected our wait time or not, but we were seated immediately! Live Zydeco music was playing right next to our table to add on to the tastiness of the food! I decided to go full force into the bayou with some frog legs, alligator, shrimp, mushrooms, and hushpuppies--all fried up so deliciously. I stuffed myself silly! Such a great restaurant, I'd be crazy if I didn't return to this restaurant of Cajun food heaven!
(4)Justin K.
Chicken and sausage gumbo is a must! Try the shrimp po' boy for lunch. I had the Catfish Catahoula for dinner and it was excellent. Everything I've ever tried here has been great and I will keep giving them my business. It's a MUST stop if you ever come anywhere near Lafayette, LA. The food is 5 stars all the way. The only reason for the 4 stars is it needs a facelift to the decor inside. Just seems like I walked into a Rain Forest Cafe or something. Also, The Coke was served in a hard plastic cup that had chips on the rim from years of use and wash. It took at LEAST 5 minutes to be greeted by anyone at my table (looked like the servers all came out of a pre-shift meeting at once). After I finally was acknowledged, my server was very friendly and attentive.
(4)Larry T.
The Cajun Surf and Turf was ok. Definitely not 46 dollars ok!! The steak was under cooked I ordered medium and it was easily medium rare. The corn stuff that they served with the steak was awful!! If you eat here stick to seafood. The steaks definitely leave something to be desired.
(3)Leng S.
The seafood gumbo really saved this place for me, it was super delicious! However, the dim lighting and swamp motif was disorienting and cluttered. Service was just fine and if you are a fried food lover then this place is for you.
(3)Wendell B.
I think we died and went to Cajun heaven! Wanting a bit more Cajun before leaving Louisiana on our trip home, we stopped in here just off the interstate. First of all, the place is very attractive on the outside and beckons you in. Then the inside is even more welcoming, with inside cypress trees dripping in Spanish moss and clever outhouse looking entrances into the modern rest rooms. Red and white checkered vinyl tablecloths this time add to the charm. There is even a shop for Prejean's merchandise and you can take home some of the culinary delights! Now to the food: we decided we wanted to taste the crab bisque, and I got cold chills when it got to my tongue. It was truly what heaven must taste like! My wife chose the daily special: delicious crawfish enchiladas, the special each Monday. YUM-O! Then I had the half and half crawfish platter, with fried crawfish and crawfish etouffee, which was just as good as I had had at Trio's in West Monroe a few weeks ago. Served with a delicious cocktail sauce with horseradish, the fried crawfish were perfect. Etouffee was to die for! Wonderful rolls accompanied the meal and we probably dreamed about the food that night! Don't miss this gem if you are traveling through LA!
(5)Bruce B.
This is the benchmark for original cajun cuisine. It gets no better anywhere in the world, even New Orleans! Every dish is deliciously the real deal. Need more be said? Right off of I-10 and I-49 so time your drive-thru Lafayette at lunch or dinner. Atmosphere is great with faux cypress tree trunks right in the restaurant. Awesome place if cajun is your taste.
(5)Sejin H.
Flavorful food and live music to enhance the cajun atmosphere. APPETIZERS: Crawfish Enchiladas - more like a gooey cheese dip (ask for bread). Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo - powerful smokiness. ENTRÉE: Catfish Catahoula - nice crawfish & tasso cream sauce, filled with seafood stuffing The meal was delicious. But everything was so rich and heavy that it felt like I was going to have a heart attack; I suppose in a good way though. SERVICE: Amateur. Our waitress just didn't have the skills. Felt rushed. Right as we sat down, before receiving any menus, we were asked for our drink orders. Main dishes came out too soon after the appetizers. We were asked if we wanted dessert right after being asked if we wanted the check. Our waitress just needed more training is all.
(4)Kiet L.
Was on my way home to MS and saw this off the interstate and had to stop. One of the best random road trip eatries I have stopped at. I had the shrimp and oyster po boy and it was beyond amazizng. Maybe I'll stop by when I've driving through again.
(5)Adam B.
I was expecting a awesome Cajun experience maybe I built it up in my head or something but the food was bland and very mediocre. I didn't enjoy anything about my time there. The decor was tacky and the food was a serious let down. We waited a hour to sit down and maybe that started the bad experience.
(2)Clint B.
One word. Gumbo! This place is money. I will come back often. I would love to work here just to eat their gumbo everyday. I have rendered this place to a bunch of friends as well. THREE thumbs up. Thanks for being in business.
(5)Andrew G.
I ate here last month under protest. Didn't want to go, but since I was at my GF's house who lives over there, there is not much of a choice in that area.She had her Dad in town, who is part Cajun, and he needed some Cajun grub. This meal was so bad that my GF was totally embarassed to have taken her Dad there. The gumbo just plain sucks, has very little meat or veggies in it, and the Crawfish Etouffee was salty and horrible. This joint with all of its good reviews baffles me. I suspect most of the reviews are coming from tourists passing through Lafayette as they're too ignorant or lazy to find a good Cajun place, of which there are many in Lafayette. I gor-on-damn-tee you that very few of these good reviews were written by locals or Cajuns. If you're passing through Lafayette, do yourself a favor and eat at Charlie G's or lue Dog - or better yet - Fezzo's, which is right along I-10 near the Amb Caffery exit. Stay away from Prejean's. This place is crap.
(2)Naveed B.
You might think this is a tourist trap. Well it may have lot's of tourists, but the food here is incredible. I've been here several times and every time I have come it's been a spectacular experience. The largest party I ever came here with was a party of fifteen for my birthday. Of the fifteen, I was the only one that had ever ate here before. After we left it was everyone's favorite restaurant. This place knows how to make Cajun food. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to that my mother(a Cajun woman) thought the gumbo was better than her's. Of their gumbos, I usually get the smoked duck and andouille. The crawfish half & half (etouffee and fried crawfish) is excellent. Every appetizer is good. When we came for my party we literally ordered every appetizer. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. My absolute favorite item here though is the Cajun rack of venison. I ordered the Cajun rack of venison for the first time on my birthday and it was one of the best things I've ever ate. Everyone tried it and was pissed they didn't order it. Now my friends take regular pilgrimages to Lafayette for the Cajun rack of venison. This place is awesome. Check it out.
(5)Amanda B.
I had high expectations for this place, given it's reputation, but living in New Orleans, my expectations for Cajun food may be too high. Started off great, and to me, my meal tasted just fine. Not spectacular, but good. I got SO sick from the food; "Shrimp Festival something"! Luckily we have family in Opelousas. I would've been unable to drive home in the state I was in. No thank you, Lafayette!
(1)Kelly S.
I was pleased with this place. I had a crab cake that was decent and came covered with a crawfish sauce of some sort. My son loved the oyster saxophone (open-faced sandwich) that he had. I tried my daughter's catfish etoufee and it was excellent. I wish I had gotten that instead of the crab cake actually. Our server was great and even offered us to go cups for refills. AWESOME!
(4)Cesar B.
I'm typing as I'm eating, so excuse my drooling here, haha! This place is fantastic! Great vibe, nice interior design, I really felt like if I was in one of those little houses by the swamps right at the bayou. Nicely done! The live music was great too! But the food, oh my the food! That was fantastic! I've tried several gumbos at several locations, both in and outside Louisiana. And this is the absolute best! I had a cup of Duck and Andouille sausage Gumbo. The roux was thick just as I like it (I don't like the runny roux), and was spicy (not terribly, but had a nice kick). For an Entreé I had (still eating here) the Enchiladas. Oh my, what a perfect choice! Beautifully crafted with a crawfish sauce and cheese, and all the goodies. By the way, I got to thank my server Matt who walked me through the menu, and helped me out choosing the right stuff. Thank you guys! Keep it up! We'll see you soon, hopefully!
(5)Hannah W.
Stopped by on road trip to florida. The reviews made it seem to be a pleasant place to stop. I feel like I just wasted an hour. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo, I was not impressed. The server was not friendly or attentive. Our drinks not only took a while but also were not refilled until we got up to find her and asked for a refill. The hostesses and server cleaning tables near ours were friendly and helpful though.
(2)Patrick W.
I love Gumbo. I eat it at most all restaurants that offer it. I make it myself often. The time and patience it takes to make a good dark roux alone eliminates many restaurants from the ability to make a good gumbo. Prejean's roux is good. There gumbo is average. I got a $12 bowl of seafood gumbo and found it very sparse, no veggies, just an occasional shrimp, and crawfish with some crab. I was disappointed. Atmosphere is nice and unique. My server was good (he called me boss), but the food (all I had was the gumbo) was average.
(3)Dean L.
We stop here every time we are going through Louisiana. The service is great and the food is incredible. I got the seafood platter (grilled) and my friend had the alligator grand chenier, which is what he gets every time. Can't wait til we get back though again!
(5)Dawn N.
Hands down awesome. Our server Mark was great. The duck gumbo is out of this world the best gumbo I've ever had. The crawfish boudin balls were yummy. Music entertaining all around wonderful place for the family it is a MUST stop.
(5)Cate C.
I had the catfish catahoula and my partner ordered the seafood platter. The rice dressing was OK. I'm used to eating it a little spicier (Zatarain's). The macque choux was delicious, as were the bread rolls. While the catfish was cooked perfectly, I felt there was too much crawfish/crabmeat/shrimp stuffing and not enough catfish. This led to a texture I wasn't satisfied with, although overall, the food was fine. The fried seafood was absolutely divine. You cannot get better Cajun seafood than this! We also had the gator appetizer, which was also tasty. Overall, I would definitely come here again.
(4)Lauren L.
I'm not hard to please, but this place sucked. None of the staff smiled the whole time we were there. Our waiter greeted us ten minutes after we'd been seated by saying, "Sorry, we're missing some people." The place was maybe a quarter full, and we saw waitstaff leaning against the walls several times while we were waiting for our consistently absent waiter. He rushed us, talked so fast we couldn't even keep up with him, interrupted us, and was overall very unfriendly. And dripping with sweat, which was unappetizing. Wish I'd known his name, but he didn't even say hello, let alone give us his name. Apparently the restaurant doesn't "allow" you rolls until the waiter keys in his order, which we found rather cheap. So we had to wait on Mr. Sweaty to finally get back to take our order to then begin waiting on the rolls. Which arrived cold and hard, with cold, hard butter. Not delicious. Seafood gumbo was above par. Which was the only redeeming thing about this place. Our Bacon/cheese/shrimp appetizers arrived with the entree, and the shrimp was raw. Our waiter brought us another, which was also raw. At which point we said #@%$ it, and called it quits. I'll be sure to warn my friends against this one.
(1)Rick V.
Stopped here for dinner on 12/30/13. My wife had been here before. The service was good and the prices were OK. Open 7 days a week 7 AM to 10 PM. Large menu. To start we had Duck Gumbo - 6.95 and Crawfish Bisque - 7.95. Kind of pricey for the quantity served. My wife had Catfish Catahoula which consisted of a catfish fillet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked and served in a cream sauce with rice dressing and corn macque choux - 18.95. She said it was very good. I had the Three Time Gold Medal Crawfish Etoufee served atop steamed rice and accompanied by a plump, homemade crawfish pie. Also very good. Great atmosphere and nice people.
(4)David H.
Great food! Great Service! Great Atmosphere! The Gumbo was delicious along with the shrimp and catfish. I would recommend trying. I have been several times and never have had a bad experience.
(5)Elizabeth H.
I was born and raised in Lafayette and have never liked Prejean's. It gets a lot of tourist traffic because of its location and "Cajun" theme. It may be a fun atmosphere but the food is awful. Go for the Cajun dancing enjoy a beer and then you can find GREAT Cajun food at The Boiling Point (New Iberia) and Guidry's Reef. These are my two favorite places and a must stop whenever I am back home.
(1)Gail B.
We loved Prejeans when we lived in Lafayette for 2 years. Went there often. But, this last time during a visit, it fell down a few notches for a few reasons. 1. Several in our party ordered seafood gumbo for an app. Never came and when the entrees came out, we had to tell the waitress to take them off the bill because we didn't want them with all the other food. She looked lost and confused. 2. See above reference to waitress. Just didn't seem to know what was going on most of the time. We asked for unsweet tea and yep, got the super sweet stuff instead. 3. Hush puppies were like rocks...dense. Not my favorite. On the plus side, the special (flounder) was good, as was the eggplant dish and the gumbo I had for a main entree. I'd go back next time I was in town, just hope like hell I had a better server!
(3)Peggy V.
A colleague of my husband's learned we were headed to New Orleans, and said "If you're driving through Lafayette, you ought to eat at Prejean's." We were there at lunchtime and decided to stop. Boy, were we glad we did! I had Catfish Prejean: catfish topped with a shrimp étouffée sauce, served with corn macque choux and rice dressing (like wild rice). The catfish was cooked perfectly, the shrimp etoufee sauce was divine, and the corn macque choux was unlike anything I've ever tasted - creamy, spicy, and in a delicious tart shell. My husband had the Carencro mixed grill (mesquite-grilled catfish and chicken breast served with mixed veggies and grilled potato slices; and our friend had the Blackened Shrimp Skillet Creole, with perfectly grilled shrimp served with red beans and rice. Each meal was $9.95, and our orders included a basket of delicious sourdough rolls. We were so pleased with our meals that we stopped there again on the way back home! I only wish I'd known about the live webcam that their website offers, and we'd have let our families back home know to tune in and watch us enjoying our lunches!
(4)Kim T.
Food was good but service is less than desirable. If you are in a hurry, this is not the place to stop.
(3)Shu Z.
Tourist trap. What's that you said? Tourist trap. Yep, the mediocrity of this so called local favorite does not deserve your out of the way drive to get to. Sure, if you just happen to need a spot to refuel after a long haul then take the time to enjoy some of the live music in this bustling establishment, but don't expect top notch food. The gumbo and bbq shrimp, hands down one of the least impressive things I've tried since being down in Louisiana. Presentation is non-existent and the quality like this can be easily found anywhere else in the immediate region.
(2)Eureeka S.
Scroll through the ratings & notice how no one from Lafayette enjoys this place or rates it well. I cringe when people tell me they've had "authentic Cajun cuisine at Prejean's." I would never, ever recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Louisiana; it's an embarrassment to our style of cooking & WAY too expensive for the quality of their food. Do yourself a favor & skip this tourist trap. Jolie's Bistro or Saint Street Inn are 2 of many restaurants that would be exponentially better. Or go the cheap route & get a Po-boy at Old Tyme Grocery. I don't eat shrimp, but even New Orleans folks profess that their Shrimp Po-boys are legendary.
(1)Jeremy H.
A failure of epic proportions. Driving home to Miss. from Houston, we tried out this would be gem after reading great reviews and naively assuming that (allegedly) winning culinary competition medals equates to a good dining experience. How could one go wrong with Cajun food in Lafayette, right? Were we ever wrong. To begin with, our server was rude, uncaring, and non-existent. We ordered boudin balls as an appetizer. We waited, and waited, and waited. When asked for an update, she informed us that she's having them sent out with the meal b/c she is too busy to tend to them beforehand. We had her bring them out, and they were decent. But, in bringing them out, our food, which was apparently now ready, sit in the kitchen until we were done with the boudin. A few minutes later the food arrives cold to lukewarm without so much as an apology from Mrs. Friendly. Garbage service doesn't always mean bad food. Everyone has bad days. We tried to remain objective about the meal, considering the circumstances. My wife and I had the etouffee, which comes with rice and a crawfish pie. I am not from Louisiana and I do not pretend to be an expert on Cajun cuisine. However, if that's Cajun cooking, please take me off the list. The food had very little flavor, and I'm not sure what was going on with the crawfish pie, but it certainly did not taste like you would expect one to taste. Very bland overall. Several in our party ordered gumbo, and all had the same response. "Meh, we've had better." We pulled into the parking lot excited and expecting to have a good experience. We left disappointed and will probably never return. I would not/could not recommend Prejeans. There is way too much good food in South LA to waste your time/money at this kind of establishment.
(1)Jennifer W.
