8 Remote Louisiana Restaurants Serving Steaks That Rival The Best Big-City Restaurants
A restaurant on old Mississippi River plantation grounds serves A9 Wagyu filet, a cut most people only see in big-city steakhouses. Out on a quiet country road, no less.
That surprised me. Then I learned one rural spot sets out peanuts and rolls with its steaks, and another serves a Cajun ribeye described as a ridiculously huge slab. My stomach growled just reading that.
Louisiana is famous for gumbo and crawfish, so steak can get overlooked here. I love that some of the best cuts in the state show up in small towns, prairie communities, and pine forests. Wood-fired grills, hand-cut filets, and Cajun spice all live far from city traffic.
So why fight downtown parking for a great steak? Eight rural steakhouses make a strong case for the scenic route. Pack some napkins and maybe a cooler for leftovers.
1. The Carriage House Restaurant
Few steak dinners come with a plantation mansion as the backdrop. This restaurant sits on historic grounds along the Mississippi River in Darrow, a quiet rural spot in Ascension Parish.
The star for beef lovers is an A9 Wagyu filet. The restaurant lists the cut as A9 Wagyu, although A9 is not an official Japanese beef grade, and Wagyu grading systems vary by country.
Want to build a full feast around it? Start with the signature bisque, then move on to the crab cakes the kitchen is known for.
Not a red meat person? The eggplant Napoleon arrives with a crispy coating and a saffron cream sauce, and a full vegetarian menu gives you even more choices.
Louisiana flavors run through the menu, with Cajun and Creole cooking in the mix. That keeps a fancy steak dinner feeling rooted in the region instead of copied from a big city.
The setting does a lot of heavy lifting here. Expect polished service and an upscale, romantic feel that suits anniversaries, birthdays, and other big moments.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, so lunch is a real option. That’s handy if you’d rather see the old plantation scenery in daylight.
Dinner reservations are recommended, and brunch reservations are a smart move too. A private dining room is available if you’re planning something for a group.
Desserts get plenty of love, so save a little room. Skipping the sweet course at a place like this feels like leaving a movie before the ending.
Address: 40136 LA-942, Darrow, LA 70725
2. Keith Young’s Steakhouse
Some family businesses pass down recipes, but this one passed down a whole steak habit. Founder Keith Young came from his family’s hamburger and steak restaurant in Slidell, which opened in the late 1960s.
In early 2005, he opened his own place in Madisonville. This small, historic town sits on the Tchefuncte River in St. Tammany Parish.
Madisonville sits across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, so a city escape is easy to plan. Spend the afternoon by the river, then head to dinner hungry.
Steaks are hand-cut fresh to order, a tradition the restaurant has maintained since opening in 2005. That fire adds a smoky edge you can’t fake with a stovetop.
The lineup covers a House Cut Filet Mignon, Petite Filet, Strip, Ribeye, and a Bone-in Cowboy Ribeye. Go big or go petite, your call.
Toppings take things further. You can crown your steak with crab and mushrooms, sautéed onions, or bleu cheese.
Sides lean classic and comforting, with whipped sweet potato, creamed spinach, and potatoes au gratin. Onion rings and Crabmeat Au Gratin also stand out on the menu.
Not in a beef mood? Pan-seared scallops, crab cakes, and chops keep the rest of your table happy.
The dining rooms have windows that look out into the surrounding woods. It feels relaxed and elegant, ideal for a date night without a city skyline.
Reservations are recommended, especially on busy weekend evenings. Private dining rooms seat up to 30 or 60 guests, and there’s patio seating too.
Address: 165 LA-21, Madisonville, LA 70447
3. Double D Steak House
Peanuts on the table and rolls in the basket? Sounds like a steakhouse that knows how to start a meal right.
Double D Steak House brings a cowboy theme to DeRidder, a small city surrounded by the pine forests of southwestern Louisiana. The setting is casual, so there’s no need to dress up.
Signature rolls are a big part of the draw here. Try not to fill up on them before your steak lands, though that’s easier said than done.
Steak choices include T-bone, ribeye, and filet mignon. There’s also Hoss’s Favorite Steak, a name that practically dares you to order it.
Your table can branch out in lots of directions. Chicken fried steak, pork chops, burgers, and blackened tuna steak all appear on the menu.
Craving something local? Crawfish etouffee and fried crawfish tails bring Cajun flavor to the cowboy table, and the seafood combo covers even more ground.
The kitchen opens at 11 a.m. daily, so a steak lunch is on the table too. Hours stretch to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Thursday through Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest times. Reservations are accepted, so booking ahead can save you some waiting.
Fast service is one of the things this place is known for. That’s a nice perk when hungry kids are counting the minutes.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu. Bringing the whole crew won’t be an issue, which is good news for road trips.
Address: 1030 N Pine St, DeRidder, LA 70634
4. Trail Boss Steakhouse
A steak dinner that kicks off with something called a Tumbleweed onion is already winning. Trail Boss Steakhouse leans into its rustic chophouse style without any fuss.
You’ll find it in Natchitoches, a historic town along Cane River Lake with plenty of small-town charm. It makes a fun stop for anyone exploring this corner of Louisiana.
The Cowgirl Ribeye with a loaded baked potato is a standout pairing. Filet mignon and a 14-ounce ribeye also appear on the steak lineup.
Steaks are cooked to order and come out hot. Simple promise, but it’s the one that matters most when you’ve driven a ways for dinner.
Fresh yeast rolls hit the table, so pace yourself. A side salad with raspberry vinaigrette or a Caesar salad adds something crisp before the main event.
Potato fans have options. Sweet potato fries and stuffed potatoes both get plenty of attention here.
