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Louisiana's oldest restaurants
Posted on 1/13/26 at 1:45 pm
Posted on 1/13/26 at 1:45 pm
8
Posted on 1/13/26 at 1:54 pm to L.A.
list isnt correct soileaus dinner club in opelousas has been open since 1937
Posted on 1/13/26 at 2:05 pm to diat150
quote:
Dooky chase
I'll be doing that after eating at any of those restaurants.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 2:23 pm to diat150
quote:
n 1937, Clarence Soileau opened his first restaurant in Opelousas serving mainly bar-be-que chicken dinners ~ half of a chicken with trimmings for 35 cents. Even then, the popular “bar-be-que stand” was known as Soileau’s Dinner Club.
Soileau's Restaurant - about 1939. In 1942, the restaurant temporarily closed due to the war. The Soileaus moved to New Orleans where Clarence was stationed in the ship yard. The restaurant reopened in 1946 at which time Clarence took on a partner, his brother-in-law, Clifton Veillon, Sr. The restaurant was rebuilt to serve a larger capacity and the menu also expanded to include seafood, steaks, and other specialties.
In 1962, the restaurant was gutted by fire and the extent of the damage forced Clarence and Cliff to rebuild at a new location but it still remained on Main Street in St. Landry Parish, which is presently the family restaurant’s location.
In 1979, Clarence’s son, Scott Soileau, became part of the business operation along with Cliff's son, Clifton Veillon, Jr. The two sons carried on the family tradition after Clarence and Cliff retired.
In July 2001, the partnership was mutually dissolved and the Soileaus retained sole ownership. Scott Soileau and his wife, Beth, now in their 40th year maintains and operates the well- known family restaurant 7 days.
Lea's Lunchroom - I'll take a ham sandwich and a slice of lemon meringue pie, please.
This post was edited on 1/13/26 at 2:24 pm
Posted on 1/13/26 at 3:19 pm to L.A.
Let me help you since Baton Rouge failed to make the list.
21) Chili’s - 1994 - Baton Rouge
21) Chili’s - 1994 - Baton Rouge
Posted on 1/13/26 at 3:45 pm to L.A.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 4:14 pm to L.A.
I have been to all of them except for 14, 17 and 20.
Posted on 1/13/26 at 4:41 pm to L.A.
Been to all but Herby K's
Also don't think the list is accurate. Some chicken place in North BR was the oldest in BR. Unless it closed.
Also don't think the list is accurate. Some chicken place in North BR was the oldest in BR. Unless it closed.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 12:23 am to BigPerm30
quote:
Let me help you since Baton Rouge failed to make the list.
21) Chili’s - 1994 - Baton Rouge
One on College definitely been there since the 80s. Wanna say 1985 or so.
Mandina’s is a true Shreveport institution.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 5:06 am to L.A.
Lea’s Lunchroom 
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:52 am to fightin tigers
quote:
Been to all but Herby K's
Save your money, it's horrible now.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 12:08 pm to 24nights
Too bad Antoine’s sucks. Definitely the worst of the old guard restaurants in the city.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 1:04 pm to saderade
quote:
Too bad Antoine’s sucks. Definitely the worst of the old guard restaurants in the city.
It is a lot better these days . They have low key made massive improvements to both food and experience.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:05 pm to diat150
I've been to 11 of the 20
I've been to Don's just not that one in Lafayette
I've been to Don's just not that one in Lafayette
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:29 pm to REG861
quote:Great to hear. It was 4-5 years ago since my last visit. An iconic restaurant like that needs to have good food.
It is a lot better these days . They have low key made massive improvements to both food and experience.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:36 pm to L.A.
Ye Olde College Inn - 1933
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:37 pm to REG861
quote:
They have low key made massive improvements to both food and experience.
That's good to hear because I've had some incredible experiences in the past at Antoine's. It's an institution that needs to stay successful.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:44 pm to saderade
quote:
quote:It is a lot better these days . They have low key made massive improvements to both food and experience.Great to hear. It was 4-5 years ago since my last visit. An iconic restaurant like that needs to have good food.
Oh it absolutely sucked arse back then. I think they got a new chef or manager, maybe both. The menu is really whittled down to focus on a manageable amount of dishes the kitchen can do consistently, and the wait staff is now professional, doesn’t reek of weed and have prison tattoos on their necks. It’s much livelier atmosphere.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 8:57 pm to L.A.
I thought Parkway opened in the early 1900s?
Posted on 1/15/26 at 11:10 am to nicholastiger
quote:
I've been to Don's just not that one in Lafayette
Well its closed and torn down now
Before it closed it was like going to a morgue besides on Mardi Gras weekend
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