Our local friends were really excited to take us here, so I guess my expectations might have been too high. We order an appetizer sampler of frog legs, alligator, crawfish, etc. Everything tasted the same cause it was fried and the batter wasn't that great. I ordered the catfish oscar and it didn't have enough bearnaise or asparagus to match the ginormous catfish it came on. The corn macque choux was delicious, as was the bread.
(3)Tony S.
I swear that when I shuffle off this mortal coil I will awaken at Prejean's! And I will have the Jalapeno Pepper jack Shrimp endlessly, never feeling full, and never gaining weight!
(4)Seif E.
Saw the reviews and decided to give it a try. Nothing fancy inside. Sat in the bar area. The baked oyster Rockefeller was excellent as was the duck and andouille gumbo
(4)Rebecca S.
The owner is a fun caring person who cares about his customers and employees. The food was deliecious and fresh. Will definitely return!
(5)Shannon S.
This place seems a lot like a tourist trap in many ways but it is probably worth a visit or two. The best thing to do on your first few trips here is to get one of the platters so you can sample multiple things. It seems to be a pretty common thing in a lot of the Cajun restaurants in the area to do a platter devoted to shrimp, crab, and crawfish, etc. (my favorite examples of these are at Blue Dog Cafe). At Prejean's I have had both a shrimp and a crawfish platter: The "Shrimp Platter" has shrimp grilled, stuffed, fried and blackened, served with a shrimp butter cream sauce for dipping, rice dressing, shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad, and French fries. The "Crawfish Platter" has crawfish bisque, fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish cornbread pie, crawfish boulettes (think giant fried ball like a hushpuppy but with crawfish in it), corn macque choux, fried crawfish salad, and french fries. So if you look at what you get this is some very HEAVY food with a lot of fried items and butter. I wish some of these places would let you mix it up a little more and pick and choose some items from different groups as I would like a little more mix of shrimp, crab, and crawfish instead of my whole plate being just the one item. This food is very rich and even with my iron clad stomach I still usually get a bit of a tummy ache from eating a whole platter of this stuff so you might want to split it between more people and each order a different platter so you each get to sample some of the different dishes without overdoing it.
(3)Susan S.
Meh. We stopped here on a Thursday night on a 1-10 power trip to Baton Rouge. Hub, Teen-Age Girl and I were starving. We were seated immediately at 8:00 p.m. Live music in the main dining room. Hub and I ordered duck and andouille gumbo which was ok - the roux was super dark and kind of thick. Hub ordered crawfish etoufee and half fried; I ordered crawfish etoufee and Teen-Age Girl ordered fried catfish and french fries. Good news first - her french fries were tasty. I ate the crawfish out of my meal and that was it. Hub ate his, but wasn't impressed. We won't stop here ever again. Kitschy interior - bayou theme with faux Spanish moss. Pleasant, polite and attentive servers. There's much better food in LA - land of great food.
(2)Rachel H.
I'm giving 4 stars because the Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo, the Corn & Crab Bisque, and the rolls were amazing! We should have just got the bowl portions for our lunch instead of the small cup because they were SO GOOD. For the lunch entrees we both decided upon some sort of crawfish etouffe covered fried catfish with a seafood stuffing. There were two different but very similar versions of this on the menu. I think the sauce was the only difference - I couldn't really tell. Anyway, it was not bad - but not amazing for the price. Kinda like you would expect a touristy restaurant to be.
(4)Bobby B.
Pros: Very clean and modern bathrooms. Generally touristy but comfortable ambiance Friendly enough staff. Cons: No Raw Oysters No Boiled Crawfish OVER-PRICED to the extreme Once we saw the prices on the menu, we knew we wouldn't be eating full meals here. I can't see paying New York Cajun Prices for food right in the Heart of Louisiana. The duck breast came out to about 30 bucks a pound. Damn! Anyway...Since they didn't sell boiled crawfish, I just ordered a water instead of a beer (Mmmm...spicy crawfish and beer). The girly got tea. We ordered the bbq Shrimp (something I've been wanting to find a good version of for years) and shrimp sassafras. Both appetizers and both about 10 bucks a shot. The bbq shrimp came out in a "sauce" that tasted like flowers (I swear that must have used Restoration Ale or something in it) and was NOTHING like traditional bbq shrimp. It's Cajun and I swear that thickened it with corn starch! It was gelatinous, overly sweet and unappealing. Speaking of unappealing, the.shrimp were headless but had the feet left on. I do find that kind of lazy. But even that wouldn't have been so bad if that would have split the shell a bit to make it easier to peal. As it was, the shrimp had a really fishy flavor and one was straight out rotten. I ended up spitting it into my napkin. he girly couldn't eat hers at all. The Shrimp Sassafras was a better tasting dish, consisting of bacon wrapped shrimp with pepperjack cheese, deep fried. The problem? You couldn't taste the actual shrimp (ok...that might be a good thing in this case) though the texture on the shrimp was actually chewy like calamari. And let's face it. 10 bucks for 2 shrimp was NO value at all. I was going to give the entire experience 2 stars but for one thing... When the waiter asked how the food was, we told him about the bbq shrimp (which shouldn't even be called that) and the fact that we couldn't even eat it. But he still brought the full bill without offering to comp or discount for the almost full container of shrimp (minus the one stuck in my napkin after I spit it out). That, to me, means a lack of training for the servers or a bad management structure where they are expected to charge even when the food is bad. We took the day trip from NOLA out that way just to taste some authentic Cajun foods and freshert seafoods than we get in NOLA because everyone kept telling me how the good stuff comes from the western part of the state. It was such a disappointment, that at this point, we just turned around and drove back to NOLA.
(1)Robert S.
Can't say enough good things about Prejean's. The food was out of this world...amazingly good. I went with a group of six friends (we were in Lafayette for a theatre festival), and this was our first "local" food stop. Their food was amazing, they had great service (a little slow, but they were very busy, too). I like the "swamp" decor. All in all, if you are in Lafayette, don't miss Prejean's. I'd go back there just for the food.
(5)Lance R.
Fried oyster spinach salad is awesome.
(4)Dia N.
I love Prejeans! It is authentic Cajun food and the promise of eating there is what makes me drive to NOLA rather than fly. Seriously. Every time I go I get the Cochin du lait. I consider trying something new but I love it so much I can't bring myself to get anything different. My husband and friends have tried a variety of things and everyone walks away happy. Of you find yourself in the area it is must do!
(5)Keegan L.
I thought we had made a mistake when we walked in the door. Everything about this place honestly read "Louisiana Tourist Trap Chain Restaurant" to me. I resigned myself to it, because I don't mind a chain restaurant as much if it's not a chain I can find at home. Perusing the restaurant's website, though, I learned that it wasn't a chain at all. Just a wildly successful local favorite with some cheesy decorations and a gift-shop. Well, that's an alligator of a different color completely! I had crab cakes, served with rice and corn macque choux. What people do with corn in this part of the country just never ceases to amaze me. The partner had crawfish enchiladas, also served with corn macque choux. The food was dense with rich, slightly smoky flavor and an undercurrent of subtle heat. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The enchiladas were a black hole of cheese, cramming an impossible amount of delicious goo in the tortillas; yet the crawfish held its own and was not overwhelmed. As we were driving through town, I had hoped that Yelp would lead me to a place in the heart of Lafayette, so we could at least glimpse the city. Reviews swayed me to this nondescript frontage road location instead, and I'm sure glad they did.
(4)April E.
We drove past Prejean's (pronounced pray-shjohn for you non-locals) several times on our recent visit to the Lafayette area. The parking lot was crowded at all times of the day and evening. We assumed this was a good indicator of the quality of food and service. Service: it wasn't terrible, but certainly nothing special. We didn't feel welcomed or even very well taken care of. Our server wasn't rude, just blasé and not around much. Decor: it was...interesting. There is a massive stuffed alligator and fake cypress trees scattered throughout with Spanish Moss hanging from them. It would have been very cool if there hadn't been a thick layer of dust on it, too. The large maps of Louisiana on the walls where we sat were neat. The gift shop really should have clued us in though, since a gift shop proclaims the "tourist trap" status of any restaurant loud and clear. Food: where to begin? I'll start with our kids' food. When my 10 year old son complained about how salty his fries were, my husband tried one and immediately spit it out. Then I tried one, since my husband has a very low salt tolerance, thinking it would be just a little salty. I, too, had to spit it out. Maybe the chef just went a little nuts with the seasoning salt, but they were inedible. Both my husband and I had rice casserole as our sides, both servings were very salty and cold. We told the server and she offered to get us fresh. What came back was clearly the same stuff, simply microwaved. My crab cakes were probably flavorful, but unfortunately the main thing I could taste was salt. I like a lot of salt, but I could only eat less than half because of the insane amount of salt. My husband had stuffed catfish. It was mediocre. The catfish was crunchy, but the sauce on it tasted canned or possibly from a mix. (Hubby used to be a chef, he would know.) Overall, a very overpriced let-down. I really can't comprehend why the place is busy. We highly recommend Copeland's in Lafayette as an alternative for good Cajun cuisine.
(2)Phil P.
Delicious. Grilled seafood platter was bangin'! Amazing decor & atmosphere, a great place with great music.
(5)Pito G.
Stopped here on our way back to Texas from New Orleans and glad we found this nice little spot not too far from I-10. Everything we ordered was spot on and the atmosphere gave it a fun Cajun feel to your dining experience. I ordered the half and half crawfish ettoufee which was pretty tasty but the Chicken and Sausage gumbo I had earlier might have ruined it for me. It was AWESOME to say the least, Almost enough to lie to the waitress and tell her there was something in my ettoufee just so I can replace it with another bowl of gumbo. The crab lovers plate was descent but living in Maryland for a while, you become a harsh crab cake critic but all in all it was pretty good. Best thing there was definitley the Gumbo..good god it was delicious! Second best was the fried Boudin Balls..Dont visit this establishment without trying the Boudin Balls!
(4)Sarah B.
I couldn't say that there is a better restaurant out there to welcome you into Louisiana the proper way. We were driving to New Orleans, and stopped because we heard this place was cookin' up some great stuff. It was lunchtime, so I don't know if this affected our wait time or not, but we were seated immediately! Live Zydeco music was playing right next to our table to add on to the tastiness of the food! I decided to go full force into the bayou with some frog legs, alligator, shrimp, mushrooms, and hushpuppies--all fried up so deliciously. I stuffed myself silly! Such a great restaurant, I'd be crazy if I didn't return to this restaurant of Cajun food heaven!
(4)Justin K.
Chicken and sausage gumbo is a must! Try the shrimp po' boy for lunch. I had the Catfish Catahoula for dinner and it was excellent. Everything I've ever tried here has been great and I will keep giving them my business. It's a MUST stop if you ever come anywhere near Lafayette, LA. The food is 5 stars all the way. The only reason for the 4 stars is it needs a facelift to the decor inside. Just seems like I walked into a Rain Forest Cafe or something. Also, The Coke was served in a hard plastic cup that had chips on the rim from years of use and wash. It took at LEAST 5 minutes to be greeted by anyone at my table (looked like the servers all came out of a pre-shift meeting at once). After I finally was acknowledged, my server was very friendly and attentive.
(4)Larry T.
The Cajun Surf and Turf was ok. Definitely not 46 dollars ok!! The steak was under cooked I ordered medium and it was easily medium rare. The corn stuff that they served with the steak was awful!! If you eat here stick to seafood. The steaks definitely leave something to be desired.
(3)Leng S.
The seafood gumbo really saved this place for me, it was super delicious! However, the dim lighting and swamp motif was disorienting and cluttered. Service was just fine and if you are a fried food lover then this place is for you.
(3)Wendell B.
I think we died and went to Cajun heaven! Wanting a bit more Cajun before leaving Louisiana on our trip home, we stopped in here just off the interstate. First of all, the place is very attractive on the outside and beckons you in. Then the inside is even more welcoming, with inside cypress trees dripping in Spanish moss and clever outhouse looking entrances into the modern rest rooms. Red and white checkered vinyl tablecloths this time add to the charm. There is even a shop for Prejean's merchandise and you can take home some of the culinary delights! Now to the food: we decided we wanted to taste the crab bisque, and I got cold chills when it got to my tongue. It was truly what heaven must taste like! My wife chose the daily special: delicious crawfish enchiladas, the special each Monday. YUM-O! Then I had the half and half crawfish platter, with fried crawfish and crawfish etouffee, which was just as good as I had had at Trio's in West Monroe a few weeks ago. Served with a delicious cocktail sauce with horseradish, the fried crawfish were perfect. Etouffee was to die for! Wonderful rolls accompanied the meal and we probably dreamed about the food that night! Don't miss this gem if you are traveling through LA!
(5)Bruce B.
This is the benchmark for original cajun cuisine. It gets no better anywhere in the world, even New Orleans! Every dish is deliciously the real deal. Need more be said? Right off of I-10 and I-49 so time your drive-thru Lafayette at lunch or dinner. Atmosphere is great with faux cypress tree trunks right in the restaurant. Awesome place if cajun is your taste.
(5)Sejin H.
Flavorful food and live music to enhance the cajun atmosphere. APPETIZERS: Crawfish Enchiladas - more like a gooey cheese dip (ask for bread). Smoked Duck & Andouille Gumbo - powerful smokiness. ENTRÉE: Catfish Catahoula - nice crawfish & tasso cream sauce, filled with seafood stuffing The meal was delicious. But everything was so rich and heavy that it felt like I was going to have a heart attack; I suppose in a good way though. SERVICE: Amateur. Our waitress just didn't have the skills. Felt rushed. Right as we sat down, before receiving any menus, we were asked for our drink orders. Main dishes came out too soon after the appetizers. We were asked if we wanted dessert right after being asked if we wanted the check. Our waitress just needed more training is all.
(4)Kiet L.
Was on my way home to MS and saw this off the interstate and had to stop. One of the best random road trip eatries I have stopped at. I had the shrimp and oyster po boy and it was beyond amazizng. Maybe I'll stop by when I've driving through again.
(5)Danny C.
Is this place hard to find? Yes. Is it in the right place on Google Maps? No. Is it worth driving around for an extra 10-15 minutes when you're starving and it's morning time but you really want Cajun food for breakfast? Absolutely. I hope your luckometer is at "full" because then you'll get to Prejeans in time for breakfast and you'll be served by the fantastic Megan. She's amazing, she's personable, and she's full of excellent morning food suggestions. The only thing she's not good at: letting you leave hungry. We dug right into the breakfast breads that were placed before us, and we wanted more. Don't worry, we didn't get more. We ordered beignets instead. And then whilst we were devouring the amazing little fried goodness smothered in powdered sugar - breakfast was served. I never thought I'd be eating seafood for breakfast, but when Megan suggested the Breaux Bridge Benedict, neither of us could say "no." Two grilled butter biscuit, each sandwiching homemade boudin patties, topped with a poached egg and smothered in crawfish etouffee. Yes please! The food was amazing, we couldn't have made a better choice, and it's all thanks to Yelp that the beginning of our road trip started at Prejean's. If I'm ever in this neck of the woods again, I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)A S.
The service was outstanding as were the rolls (the most unbelievable, melt-in-your mouth rolls I've ever eaten) and the Parmesan vinaigrette salad dressing was so good I bought a pint to bring home. But that's where it ended. We began with Boudan Balls. They were over seasoned with red pepper and we could hardly taste the other ingredients. The dipping sauce (shrimp butter sauce, I think) was wonderful, though. Next, we ordered the Shrimp Festival Platter to share so we could get a taste of it all. Shrimp gumbo was pretty good but appeared to be boiled shrimp in a thin broth with some rice, though the broth had a nice coffee taste to it. Stuffed shrimp had a generous portion of crab stuffing but, again, flavor was red pepper and nothing more. Grilled and fried shrimp were OK though nothing memorable and the remoulade sauce resembled ranch dressing. The rice dressing was virtually tasteless. Decor is touristy cajun and the large rooms with concrete floors make for a noisy dining experience.
(2)Jessica S.
This was my third time here and I was very disappointed. My family and I have been overseas for the past 6 years and this was an anticipated stop when planning our trip from TX to GA. I ordered the dish with the fried soft shell crab, crab cakes, and pasta with lumps of crab meat. The soft shell crab was bland, the cakes doughy, and the pasta overcooked and swimming in sauce. Our server was great but the food was extremely over priced and the quality has gone downhill. hope it's a fluke.
