Sulphur, Louisiana — Sometimes you just know a place is gonna be good. When I’m on the road, I love to eat in local joints. Just passin’ through a small town, you’ve gotta use your intuition, and sometimes it’s a crapshoot.
Riding through Louisiana, doing an article on the state’s bayous and backcountry for HOG magazine gave me lots of opportunities to try local food. One of my favorites was a breakfast omelette with crawfish and shrimp. But that’s another story.
When I rode past a barn-red shack in Sulphur, Lousiana — near Lake Charles — with a fiberglass steer on the roof, it looked promising. What sealed the deal for me, though, was the aging sign out front with yellow and white letters on a black background, advertising “Bar-B-Que and Donuts.” Now, that’s a combination I challenge anyone to resist. I rapidly braked my Harley Ultra Classic , executed a quick U-turn and pulled into the gravel parking area.
After taking a few pictures, I walked over to the takeout window. “You look like a tourist!” joked the young lady at the window. I asked whether there was a seating area or if the restaurant was takeout only. “Sure, go around to the back,” I was told.
In the dining room, the same young lady was my server. Turns out Amanda Evans and her partner Bobby Ramirez bought the restaurant just two weeks ago; the place had been in operation for about 15 years previously. “It’s been going real well so far, we’ve even picked up a few catering jobs,” she said.
Amanda told me the donuts were gone (damn!), but I ordered some barbecue (anyone who’s read The Travelin’ Gringo blog knows I’m a BIG BBQ fan). And for good measure, I asked for some boudin. I’d learned about boudin (pronounced “boo-DAN”) a couple of days earlier on my ride.
Boudin is a Louisiana Cajun treat — like a sausage, only stuffed with pork, rice and spices. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even gas stations and convenience stores in Cajun country sell it, and from my experience so far, it’s all great! It’s one of my new favorite foods, calories and cholesterol be damned.
So Amanda made me up a special plate with sliced beef brisket and a link of boudin. The beef brisket was tender and juicy, as was the boudin; all with a great, smoky flavor. Amanda told me she usually makes bread pudding for dessert, with leftover donuts, although she hadn’t prepared any today.
That sounds like something worth coming back for.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Carlyss BBQ
5047 Highway 27 South
Sulphur, LA 70665
337-583-8744
http://carlyssbarbequedonuts.amlnk.com/
yeah you gotta love Sulphur we are probably the only place that could come up with that combo love louisiana and that cajun jambalaya lol
Amazing what you can find when you’re willing to make a U-turn!
Where ever there’s a sign that says “Barbeque and Donuts” — you know there’s good eats inside. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda, I am Pansy’s aunt. She sent me this and I must thank you for it. Sounds so good and wish we were close enough to visit the restaurant. Keep up the good work.
“Tee”
This is a part of the country that I’ve never had the opportunity to visit. Prior to leaving the U.S. I don’t know that I appreciated all the unique travel experiences available to me in my own country. One of the things I’d most like to do someday is return home and take a cross-country road-trip. Until then, I’ll follow along on yours! ;-)
Hey Ken, I had completely forgotten about that shoot we did in the bayou! (I’m remembering it now — although we won’t talk about that here!).
Roadfood is the best — I love looking for places with local character, and I’m usually not disappointed.
Glen, this is awesome and you are making me very “hongry”! You always did have a knack for finding really good food in your travels, and you trained me well. This trip through the bayou reminds me of the Swamp Twins shoot in the mobile home out near Lake Ponchartrain. First time I ever had dirty rice and andouille sausage. Yum! Have you found any shrimp and grits yet?
Thanks for all the comments.
@NVR Guys — I guess my definition of “fine dining” might be a little twisted! :)
I think it is f*ing hilarious that you find a fiberglass steer on the roof of a restaurant and think “Mmmm. That looks promising!”
Thanks for the great road food tips.
It looks like you didn’t leave hungry. I also love cajun food.
OMG. That is amazing. HAHA. How can you not stop at a place like this??
YUM, I would definitely like some boudin. Looks delicious! I did have to laugh at the sign though. Such an odd combination. Reminds me of when we were in a small town in northern Thailand and one of the restaurants had a sign out front that said “Ribs and Fondue”. That’s right, Thailand.
That looks not only like a place worht coming back to but finding in the first place. I’m very fond of Louisana and Mississipi, theb people, the language and the food.
Wow, that looks like some good BBQ. I miss beans! Want to guess how many calories are on that plate?
That looks like a very hefty meal. Could you really follow it up with dessert?