Lafayette on the Square — Restaurant in Fayette

🔥 Restaurant Review: A Cajun-American Gem Worthy of the James Beard Spotlight 🔥

If you're searching for a culinary experience that marries soulful Southern comfort with elevated Cajun flair, look no further than this standout Cajun-American restaurant—an absolute revelation that deserves serious James Beard Award consideration.

🐖 Juicy Pork & Flavorful Succotash The pork here is a masterclass in slow-cooked perfection. Each bite is impossibly tender, bursting with smoky depth and a subtle spice that lingers just long enough to make you crave the next forkful. Paired with a vibrant succotash—sweet corn, creamy lima beans, and a whisper of heat—it’s a dish that feels both rustic and refined.

🍝 Cajun Pasta That Redefines the Genre Forget everything you thought you knew about Cajun pasta. This version is bold, creamy, and unapologetically rich, with just the right kick of cayenne and paprika. The sauce clings lovingly to every noodle, and the generous chunks of blackened chicken or shrimp (your choice) are seasoned to perfection. It’s the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes and savor.

🍗 Kid-Friendly, Adult-Approved Even the kids’ menu is a triumph. The hand-breaded chicken tenders are golden, crispy, and juicy—clearly made with care, not pulled from a freezer. The fresh-cut fries are a revelation: crispy on the outside, pillowy inside, and seasoned just enough to keep little hands reaching for more.

🍰 Crème Brûlée Cheesecake: A Dessert Dream And then there’s the dessert that steals the show: the crème brûlée cheesecake. Imagine the silky elegance of flan and the rich decadence of cheesecake having a lovechild. The caramelized sugar crust cracks like a dream, revealing a custard-like interior that’s impossibly smooth and subtly sweet. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you rethink what cheesecake can be.

🌟 Final Thoughts This restaurant doesn’t just serve food—it tells a story of heritage, heart, and culinary ambition. Every dish is crafted with intention, and the flavors are bold, balanced, and unforgettable. If the James Beard Foundation is listening, this place deserves a seat...

Wonderful experience😍. Lots of potential. Reuben fantastic, the basket of dinner bread is excellent, and the Purdy Big Salad yummy and fun. Just a few niggles to work on, in my opinion. The French fries could be crisper. The Catfish Po Boy, well I think some the fish got away before making it onto the sandwich. The Shrimp and Gritz came with only four, smaller sized shrimp??? The grits were slightly runny, but did have good flavor. The Jambalaya had so much added dry spice it overwhelmed the entire dish. Very skimpy on the Holy Trinity, it needed more onions, celery and peppers, preferably yellow, orange and red. Yes, I know green peppers are less expensive, but the other colors kick that dish up a notch. Too much boring Andoulle sausage. Needs more shrimp and chicken. Ordered a bowl of Gumbo, but it never arrived? It was removed from the bill. Line of sight, from certain angles when the bathroom doors are opened you can see people doing their business, especially the men's room. Overall, a nice dining experience and well worth the beautiful drive from Columbia. We...

I placed a reservation on Friday for a table of 6 on Saturday. I showed up on time for the reservation and was directed to a high top. I had a person with a walker in my group, which is why I wanted a table. I was told that, “it was extremely busy” and was not moved to a table that I had requested. We placed our order at 6:15 and food was delivered at 6:55. It took 5 minutes to get the last entree from the time the first entree was brought to the table. In the intervening time between ordering and getting food, we didn’t get refills on water or any contact from waitress. Food was ok, but nothing special. Not the quality of Emmitt’s as had been rumored and certainly not worth the hassle of getting a reservation. Not to mention the seating error was never addressed by anyone other than the hostess after saying she would speak with her manager. Disappointing experience for a seemingly new, upscale eatery in a town with not much...