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 Clockwise from top left: The Parrain Special at Johnson's Boucaniere, Billy's boudin ball, The Best Stop's smoked boudin, a meat pie at Don's, bags of Billy's swag, Billy's boudin and cheese roll up, Bourque's boudin eggroll.
Clockwise from top left: The Parrain Special at Johnson's Boucaniere, Billy's boudin ball, The Best Stop's smoked boudin, a meat pie at Don's, bags of Billy's swag, Billy's boudin and cheese roll up, Bourque's boudin eggroll.

Eater's Guide To Cajun Country Meats, Roadside Boudin

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Clockwise from top left: The Parrain Special at Johnson's Boucaniere, Billy's boudin ball, The Best Stop's smoked boudin, a meat pie at Don's, bags of Billy's swag, Billy's boudin and cheese roll up, Bourque's boudin eggroll.

Two weeks ago, Eater asked you, dearest readers, for your favorite places to stop in Cajun Country for a quick fix of roadside boudin and all those fine other delicacies of Acadiana: cracklins, smoked sausage, andouille, tasso, and more. After numerous tips and suggestions, Eater set off west on to investigate.

Any of these places can be incorporated into an amazing day trip just over two-hours away via 1-10 or Hwy 190— imagine eating boudin all morning, touring a brewery in the afternoon, and ending your evening with some zydeco honky tonkin' and the sunset on the bayou. It can easily happen, folks. It should, before the summer is over. Think of this guide as a starting point for Cajun Country road-tripping. For seasoned vets, the go-to resource is Boudin Link, which has reviews of pretty much every boudin spot to ever exist in Louisiana and beyond, and is regarded at THE authority on such matters.

Here now, Eater brings you a guide to finding the best Cajun Country meats and roadside boudin, with reader recommendations including Lost Bayou Rambler Louis Michot's favorites.

Still don't see a Cajun meat stop that you really love? Leave a comment or send a tip and Eater will keep adding them



More Reader Favorites:

1.) Cormier's Country Store: "A different tasting link, very good." In Cankton.
2.) Gillis Meat Market: "THE BEST BOUDIN, CRACKLINS, sausage, steaks & taso They are THE FULL SERVICE cajun stop. A must." In Moss Bluff.
3.) Vautrot's Chevron Station, in Church Point.
4.) Rod's Thrifty Mart:: "best smoked sausage." In Church Point.
5.)Spot's Corner: "Was surprisingly good for a convenience store out in the middle of nowhere. That was quite a while ago so I can't vouch that it's currently the best boudin, but we were very pleased at the time we drove through there." In Elton on Highway 190.
6.)Bergeron's: Get the smoked boudin. Port Allen, Bossier City, and more locations.
7.) Charlie-T's, in Breaux Bridge.
8.)T-Jim's Market and Grocery: "The Best." In Cottonport.
9.) Jerry Lee's Kwik Stop: "Jerry Lee doesn't use liver in his boudin which helps the smoky pork and onion flavors move up front. It's incredible stuff and at certain times of the year, he'll literally sell thousands of pounds a week. It doesn't stop there, his head cheese, smoked and Green Onion Sausage and pork skins are out of this world. I would drive several hours for this boudin.... it's that good." In Greenwell Springs.
10.) Market Basket: "Their smoked boudin shouldn't be missed." In Lake Charles.
11.) Legnon's Boucherie: "Best boudin in da world." In New Iberia .
12.) Nunu's Fresh Market, in Youngsville.
13.) Day's Smokehouse: "The best Boudin and Cracklins I have ever eaten." In Denham Springs.


· The Five Days of Meat 2014 [-ENOLA-]

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The Best Stop

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The ultimate stop on the tour de boudin. Here, the smoked boudin is the stuff of dreams. The boudin balls and cracklins are both wonderful, and the selection of take-home meats, fresh and frozen meats is astounding. Bring a cooler to stock up or buy one there.

Billy's

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This beloved spot has a drive-thru, but it's more fun to go inside because the staff is super friendly. Must try: the boudin and cheese roll up. It's an eggroll with melty pepper jack cheese and boudin inside. You will not want to share it. Also of note: pistolettes, boudin balls the size of your hand, cracklins w/ perfect amount of seasoning.

Johnson's Boucaniere

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Absolutely one of the best meals you'll have in Cajun Country, this Lafayette institution serves incredible boudin and smoked meats. Must try: The stuffed grilled cheese, which is dubbed the Cajun Philly Cheesesteak, made with pulled pork/brisket and American cheese. The Parrain Special takes this a step further, by smashing a boudin ball in the grilled cheese. It is the stuff of dreams are made of.

