Lafayette — Restaurant in Houston

First time eating here. We sat looking at reviews while we waited, and saw that slow service was a common issue. The waiter is also the owner, and possibly the cook.

We ordered a variety of items, the fried alligator appetizer, the boudin ball appetizer, the catfish and etouffee lunch special (with a redbeans & rice sub), the shrimp and oyster plate & a side of garlic bread.

The alligator came out first. The flavor was great (probably the highlight of the meal) but the batter was soft and mushy peeling off the meat inside, which was disappointing.

Next was the boudin balls. The batter on these was a little crispier than the alligator, but the boudin filling was just decent. It lacked some spices and the texture was a bit more mushy than I care for. The best ones I've ever had fall somewhere just in the middle. I've eaten at a few places on what Louisiana calls "the boudin trail" a tour guide of the best ranked boudin restaurants in Louisiana.

Then our main entrees arrived. The catfish had decent flavor, the majority of it was of a thickness that it wasnt dry or chewy. It had a little bit of a fishy flavor, but wasnt bad. The etouffee was probably my 2nd favorite item. It was mushy however, due to what seemed to be crushed rice as a thickener rather than flour and cream. It was similar to a thick rice soup. The flavor however was really good, had some spice, wasnt fishy at all and was filling, an order of this on a cold rainy day would hit the spot.. I gave my friend some and they agreed it was one of the better items.

My friend was most impressed by the alligator as well, but said it was amazing when put on top of the garlic toast like a po-boy.

The last glitch in the visit came at checkout. I noticed my total was nearly the same as my friends, yet he had ordered a more expensive meal & appetizer. I went back inside, the owner re-added everything twice and refunded me the difference of about $6.

While it was one of the more expensive meals of our trip, and overall the food wasnt bad, it fell a bit short of what I had hoped for. Not sure I would make this a destination in the future, but if I was in the area again, I would...

My husband's friends recommended this place. One said he and his co- workers eat lunch there often. The reviews about appearance were not so good but many raved about the food, so we came.

On a weekend night, the small parking lot was crowded. We parked in the last open slot. Hubby's friend said they usually park across the busy street in the Foodarama lot.

Walked in, the place was less than half full. First impression was like a blast from the past! It never left the 70s and became timeworn through the decades.

Two men were playing music - one on bongos, the other on keyboard. They sang Mexican songs and they sang American songs ("Wooly Bully") in Spanish. Later, the keyboardist told me they could sing in English, too.

Two men sitting at the table of six in front would get up and sing, karaoke-style. I thought they were customers but they announced that we could hear them every Friday.

Another group sings on Wednesdays.

The clientele was a fair mix of Hispanics, African Americans and caucasians. We were the token Asians, ha-ha!

My husband's Snapper Pontchartrain was melt-in-your-mouth tender with the most flavorful sauce! I'm sure the bread slices were there to sop up every delicious bit.

My dish, on the other hand, was not as impressive. If you love crab cakes, do NOT order theirs! Not only did I have to spit out a couple of tiny pieces of crab shell, I also took out two half-inch pieces of cartilage. There's crab meat there, but the cake seems to be pressed flat and without flavor to me. So disappointing. The dirty rice was good and the crawfish etouffee was pretty good! It had some heat and plenty of crawfish.

The man at the front was the cashier, takeout preparer, bartender and order taker.

There was one server for the dozen or so tables! The poor thing is a very slim, petite girl who quietly served meals, poured margaritas and cleaned up tables. She didn't interact by asking if everything was fine or if we wanted more water. She really didn't speak.

The cashier/bartender came over to ask if we needed anything. There was an issue that he took care...

I recently had the most incredible dining experience at Lafayette Restaurant, and I can confidently say it's a true gem for anyone craving authentic New Orleans Cajun cuisine! Having just moved to the Houston area, I was on the hunt for a place that could satisfy my craving, and Lafayette did not disappoint – in fact, it exceeded all my expectations.

From the moment I walked in, the inviting atmosphere made me feel right at home. The food, service, and prices were all absolutely excellent. I tried the crabcakes and the crawfish etouffee, and both dishes were incredibly delicious, bursting with fresh flavors and perfectly seasoned. The quality of the seafood and the richness of the sauces were outstanding.

The service was wonderful; the staff were attentive and friendly, making sure every aspect of my meal was enjoyable. I also learned that the owner truly cares about the restaurant and its patrons, which shines through in the overall experience. The homemade lemonade was a delightful touch, too!

This place truly hit the spot for my seafood and Cajun cravings. The portions offer perfect value, and the food is consistently fresh and flavorful. Whether you're looking for a great lunch or a memorable dinner, Lafayette is the place to be. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a fantastic dining experience, and I'm already looking forward to coming back soon, perhaps even...