The Baton Rouge, Louisiana food scene offers an array of culinary delights, from classic po' boy sandwiches to trend-setting venues serving up Asian street food and exotic tacos created by a Food Network star. Join correspondent Tom Wilmer as he explores Baton Rouge's diverse dining scene.
We’ll start out at Jay Ducote’s Gov't Taco, fittingly located on Government Street in midtown Baton Rouge.
You may recognize Ducote from the Food Network’s 11th season, during which he prevailed until the very end when he walked away as runner-up. He hosted the pilot show "Deep Fried America" on the Travel Channel in 2016 and has produced and hosted The Bite and Booze Radio Show since 2011. Ducote is the winner of the Taste Award for best food or drink radio broadcast in the country and the "Uniquely Louisiana" award from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.
Next up is Chow YumPhat, also located in the trendy White Star Market. Chef Vu Le, along with his partner Jordan Ramirez, serve their take on inspired Asian street food—including pho and ramen dishes, steamed bao buns, sushi and sashimi—based on Chef Vu Le's family recipes he learned growing up in New Orleans.
Poor Boy Lloyd’s, in downtown Baton Rouge, has been the go-to place for po' boys since 1967. Po' boy specials the day Wilmer stopped by included rabbit, venison, and alligator, of course. Locals are still chattering about the time President Obama stopped by to pick up some shrimp, oyster and roast beef po' boys in 2016.
Legendary Tony’s Seafood Market & Deli has been serving up fresh Gulf Coast maritime delicacies since 1959. Growing out of an abandoned gas station, today Tony's is the largest seafood market in Louisiana and the entire Gulf South. From fresh, live catfish to shrimp, crawfish and Tony’s legendary "Boudin Balls," people come from far and wide for a deli plate lunch and to fill their take-home coolers with an array of fresh seafood.
You are invited to subscribe to the Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel show podcast, Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, featured on the NPR Podcast Directory, Apple Podcast, the NPR One App & Stitcher.com. Twitter: TomCWilmer. Instagram: Thomas.Wilmer. Member of the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Underwriting support provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