Poche's

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Breaux Bridge's pride and joy. Take home boudin, cracklins and smoked andouille, or feast on a daily lunch plate--FYI, their spicy meatballs are addictive-- and it's all on the way to Bayou Teche Brewing.

Bayou Teche Brewery

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Beer break! Don't even act like you're coming out to Acadiana to eat all this boudin and you're not going to stop into Bayou Teche for a pint or a sampling flight. Try the new sour beer aged in Sauvignon Blanc barrels, the Coteau Rodaire, and take home some hot sauce.
Try the often overlooked meat pies and jerky here, as they're the secret gems.

Bourque's

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Borque's is known for their jalapeno sausage bread, which is great, but also equally great: boudin eggrolls and cracklin.

Mowata Store

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"Cousin of Donald Link," a tipster writes in. As for the boudin: "Recipe is slightly different...more like pulled pork instead of ground" with "visible seasonings such as green onions."

Saucier's Sausage Kitchen

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From Lost Bayou Rambler's Louis Michot: "We did a boudin tour, a little Saturday morning smoked meat tour. We found a place called Saucier's Sausage Kitchen, down on Gravel Road between Eunice and Mamou. It was amazing. That's the place." [Photo: BoudinLink]

Babineaux

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While they do a great boudin, it's the rich Boudin Rouge, or blood boudin, that people come to this slaughterhouse for.

Hebert's

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Never mind the boudin here, get the TASSO sandwich on white bread with mayo and barbecue sauce, and thank us later. Cracklins are fairly good, but lighter on the seasoning.

Chicken On The Bayou

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Gator fanatics will find gator boudin and gator burgers here. It's a busy rest stop/restaurant with very cordial service, and decent boudin.

Texaco/Country Ridge Express

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At least four readers agree that this is "by far the best" boudin and cracklin in Louisiana "hands down." [Photo: BoudinLink]

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The Best Stop

The ultimate stop on the tour de boudin. Here, the smoked boudin is the stuff of dreams. The boudin balls and cracklins are both wonderful, and the selection of take-home meats, fresh and frozen meats is astounding. Bring a cooler to stock up or buy one there.

Billy's

This beloved spot has a drive-thru, but it's more fun to go inside because the staff is super friendly. Must try: the boudin and cheese roll up. It's an eggroll with melty pepper jack cheese and boudin inside. You will not want to share it. Also of note: pistolettes, boudin balls the size of your hand, cracklins w/ perfect amount of seasoning.

Johnson's Boucaniere

Absolutely one of the best meals you'll have in Cajun Country, this Lafayette institution serves incredible boudin and smoked meats. Must try: The stuffed grilled cheese, which is dubbed the Cajun Philly Cheesesteak, made with pulled pork/brisket and American cheese. The Parrain Special takes this a step further, by smashing a boudin ball in the grilled cheese. It is the stuff of dreams are made of.

Poche's

Breaux Bridge's pride and joy. Take home boudin, cracklins and smoked andouille, or feast on a daily lunch plate--FYI, their spicy meatballs are addictive-- and it's all on the way to Bayou Teche Brewing.

Bayou Teche Brewery

Beer break! Don't even act like you're coming out to Acadiana to eat all this boudin and you're not going to stop into Bayou Teche for a pint or a sampling flight. Try the new sour beer aged in Sauvignon Blanc barrels, the Coteau Rodaire, and take home some hot sauce.

Don's

Try the often overlooked meat pies and jerky here, as they're the secret gems.

Bourque's

Borque's is known for their jalapeno sausage bread, which is great, but also equally great: boudin eggrolls and cracklin.

Mowata Store

"Cousin of Donald Link," a tipster writes in. As for the boudin: "Recipe is slightly different...more like pulled pork instead of ground" with "visible seasonings such as green onions."

Saucier's Sausage Kitchen

From Lost Bayou Rambler's Louis Michot: "We did a boudin tour, a little Saturday morning smoked meat tour. We found a place called Saucier's Sausage Kitchen, down on Gravel Road between Eunice and Mamou. It was amazing. That's the place." [Photo: BoudinLink]

Babineaux

While they do a great boudin, it's the rich Boudin Rouge, or blood boudin, that people come to this slaughterhouse for.

Hebert's

Never mind the boudin here, get the TASSO sandwich on white bread with mayo and barbecue sauce, and thank us later. Cracklins are fairly good, but lighter on the seasoning.

Chicken On The Bayou

Gator fanatics will find gator boudin and gator burgers here. It's a busy rest stop/restaurant with very cordial service, and decent boudin.

Texaco/Country Ridge Express

At least four readers agree that this is "by far the best" boudin and cracklin in Louisiana "hands down." [Photo: BoudinLink]

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