(2)Scott K.
Gumbo is very flavorful. Bread that comes with it is phenomenal
(5)Jeff G.
ate here twice, and everyhing we had was very good. fried gator, crawfish enchiladas, etc. two separate locals who live there independent suggested this place as legit and good.
(4)Samantha S.
My son and I stopped for dinner while traveling from Texas to North Carolina. I had eaten at Prejean's several years ago and it had a lasting impression of great service and amazing food and was excited for my son to experience the food and atmosphere. This visit however, was horrible. We arrived later in the evening so there were only a few other tables. From the beginning our waitress seemed as if we were an inconvenience. We ordered 2 appetizers, one of which never arrived, the other was mediocre at best. We ordered our food at the same time as the apps. My Crawfish Étouffée was not edible. It had so much cayenne pepper in it the before the first bite of food was in my mouth I choked on it. I couldn't eat it. My son ordered a stuffed shrimp entrée that was again ok. But heavily peppered. Added to the very poor quality of food we had to wait long periods of time to even see our waitress, to the point I couldn't even ask for my meal to be corrected. When she came to offer dessert, only the 4th time she had come to our table since we were seated, I politely explained to her why my meal was untouched and would not like it boxed. She apologized and said she would remove it from the check. We then waited 20 minutes for her to bring me the check. And while she did take my meal off, the appetizer that she never brought was on there and she acted surprised when I meantioned. Overall, a huge disappointment to what I was excited to experience. I have to say I will not be back and would not recommend to anyone with all the other excellent options in Lafayette.
(1)Guam D.
excellent cajun food! Great stop if you're on your way to new orleans
(4)Mel L.
I went a little crawfish crazy here. Got the crawfish platter which comes with a soup with crawfish, salad with crawfish, and the crawfish entree with crawfish prepared two ways. We also had the gator. And a cup of gumbo. Everything was delicious and spicy (duh, it's Cajun). The white chocolate bread pudding was AMAZING. Our server was efficient and helpful. Great dinner.
(4)Grant K.
Not good. My food was over cooked and the shrimp made me sick!!
(1)Agenda B.
I love their Eggplant Abevillea and also the Stuffed Mushrooms.. can not pass through Lafayette on the way to NO w/o stopping at least for an appetizer!! The sauce on the Eggplant is to die for Music is old school Acadian...not very peppy....the old guys look like they are about to fall asleep playing just anytime....but guess it goes with the atmosphere....fun to laugh at them. They probably are sick of playing the same ol songs night after night.....!
(5)Matthew B.
i cannot pass 49 without stopping here....good lawd this place is awesome. Though I admit it was great in 2007 and may have lost a little something (expanded, got bigger) in the recent years....but the menu and flavors will blow your mind don't leave without getting the shrimp sassafrass
(5)Blake C.
On my way from New Orleans to Shreveport, the highway went through Lafayette. I was a bit hungry and settled on this restaurant just off of the main road and hard to miss. This turned out to be a great choice. The ambiance was the always likable Louisiana bayou setup with a big open area of tables with a couple smaller rooms off to the side that included more seating. A lovely woman greeted us, and having deep love for the southern belle accent, I'm sure I started to blush. Once seated, a gentleman quickly took our drink orders as we browsed the menu. Whoa, is their selection ever huge. The menu was about 5 pages of everything cajun one would expect to see : Gator, catfish, crawfish, gumbo. The list goes on. We ordered the popcorn crawfish to share amongst ourselves which was very good and better alone than dipped in the sherry wine sauce that comes with it. I also started with a smoked duck gumbo, and ordered the Catfish Acadiana as my main. Holy moly and a bucket of sweet was that gumbo delicious. It comes as a deep brown broth and rice to mix in on the side. It had an amazing spicy kick that wasn't too overpowering so you could enjoy the other flavours as well. The duck in it was plentiful and extremely tender. A very positive start to my meal. The catfish acadiana soon arrived, and I was instantly impressed by the great presentation. It is a battered filet of catfish served with corn macque choux and rice dressing. The fish itself is covered with shrimp Etouffee sauce. Now anybody who is familiar with catfish knows how delicate this particular fish is and how difficult it can be to cook properly without destroying the flavour. This one was perfect. Fried just right, the fish was a melt in your mouth bundle of awesomeville stacked high with 'I must be in heaven' tastiness. I was blown away. The corn was great and I wasn't a huge fan of the rice, but it was alright. The prices can be on the steep side, but it is worth every penny and maybe even a pinky toe to try out.
(5)Ron L.
There are several famous Cajun restaurants around Lafayette, and this is one of them. I still haven't made it to Randall's, but this is good enough. You gotta love a restaurant with a stuffed alligator near the front door. It's been a while since I ate here, probably seven years. I had met a girl online in the Beaumont TX area, we came to like each other, so one day we had a big afternoon together. We drove into Louisiana, moseying down US 90, and ended up in Lafayette. This is where we ate lunch. To me, a native Californian, it came off as a real Cajun place. Regional food, a little dark, tables can be moved around for the Friday nights when they have live music. The food was taaaas-tee. My guess is that it gets loud and rowdy during the live music. If I was to be back in Lafayette, I'd want to check out the hole-in-the-wall places. But this was good too, a fitting place for our first big date. Good introduction to the whole scene for outsiders. Oh yeah, whatever happened to that girl? We've been married six years now ;-)
(4)Tcs H.
Fried banana foster cheesecake...omg!
(4)Mike M.
Definitely kind of a tourist trap, but everything was outstanding. Some of the best food I HAVE EVER HAD.
(5)Kevin T.
I stopped in a couple of days ago for an early dinner. I ordered the blackened catfish etouffee, which is a nice blackened catfish fillet with a side of crawfish etouffee over white rice with corn macque choux. The first time they brought it out, the only thing on the plate that was hot was the catfish. So I pointed this out to the waiter, and he took it back to the kitchen. Ten minutes later, he brought out a fresh plate of food. This time, only the catfish and rice were hot. I then made a bad decision: I ate the plate of food. What I should have done was ask to speak to the manager, and tell him/her that food safety requires that hot foods be served hot, and that cold foods be served cold, and then go someplace else to eat. The plate of food was tasty. BUT, the past two days I have been bedridden with terrible food poisoning. A quick internet search came up with the likely culprit: Clostridium Perfringens, known to occur in meats and gravies, especially when cooked before hand and stored at room temperature. The etouffee was exactly that. I did call Prejeans and talked to the manager on duty, Jonathan. He handled the conversation very well, said that he was going to immediately speak to his executive chef about it. And he asked me to come back, ask for him, and he would ensure a proper meal, on the house. I'll try and do that.
(1)L. P. H.
Been eating there for 10 years but this last trip which was last Thursday the 28th and my stomach is still not well. Tasted great but something was BAD!!!!! It was fried shrimps and oysters. Have not been poisoned like this for a loooooong time. Take your chances folks.........
(1)Linda J.
This is our favorite place to eat in Lafayette. It's pricey, but well worth it!
(5)mian g.
Is it weird to have only 4 or 5 star reviews. I'm a newb yelper so I'm just backtracking to all the places I love to eat. This review isn't going to help that average. I love prejean's. I remember it was and still is THE place to go to whenever my coworkers travel through that area. I heard about it constantly and even seen it on video. They have a live webcam in the main dining room. My friends used it to tease me many many times. Finally I get to be up close and personal. The thing to eat here is gumbo. They are famous for it. Well you know it's good when they sell it by the gallons. Yes you can buy some to take home but at $75/gallon I had a hard time convincing my wife that I needed to eat gumbo for the next week or more. I usually have the seafood gumbo. It has plenty of shrimp, crabmeat, crawfish, and okra. It was just right, not too watery and not too salty. I have tried the andouille gumbo while it's good it's a little too salty for my taste. I had the Red Snapper Pontchartrain. It's pan sauteed topped with crawfish and butter sauce. I mean how can you go wrong with this combination? Ok maybe you could overcook the fish or not have enough crawfish. But neither was the case here. There was a ton of crawfish. Makes me wonder why anyone would order the crawfish platter for 24 bucks when my entree was only $18 and it came with a red snapper. My wife had the fried seafood platter. Big mistake. She ended up eating. I didn't want to say I told you so. But you might as well eat a shrimp poboy or something at Danny and Clyde's. Why waste your money on that here? You're here to eat Cajun food.
(5)Ben N.
Although I lived in New Orleans for a number of years, I don't really know all that much about Cajun food per se, which is native to south-central and southwestern Louisiana. Contrary to popular belief, "Cajun" food is almost nonexistent in the New Orleans area. Only a few restaurants there purport to serve mainly Cajun or Cajun-influenced fare. Having dutifully attended Jazzfest in New Orleans, though, I always thought Prejean's pheasant, quail, and andouille gumbo was just about the most amazing thing out of many amazing culinary treats at the Fairgrounds. So I finally got to Prejean's restaurant in Lafayette this past weekend. Yeah, it's a bit touristy, as a lot of the reviewers say here. The restaurant is located on the I-49 frontage road and looks like a big barn inside, complete with a big bayou mural (not unlike the murals at Jacques-Imo's I mention in my recent review of that place) and Cajun and zydeco bands. Prejean's even has a gift shop up front. So what, I say. The lunch I had was rock solid: A delicious cup of smoked duck and andouille gumbo. (I love the dark, smoky roux that is the base for the Cajun, as opposed to Creole, gumbos.) A dish called Catfish Catahoula, with crawfish, shrimp, and crab dressing and some kind of creamy tasso sauce, with tasty dirty rice and corn macque choux as sides. I don't know how authentically Cajun this entree was, but it was authentically good, fresh seafood. And whatever its touristy rep, the restaurant seemed to be filled almost entirely with locals chowing down on heaping plates of fried seafood and giant bowls of gumbo. Do yourself a favor if you're driving I-10 between Houston and New Orleans and stop in at Prejean's, which is only a couple of miles north of the I-10/I-49 interchange.
(4)Christy L.
I so wanted to love this restaurant! I heard positive things about this so was very excited to finally give it a try. To start with the waitress not very friendly or helpful. She seemed apathetic. Apparently she does not care if her customers are satisfied or not. It was very obvious that I only took 4 bites of my food (2 of the tuna and 1 of each of the sides) and instead of asking if there was something wrong with it, she just asked if I was finished with it. I said yes and she said okay. You would think that she would be concerned and at least ask me if there was something wrong with it. I ordered the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller. It was VERY dry and just lukewarm, as was everything else on my plate. The tuna had no flavor and the texture was inedible. I did not care for the corn or the rice that came as the side, but that could have been just a matter of not being my taste. I have had tuna before and typically love it, but definitely not from here! We should have had an inkling of how our meal would be when the bread and our Alligator bites were both cold. (Like I said, we REALLY wanted to like it, so wanted to get the full experience) We also were never offered tea refills. My husband ordered the Crawfish Half & Half and it was okay. At $58.70 for lunch, this was an expensive disappointment! Oh and we even had to go up to the cashier to pay because we got tired of waiting for the waitress to come get our payment.
(1)Tony W.
Got there late tonight... Loved the chicken & sausage gumbo... Be back tomorrow earlier for more of an in depth tasting of the menue... So far not so good but GREAT!!! Not any fault of the establishment at all... Google maps and navigation are wrong wrong wrong
(4)Andrea J.
The crabcake was awesome, pure crabmeat no filler. The gumbo both chicken and sausage and the shrimp that my husband ate were outstanding. The only thing not perfect was the service which was very slow.
(5)Regan H.
Really great food! Hush puppies were exceptional! And definitely go for the bread pudding, you could get drunk off that Jack Daniel's sauce!
(4)Steve M.
Not a bad thing on the menu. I strongly recommend the crawfish enchiladas and the corn and crab bisque is the best that I've ever had
(5)Leslie L.
This place is delicious. My daughter gives 5 stars, and the rest of the family agrees!
(5)Jes B.
Everything was amazing! I posted pictures. Logan was great & very helpful! Go for the stuffed mushrooms!
(5)Carrie S.
We decided to try Prejeans for dinner on the way home from a road trip. We were pleasantly surprised. We had the Crawfish Boudin Balls which were really good. Also tried the Corn and Crab Bisque which was creamy, had a little kick and was awesome. For the entree we had the Stuffed Tilapia, also excellent. Dirty rice and corn were good sides. Rolls are buttery and yummy! For dessert we tried the Coconut Cream Pie and Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce. Bread pudding was so-so. Pie had whipped cream instead of meringue like I'm used to, but was still good. Great place to try if passing thru Lafayette.
(4)Brent L.
BEST GUMBO ON THE PLANET: Smoked Duck & Andouille!!!...dark - chocolate roux!! I know many locals deplore this 'tourist-trap', but I've eaten all around Acadiana and the gumbo ROCKS! If your momma, grandma or grandpa can cook a better gumbo, please send me some or let me know where I can stop to eat it. I've enjoyed many of the other dishes, including the house salad dressing - DELICIOUS! Most dishes will clog your arteries, but it's worth the risk in moderation! I luv the music!....Especially for those of us who don't hear it live often. And it's always nice seeing the younger generations keeping the musical talents/traditions of the area moving forward! I wish they would bring back the bbq soft shell crab from years ago! If you're driving down I-10, take a moment to test it out on your taste buds.
(5)Ben C.
I was in town for business, and was told this place was a must if I was only staying for the night. To be honest I was a little burned out on fried food, so I was looking for something lighter. I was very happy to see they had a section healthy choices on the menu, and I was very content to go with the Tilapia. At first I was expecting a little 6-8oz piece, but i was surprised to see the very respectable 10oz portion they laid on my plate. It was tastfully seasoned, and well cooked. No overpowering spices here, and I truly enjoyed the meal that came with steamed veggies, white rice, and some sort of crawfish soup. If your in town for business then make it a point to stop by, you won't regret it. If your local and haven't been here then put it on the list. And to locals, I am moderately jealous that you have a place like this close to home.
(4)Laura S.
Touristy, but pretty good food! Seafood gumbo had a good bite to it, but the crab is in the form of a crab claw, so you have to dig them out. Oyster appetizer was pretty good, even if it reminded me of a spinach dip with fried oysters on top.
(4)Jenny L.
The best food we have had near a major highway ever. Make the stop. It has a fun webcam that you can send to your friends to watch (kind of creepy but can be fun).
(4)Ethan L.
Now here is an annomaly of a place... The place sells itself as one of the best authentic places to eat Cajun food, a true experience decorated with numerous awards and medals. First off finding this place and getting to it is a pain. Secondly upon entering and seeing the numerous out of state license plates, it does appear to look more popular with tourists than the locals. Once inside the place has all the appeal and charm of eating at TGIF complete with gaggles of junior high kids, with a mish mash of some even French tourists. The menu seems hit and miss. There's a very good unique gumbo that is black as death consisting of duck and andouille. It's quite exceptional and one of the unique items on the menu. There's the so called gold medal crawfish etouffee is great as well, however other items on the menu such as a Asian-Cajun section just defy explanation. Why in the world would you want to make cajun fusion cuisine?? It just seems wrong and a waste of time... The cajun food I'll admit is quite good, but there was nothing I didn't have elsewhere in New Orleans or Louisianna that compelled me to come crawling back here. Also side salads contain a great parmessan dressing, but the main salads are advertised misleadingly. The house salad described as fresh field greens, Louisianna citrus, tear drop tomatoes, with goat cheese actually was 90% iceberg lettuce with canned mandarin oranges and grocery packaged blue cheese.. not goat cheese. Hardly truth in advertising (except the cajun pecans it came with). The place has live music which is great, but the place is really busy and you're not going to hear it well. I noticed that when I left and was hearing the music pipped outside by speaker it actually sounded better cause I could actually hear it. It also builds itself as a place where couples can dance but it's obvious that there is not much room to do this.. or even watch dancers easily. It's not the best, not the worst I had, but I don't think I'll be wanting to return...
(3)David D.
