There’s a reason road‑trippers are pulling off I‑20 and making a beeline for Orlandeaux’s Café instead of the usual chain spots.
In a low‑key building on Cross Lake, this historic Creole cafe dating back to 1921 has quietly become a must‑visit for anyone craving Shreveport’s famous stuffed shrimp, gumbo, and Southern comfort plates. 😊
How a 1921 Family Recipe Turned Into Shreveport’s Most Obsessive Food Tradition
What started as Freeman & Harris Café in 1921 has evolved into Orlandeaux’s Café, the direct descendant of the oldest continuously operating African American family‑owned restaurant in the United States, still run by the same family and still serving “Original Louisiana Creole Cuisine” to hungry locals and curious travelers.
Over the decades, name changes like Pete Harris Café and Brother’s Seafood only fueled the legend, turning this spot into a generational ritual where families celebrate birthdays, reunions, and Sunday meet‑ups over heaping plates of Creole comfort. 🥘
Food lovers discovered the place through glowing write‑ups on sites like Explore Louisiana and Visit Shreveport‑Bossier, plus rave traveler reviews that praise the stuffed shrimp, gumbo, fried seafood, and big Southern plates.
Food writers at 64 Parishes even call it a living demonstration of Shreveport’s Black food history, while state tourism sites spotlight it as a must‑try stop for stuffed shrimp, gumbo, and po’boys on any Louisiana road trip. ✈️
Food Highlights
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Stuffed Shrimp: Shreveport is famous for its stuffed shrimp, and Orlandeaux’s is one of the city’s standard‑bearers, with locals and guides like Explore Louisiana and Visit Shreveport‑Bossier pointing to its plump, fried, savory‑stuffed shrimp as a must‑order first‑timer experience that tastes like pure Cross Lake tradition. 🦐
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Gumbo (or “Gumbeaux”): Bowls of gumbo here come loaded with rice, sausage, okra, shrimp, seafood, and chicken, and reviewers describe it as “hearty” and “hot…full of delicious seafood & chicken,” so guests can expect a boldly seasoned, deeply comforting Louisiana gumbo experience.
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Smothered Pork Chops: Listed among the Brothers’ Specials highlighted in local write‑ups and menu roundups like Allmenus, the smothered pork chops arrive huge, tender, and bathed in rich gravy, giving diners that classic, slow‑cooked Southern comfort plate that feels made for lingering over lunch or dinner. 🍽️
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Chicken Fried Steak: Another Brother’s Special, frequently mentioned by regulars, the chicken fried steak is crispy on the outside, tender inside, and generously covered in gravy, delivering a nostalgic, diner‑style experience that road‑trippers craving hearty, stick‑to‑your‑ribs food will absolutely appreciate.
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Po’boys (Shrimp, Catfish, or Chicken): Po’boys stacked with fried shrimp or catfish—called out in travel blurbs and local recommendations on sites like Explore Louisiana—offer a messy, overstuffed sandwich experience, with crunchy seafood, soft bread, and bold seasoning that make for an easy, satisfying handheld meal. 🥖
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Fried Seafood Platters (Fish, Shrimp, Oysters & Stuffed Shrimp): Diners mention platters piled with fried catfish, shrimp, oysters, and at least one stuffed shrimp, plus giant onion rings, so guests can expect a fun, shareable “try it all” feast that feels like a Louisiana seafood party on a plate.
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Peach Cobbler & Pound Cake: Diners frequently praise the peach cobbler and other desserts in online reviews, calling the cobbler “amazing,” so you can look forward to a warm, sweet, old‑fashioned dessert experience that caps off your Creole meal with pure comfort; it’s the kind of ending that turns a good meal into a memorably indulgent one. 🍑
Atmosphere
The vibe at Orlandeaux’s Café is unpretentious, lively, and deeply local, often described as a place with a Louisiana and neighborhood feel rather than a polished fine‑dining setting.
Servers earn consistent praise for being friendly and attentive, keeping the experience relaxed even when the dining room fills with birthday groups, families, and hungry travelers.
Photos and reviews paint a picture of packed tables, reasonable prices, and a true community hub where people of all ages gather over big plates and cold drinks.
It’s the kind of spot where you might arrive as a stranger, swap stories with the table next to you, and leave already planning your next visit. 😄
Bottom Line
Orlandeaux’s Café is worth a detour for its 1921 family legacy, legendary stuffed shrimp and gumbo, hearty comfort plates, welcoming local crowd, and lakeside vibe that turns first‑time visitors into repeat regulars in a single meal. 🌟
Address:
5301 S Lakeshore Dr Shreveport, LA 71109
📞 +1 318-688-7777
🕔 Open Mon–Sat, 11 AM–8 PM (Closed Sun)