Best boudin dishes in SETX
Even if you don’t feel like chasing floats or throwing back hurricanes, the indulgence of Mardi Gras must be not be ignored — after all, the Lord says it’s all good right up ’til Ash Wednesday.
Since no one does indulgence quite like Cajuns, we searched the Golden Triangle for delectable dishes made with one of the all-time greatest Cajun junk foods: boudin.
In case you’re somehow unfamiliar, boudin is rice, pork, green pepper, onion and seasonings that are typically stuffed into a sausage casing and often smoked. The folks behind Louisiana’s Cajun Boudin Trail call it one of America’s last “distinctly uncorrupted regional specialties.” We call it a delicious addition to any meal.
Meaty, salty, rich and heavy, boudin can be devoured in more than just link or ball form — it also works for breakfast, a main course or even dessert. Here are a few of our favorite local dishes made with boudin as the star ingredient:
Boudin king cake, $25
Where: Daviss Donuts, 1706 FM 365, Nederland
There’s a new King Cake in town, and it’s a game-changer.
After a Louisiana bakery created a boudin King Cake that went viral, the trend swept into Southeast Texas, where it was embraced and elevated. Daviss Donuts’ boudin King Cake is made with Nick’s Grocery boudin and jalapeno cheese and is topped with Steen’s syrup and crumbled bacon. Made with the traditionally sweet King Cake dough, this boudin-filled version is savory with a touch of beautiful sweetness — and a tiny tinge of heat from the jalapeno cheese.
If you want one of these bad boys, order ahead — you’ll want this as fresh as a daisy.
Boudin omelet, $5.99
Where: The Boudain Hut, 5714 Gulfway Dr., Port Arthur
Cure your Mardi Gras hangover with the ultimate bon temps breakfast: a boudin omelet filled with gooey cheese. It’s simple, it’s delicious and it’ll cure what ails ya.
Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. but if you don’t get there in time, just go to town on the Hut’s positively famous boudin balls. If you’re feeling particularly Cajun, treat yourself to a plate of hogs head cheese, too.
Smoked boudin quesadilla, $11.99
Where: Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp, 5555 Calder Ave., Beaumont
Now that Tia Juanita’s makes their own boudin in-house, you’ve got no reason to shy away from this glorious dish. Smoked boudin is grilled and stuffed into a buttery tortilla that’s stuffed to the brim with mozarella cheese and slivers of green onion.
The coup de grâce? Little mountains of fresh guacamole and pico de gallo that take this Cajun quesadilla to the next level. There’s something about a hybrid Mexican-Cajun dish that just feels right.
BC Special, $10.99
Where: Al-T’s, 244 Texas 124, Winnie
Without a doubt, one of the most beautifully indulgent dishes in Southeast Texas is Al-T’s BC Special. First they take one of their house-made, ¾-lb. fried boudin balls (stuffed with cheddar, obviously), then they smash it and slather it with crawfish etouffee.
You can get yours topped with gumbo, but Al-T’s makes an etouffee that’s too good to pass up. Order a side of boudin nuggets if you’re feeling extra gluttonous.
Booty Burger, $6.99
Where: Willy Burger, 5535 Calder Ave., Beaumont
Willy Burger’s uber-juicy fresh-ground burger gets a Cajun kick when topped with fried boudin, cheddar cheese, Creole mustard, lettuce and tomato. It will boost your booty for sure.
Pro tip: Take this bad boy to the next level by topping it with grilled onions, jalapenos and a fried egg.
Boudin-stuffed jalapenos, $9
Where: Floyd’s, 2290 I-10 S., Beaumont
Spice it up with fresh jalapenos stuffed to the gills with boudin. You can have ’em grilled or fried, but it’s Mardi Gras, for pete’s sake — everything should be deep-fried.
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