Lake Charles: Longing for Lake Charles

The cuisine of Lake Charles has strong roots in Cajun and Creole traditions. Recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, but no two meals are ever the same. Cajun cooking usually happens in one big pot and is adapted to the ingredients available, ensuring an even better meal time after time.

The food in Lake Charles has mainly been influenced by the French traditions so evident in most Cajun and Creole meals. Like many regions throughout Louisiana, American Indians also influenced the cuisine with their crops and farming techniques. In addition to the spicy Cajun flair and the Native American foodstuffs, the cuisine in this area has been influenced by German, Italian, Spanish, and even Lebanese cultures.

Lake Charles is famous for its Cajun French and Creole cuisine as evidenced with just one bite of jambalaya, gumbo, or spicy crawfish, but there's more to the dining scene than the traditional Louisiana fare. Meals in this area are often based around seafood thanks to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. And a meal in Lake Charles is also often served with a side of good music, perfect for those that like to tap their toes and work off the calories from their delicious meal.