Johnson’s Boucaniere Named 'Best Barbecue in Louisiana'

LAFAYETTE, La. - If there's one thing in Louisiana we take seriously, it's food. In fact, we're world-wide famous for our food. From New Iberia to Lafayette, Eunice to Breaux Bridge, you'll find award winning Cajun and Creole cuisine.

Obviously, we're famous for our culture and food, but when people talk about Louisiana food, barbecue usually isn't in the conversation.

We've talked about how Louisiana's BBQ scene has been on the rise over the past few years, but there's one Lafayette restaurant that's been consistently serving up mouth watering barbecue since 1937. As a matter of fact, The Food Network has just crowned this Lafayette restaurant as having "The Best Barbecue in Louisiana".

Unsplash Via Emerson Vieira

Why BBQ Rankings Always Start Arguments

Let’s be honest...no list is ever going to make everyone happy, especially when it comes to food.

In Louisiana, food is personal, and so is barbecue. Barbecue is quite often tied to family traditions, so when a national publication names a “best,” it’s almost guaranteed to get people talking.

This being said, let's take a look at what Lafayette restaurant The Food Network says has not just the best barbecue in Acadiana, but the best barbecue in Louisiana.

Johnson’s Boucaniere Named Best Barbecue In Louisiana

The Food Network has highlighted Johnson’s Boucaniere in Lafayette as the top barbecue restaurant in Louisiana as part of a national barbecue roundup.

From foodnetwork.com -

Owner Lori Walls, the granddaughter of Johnson's Grocery founder Arnestor Johnson, reopened the place in 2008. She uses her forebears' recipes for the shop's house-smoked specialty meats, like garlic pork sausage, tasso and boudin, as well as simpler but just as flavorful slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork, chicken and country-style ribs.

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What makes Johnson’s Boucaniere different from your typical BBQ joint is that it blends our local Cajun tradition with classic low-and-slow barbecue. Unlike Texas or Memphis BBQ, what Johnson’s does is distinctly Louisiana serving up delicious smoked boudin, garlic pork sausage, brisket with Cajun seasoning, plate lunches with rice, gravy, and smoked meats, and more.

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Why This Matters For Louisiana

Louisiana doesn’t always get the spotlight when it comes to BBQ. But Johnson’s Boucaniere helped prove that Louisiana barbecue deserves a seat at the table.

Congrats to Johnson’s Boucaniere, and well deserved!

Read more at newsbreak.com and foodnetwork.com.

10 on 10: The 10 Best Places to Eat on I-10 in South Louisiana

Part of the fun of traveling is stopping for a great bite to eat. Here in Acadiana, great places to eat is kind what we're famous for.

Whether you're a traveler in need of stopping to stretch your legs and get some great food, or you're a local that's in the know, I-10 through Acadiana is chocked full of amazing local restaurants.

Picking the best of anything when it comes to food in Louisiana is a pretty impossible task, but using Google reviews and a little geography, we've compiled the list of "The 10 Best Places to Eat on I-10 in South Louisiana".

Gallery Credit: Michael Scott