11 Places to Find Boudin in Lafayette, LA
Ask anyone from Lafayette, LA, and they’ll tell you boudin is an essential part of their cuisine. But for those who aren’t from the area, what is boudin and why is it so beloved?
Boudin is made up of pork, rice, peppers and other vegetables and spices. All ingredients are cooked before being wrapped in casing and shaped into links.
For many, boudin is nostalgic, evoking memories of making and enjoying it with family. Recipes are sacred and rarely shared.
“Your favorite boudin is the one you grew up with,” says Lori Johnson Walls of Johnson’s Boucanière. “If you ask 20 people what their favorite is, you’ll get 20 different answers.”
In addition to those made at home, families across the region have been trusting local institutions to serve up great boudin for generations. Many are located along the I-10 corridor, making them easy stops for visitors and locals. Ahead, learn about 11 places in the Lafayette, LA, area that are selling their own special boudin.
In This Article
NuNu’s Market
This lounge-turned-grocery-store dates to the 1950s and was originally called the Blue Room Lounge. Arthé Broussard opened the first location in Milton. Today, NuNu’s is owned and operated by the third generation of the Broussard family, and it has additional stores in Youngsville, Scott and Maurice. Lafayette, LA, area locals can shop for all their grocery needs there, including NuNu’s famous seasoning mix and homemade boudin.
Earl’s Cajun Market
Since 1979, Earl’s Grocery Store has been delighting Lafayette, LA, locals with its homemade boudin and specialty meats. Now renamed Earl’s Cajun Market, locals still trust Earl’s for its Cajun and Creole favorites.
Stop by Earl’s to stock up on necessities, enjoy a hot plate lunch or pick up pre-made meals for dinner.
Lazy Caveman
Owner Jonathan Linzer grew up going to the local boucanière (or smoke house) with his grandfather in New Iberia. There, Linzer could sample the boudin before buying it.
“It was a little treat, like getting candy,” he says.
Lazy Caveman in Broussard started when Linzer and his business partner started making boudin to pass time during the pandemic. They based their creation on Linzer’s partner’s grandfather’s recipe. After winning a local competition, they knew they had something special.
Alongside boudin, Lazy Caveman is known for its specialty sausages, daily plates, breakfast biscuits and other treats. Its spicy blueberry honey breakfast sausage is a must-try.
Billy’s Boudin & Cracklins
Known for its crispy cracklins and flavorful boudin balls, Billy’s is an ideal place to stock up on authentic specialty meats, sausages and seafood. Try its classic boudin sausage, boudin bread or boudin balls stuffed with cheese. Reddit users recommend Billy’s as a convenient stop en route to the airport to grab a bite before heading out (or upon arrival). Billy’s has locations in Scott, Opelousas, Krotz Springs and Lafayette.
Don’s Specialty Meats
Don’s Specialty Meats has been serving its boudin, cracklins and specialty meats to the Lafayette, LA, region for more than 30 years. After opening in Carencro, owners Mark Cole and Don Menard opened another location in Scott in 2005. Their homemade Cajun delicacies have earned Don’s the title of “Best Boudin in Acadiana” for nine years. Customers can also grab a plate lunch, po’boy and other Cajun delights while there.
Johnson’s Boucanière
First opening in Eunice in 1937, Johnson’s became known for its boudin, tasso (aka Cajun ham) and smoked sausages. Later in the 1940s, Johnson’s became the first grocery store to commercially sell boudin. The original store closed in 2005, but the Johnson family tradition continues, thanks to the founder’s granddaughter, Lori. She opened the Lafayette, LA, location in 2008, where they serve their famous boudin, barbecue and smoked meats.
Kartchner’s
Originally founded in Krotz Springs, Kartchner’s, now located in Scott and Lafayette, offers something for everyone. Its menu features 11 varieties of boudin, including crawfish and deer. Beyond boudin, Kartchner’s serves homestyle plate lunches Monday through Friday, barbecue burgers and chili dogs on Saturdays, and a barbecue plate special on Sundays. For those looking to bring a taste of Cajun country home, Kartchner’s offers heat-and-eat meals, including crawfish pie, gumbo and étouffée.
Hebert’s Boudin & Cracklins
Hebert’s, founded in 2000 by Lynwood R. Hebert, has grown to five locations across the Lafayette, LA, area, serving up a mix of plate lunches, boudin and specialty meats. Known for its homemade seasoning and curated pantry items, Hebert’s is a go-to spot for those looking to stock up on Cajun essentials. One of its standout offerings is cracklins by the gallon, which is a crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings.
The Best Stop Supermarket
Once a small-town grocer, The Best Stop Supermarket in Scott is now a nationally recognized brand. It was started by Robert Cormier and Lawrence Menard in 1986 and is owned and operated by Cormier’s children today.
The Best Stop cranks out more than 2,500 pounds of boudin daily, along with cracklins (fried, fatty pork belly skin), specialty meats, seasonings and sauces. You can find many of its beloved recipes on its website to make at home.
Bourque’s Specialties
Family-owned and operated since 1948, Bourque’s has grown from a small shop selling homegrown vegetables and staples into a full-fledged supermarket known for its specialty meats, boudin, sausages and baked goods. Today, it is run by the founders’ grandchildren and has locations in Lafayette and Port Barre. Make sure to try Bourque’s beloved boudin, specialty meats, jalapeño sausage and cheese bread, baked goods and other Cajun staples.
Kirk’s U Need A Butcher
Kirk’s U Need A Butcher in Lafayette has been a trusted source for high-quality meats for more than five decades. This specialty butcher shop offers a wide selection of beef, pork, poultry and Cajun favorites, like andouille and tasso. Kirk’s serves up hot, fresh boudin, cracklins and much more.
This article is sponsored by the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Lafayette Economic Development Authority and One Acadiana.