Monroe-West Monroe

Ouachita Parish has been home to British, French, and Spanish settlers. Our area is truly a “gumbo” of cultural make-up and this carries over to our food. You’ll taste a bit of the French-Louisiana spice of South Louisiana, the strong influence of traditional cooking styles of the Deep South and African soul food cooking. In more recent years, Italian and Mexican influences have drifted into this area.

Our geographic location influences the unique cuisine of this region. The Ouachita River and many lakes and bayous that make up our landscape make freshwater fish a common meal. Local, farm raised catfish dishes are served by many local restaurants in our area. Our rich agricultural lands and subtropical climate provide a wealth of fresh fruits and vegetable year round, such as corn, sweet potatoes, peas, squash, tomatoes, greens, watermelons, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pecans, figs, and mayhaws. Our peas come in a wide variety: purple hull, black-eyed, cream, and zipper, as do our beans, such as lima, butter, and string.

Ditch your diet during a culinary tour of this region. Foods here are often deep fried. To add to the rich, savory flavor, many meals are smothered with a gravy or covered in a spicy hot sauce.