Needed a stop between Alabama and Houston drive with wife and 5 & 3 yr old. This was great! Noon on a Tuesday and only 3 of 40ish tables were empty. Service was fast, decor was fun and kept the kids interested. Popcorn shrimp for the kids was same as in wife's poor boy. Good quality. Cup of seafood gumbo was rich and not too thick. Crab stuffed fried catfish with étouffée was complex and rich. Loved the corn. We will make this local joint a regular stop on our journeys back and forth. Thanks Prejeans!
(5)Ryan W.
This place has, what I consider-hands down, to be the best Gumbo in the world. The game fowl combined with amazing sausage makes for a breathtaking flavor.
(4)Alyce P.
We had dinner tonight at Prejean's in Lafayette. We got there a little earlier than we thought we would after a busy day. We had called earlier in the day to ask about reservations and they don't take reservations for fewer than six guests. I asked what the typical wait might be on a Friday evening and the pleasant person on the phone guessed about 30 minutes. But when we arrived, there was no wait. We were asked if we wanted a table near and Cajun band, and of course we did! Once seated, there was a longer than expected wait for our server's attention, considering how few tables were seated in our area. But after that, our drink orders were taken, delivered quickly and our meal order taken. I regret that we'd had a late (and filling) lunch and it was a bit earlier than we normally dine, so we didn't try any of the amusing sounding appetizers. I ordered the eggplant pirogue, a half eggplant, hollowed, breaded and deep fried, filled with a not-too-heavy Louis sauce with shrimp and crab. My husband got the alligator Grand Chenier, with shrimp and spicy tomato sauce atop a very spicy seafood stuffing. Both were served with a tartlet shell filled with corn macque choux (cooked with bell peppers, onion and garlic, with a touch of heat) and "rice dressing," which appeared to be rice mixed with a good dark roux, onion and occasional small chunks of andouille. I loved 'em both! Once finished with our dinner the server brought the check. The restaurant still had open tables, and we were enjoying the Cajun music, so we ordered one more round of beverages. Our server seemed a bit flustered by that (how to handle the new charge). Overall, our experience was positive, the food was good and reasonably priced. I used to live in NOLA and traveled throughout southern LA so I'm pretty sure there are still better places that this, but you gotta know somebody to find them!
(4)Mike T.
The short story is I have never had a bad food item from the menu, but the service is horrible! My family has 6 people in it, so Prejean's think we should automatically pay a gratuity. I normally don't have an issue, but when you have to find your server to ask for the check you know there is a problem. Then when asking to speak to a manager, their reaction was, "what do you want me to do?" Geaux for the food, but expect to pay too much and have less than 6 people in your party! I hope they fix this issue, as the food will only keep this place open so long!
(3)Ben J.
It is OK but still NOT true Cajun food and as said in previous reviews, VERY TOURISTY... Plus I think it has gotten less authentic over the years... Not sure who the chef is over there now... Might be different than a few years back. There USE to be when I was little another restaurant across the hwy called Prudommes... It was very similar except without the loud music. It was owned by Mrs. Prudomme a friend of my grandmothers. Her FOOD made Prejeans look like MacDonalds... She died and they closed the place down. So sadly this is all that's left in the area. Not sure of any others around that area of Lafayette. More businesses need to use the "INTERNET" down there... I swear I think they're still living in the early 1990's in some parts of LA... LOL...
(2)Mike D.
Cool place but the food is fhshy
(2)Denis C.
On our way back to Houston from Biloxi, we wanted to stop at an authentic Cajun restaurant and this was it. Everything about it was five star. I had the crabcakes and some gumbo and both were excellent. Great service and a great band added to the overall great experience. We will be back!
(5)Gabriela M.
Great restaurant for a Cajun country tourist like me. The decor is fun and makes for excellent Instagram opportunities...there is beautiful Spanish moss everywhere, taxidermy alligators that make your jaw drop, and cartoonish maps of Louisiana for you to track your road trip and feel a sense of accomplishment worthy of a heaping pile of Cajun food for dinner. And you will get that because the portions are quite large! I had the fried alligator served with a side of alligator sausage and it was deee-licious. Came with some yummy sides...I got full so fast I had leftovers for the next day. My friend had the shrimp gumbo which was equally delectable. We enjoyed our meal while listening to a fabulous zydeco band. The staff was super friendly and efficient. Taking a star off only because the prices were a bit steep, but I would definitely go back and eat there again!
(4)Jen R.
A family joint, to be sure. Not intended for romantic, intimate dinners. A large room, decorated like the Pirates of the Carribbean ride at Disneyland (or is it the other way around?), live Cajun music, lotsa kids spilling drinks everywhere, friendly atmosphere. I had the crawfish enchilladas, grilled alligator stuffed with crab meat, and macque-choux. Enchilladas were the standout. Alligator was good but hard to compare since I've never had it served that way before...and I was pretty stuffed after the enchilladas.
(3)Steve G.
Although I've always enjoyed my business travel through the area, Prejean's is consistently high on the list of memories I take-away. I've traveled and dined from Houston to NOLA; through the Delta and up to Lafayette-- Cajun cuisine isn't new to me. There is a homey feel about the cooking at Prejean's, although I can see where the locals consider this a "tourist trap" compromise. Just as most folks from this area may never experience "real" pizza, corned beef or bagels, and yet, enjoy what they have eaten, I've always enjoyed Prejean's. Anticipation of their duck and andouille gumbo has kept me a motivated driver for many miles. Service is okay.
(4)wes m.
This is the best true Cajun restaurant that ive been to in La. It combines good food with a great cajun ambiance. Staff is great but know nothing about how to get to merlots in Bon'temps.... If u get what im saying in that last statement thats excellent!!! Must try.
(4)Suzy F.
We went to New Orleans for the weekend expecting to find plentiful, delicious, cheap, authentic Cajun food everywhere. Maybe we were on the wrong streets in the French Quarter, Magazine Street, the Garden District, and greater New Orleans, but Cajun food wasn't easy for us to find...until we stopped at Prejean's on the way back home. Our friends had vouched for this place, and so had the trophy case of awards sitting underneath the giant, stuffed alligator on the way to our table. The atmosphere was fun with murals, faux trees and spanish moss. Our server was helpful and friendly, and the dishes we ordered were reasonably priced. We started with a CRAWFISH ENCHILADA that was packed with fresh flavorful crawfish and baked in a tangy, cheese sauce. My husband ordered the crawfish etouffee, which was also delicious but almost a crawfish overload after the enchilada. I got the DUCK and ANDOUILLE GUMBO filled with big, juicy, tender duck and sausage bites as well as a rich, velvety gumbo sauce. I substituted the plain rice with the dirty rice, and I am super glad I did. The DIRTY RICE was the best I've had at a restaurant and it paired really well with the gumbo. I would highly recommend those dishes. If we are ever back in Lafayette, I know where we will be stopping to eat.
(5)Jonathan C.
It's touristy. It's noisy. But it's reputation and crowd are well deserved. Ample portions - loaded with seafood - great flavors. And on weekends, live Zydeco! May not be the best Cajun ever, but with easy location, renowned name, and quality food, worth a trip - especially for out-of-towners like me.
(5)Nacheska G.
What a great find...traveling with my grandchild on the way from Florida to Texas, my husband mentioned how wonderful this restaurant was which he stumbled on while on business travel. I had the veggie stuffed eggplant...YUM! There was a Zydeco band that delighted and intrigued my 6 yr. old grandson and another little girl was dancing to the upbeat music lending to the ambiance of the Lousiana experience...a happy and scrumptious visit.
(5)A. R.
I usually go to Prejeans on Sunday for lunch, as most of the other local seafood restaurants are closed. Lately I have been ordering the Crab Extravaganza--a yummy trio of crab pasta, a crab cake, and a fried soft shelled crab. Very rich. My other Prejeans' favorites are the crawfish bisque and the zydeco shrimp. Be ready to rub elbows with lots of other diners. This is a family friendly restaurant, and you will often see tables of 15 or more enjoying the food and the live Cajun band.
(4)Michael P.
This place was pretty good but I did think it was a little overpriced and the service could have been a little better. Overall, I would go back. Frog legs were gross though. Tasted like swamp water! Everything else was delish!
(3)Robert T.
warning.. this place will cost you at least $20.. If you can manage the $20, then I highly recommend this place! I ordered the Catfish filet, stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and crab baked.. topped with a nice cajun sauce. My coworker ordered the Catfish Oscar Prejean and he was also blown away. corn macque choux.. I don't know what that means but it's tasty! It's served in a little edible bowl and the bowl is just as good as the corn. Grilled asparagus was on point. The rice dressing had some kick! I loved every bit of my dinner. The desserts looked killer! Next time, I'll have to break my $20 budget. One of my coworkers ordered the Crabmeat AuGratin and she didn't like it. I tasted it and I thought it was very good. It had a lot of flavor and a lot of cheese. I think this would probably make for a better appetizer to share than an individual meal.
(5)Jeremy M.
Best Cajun restaurant I've been to, and I've been to my share! Everything from the boudin balls to the bread pudding was excellent. Great live music and a 14 foot Gator to threaten the kids with being eaten if they don't behave....PERFECT!
(5)K S.
My fella and I have had to make several trips from Houston to Mississippi in the past few months. He remembered this place from maybe decades ago and we looked to see if it was still open. It was, and it's great! It's become our stopping point on the long dull drive. The gumbos are amazing. If you're there at dinnertime and get to hear the music, it's incredibly fun. All of our servers have been sweet. I recommend it to everyone making that hideous drive across I-10.
(5)Dawn M.
Coming from Austin, we have few selections when it comes to authentic Cajun food. This trip to Lafayette had high expectations on experiencing what the locals eat on a daily basis. I needed crawfish and oysters and catfish in a bad way. Thanks to the stunning reviews on Prejean's on Yelp, our group heads out, in search of Cajun delightfulness. As we walk in, it looks like a Joe's or a Razzou's. Lot's of flair on the walls, merchandise for sale and beads, beads everywhere. The place is packed with families, large groups and couples. Honestly, I'm a bit hesitant that Prejean's will deliver. Boy was I wrong. After spying at the table across from us, we see this lovely skillet of bubbling goodness accompanied with buttery toast triangles. Scanning the menu, we come across the seafood skillet fondeaux for two. Our group of four orders it, and devours it with sighs of joy. Cleaning the skillet with our rolls, the table is giddy with excitement. My hurricane, which is strong as shit, is going down quite nicely. The amount of time between the appetizer and food is perfect, just enough time for us to talk, digest and get hungry again. And now the food arrives. Sweet heaven, it's amazing. The red snapper pontchartrain almost made me cry it was so good. My friend had the catfish catahoula, and judging from the few bites I scored was immaculate. The boys has a fried seafood smorgasbord. The fried crawfish were juicy and breaded perfectly. Every person ended the night with full tummies and huge smiles on our faces. We couldn't stop raving about the richness of the food and how surprised we were at how everything ended up perfect. So thank you Prejean's for the perfect Cajun food experience.
(5)Christine T.
On the way to New Orleans from Lake Charles... had to stop by and get me some of that cajun food. Third time I ever had a cajun meal.... and by all means this is the best I ever had. I ordered the crawfish platter and shared it with my mom since it's quite a big meal. First comes the crawfish bisque. Really good... loaded with whole crawfish. Then came the crawfish salad... salad, house vinaigrette dressing, topped with fried crawfish. Then came the whole entree which consist of fried crawfish, crawfish Etouffee, crawfish potpie, crawfish boulettes, cajun fries, and dirty rice. It was more than enough to serve 2 people. That platter was enough to fill up 3 people. The food was AMAZING!!! Even the bread was really good. famous for their gumbo and po boy. Offer everything from gumbo, crawfish, oysters, shrimp, crab, alligator, chicken, steak, po boy, Prejean's is really as good as it gets because I saw two tour bus loaded with people drive in while I was leaving.
(5)Barry M.
Best of the best, hands-down. Period. Seafood cooked just right, always tender, always done to perfection, served by a friendly, attentive and cheerful staff. I love the gator and the alligator gar on display, and the live band keeps the atmosphere festive!
(5)Nina H.
Had good food but wow exapenive. Too expensive I think. I ordered the crawfish enchiladas and shrimp and sausage gumbo both were very good. I never had crawfish before and I don't like fishy things but this was awesome. I loved the enchiladas. The gumbo was 10.95 but it was a very large bowl and good once you put some heat in it. I recommend the bottle that said gold on it. It has a good zip so don't add too much. We went for lunch and it was way packed. The decor was cool. Alligators everywhere picture on the wall, moss hanging from the ceiling. Very nice. They had a gift shop too for memories or something. Idk but the price was steep. Most meals at lunch were at 20 and up. There were a few under 20 maybe 5 or so things.
(4)Joe T.
Pretty good gumbo and minced, not lump crabcake. Definitly not worth the $. Good waiter.
(2)Kristi P.
I was traveling and although I was by myself I had a blast! Funky cajun band rocking out, web cam in the corner had all my friends "eating with me". The food was outa this world! Gumbo like I've never tasted before, this stuffed deep fried shrimp with pepper jack cheese and this melt in your mouth sauce. Perfect presentation. Fun fun fun! My only regret?? Trying somewhere else when I was there. Should have just gone back for more!
(5)Will R.
Fun live music, good food, ok prices, prompt and friendly services.
(4)TJ Lee W.
I only gave you that second star because of the zydeco music. That being said this was one of the most disappointing experiences I've ever had with cajun/coonass cuisine. I really wanted to love this place. How can you screw up cajun food this badly? If you must go to see for yourself, don't get the crawfish bisque. It's dark brown and as thick as molasses, and the only reason I even ate half of it was because it was 9 dollars a bowl. For a cuisine that has such flavorful offerings, Prejeans fails at living up to this claim. Your pallet is as ignorant as the clientele here if you enjoy this overrated sub par establishment. Truly the Mcfood version of Louisiana cooking.
(2)Jennifer P.
We have been eating here for several years everytime we come to town. Our favorite dishes are the pepper jack shrimp, crawfish enchiladas, & boudin balls. On our last visit we noticed the the prices have increased while the portions have decreased. Food was still very tasty, just be prepared to pay a little more.
(4)Rick T.
OMG...........died and gone to heaven eating their Fried Green Tomatoes, with crawfish and shrimp, smothered in a sherry cream sauce and topped with lump crab meat!!!
(4)Lan T.
I took my sister and her husband here when they came in town to visit me. I had lived in Lafayette for approximately 7 years and this was my first time dining here. I just never wanted to drive to Carencro to eat here. I regret that mistake now. We started off with the Oysters Rockefeller which was excellent. It's been about 4 or 5 years since this experience, so I don't quite remember what I had for my entree. I do remember that I almost licked my plate clean. I've been all around this country, from the South to the West to the East and North, and there is no food like there is in Louisiana. Lafayette is my second favorite city to eat in, right behind NOLA, my home town.
(5)Lisa C.
This is the allegator place! When you walk through the doors, you'll be greeted by a massive allegator hanging on the wall!! I loved this place. There is a band playing music on the stage, pretty much every table is full and the food is a plenty. Warning: the portions are h.u.g.e. but the food definitely does not disappoint. I ordered the gumbo which was yummy and the sides are pretty good too. It's definitely a place for people watching. The wait staff are SO friendly. Love it!!!
(3)Happy C.
Prejean's, this is a letter from the row of my bottom teeth on the right side of my mouth: DO YOU THINK NEXT TIME YOU CAN KEEP THE PECAN SHELLS OUT OF THE MINISCULE PECAN PIE SLICE YOU GAVE ME LAST NIGHT? Thanks, My Nearly Broken Chompers
(3)Tina H.
Large rooms with lots of seating. Was very packed when we came in for lunch. The seafood gumbo was very good. Others had the chowder and said it was very good. Prawns were very large and they had a friendly staff. Waiter was very helpful with menu items and quick with refills. The lump Blue crab cakes had large hunks of crab and a delicious crawfish Louis sauce on top. I had mine fried. Not to spicy on initial bite but felt the heat after I ate-- just right! Served with rice dressing and corn macque choux. Lots of gator- stuff around (stuffed of course) and they have a gift store inside where you can also order some of their soups/gumbos online and have them shipped or takeaway right on the premises.
