Louisiana has plenty of famous foods, but the meat pie might be the most underrated one you can hold in one hand. Natchitoches made this crescent-shaped pastry famous, and now you can find good ones from Shreveport down to Cajun country.
Some come from old-school diners, while others come from boudin counters right off the interstate. Here are eight spots where the hand pie is the reason to pull over.
1. Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, Natchitoches, LA
If the Natchitoches meat pie had a home address, plenty of folks would point you to 622 2nd St. Lasyone’s has built its whole identity around the flaky, crispy, filling hand pie, and it shows.
The menu goes beyond the classic meat pie. You will find crawfish pies, shrimp and grits, Lasyone’s Famous Red Beans Rice and Sausage, generous gumbo portions, and big salads.
Breakfast fans get their own reason to show up early. The Lasyone’s Famous Meat Pie Breakfast and the Famous Hot Cake both share space on the menu, and doors open at 7 AM.
The setting is old-fashioned and homey, with a historic, family-friendly feel and a kids’ menu. Service moves fast, which helps on busy Saturdays.
Plan around the hours. It is open Monday through Wednesday until 2 PM, Thursday through Saturday until 3 PM, and closed Sunday.
Street parking is free but can take a lap or two to find.
2. French Market Express, Natchitoches, LA
Craving a meat pie at 3 in the morning? French Market Express is open 24 hours, every single day.
Set on University Parkway, this roadside eatery and bakery serves traditional Louisiana meat pies alongside its signature yam cakes. Beignets and coffee round out the menu for anyone who wants something sweet with that savory pie.
It also works as a one-stop shop, pairing Cajun food with Louisiana gifts. That makes it a handy pause for road trippers who want a snack and a souvenir.
Free lot and street parking keep things simple. Grab your order to go or sit down for a quick visit, since the place is built for travelers on the move.
3. Merci Beaucoup Restaurant | Cajun, Natchitoches, LA
Some days call for a sit-down lunch with a meat pie as the star. Merci Beaucoup, on Church Street in historic Natchitoches, delivers exactly that with its Meat Pie Plate.
The pies come with a flaky crust and plenty of filling. Pair one with crawfish étouffée and dirty rice, plus a fresh side salad, for a full Cajun spread.
The rest of the menu leans into Louisiana comfort. Gumbo, crab cakes, catfish, a Seafood Platter, and a stuffed baked potato topped with crawfish étouffée all show up, and bread pudding handles dessert.
Unlike several stops on this list, Merci Beaucoup accepts reservations. It serves lunch from 10:30 AM to 3 PM Monday through Saturday and until 2 PM on Sunday.
4. Elsie’s Plate & Pie, Baton Rouge, LA
You do not have to drive to north Louisiana for a proper Natchitoches meat pie. Elsie’s on Government Street in Baton Rouge puts one on the menu, served hot with a side salad.
Pie is the whole theme here, sweet and savory. Crawfish Hand Pies, Seafood Pot Pie, and Louisiana Poulet Pot Pie share the menu with Boudin Cakes and Red Beans and Rice with Fried Chicken.
Save room for the sweet side. Coconut Cream Pie, Turtle Pie, and lemon icebox pie are on offer, and the pies travel well for a ride home.
The space is airy and industrial with a laid-back mood. Hours run late most nights, until 10 PM Tuesday through Sunday, and weekend brunch starts at 10 AM.
5. Bergeron’s Boudin & Cajun Meats of Bossier City, Bossier City, LA
A drive-through meat pie is a very Louisiana kind of convenience. Bergeron’s in Bossier City offers drive-through, curbside pickup, and a hot food counter.
The meat pies have flaky pastry and a touch of spice, sold two per order. Crawfish pies, boudin balls, crawfish pistolettes, cracklins, and ribeye wraps fill out the case.
Shoppers can also stock the freezer. The market carries a wide selection of cooked and frozen Cajun meats and dishes to take home.
It opens at 9 AM Monday through Saturday and closes Sunday. Free parking is easy to find on Benton Road.
6. Don’s Specialty Meats, Scott, LA
Scott calls itself a boudin capital, and Don’s sits right on the I-10 frontage road. That makes it an easy exit for travelers who want meat pies with a side of cracklins.
The deli and market keeps its seating basic and its counter quick. Meat pies share the spotlight with boudin balls, boudin pistolettes, seafood boudin, an Alligator Po’ Boy, and BBQ pork chop sandwiches.
The butcher side is just as busy. Fresh deer and brisket sausage, frozen gator, seasonings, and hot sauces are all on the shelves.
Early risers win here, with doors opening at 6 AM Monday through Saturday and 7 AM Sunday. Parking is usually plentiful, and there is outdoor seating too.
7. Kartchner’s Specialty Meats, Scott, LA
Krotz Springs fans no longer have to cross the Atchafalaya for their favorite boudin stop. Kartchner’s brought the same menu to Scott, ready-to-eat foods and all.
The meat pies come well stuffed with filling. Around them, the hot case lineup includes boudin balls, jalapeño boudin balls, maple boudin rolls, chicken cracklin, loaded potato bites, and fried ribs.
Heat-and-eat items make it easy to take a stash home. Sausage and specialty meats are also part of the mix.
It is open 6 AM to 7 PM on weekdays and 7 AM to 7 PM on weekends. Sunday mornings get busy, so a weekday stop moves faster.
8. Cush’s Grocery & Market, Shreveport, LA
Some meat pies are good enough to ride along to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The ones from Cush’s in Shreveport have earned that kind of yearly loyalty.
This family-owned deli and market on Ellerbe Road has the look of an old country meat market with a small diner area. Customers can sit down for lunch or grab food to go.
Gumbo and signature chicken or shrimp salads are big draws alongside the meat pies. It is a quick, simple stop with a free parking lot.
Cush’s opens at 9 AM Monday through Saturday and closes Sunday. Weekday late mornings stay busy, so evenings are quieter.
From Natchitoches classics to Cajun country counters, these eight spots prove the humble hand pie deserves a spot on your next Louisiana road trip. Save this list and share it with your favorite travel buddy.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.