From a roadside shrimp peddler’s dream to a Lake Charles seafood institution, Steamboat Bill’s on the Lake has been serving authentic Cajun cuisine from its picturesque Lakeshore Drive location since 1982. 🦐
What started with founder Kathi Bonamici Vidrine selling shrimp on the side of the road transformed into one of Southwest Louisiana’s most beloved waterfront destinations for fresh Gulf seafood and traditional Louisiana cooking that captures the true essence of Cajun flavors.
How Steamboat Bill’s won Lake Charles’ hearts
The journey began when Kathi Bonamici Vidrine arrived in Lake Charles with her three daughters, very little money, and an unrelenting dream for success.
She started peddling shrimp daily in Leesville, Louisiana, where her bubbly personality and integrity quickly earned her the nickname “Kathi, the Shrimp Lady”.
As demand grew, she enlisted her brother Billy Bonamici’s help and purchased a shrimp dock and purchasing plant in Hackberry, Louisiana.
When Napoleonic laws threatened the business, Kathi fought all the way to the Supreme Court and emerged victorious, earning the respect of the entire community. 🎉
Local fisherman William “Bill” Vidrine later joined Kathi, bringing his seafood industry expertise to accelerate growth.
Together, they opened the flagship Lakeshore Drive location, built on a firm foundation of long hours and quality products.
Their success formula was simple yet powerful: source the freshest Gulf seafood daily, stay true to traditional Cajun recipes, and treat every customer like family.
This approach earned Steamboat Bill’s recognition as a 20-time Best of SWLA winner, cementing their status as a Southwest Louisiana treasure.
Food Highlights
- Boiled Crawfish: When in season, their perfectly seasoned crawfish boil with potatoes and corn has customers eating every last bite and timing road trips to stop during crawfish season.
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Fried Alligator: This authentic Southern delicacy is fried to crispy golden perfection, offering adventurous diners a true taste of Louisiana’s exotic seafood offerings.
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Shrimp Étouffée: Gulf shrimp swimming in thick Cajun gravy seasoned with Louisiana herbs served over rice.
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Atchafalaya: A Louisiana specialty dish that showcases the region’s authentic flavors, named after the famous Louisiana river basin and featuring a blend of seafood and Cajun spices.
- Shrimp Pistolette: Perfectly seasoned Gulf shrimp packed into a crispy fried roll.
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Swamp Fries: A bed of crispy cheese fries smothered in shrimp étouffée and topped with sour cream and chives.
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Gulf Shrimp Po-Boy: Fresh Louisiana Gulf shrimp fried golden and piled high on traditional French bread with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
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House Potato with Shrimp: A generously stuffed baked potato loaded with Gulf shrimp and topped with butter, cheese, and all the fixings.
Atmosphere
The Lakeshore Drive location embraces its riverboat heritage with a casual, family-friendly environment that welcomes everyone from locals to road-trippers passing through on I-10. 🚤
Stunning lake views provide scenic beauty to your dining experience, making this the perfect spot for authentic Louisiana seafood with a waterfront backdrop.
The walls tell the story of Kathi’s journey from roadside vendor to restaurant owner, creating an authentic connection to Lake Charles history.
Don’t let the packed parking lot intimidate you—that’s simply proof that Steamboat Bill’s delivers genuine Cajun cuisine worth the wait.
Bottom Line
Experience authentic Cajun cuisine at a Lake Charles lakefront institution that’s been perfecting traditional Louisiana seafood recipes since 1982.
Fresh Gulf seafood sourced locally ensures every dish captures the true flavors of coastal Louisiana.
The crawfish étouffée alone is worth planning your entire trip around—seriously.
Address:
1004 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601
📞 (337) 494-1070
🕔 Sun-Thu: 10:30 AM–9:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 10:30 AM–10:00 PM