(5)Hieu B.
This place is AMAZING! I tried a lot of gumbo at different restaurants and majority of the time its bland and flavorless. But the gumbo here is a different story! Its a dark roux and surprisingly, it was THAT GOOD. The crawfish enchilada is a MUST! Eating it at the restaurant compared to eating it at Gretna Fest is worlds apart because the flavor is out of this world!!!! The portions are also big.
(5)Chris E.
Have been here twice and have enjoyed both visits. The Cajun music is wonderful and the atmosphere great. The food is tasty (and plentiful) and is very reasonable. I enjoy this place and hope you will, too.
(4)steve o.
The gumbos here are out of this world. There is a chicken and sausage gumbo, a duck and andouille sausage gumbo, and a seafood gumbo -- all of them are outstanding! I had all three. My mother-in-law had the Pontchartrain Red Snapper and it was wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the people in the place for dinner appeared to be locals. As near as I could tell, we looked like the only tourists there. The service was very prompt, friendly and attentive. There is a live cajun band playing every night at 7:00 p.m. and we enjoyed the music a great deal. Prices are very fair. Highly recommended!
(4)Lori G.
Passing thru Lafayette saw Prejean's and loved it. The smoked duck and andouille sausage gumbo was amazing. Dark flavorful roux, with generous amounts of tender duck and great andouille. We bought 1/2 gallon to take home. The blackened catfish was flavorful, moist and delicious, as was the fried catfish. We loved the various side dishes and look forward to future Prejean visits. An added bonus...there was some nice live Cajun music and a gift shop.
(4)Amy N.
My family and I drove through from Dallas. I have to say, this place offered the best gumbo i ever had. My husband ordered the crawfish bisque. And that was better than the gumbo! i will never go to Pappadeaux's or Razzoo's ever again after eating here!
(5)Dena S.
I, too was expecting a touristy place in Prejean's, but I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was not at all what I expected either with it's plastic red and white-checkered table cloths, but I didn't mind it. The live Cajun music helped. I found the service to be decent and all of our courses arrived in a timely manner. We started with Barbecue Shrimp. They were delicious but somewhat overcooked and hard to peel. Also, the sauce was much thicker than any BBQ shrimp sauce I've ever tasted. The french bread rolls that came with the dish were outstanding. It was served in a small cast iron skillet and with two rolls for dipping. I'm glad there weren't more rolls, because I could not have resisted eating them. We decided to split an entree after the server told us the crawfish platter we were contemplating was a large portion, and I'm glad we did. We weren't able to finish it and ended up bringing part of it home. The crawfish platter comes with Fried Crawfish, Crawfish Etouffee, Crawfish Pie, Crawfish Boulettes, & Crawfish Bisque and is served with Cajun Fries, Dirty Rice, and Crawfish Salad for $23.55. Fried Crawfish - Hands down the best fried crawfish I have EVER eaten. They were extremely tender and not over battered or over cooked. EXCELLENT! Crawfish Etouffee - Very good, even by my standards. Crawfish Pie - This was served in an aluminum tart pan with what appeared to be cheese topping, which I thought was odd. Also, the crust was unexpectedly sweet. We really didn't like the crust and didn't eat it. The filling was probably the etouffee and was good. Crawfish Boulettes - The platter only came with one boulette, which was quite nice, though a little more squishy than I am accustomed to. Crawfish Bisque - The bisque was not my idea of bisque at all. It was much thicker and I couldn't detect the cream element at all. Having said that, I enjoyed it anyway. Cajun Fries - Yummy Dirty Rice - Yummy Crawfish Salad - this was the house salad (side salad portion) with fried crawfish tails on top. The salad was less than average with iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato and croutons, but the fried crawfish tails made it edible. Incidentally, the less than average side salad would cost you $5.50 without the crawfish tails if you ordered it separately. Seriously? Overall, we really enjoyed the meal and the music. There were tons of other things on the menu I'd love to try. We'll definitely go back next time we're in town.
(4)Joe F.
Completely gross, gut bomb, thought I was going to puke in the parking lot, 100 percent hype, 0 percent good!
(1)Kirk F.
This is a good tourist place that is not a tourist trap (IMHO). There is good food here. I had the duck and andoulle gumbo which was outstanding. But a lot of the food (stuffed snapper, fried catfish) was just OK. The stuffed alligators are a kinda trite decoration. The decor is fine. The location is a pain. The live music a cool touch though, and locals go there to dance (a little, anyway). That's what makes this more than a tourist trap, Prejeans is better than that...but it's still not down home, or fancy, it's a tweener.
(3)Dave A.
Prejean's is classic Cajun kitsch. The food was solid but a bit overpriced for the style and presentation of the food. It was hard to spend over $20 per person knowing that I was spitting distance from a major interstate. If I had more time, I would have searched for another restaurant on Caliste Saloom Rd. in Lafayette. Despite this, the service was 5 star. Aaron, our waiter, talked with us about Acadiana for about 15 minutes. He also pointed us to the deep fried banana cheesecake for dessert - a recommendation for which we are very grateful. One word of warning. If you are a vegetarian, vegan, or don't like seafood, avoid coming here. There was exactly ONE vegetable dish that did not sound particularly inventive or unique.
(3)Christina M.
If you didn't want touristy, you should have turned around at the giant 'gator! We live nine hours away and have seriously contemplated making the drive just to eat there again. We tried our first alligator there and no place has been able to compare. The food was great, service was good and the live music made it feel even more authentic. And they have kennels for your pups to hang out in while you're inside, which is great if they're traveling with you - or maybe those were for misbehaving children...?
(5)Jando S.
I cannot say how impressed I am with the food at Prejean's. The location is off the highway, a bit out of the way of the rest of Lafayette. Apparently its touristy, but for an out-of-towner like myself its about as impressive as it gets and a real treat for the city of Lafayette. The service isn't the greatest (I had to flag them down several times just for water, bill, and questions about the menu) but I'd be lying if I didn't say their boudin balls, catfish, and dirty rice aren't near incredible. Just typing this review makes me hungry for their food. The boudin balls were delicious and the catfish was just heavenly. If you don't wish to deal with the service, highly recommend at least getting takeout ... its totally worth it.
(5)Tekk A.
2 stars initially, but another star for the bread. If you know me, then you know how much I love bread! WIth that said... Visited this place with the Women's Soccer team while on our way back from kickin' some Ragin' Cajun a** at ULa-La. Truthfully, I was excited the game was over because I was starving and couldn't wait to eat at this place, especially after hearing so much about it. I didn't read any reviews prior because I didn't want to spoil my experience. Now, in all honesty, I just think I ordered the wrong thing. I ordered a bland serving of Garlic Shrimp Pasta, served with asparagus, and a sauce that tasted like air - nothing! Luckily, the ladies let me sample their food; Kylie and Jayne had the alligator (yum!), and Kayla ordered stuffed crabs (I think), but whatever it was, it was good. So 3 stars, because what I ordered was bad, so I didn't finish it, but the dishes the girls ordered was great, yet, they didn't finish theirs. Everyone was happy!
(3)Joey H.
Straight from the menu: Cajun Surf and Turf Choice ribeye cooked to your specification. Smothered with crawfish etouffee and accompanied with six blackened shrimp. Served with corn macque choux and a twice baked potato. (10oz) $26.50 (14oz) $29.50 I'm a gout victim, so I need to stay away from both surf and turf, but who cares. With my trusty cherry extract by my side, I'm ready to jump in, get dirty and learn what a dickido is. I apologize for the wrong spelling, but it's not a word, it's a phrase. Ask me if you're dying to know. The food was great. I only ate half because I was eating all week here in Lafayette. I ordered the 14oz just because I wasn't really sure...oh hell, I knew it would be big, but we deserved it. I was sure if the ribeye was cooked to my spec because it was drenched in crawfish etouffee. My goodness, it was a meal for royalty. We sat right under the webcam so people could watch us eat. Yeah. watch me eat. Awk---ward. Anyway, couple days later, I finished the ribeye and twice baked potato, and they tasted good and delicious still. If you want it all, go here. If you want to watch your weight, don't come to Lafayette.
(5)Benjamin C.
I was a bit surprised to see all the 4 and 5 star reviews after dining at Prejean's last week. The food in general was good, but when compared to other restaurants in the area that feature similar menus it falls short. And this is the be all end all of touristy decors in the Lafayette area. I was always told Randol's was touristy, but Prejean's takes the gator, going as far as to have a gift shop and live cam so you can view diners on their website, always a riveting activity. The gumbo, which is award winning (not sure which award) was mediocre at best. The band was the star of the night, not only musically but the members were all nice as can be and outgoing. Not bad, just not as good as the competition, head to Randol's instead.
(2)P R.
Stopped to eat here on way home from NOLA. Had heard good things but it was awful. Food was cold, service was terrible. Staff stood around laughing and kissing and I had to wave someone down to get drink refills. Had to wave someone down again to get check and they weren't busy at all -- maybe 3 other tables in whole restaurant. Will not return.
(1)Mardi C.
this is a spot that I've heard about FOREVER and a day. and its all its supposed to be, if you want straight up louisiana cooking. we had a little bit of everything, while entertained by a cajun band, and a room filled with all kinds of knick knack looziana style. If you've not been here? go. ample portions of yummy goodness, I even did the frog legs.. sampler plate had it all, and we couldn't finish everything, it was just too much, but made for great leftovers, and great memories. I took a friend who was in louisiana for the first time, and it was def his fave meal.
(4)Tobi D.
*Note: I am not related to the owners.* I'm going to agree that it's a bit touristy. I was born and raised in Lafayette and have been to Prejean's maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. The food was always good. The last time I was there was 2003... why should I write a review after such a long period of time? Well the last time was my wedding rehearsal dinner. It was a destination wedding in that that the groom and his family were native Texans and the bride (me) was now living there as well... As did 70% of the wedding attendees. Everyone was really impressed with the menu Prejean's staff worked out with my mother-in-law that showcased a lot of local favorites and some really unique items like the Bayou Platter featuring alligator. I was very happy with my fish that had a crab topping. For dessert... well the Jack Daniels bread pudding, of course. It's so decadent and delicious. We were lucky enough to have the dinner on a night where there was live music so it just made it that much better of an experience for the guests.
(4)R H.
Excellent food, cool atmosphere. Stuffed tilapia was great. Try the alliagtor cheesecake, very good!
(4)Matthew P.
Okay, I decided to wade into this fight since I hit up Lafayette on a road-trip. I like good food, don't like hype, and not keen on touristy stuff. I dropped by Old Tyme grocery but it only had po'boys. Dropped by Dwyer's but it was all standard diner food rather than Cajun. So I shrugged and came up to Prejean's. The decor was ornate, but honestly not in terribly poor taste. It was more like a theatre set than an Applebee's "buncha crap on the walls" kind of place. Plus they had a live accordion-fiddle-guitar combo onstage, which was excellent. I had the crawfish bisque, and it was great. Wonderful complex texture, great seasoning, tails tasted very fresh and the stuffed shell was great too. For the main I had the alligator tail stuffed with crab and smothered with crawfish sauce. The alligator was broiled rather than the fried everywhere else does, so was a great way to taste alligator rather than breading and grease. The crab filling was some of the best crab stuffing I've ever had; not even slightly fishy, very fresh, great texture where it was complemented but not overpowered by the cream. The crawfish sauce had a great base, though the tails weren't quite as fresh as in the bisque. The macque choux was, as mentioned above, kinda meh. Not bad, but not distinctive. The dirty rice was quite tasty though. Given the local options I've seen and read about, this seems a good place to go for a full Cajun-influenced menu, with a wide selection based on fresh ingredients, and if you can catch the live music, all the better. I ate the next day at Catahoula's in Grand Coteau (NOT the unrelated one in Lafayette, the one eight miles north). Catahoula's is not to be missed if you like high-class Southern, but I was completely satisfied with Prejean's as a "slightly touristy but very accessible trad Cajun-influenced".
(4)Kristian M.
The alligator cheese cake should not be missed. It is more like a quiche, very rich and tasty. It was really loud with the music. Would be great for groups but not so much for a date. It is a big fun place and the staff was very nice.
(4)Marina V.
Thank goodness for Prejean's! We'd had a bad culinary experience in Baton Rouge after arriving with high expectations... so on the way home, we stopped here (I say "stopped" but it was a little more difficult than that.. be warned: the directions on the Yelp iPhone app are WRONG and sent us into a random neighborhood!) It was totally worth the scenic route though... we walked inside and were greeted by live zydeco! I'd just been talking about how I wanted to find a little Cajun place with live music! No one dancing unfortunately, as it was pretty empty. They also decorate the place to look like you're "in the bayou" and they accomplish this without being over the top cheesy (in my opinion) With many more miles to go before home, we both ordered coffee. The menu was extremely hard to choose from... everything looked awesome!! We didn't want to gorge on too much and then get back in the car and we were running low on cash-money after our weekend in Baton Rouge... but we wanted to try out some new stuff as well...so we decided to split a platter that came with catfish, alligator, frog's legs, oysters, shrimp, and stuffed crab! The one downside is that you had to choose either everything fried or everything grilled... rather than a combination of the two... and the idea of grilled frogs legs and alligator kinda freaked me out... (a. this was my first time eating either and b. everything tastes good fried, right??) so we went with fried. We also order a cup of seafood gumbo but was great!! Much better than our gumbo experience in Baton Rouge! I can't wait to return and try their smoked duck/andouille gumbo! When the main course arrived, I was really pleased that we didn't just get a platter of BROWN in all different shapes! In fact, everything seemed to be fried a little different... the catfish had a cornmeal crust... perhaps the oysters too... but the alligator had a darker and spicier coating and the frog's legs really did kind of "taste like chicken" and had a fried-chicken-esque coating. It came with a scoop of blackened boudin on the side which was awesome...I thought the corn macque choux was a little sweet for the rest of the plate (some roasted corn in a pastry shell) and the "Cajun fries" were a bust, though it might have been because we were there at almost 9:00 and they closed at 9:30. Our server was very informative and professional for the most part. We did feel slightly neglected at the end too (just trying to get the check) because he was off somewhere doing sidework... But I'll definitely be back! Maybe next time on the way to New Orleans??
(4)Luke H.
Easy to find. Hard to Forget. Corn Maque Choux. Shiner Bock on tap. Always packed with locals and tourists alike. Avoid the Blue Ribbon Entrees, and go for the Pepper Jack Shrimp.
(5)Lindsey R.
Love this place! As a tradition we go each year on the way to Florida for vacation. Always excellent service and live zydeco music. The food is wonderful! Try the seafood gumbo with crab claws.....mmm! This past July there were less crab claws in the gumbo than ususal, hence only 4 stars. I look forward to this each year and I can't wait to go again!
(4)Yung L.
Food was good and the bread/biscuits were the best part of the meal. Overpriced though. Now for a warning. The waiter tried to double dip on the tip and the manager was obviously in on it. We were a party of 6 and here's the story. Waiter was really friendly and at the end of the meal brought the bill. It only had two copies of the grand total. I didn't think much of it at first and just asked the waiter whether the tip was included. He told us no the tip can't be included because it was against the laws of the state. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt of mishearing it if he didn't add the little extra reasoning. So I proceeded to add the tip on top of the grand total amount. Someone in the party mentioned the bill seemed high so we did a tally and it did seem high. So I asked the waiter for our itemized bill. He said it's in the garbage and he'll see if he could find it. He proceeded to rummage through the garbage and came back and said he couldn't find it. I asked him to reprint the itemized bill again since everything is computerized. He finally brought the bill and the tip was already included on the bill. I went up to talk to the manager about this. He heard my story and immediately said "I don't believe you. He's been with us for a long time" and so on He acted confrontational and nervous from the beginning. He basically said I was lying and by this time I knew he was in on it. I told him to take off the tip because I'm not tipping a scammer. He takes of the tip and I sign the new bill. He then said he was going to talk to the waiter about this. He proceeded to walk away to the kitchen. The waiter was standing with all the other waiters at the station in plain site. The manager basically was hiding in the kitchen until we left which we eventually did. I don't know how the restaurant was before but this place is running a scam. I don't believe it's the whole restaurant, I believe it's only the manager and a few of the servers. This is a very touristy joint and I'm sure they have gotten away with this before. I hope the owners are reading this because you get too many of this and the word gets out. I'm sure they scammed many large groups.
(3)Katharine L.
Ate Cajun food for three days previous in New Orleans, so you think we would've been over it. However we decided to stop here on the way home. Sooo glad we did!!! Excellent gumbo, fantastic étouffée, crawfish enchiladas to die for, good bread pudding, dreamy bread, and perfectly sweetened ice tea for my southern-girl self!! Loved, loved, loved!!! Will sooooo be back!!!
(5)Sira D.
There's nothing wrong with touristy, if you're in the mood for it. Really, the worst offense is the giant stuffed alligator as you enter. The food was delicious, particularly the crawfish boudin balls. I had the fried catfish po'boy, which was also amazing. The service was friendly and pretty good.
(4)Molly B.
Very good food and fun atmosphere! Liked it alot!
(4)Lauren D.
Um...wow. Excellent. I tried alligator for the first time and it was not bad at all. My mom and I shared a chicken dinner that was to die for!
(5)Phi N.
The food at Prejean's are very good and filling. I've had the duck and andouille sausage gumbo and it was fabulous. The gumbo tasted very rich and was very flavorful. I also had the Catfish grand Chenier which is basically a fried catfish rolled in their signature seafood stuffing and topped with crawfish etouffee with a side of rice dressing and corn macque choux. This is one of my favorite dish on the menu during lunch time. They usually bring you a side of rolls which is very good also. The prices during lunch are also very reasonable. An entrée with a drink usually runs about $12-$14 out the door and you come away very satisfied. There is also a live camera there where you can log on to the website and see people in the restaurant in real-time. I highly recommend this restaurant for lunch.
(4)P G.
I truly wanted to like this spot, but it's just not going to happen today :-( I was SO disappointed with the andouille sausage gumbo. That's all it takes for me is the Gumbo.
(2)Christine T.
Love seafood but this place didn't meet my expectation. Based on local's raves on it, I went and was disappointed with the food and how long it took to make it to our table. The price was not worth it.
(1)Matt K.
The food was phenomenal, the wait staff was excellent, the atmosphere was good. The seafood cheesecake appetizer is a must try.
(5)Michael H.
Just had to eat at the place due to all the rave reviews. The food was great and the place was decor. Great authentic Cajun food.
(4)Robert H.
Simply did not have a very memorable experience. Food wasn't that great and it was overpriced for what I got. Seemed a little too much like a tourist trap. I'm open to giving it another shot one day, when I have the money of course.
(2)Michele L.
A live band, fried alligator, duck and andouille gumbo, crawfish fajita, and bread pudding doused in rum. Not sure what else you need for a good time, but I walked out of here about 5 lbs heavier than when I walked in. Just remember not to get the sweet ice tea. Sweet means something else entirely in the South. I thought my teeth would rot instantaneously.
(4)GC Y.
It is OK at best. Very pricey and the menu is not as varied as in the past.
(2)Jennifer A.
The restaurant itself is great with a fun decor, live music and a tiny giftshop where you can buy anything from cookbooks to alligator teeth. The food...the gumbo is good, very very dark thick roux. The absolute best to die for dish is the Shrimp Sassafrass for an appetizer or the Pepperjack Shrimp on the dinner menu. Amazing. The only reason I put three stars is because, other than the gumbo and the two shrimp dishes I mentioned, the food is just ok. Their crawfish etoufee is strange tasting and the Yellow Fin Tuna Rockefeller which was recommeded to us on both of our visits was small and blah.
(3)Andy M.
Three of us went here for lunch and were happy with the service and quality of the food. Prices were steep and on the overpriced side for Lunch. I got the Crab Cakes which were very good . . . others at the table got the Shrimp Platter which I have to say was very good. There was a Cajun band playing while there which added to the atmosphere. Overall we were happy with the Restaurant and would return if in the area again.
(4)Jason J.
How hilarious that 90% of these reviews from the place are from people who don't live there. Oh wait - I guess I can be added to that list. My folks live in Lafayette and though I never have, I've frequented many Louisiana jukes and joints. So yes, like most things, I consider myself to be an authority on good "Cajun" cooking. No one does it like my pops, but Prejeans has a nice home cookin' feel to it. The highlights - seafood stuffed shrooms, croc de jacques (gator fillets for y'all not in the know), catfish, crawfish and my personal favorite the platter. It is a monster load of food, with frog legs, catfish, gator, boudin balls and some of the freshest tasting oysters around. I'm not a fan of their dirty rice, but that is more of a testament to how pops makes it more than to how they do. The bar is just too high. Love those boudin balls though. (stuffed sausage)
(4)Zachary D.
Simply fantasic! The red snapper ponchatrain was delicious--just the right amount of seasoning. The corn and crab bisque and the chicken and sausage gumbo were the stars of the dinner, though. The atmosphere in the lounge lets you enjoy the music without it being too loud.
(5)Jacob S.
I love Prejean. I go out of my way to eat at Prejean everytime I pass through Lafayette. Their gumbos are amazing. Not good. Not great. Amazing! Definitely worth trying at all costs.
(5)Harold S.
If you are in the area and want a taste of local food and flair, stop by here!
(4)Bev S.
My husband and I had lunch here. No waiting for seating even though they were busy. My husband ordered the mixed grill and I had the blackened shrimp over red beans and rice. The mixed grill has grilled chicken and chicken, along with steamed veggies. My husband enjoyed it--tasty, had good flavor and was nicely presented. My grilled shrimp were good--I liked the seasoning and the shrimp weren't overcooked. But, while the red beans and rice was good, it *was* a bit over-salted--hence 4 stars, not 5. I still enjoyed it and it was full of delicious sausage slices, but the extra salt was a distraction from the overall taste. I'd definitely go back and try something else from their well balanced menu.
(4)Fred W.
We ate there Sunday night with another couple and the meal was fabulous. Friend & I had steaks, the best Fillet Mignon I've had in quite a while. Ladies had cat fish and crawfish etouffee. Wonderful meal with excellent service at moderate prices. Would definitely go back the next time we are in the area.
(5)Greg H.
We have been on a two week road tour of eating in southern Louisiana ending up in New Orleans. With one day left cannot find seafood gumbo that could touch Prejean's, it had a very dark roux that I really like with incredible flavors. Crabcake Cardinale and Crawfish Enchilada were wonderful. Really enjoyed the three member cajun band, had a great time and even called up some friends to see us on the webcam.
(4)Krista C.
Touristy? Absolutely, but I still won't hold it against 'em. The food is amazing and I'm still dreaming about their Jalalpeno Jack Shrimp- jumbo shrimp wrapped in applewood bacon, tasso, and cheese and then fried. Plus, you can wave to your friends on the "webcam"!
(5)Groundresonance C.
Had a lunch 'special' here a few years back that was dynamite: Battered Catfish smothered with Crawfish Etouffee served with dirty rice and corn macque choux. I couldn't forget this meal! I liked the fact that the catfish was battered instead of the usual cornmeal covering. Don't get me wrong here: I love the cornmeal catfish that's served all over the South, but I LOVE battered fish. Now anytime something deep-fried comes covered in sauce, or in this case, etouffee, there's the very serious risk of the batter getting soggy from sitting too long in the kitchen with the sauce on it. Not a problem here. The fish was served fresh out of the fryer and was as crunchy as could be under the etouffee. The dirty rice and corn macque choux were both wonderful as well. Last night I happened to be driving through Lafayette and stopped into Prejean's in hopes of repeating my experience from years ago. Though that dish was not available for dinner, I was not dissapointed. The Catfish Oscar Prejean was the same battered fillet that I had had years ago, but this time it was sitting in a pool of brown-butter-wine sauce with a generous helping of asparagus spears laid across it accompanied by a scoop of dirty rice. My waiter was very helpful with the menu and the hostess was very nice as well.
(5)Glenn W.
Aw yeah, baby! This is about as Cajun as it gets. My wife and I always stop here when passing through Lafayette; it's just too hard to resist when passing by on I-49. We just cannot get enough of the seafood stuffed mushrooms here; they are the best anywhere, bar none! The seafood dishes are excellent; catfish, flounder, snapper, and even alligator if you're feeling adventurous. Love the corn macque choux and the dirty rice as well. I also recommend the crawfish enchiladas for a Cajun twist on a Mexican favorite. I have no problem with the "touristy" atmosphere as the other 10 guys who reviewed this place have pointed out ad nauseum; it's all about the food. I've never been disappointed.
(5)William P.
So sorry we even bothered! The food is overpriced and not worth it. I had what was to be a pork tenderloin ( lunch menu) and it was PORK CHOP with three asparagas that weren't even cooked..hardly hit the water...will admit the pork was tender. My friend had a crabcake which was mushy...taste less....This restaurant is riding on it's name and nothing else...!!!
(1)Atif Q.
Excellent food & service. All staff were courteous & friendly...typical of Louisiana folks. Live cajun band was performing even on a Wednesday evening. The crab stuffed red snapper was delicious. Sides: Corn was out of the can. Dirty rice was o.k. Co-worker had the alligator and that was o.k. Great atmosphere. Large stuffed aligator near entrance. Large painted mural of a bayou along one wall, good for group pictures. Definately a touristy establishment but with great food & service.
(4)Cheryl R.
Okay, I'm a bread junkie. If you serve good fresh baked yeast rolls or bread, you got me. And Prejean's gets me. They bring out a small loaf of their own bread piping hot from the oven, with a hint of garlic and parmesan sprinkled on top. Yum-e! And their menu is full of unique cajun cuisine. If you're from the north, you might turn up your nose at some of the menu items, but you're mouth will be mad at your nose. When I'm passing through, I can't resist. And they have great prices for groups too, you can get a group lunch for $16, and that includes salad, drink, entree, dessert & gratuity. I have booked them 3 years in a row for a luncheon and my guest love it. According to their sign, they even have a kennel out back for people that are traveling through, that want to stop and eat, but have a pet with them. They are located on the service road, off I-49, between Lafayette and Opelousas.
(5)Jeff B.
This is the real deal! This is the place that all of the Cajun/Creole style places in my home state of Texas only aspire to be. The seasoning on their fried seafood items is the best I have had in my life. Crisp, not greasy, not overly spiced. Just right. Crawfish pie? Order it. Sublime. They have gator on the menu but it is not just a novelty item. Order it and you will wonder why you can't find it in your local grocery. Fantastic. The make corn macque choux in the flakiest pie shell you can imagine and it is delicious. I will drive 200 miles out of the way to eat here. Modest, comfortable, extremely friendly and one of the best places to eat in America.
(5)Elaine P.
Stopped in a Prejeans on our way from Houston to Memphis and so glad we did. The Gumbo is terrific...both the shrimp and chicken/sausage. Shrimp PoBoy was served perfectly...on great bread and tender, crispy fried shrimp. Loved It!!
(5)Traci F.
This place is amazing. I live in Louisiana, so when I got married and my parents from Texas came here, I HAS to bring them. They are award winning, friendly, and all around great. If you do go... GUMBO! A must have!
(5)Dana P.
While visiting in Lafayette we decided to have dinner at Prejean's. The Fried Green Tomatoes were delicious. They give you a generous portion, too. We had plenty to share. We enjoyed the Parmesan rolls a lot also. Very fluffy! We split a seafood platter for our main entree. The Corn Maque Choux, Stuffed Crab and Seafood Gumbo were excellent. The Dirty Rice wasn't very good. There was a wide variety of seafood on the plate which included Catfish, Oysters, Shrimp, Alligator and Frog Legs. It was all fine. I wouldn't say the best, but it was good. We got a piece of the Peanut Butter Pie to go. It was decadent and good. Overall, it was a fine meal.
(4)Torrey S.
Among your Bucket List restaurants, Prejean's deserves a high ranking. The food is truly authentic and amazing. This is no French Quarter, trying-too-hard, Big Mamou kind of place. This is a slice of heaven on the border of Lafayette & Carencro. I have stopped here so many times, I cannot count. They offer a refreshingly unique breakfast menu, so if you are on the early side of the day, fear not. They also offer daily lunch specials. You should check these out before making up your mind. The Crawfish Enchiladas are so unique that you may find yourself stopping just for them. On weekend nights, they have live Cajun music in the dining room. This most recent visit was a quickee lunch stop. I ordered the Shrimp Gumbo, for a change, and the Sassafras Shrimp appetizer. The Sassafras Shrimp is shrimp stuffed with tasso & cheese, battered & fried. I believe the accompanying sauce is the Crawfish Cardinale. That alone is heaven. The Shrimp Gumbo is not my usual choice. It has a nice, dark roux, but it is not too thick. They always serve the rice on the side. I was thoroughly impressed with the gumbo's flavor...gently spicy and full. Our family favorites are the Corn & Crab Bisque and the Duck & Andouille Gumbo...though I have to say I just adore the Crawfish Bisque. All their gumbos are available frozen (to-go). Get a cooler if you are on a road trip, and plan for the inevitable. The gift shop area also has plenty of locally-inspired stuff, and some great Zydeco & Louisiana music CDs. I must recommend their cookbook. Not all the recipes are in there, but it is a wonderful resource. I know they also offer shaded kennels for pets traveling with you, but I have no idea how that works. So, the next time you are driving through Lafayette, let your car steer you to Gloria Switch Road (Exit 2) on I-49. Your tummy will thank you.
(5)Princess A.
Food and service both AMAZING! Classic Cajun food with orgasmic flavor. We had the fried Boudin balls and shrimp gumbo as a appetizer. They're gumbo is the absolute best we've ever had. For entree, we had the fried alligator with a side of crawfish étouffée (amazing) and crawfish enchiladas (a little too cheesy for my liking but still delicious). If I could give this place additional stars I would... We were traveling with our dog and they have kennels outside the facility and provide you with a lock for your fur baby! How awesome is that?! It's very hard to find a dog-friendly restaurant in Lafayette. Our server was attentive and very nice, best service we've had in a while. Definitely going to come back on our next road trip.
(5)Janeene S.
The last time I was here they had a live camera on the restaurant & friends could watch you coming in. This place has great atmosphere and you talk about all the decor while waiting for your scrumptious food to arrive. Went with a large group & we all ordered all kinds of interesting dishes and shared. Tasted the crocodile for the first time in my life...had such a small piece that I really couldn't tell how it tasted -- think it tastes like chicken. Someone ordered frog legs, said it tasted like chicken. I had shrimp étouffée with fries & it was wonderful! Ended up with food to go and the next day it was still yummy! Love stopping here whenever I'm in the region - great restaurant with very interesting decorations!
(5)Michael K.
Given the price and quality of food, this is a no go. You do not get what you paid for. I got the crab cake ($10) and sirloin ($20) and they were not bad. But they were definitely not worth the price tag. The service was good. The staff were friendly and checked on our table regularly. No issues in service. But the food quality was just so poor combined with the price tag, that my expectations were not met. Refer to my pictures for visual confirmation. The crab cake was pan grilled. It tasted like a crab cake no doubt and the sauce was tasty (despite its presentation). However, the texture was very mushy. It resembled more of a circular disk of mashed potatoes or creamed corn. The outer breading of the crab cake showed some signs of pan searing, which should give it a slight crunch or semi hard outer layer. However, it was mushy all throughout the cake. The 8oz sirloin came with a baked potato and seasonal veggies. This was the most disappointing. I ordered medium and as seen in the photo, it was well done. No big deal. I'll eat it without a problem. However, the meat quality was average and poorly cooked. It was overcooked and dry. No juices or tenderness to the meat. Nothing wrong with the baked potato. The veggies were simply steamed. No seasoning. Nothing. It was straight steamed veggies. I know they were steamed or boiled because half my plate was drenched in a pool of water. Not even salt or pepper on the veggies. Maybe this place is known for a specific dish I didn't get. My co worker got the Prejean's Seafood Alfredo ($20) and was not impressed with the seafood, which consisted of crawfish, shrimp, and crab meat. If you're craving a good steak, you're better off going to Outback or Longhorn. If you want fresh seafood, I would also consider other local options in the area. I'm not sure what those are because I'm not from the area, but you surely do not get what you pay for here. For the same prices paid here, you can get way better steak and seafood I'm sure.
(2)Meli N.
Food was good. We shared 2 platters, several sides, several gumbos, bisque, salad & peanut butter dessert. I think overall the service by Scott was friendly. Except waters were not automatically refilled & you had to ask for everything.
(3)Melissa D.
Solid 3.5 stars rounded up. Really liked the atmosphere here. The live music added to the ambience. We came here on 8/8/15 for lunch. My son and I shared a bowl of seafood gumbo. For $12 it was full of seafood, as well it should. Served with potato salad and rice on the side. The roux was a little charred for my taste. It lended to a burnt aftertaste but overall 3 stars. We also shared the seafood alfredo. Big portion but literally drowning in sauce. Too rich but flavor wise it was very good. Growing up in Louisiana I used to love this kind of food. But loving in the West coast for the past 8 years has really changed my palate. I can't seem to stomach all the fried, salty, buttered and creamed dishes lule I used to. This may have been an excellent meal for most Southerners but I find it a little too rich and overly seasoned. I will return here and hopefully try other dishes.
(3)Kelly D.
This place is amazing! We came in thinking it would be a touristy greasy spoon but we were hungry... Wow. The food is worth traveling for. We ordered drinks and starters to quell our hunger but I was pleasantly surprised by a real hurricane not the watered down fruit juice you get in the quarter. Delicately flavored crab nachos- not flavorless but a mouthful of the most crispy delicious nachos I have ever had. We ordered two yummy shrimp dishes, sassafras and kicking shrimp. Omg ridiculous, it was so good. We finished with the sinful seven cake and it was a chocolate orgasm in my mouth. Ok, so the place sells Cajun souvenirs and has a huge stuffed alligator but the food is amazing! We came during lunch and had the honor of listening to a small zydeco trio playing fun Cajun songs right out of the wedding scene from steel magnolias- such fun! Make this a destination!
(5)Donna T.
Stopped in on our way back to Houston chicken & sausage gumbo was great, service was great, and prices are great. Will def stop here again next time we are in the area
(5)Tammi B.
Absolute best seafood gumbo my husband has ever had. I'm not a seafood fan, and there were still options for me. I chose the pasta with cream sauce and blackened chicken. The chicken tasted like it was smoked first. It was so tender. Amazing! This will be a "must stop" on our way to/from Houston. It's only about 3 miles north of I-10. Totally worth the extra mile or two.
(5)Curtis B.
Good food and great service. Portions are big so if your driving then be prepared to want to nap. Crawfish enchilada was good. Wish they didn't use flour tortillas, ( gringo move ) but still had awesome flavor. Great stop on the way to New Orleans via Texas
(5)Gene E.
Always great food and fun. Live Cajun music, great service, and interesting decor. Today I had Alligator Grand Chenier. It is a large piece of alligator tail that is grilled then stuffed with shrimp and crabmeat and topped with crawfish etouffee.
(4)Erika J.
Food good. Service was good. Waiter attention but not to bothersome. Food yummy. Wide range of foods on the menu. I had the crawfish enchiladas. They were very good. Seafood gumbo. Yummy.
(4)Jud K.
Prejean's is one of my favorite restaurants. Fantastic seafood gumbo, just the way it should be (without oysters) - perfect roux, plenty of bite-size shrimp and crawfish, just the right amount of heat. Good crawfish poboy. Great étouffée and crawfish pies. Swampland decor. This joint is about as Louisiana as it gets!
(5)Robert N Mary W.
Food is good. Service was alright. Overall would come back. We had frog legs they were good. Had the enchiladas they were good
(3)Jim B.
Expensive tourist trip. The fried oysters were served very quickly but greasy and stale. The gumbo resembled gravy and had the texture of hot and sour soup.
(1)Laurie M.
Fried alligator, crab cakes, corn & crab bisque all superb. We stop to eat here whenever we are passing through Lafayette.
(5)Ken L.
Food and service were good. We tried both fried and grilled frogs legs. The fried were better, but both tasted like chicken. We liked the music and the etoufee, but neither was quite as good as Randol's.
(4)Shane M.
3 words.....catfish.oscar.style. Wow. Would have been 5 stars but it's a tad bit pricey if you ask me.
(4)Stacy G.
It's been about 10yrs since we have been here and made a special stop. Our waitress Cory was as sweet as can be and very attentive, but the food was a tremendous disappointment. We are big fans and love dark/dirty gumbo and couldn't wait to wrap our taste buds around the smoked duck gumbo. It was so salty we couldn't even finish 3 bites. We have had gumbo every way you can think of it but this was sludge and like it had been in the pot on the stove for days. I tried the chicken and sausage gumbo instead and same thing but not as salty. I also had a grilled crab cake that was O..K and didn't finish any of my food and neither my husband or I are one to return or complain about food but this was awful. We left 15min ago and my tongue feels like I just spent hours on a bag of sunflower seeds. As we were walking out we were going to say something but 3 of the staff just sat and talked at the counter as if we weren't there. I'm not sure if there is new management or what but it's not the same place anymore and we have no interests in going back. Its sad because we have always recommended Prejean's and don't think we will any more.
(1)Phoebe N.
The Fried Green Tomatoes were unbelievable, as was the Seafood Gumbo. If I'm ever within a hundred miles of this place again, I'll be back.
(5)Alisha M.
Very good restaurant! I had came here to Lafayette for an anime convention and decided to try this place out. I had got the Seafood Gumbo and the Red Beans and Rice. This is best best Cajun restaurant Ive ever been to. The staff are friendly and the place is clean. They have a little gift shop if you're interested.
(5)Eric C.
Never have had a let down meal at prejeans. Every time I go through Lafayette, this is where I'll stop to eat no matter the time of day. If I know I'm going through there I'll skip a meal. The go to items for me , starter crawfish boudin balls, cup of the crawfish bisque, then for main course is the crispy duck or alligator under the wild game portion. Don't settle for chicken or a hamburger here. Get the real Cajun food this place offers.
(5)Ed L.
Prejeans restaurant is one of the must do's while in Lafayette, LA. As I was told by a friend who used to live there, it shouldn't be missed. With that said, I met another new friend of that friend who lives in Lafayette, but originally from New Orleans for lunch here and it was a culture shock to be sure. After arrival in Baton Rouge, I drove majority west bound on the I-10 into Lafayette and hit up this place for good Cajun food. Previously, it was more creole food that I had experienced and devoured. Now I wanted more Cajun. I found out or discovered that Cajun food was basically spicy seafood and they use a lot of crawfish in their dishes. I had eaten crawfish before and it gave me the creeps. Prejeans restaurant is located in Lafayette along US highway 167S. The drive from Baton Rouge to Lafayette was about an hour, so that was cool. My friend and I came to Prejeans, after hitting up Vermilionville earlier in the day. The culture clash was very much evident, but at least the restaurant itself was not busy or crowded at 1pm when we strolled in. Took a photo of the Mardi Gras alligator before sitting down at the booth to kick off the weekend in the Deep South. A few people looked up at me while I was walking, but it was alright. Ever seen a person from Hawaii in these parts?? Prejeans has a private parking lot and accepts major credit cards, which is always awesome. The overall experience was an interesting one. The service was kind of slow, considering how much tables were occupied at the time. The lights were dim, even on a Thursday early afternoon, but I guess they stay in business somehow! The server was a bit perky, so at least she loved her job there. First order of business was to try alligator!! My friend pointed out that they deep fry everything here, so we ordered the alligator grilled. Alligator really does taste like chicken. A bit tough around the edges, but chicken! Definitely chicken! That was pretty wild, but $10 for a small plate. Not so hot. I didn't want to spend too much money on their signature Cajun entrees, so I just did their oyster po boy and a cup of gumbo. First time trying gumbo too, which turned out to be a weird spicy watery something. Oh well, first time for everything. The service was slower for me, but I guess I didn't care, as I was on vacation. The po boy itself was pretty good, although the bread itself was a bit dry, but overall pretty good. I did love the oysters though. While I can't say that my experience here was stellar, it was just okay. I liked trying new things and the Deep South is one of those places to do just that. Support local! B
(3)Mark G.
Suppa Friday night- While driving to NOLA, we stopped based on some solid advice. ... we were not disappointed. Good call. I had the duck and sausage gumbo. Yeah, that's right, duck and sausage gumbo, a cup. 'Wish I had gotten a bowl. And then had the Half & Half Crawdads. Half fried, half ettouffe'. Another good call. The Zydeco band was pretty good as was the service. The atmosphere is relaxing. A definite stop when we come through.
(5)Patty C.
Stopped here on the way to New Orleans looking for some delicious cajun food. Definitely worth a stop! The inside is roomy and a bit loud with the band playing, but every little bite of the food was delicious. We ended up sitting in the back area by the bar, so it was a little less noisy. Definitely try the duck and sausage gumbo. It's made with a dark brown savory roux. The only flaw was that it was a tad on the salty side, but the tender duck pieces melt in your mouth. The hushpuppies were really tasty. Golden and bite-sized, they have a surprise little spicy kick! Try the corn macque choux. It's like creamed corn in a pie crust. It's super delicious with a touch of sweetness. The complimentary rolls were hot and toasty with a light crunch. I could eat a whole basket of these and happily fall into a food coma. I dipped some of this into my gumbo. The service was a bit on the slow side, so take your time and eat up with enjoying the sights.
(4)Clarice W.
If there is a word to describe the opposite of hole-in-the-wall, it would be fitting for Prejean's. Prejean's is huge. It's off a highway. It's packed with tourists. There's even a gift shop that sells stuffed crawfish inside! Now, this doesn't mean it isn't good, but I think it is what keeps it from being great. I say this because all the items we tried were just in that "good but okay" zone. The fried alligator was tough and chewy, though the tender frogs legs were tasty. The crawfish boudins were flavorful; the etouffee wasn't so much. Prices are inflated to tourist-y levels; however, you do come away with a LOT of food. Though there's nothing blatantly wrong with Prejeans, I'm not convinced you can't find better food elsewhere.
(3)Bob P.
Bayou cooking supreme!! From the frog legs to the eggplant... Everything was wonderful from the service, to the decor, to the live band. Definitely a place to stop for business or pleasure.
(5)Jacob DG M.
Place is amazing! Delicious food, and fresh atmosphere. Is a bit pricy, but as it's fresh never frozen seafood, I expected as much! Would've been 4 stars but my server Mindy was swamped and not very attentive
(4)Steve T.
I've visited here many times over the years. Great food and service. Then why not 5 stars? The crowds and noise. Mercy can this place be a zoo during peak dining hours. Plan carefully.
(4)Elizabeth W.
The staff was very friendly and attentive. We were a larger group dining here for the first time. Our waitress was even nice enough to take some family photos for us!! THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS!!! Best place to get home style cooked Cajun!
(5)Jason J.
First of all, they're a little pricey but it's worth every penny IMHO. The Seafood Platter is what I would call a large sampler dinner and you will know what I'm talking about when you get it. Now to the rice and beans of my review...the food can make you happy or put a smile on your face. It's super tasty and well balanced with flavor and spices. DO NOT dismiss anything on your plate including the frog legs. The building is well kept and they stay true to the Cajun/bayou theme. The service was awesome and my waitress was super. The location is off a service road which can be a challenge for people passing through and just want to eat some Cajun food. Overall, I'm going back SOON.
(5)Howard S.
My wife, Australian friends, and I visited this restaurant based on T A recommendations. It was a nice surprise that there was a decent side of cool band playing during dinner. The quality of the food was good-to very good. Unfortunately, the service was disappointing. Our server was terse, did not attend to us very often, and when he brought the entrées, simply laid them down in front of us without comment and walked away. Throughout the meal, he really seemed uninterested. All in all, it was an average experience and I am not sure we would return the next time we visited Lafayette.
(3)Amy E.
The ambience was wonderful with a Zydeco band playing the whole time! The seafood platter was wonderful. The frog legs were crisp and not slimy at all, as were the pieces of alligator. Definitely a great place to stop!
(4)Rodney T.
Poor hostess staff. They need to be trained better. Many open tables a hostess sits us by the kitchen door. Then we have to wait 10 minutes and I have to approach the hostess to find out who is waiting on us because no one has approached the table. If I hadn't been before and liked the food I would have walked out. Amber was an awesome server.
(1)Bill B.
As we traveled the Interstate we noticed the parking lot at this restaurant was full of cars. We stopped and went in and found a very large dining room with red and white checked table cloths on each table plus Louisiana décor throughout the restaurant. The service was excellent. Ordered the blackened baked fish and my spouse ordered the chicken Panini sandwich. Lots of sea food options from the menu. Both were excellent. The restaurant was full of customers kept coming in. Nice stop for lunch with reasonable prices.
(5)Kevin G.
Best Cajun food ever! delicious flavors, shrimp Etoufee is so good, seafood gumbo out of sight! Must visit to understand how good this really is.
(5)Rick B.
Unfortunately, the high price doesn't match the quality of the food. The mains were all excellent, but the sides disappointed badly. Vegetables were steamed, frozen packaged vegetables, the salads had the uneatable ends of the lettuce heads (for filler?). We had three mains (my wife and I shared), a kids shrimp, ice tea and one well drink - and it was $95..... Fun atmosphere, good mains, but not worth the price.
(3)Jethro C.
Spectacular cajun food. If you're on the highway, passing through Louisiana and are wondering which of the restaurants should be your stop -- this is the one. Don't miss the boudin balls and crawfish enchiladas... although, absolutely everything I tried was great. Not quite as touristy as a few reviewers have said (at least when I was there), and the restaurant is enthusiastically recommended by several genuine Louisiana cooking experts that I know. Live music every night, too, they say (a small acoustic group when I was there). The only caveat -- service is very friendly, naturally, but it was a bit slow, so this might not be the place to go if you're in a huge rush.
(5)Lina X.
Great food and service. It's everything I have hoped for in a Cajun restaurant. The crawfish platter is so good and big enough for two people. I love the sweet corn and gumbo as well. The price seems high until the food arrives, giant portions. Will come back again
(5)Robert L.
Four stars based upon only what I have eaten since 2002. 1. Chix & Sausage Gumbo - FIVE STARS and they deserve it! Best I've had! 2. Duck and Andouille Gumbo - See above! Too rich for a bowl though... Order a cup! 3. Duck Entree' - Unbelievable! (Just wish the sauce didn't have shrooms) 4. Crab Au Gratin - OMG... A bit rich, though... 5. Dirty Rice & Corn Mac Choux - To die for! 6. Zydeco Music - Very annoying... Sit at the bar, away from the noise! Overall - A must try place! :-)
(4)Jonathan S.
I have been twice and it was okay both times. Alligator Grand Chenier=okay Corn macque choux=not a big fan Chicken and sausage gumbo= Fantastic! Crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake=not great Catfish Prejean=alright Rice dressing=not the greatest Atmosphere=Good. It's a neat place Service=Good the first time... subpar the second Bottom line... if friends wanted to go again, I'm cool with it, but as for me, I'll give another place a shot over Prejean's.
(3)Diane W.
We visited PreJeans this AM for breakfast. What a treat! The meal started with homemade sweet potato biscuits ad regular biscuits. The sweet potato biscuits were amazing. They tasted like a moist gingerbread. Very Yummy! The shrimp and grits with Creole sauce was excellent. I had the PreJeans Benedict. Seafood and crab boudin patties with an egg on top all smothered with crawfish étouffée. Absolute delicious. Would definitely recommend stopping at the Cajun institution for breakfast in the future. Only the slow service kept this rating from being a 5. The food was definitely a 5.
(4)Kelly S.
The food was good but not worth the price. We ate lunch on a Saturday and the entrees were $20.
(3)George H.
Had dinner there on Sunday evening June 21st. restarurent was not that busy but took 30 min to place our order and another 40 min to receive it. Food was just barely warm. The worst part was not that they had burned the rue in making the gumbo, but that they actually served it to us. George
(2)Eric B.
Prejean's and Blue Dog Cafe have always been listed as the go to places when my friends tell me where I need to eat when visiting Lafayette. Blue Dog Cafe was absolutely terrible & made me sick. I would not list either as the go to place for Lafayette. I have eaten at Prejean's several times and it is decent. The service was great and very attentive. The decoration is very touristy and I see why out of towners would want to go to this "Cajun" restaurant. The food is decent, nothing exciting. It relies on butter to carry the flavor. Butter can make anything delicious. Their rolls were extremely delicious and buttery, but definitely not healthy. The place is definitely not cheap for what it is. If you are looking for something lighter or fairly healthy, keep looking.
(3)James M.
Blackened catfish was juicy and delicious. Étouffée really good too. Atmosphere was enjoyable with a band playing and good company. I recommend when you get a chance.
(5)Jen G.
Awesome food and live entertainment. We were on the front row of the 3 man band. Folks were clapping and singing along. The crab stuffed tilapia was excellent. Waiter was attentive and friendly. All in all a good experience.
(5)Madison A.
E were traveling through the area to head back home to Texas and wanted one last authentic meal. I found Prejean's on Yelp so we decided to eat there. IT WAS SO GOOD! The boudin balls were amazing.
(4)Kristen S.
Stopping at Prejean's restaurant has become a tradition for us as we are headed to or from New Orleans. Food is always tasty. We usually eat till we can't take another bite and leave stuffed! The decor makes you feel like you are at a big Cajun picnic surrounded by alligators and moss covered swamp trees. Enjoy!
(4)Phil M.
The duck gumbo is worth writing home about.
(5)Donna H.
Prejean's lived up to our expectations for atmosphere, food quality, and service (great!) But why why do so many restaurants in warm/hot climates have to have their air-conditioner turned down to 50? We dressed for the climate, in summery attire, but should have brought our snow jackets. After complaining 2 times, the management finally adjusted our side room down to only what felt like 65 instead of 50. Still....wished I had brought more than a light sweater. .Our server was so friendly, professional and helpful, we much appreciated his tips on the menu. We came with a group of 8 friends, and everyone was pleased with the food. It was a bit noisy and hard to hear one another, but we weren't out for romance on this evening. We started with the Alligator cheese cake and had to order a second round it was so good.The gumbo I would give a B, The Yellow fin tuna, was good quality and fresh and with wonderful flavors. We loved the cheese rolls, best bread in Louisiana.
(4)Whitney B.
The food was ok. Nothing compared to Pappadeauxs or Fezzos. Our waiter Joe was pretty bad. He was not very attentive... Portion sizes were small for the price paid. We were quite shocked.
(2)Ray F.
Great food, great beer, great service! This was our first visit & we were pleasantly surprised! Amber was our server. She was awesome & answered all our questions about the menu. I had the Crab Cakes Covington.... So good! No complaints whatsoever. The fried green tomatoes were perfect. And, Amber recommended the Tin Roof Blonde Ale. Great beer! I hope we are able to visit again soon.
(5)Dinah H.
Great alligator cheesecake and étouffée. Mmm sopped the plate with bread. Would come back. Service was pretty good. $50 for 2 ppl with no booze and sharing entree.
(3)Patti R.
This was a last minute decision, but so worth it. Corn and crab bisque was phenomenal! House dressing was a pleasant surprise. I have to go back.
(5)Faith A.
This review is ONLY for their gumbo. I love their gumbo at jazz fest so when I was passing through Laffayette I decided I would go to them instead of waiting for jazz fest. They must get a lot of tourist folk in their because there was a mini store selling all kinds of Louisiana and cajun merchandise. They also had a freezer selling gumbo by the quart. They did not have the famous one from jazz fest so I opted for the duck and andouille gumbo. It was $20...Whoa! that's a lot of peanuts for some gumbo. But, after all...that IS what I came for so whatever. Despite being a touristy place and overpriced. I love love looooove their gumbo. If you like a dark and rich roux you would like Prejean's gumbo. It's the best!
(4)Jason M.
This food was really good. I wasn't sure what to expect because it seemed touristy, but it exceeded expectations. The fries green tomatoes were ridiculous and I usually don't eat them. Also the chicken and sausage gumbo was great. My wife had the crab and corn chowder, which was also good. The portions are large enough to share, but the food is so good you may not want to.
(4)Paul P.
First Cajun food since arriving off the plane. This met every expectation of spicy, deep fried, gumbo, fish, and shellfish one associates with cajun cuisine. And plenty of it. The place was full and there was a 3 man band playing good cajun music. Not too lively but good for the crowd.
(4)Ali B.
Stopped here on a whim in the middle of a road trip. Was pleasantly surprised. Friendly staff from the start. Cool looking place inside. But the food was great. Ordered a crawfish poboy. Crispy crawfish without being overcooked and just right so you taste batter and crawfish together. Light dressing and a little lettuce to top it off and the roll was amazingly soft. Great sandwich. So glad I decided to stop in, only wish it was closer so I'd have the opportunity to stop in again. ...maybe next road trip that way.... :)
(5)Vince A.
One of my favorite all time places to have Duck and andouille gumbo. I don't believe anyone can make better gumbo than these guys , not even my mama!
(5)Marc M.
Cajun food at its best! Try the chicken and sausage gumbo - this place is a three time world champion. Advertisement like that in the heart of Cajun country really means something. Definitely a "locals" place... thank goodness to Yelp directing us to eat here. Lafayette definitely has more than it's share of great restaurants. I live in "The Big City" and I am jealous. I had shrimp stuffed with cheese wrapped on bacon - kind of like a shrimp brochette, except this was deep fried. Did I mention that I didn't see too much that was "healthy" on the menu. The corn side is like a dessert. In fact, I was so stuffed after my entree, I didn't have room for dessert.
(5)John L. H.
Prejeans offers traditional Cajun food, but is geared toward the tourist trade. We decided to stop here while driving through Lafayette. When we were seated in front of the stage with a live Cajun band, I was quite happy. Unfortunately the band stopped playing after one song. The food is traditional. Lots of fried or grilled seafood along with gumbos and etouffes. I decided to split the fried seafood platter and was not impressed. It was fried perfectly, but just average compared to many of the other platters I've had in the region. Service was very slow. Our server seemed either overwhelmed or disinterested the entire meal. Drink refills were few and far between and he seemed to vanish right when he was needed. In summary, Prejeans wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. If you're in the area and want a touristy seafood restaurant, hopefully your luck will be better than mine.
(2)KArla M.
This place was amazing, the food was excellent the wait staff was attentive our drinks and bread basket were refilled instantly. The food was sooo good had the specialty catfish it was crispy in the outside and soo flaky inside. The food was out quickly and overall it was a great experience
(5)Jim J.
Fantastic. My wife & I have eaten here each time we have visited Lafayette Parish & the experience has always been wonderful. It is a must-visit restaurant for authentic Cajun country cuisine. Always great service & never a bad meal from any choice on the menu.
(5)Misty L.
So disappointed on our experience here, visiting family in Lafayette, they wanted to take us here because of the good food.. But instead we were all disappointed. To start off our bread plates came out soaked, we had to dry them ourselves so our bread didn't get soggy. Waitress was pitiful took 20 minutes to get my beverage and then another 45 minutes to get the other beverages and to take our food order.. And the waitress was rude and acted like she didn't care. Spoke with the manager and she didn't seem to get it that we felt ignored and not getting the service that one should get when dining out. When the food came it was so cold! The only 2 things that were hot was the blackened fish and my baked potato everyone else plate was cold.. Very disappointed because my family has eaten here and always been pleased. But it was horrible, my daughter ended up being sick most of the night. Not a place will come back to when we visit again, there are much better Cajun food restaurants.
(1)Tracy D.
My BF and I stopped here on our way back to Texas from Florida. Since I had already worked his nerves by insisting that I will not eat at a chain restaurant when I travel, I prayed that my random pick from a billboard would not disappoint. It didn't! He ordered a cup of the Duck Gumbo and the fried catfish plate. I ordered a bowl of the Seafood Gumbo. OMG!! Everything was awesome! The hot bread, the gumbo, the fish... the two us couldn't believe how good the food was. The portions were generous, and our server was on point. We loved Prejean's. We were stuffed at the end of the meal, but that didn't stop us from taking 3 to-go containers of gumbo out of their freezer. Score!! Needless to say we will be stopping here again if we are ever in Lafayette.
(5)Sweets M.
YES. Musicians using instruments and not auto tone? Fried Alligators and gumbo? I'M IN.
(5)Tom J.
I kept looking for the chicken and sausage in my gumbo. Lots of liquid but little to no substance in the bowl.
(3)Jim K.
I had the crawfish enchiladas appetizer- that was the absolute best food I have ever eaten. The wife had the stuffed shrimp- ok but not great. We finished with a shared bowl of crawfish bisque which was a bit thick but good. This place is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for here.
(4)Nora S.
We walked into this place and immediately thought tourist trap. Yes, it is. That doesn't mean the food isn't spot on. While we were in Louisiana, I ate seafood gumbo three times. This was far and away the best of the three. Gumbo was really different than any I had ever had before. It was a thin soup with chunks of fish, shrimp, crawdad and crab. I was used to eating gumbo with a thicker base. The broth was also very dark. They clearly used a very well developed roux as their base. The flavor was unlike any I had ever had. The gumbo was so delicious and spicy. They had clearly added the chunks of seafood later as nothing was overcooked. They sell their gumbo to take home and I can see why. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his crawdad ettouffee. Again a knockout. Really good stuff here. Kids liked the touristy atmosphere with the swamp decor.
(4)Steve R.
We hit this joint up for lunch, found it on YELP while passing through town on our quest for greatness and worldwide domination. Thanks, YELP. The decor is cool, the food was great (One guy had the catfish Prejean and he loved it, it looked super-duper) I had a pork tenderloin sandwich and it was AWESOME. Tenderloin was thin and fried perfectly. Slaw was good, I added salt though, but I am weird like that. Onion rings were home made and fried just right. Boogie on down here and try it. DOnt laugh when you go to the bathroom, it looks like a casino restroom, not what you would expect...I figured there would be a trough with a urinal cake, but they are super modern.
(4)Timothy L.
Awesome! Ordered chef's special for the day (fried fish dish, comes with garlic bread and the crawfish, stil can't find on the menu...) 40minutes wait I made up my mind it has to be good or it's gonna leave bad impression. Turn out, IT was worth every minute of the wait. Fish is fried just nice. Really juicy inside. And their Cajan style crawfish is as good as it could be. We ordered a King cake (Mardi Gras special I believe) and it is good. Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Carl M.
I finished my job in Lafayette and checked into the hotel. I am always looking for a good local haunt and both the people at the desk recommended this place. Just a few miles later I walked into Prejean's and was led to the lounge. The crawfish enchilada was what was recommended and I was given a coupon for a cup of chicken and sausage gumbo. I sat for a few minutes before the barkeep arrived and served me. The iced sweet was pretty good but I couldn't read the menu having forgotten my readers. He cleaned up a pair and handed them to me while putting in the order for the gumbo. The menu was pretty straightforward but I went with the recommended crawfish enchilada. By the time I had settled on that, he brought my gumbo. I have had many different types of gumbo but this was great. Rice served separately from the gumbo with a plate to combine them and a fresh hot roll with all the traditional ecoutrements. Rice hit the plate as I smothered it with fresh gumbo and as I reached for the hot sauce, it gracefully slid behind the bar and broke. He was very gracious as he quickly replaced it and called for a cleanup. I felt bad, but I sprinkled the hot sauce onto my mixture and fell in love with the first taste of what turned out to be an excellent dining experience. The gumbo was so good with that earthy Cajun taste sporting good size chunks of both chicken and an excellent sausage. The combination set my tastebuds in high gear and it was all I could do to restrain myself from going caveman on it. The hot roll was the teaser as I sopped any remaining vestiges of the gravy and quickly scarfed that plate clean. I also ordered a beer...something I never do...because I was feeling the mood now. I sat back to savor what I had just elated when the door swings open and out comes a very hot plate...of which I was warned about several times...with my enchilada. Having just come out of the oven, it was hot so I sampled the other sides on the plate. The corm pastry stood on its own as did the ball of rice spiced with liver and several other tasty components before adventuring into the enchilada. It was cheesy so it initially strung out my first bite but when I blew it cool and placed it on my tongue, it was pure magic. The combination was mind blowing and I asked several questions as I was eating it. The staff was so accommodating and the bartender so down to earth that I felt comfortable wolfing this plate of food down and watching them bet on whether I would finish it. I WON. If you ever go there remember that this is not your run of the mill eatery, this is true Cajun masterpiece food presented in truly traditional style. It is earthy, spicy and so good it deserves to be listed as a landmark, not just another restaurant.
(5)Ivan J.
Prejeans is like a Cajun-style Cracker Barrel: open seating, clever decor, convenient interstate frontage, menu heavy on the fried and sauced foods, reasonable prices and good service. Which is great if you're looking for a place that offers that kind of atmosphere and fare. But if you want someplace that has healthier offerings, doesn't bread and fry everything, and yet still gives you a Cajun experience, there are better choices in the area.
(2)Virginia W.
I wish it was lunchtime so we could eat here again. We just passed the exit. My husband, daughter and grandchildren ate here in June 2013 and we were surprised at how delicious every item on our plates were. The grandkids were so amazed by the decor, ie alligators etc, that they had a difficult time concentrating on their food. We had to buy them a gift at the gift shop. I will definitely eat at Prejeans again, probably on the way to Florida next March.
(5)Heidi J.
Driving up this place looks like nothing special, but when you walk in it's serious Louisiana. The decor is fantastic and the food is out of this world! Great service with a fun Cajun atmosphere.
(5)Wendi S.
Mixed review for our family. We didn't get off to a great start when after we were seated, they kinda forgot about us. But once they figured out who our server was, it was fine service wise. I realllly wanted jambalaya, but they didn't have that, so I got Shrimp etouffee. It was good, better with their hot sauce. Hubby had a catfish dish he liked. Son had Oyster Saxaphone which he LOVED! My other son had the seafood gumbo. He disliked it, and we all tried it and it was pretty bad. We will probably try somewhere different next time. :(
(3)K. B.
Recommended by many locals and tourists, Prejeans is a fun place to go for dinner. They have a good gift shop and bar to pass the time if you have to wait for a table. I had a seafood salad and gumbo that had plenty of meat in it. A Cajun band was playing and the place is nicely decorated. I loved the sink in themen's bathroom. Service as alittle slow but I was with good company. I would return.
(4)Elaine V.
Very great! Just hate to leave the state and all this Cajun food. The bowl of crawfish bisque is huge. More of a meal for two.
(5)Michael T.
This was my second trip through Lafayette, LA. This place is a must stop and an outstanding place to eat great Cajun style food. Service is top notch and the food is prepared such that you can enjoy every bite. Don't leave without ordering the bread pudding. If you're full after dinner, order it to go.
(5)Corla L.
Tonight the fish special Mahi Mahi, very dry. Crawfish Étouffée not so good. Restaurant is dirty.thick dust from ceiling to floor. I was watching to see is dust bunnies would fall on my food. But the service was quick tonight.
(2)James D.
Simply put, this was some of the best food I've ever had in my life. The crawfish étouffée topped stuffed catfish (mouthful to say) was incredible. The sweet tea was incredible. The duck and sausage gumbo made life so much better. It's thick and simply effing amazing. The boudin balls here are tasty as hell and the hush puppies??? Great!! I live in Jacksonville, FL and I would consider a road trip to LA just to eat here again. The rice dressing was great too. Nothing I ate here was bad. Oh lord thank you. You must eat here before you die and bring your tums and Pepsid!
(5)Becky W.
Boudin Balls, Mardi Gras oysters, fried green tomatoes, duck andouille gumbo.....YUM!!!!!!!! Best fried green tomatoes I've ever had.
(5)Jeannie B.
Prejean's is always a winner for locals and tourists alike. The fondue appetizer is out of this world. The atmosphere reeks Cajun heartland. Go when there's a live band which is almost always. There's a dance floor too!
(4)