Someone in your group not into steak? Cactus Chicken and the Trail Burger Steak give them their own reasons to grin.
The atmosphere is casual, so come as you are. Save the fancy clothes for somewhere that charges you for the view.
The doors open at 11 a.m. daily, with later closing times on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings bring the biggest crowds.
Curbside pickup and takeout are available if you’d rather eat back at your hotel. Reservations are accepted for dine-in, which helps with larger groups.
College students and visitors share the dining room with families. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easy to bring little cowpokes along.
Address: 301 South Dr, Natchitoches, LA 71457
5. Hebert’s Steak House
Only four nights a week, this steakhouse fires up the grill. Plan accordingly, because doors open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Hebert’s Steak House sits in Kaplan, a quiet prairie farm town in Acadiana with about 4,300 residents. It’s the kind of place where a big steak dinner feels like the main event of the week.
Kaplan sits in Vermilion Parish, a part of Louisiana known for its Cajun roots. Fittingly, the steaks here carry that same bold, spicy personality.
Ribeyes come in 8-ounce, 12-ounce, and 16-ounce sizes. Pick your hunger level and let the kitchen handle the rest.
Steaks arrive thick, sizzling, and seasoned with Cajun spice. A baked potato or fries, a salad, and bread round out the plate.
Beef isn’t the only reason to visit. Roasted duck, blackened yellowfin tuna, gumbo, po-boys, and seafood also fill the menu.
Sweet potato fries are worth adding to your order. They bring a sweet note that plays nicely against all that Cajun seasoning.
Leave room for the bread pudding with praline sauce. It’s the sort of dessert you’ll still think about on the drive home.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so arriving early is a smart play. The dining room is clean and recently renovated, with a casual, homey feel.
Got a bigger crowd? A private dining room is available, and takeout works if you want steak at home.
High chairs and a kids’ menu are on hand for younger diners. Even small eaters get to join in on the big steak night.
Address: 15013 Veterans Memorial Dr, Kaplan, LA 70548
6. D C’s Sports Bar & Steakhouse
A sports bar might not be your first guess for one of the best steaks around. Eunice loves to prove folks wrong.
D C’s Sports Bar & Steakhouse sits on West Laurel Avenue in this Cajun prairie town of about 9,400 people. The setting is casual and straightforward, with games on and food coming fast.
The headliner is the Cajun Ribeye, a seriously huge slab of beef. Come ready, or bring a friend willing to help.
That Cajun seasoning sets it apart from a plain city cut. It’s a steak with a local accent.
Crawfish etouffee is another menu highlight worth your attention. Alligator bites also make a fun starter if you’re feeling adventurous.
Boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes also appears on the menu. That’s about as Louisiana as a plate can get.
Eunice is known for its Cajun music and culture, so a trip here can be more than dinner. Pair your steak with a little local exploring.
D.C.’s Sports Bar & Steakhouse serves lunch and dinner throughout the week, although published operating hours vary, so check before visiting. Late-night food is part of the deal, which helps after a long drive.
Need to grab and go? A drive-through and takeout make it easy, and outdoor seating is available on nice days.
Friday evenings are the busiest, so plan around that if you can. Reservations are accepted, which helps if you’re bringing a group.
Families are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready. College students and visitors also mix into the crowd.
Address: 1601 W Laurel Ave, Eunice, LA 70535
7. Restaurant 1796
Named for a year, this restaurant serves wood-fired steaks on the grounds of The Myrtles in St. Francisville. That’s a lot of history on one plate.
St. Francisville is a historic bluff town of roughly 1,500 people. It’s small, scenic, and far from any big-city steakhouse row.
West Feliciana Parish is full of old homes and winding roads. Make a day of it, then let dinner be the grand finale.
The kitchen leans into farm-to-table steaks and seasonal Southern cooking. Cuts cooked over the wood fire pick up a smoky depth.
The filet is a top reason to book a table. Ribeye is on the menu too, along with short ribs for anyone craving slow-cooked beef.
Feeling bold? Fried rabbit liver makes an unusual starter, and pimento cheese is a more familiar way to begin.
Southern comfort shows up in fried chicken and biscuits, plus shrimp and grits. Don’t skip the fried okra, which earns plenty of praise.
Duck is another menu highlight. A lobster and crawfish pasta gives seafood fans a fancy option of their own.
The dining room features brick and stone, giving it a handsome, old-world look. It feels quiet and romantic, great for a special night out.
Hours are limited, so plan ahead. Restaurant 1796 offers weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while published dinner schedules vary, so check the current hours before visiting.
Dinner reservations are recommended. A full vegetarian menu means non-meat eaters won’t be stuck with a side salad.
Address: 7747 US-61, St Francisville, LA 70775
8. Wagon Master
Out near the Kisatchie National Forest, a steakhouse called Wagon Master keeps the grill busy. Leesville, home to around 5,500 people, sits in remote western Louisiana.
Expect juicy grilled steaks with a touch of Creole seasoning. Pair yours with a baked potato for a true steakhouse classic.
Fresh dinner rolls are a house signature. They’re the kind of starter that makes patience tough.
Not ready to commit to a full steak? Sirloin tips give you beefy flavor in bite-sized form.
The rest of the menu has range. Rocky Top Chicken, blackened tuna steak, a Cajun burger, and fried crawfish tails all show up.
Starters and sides keep things interesting. Fried pickles and Brussels sprouts are two menu highlights worth sharing.
Service moves fast and the staff is friendly. Even larger groups usually don’t wait long, which matters for big family dinners.
A private dining room is available for parties. Reservations are accepted, and weekend evenings are the busiest stretch.
Lunch starts at 11 a.m. daily, and dinner runs until 9:30 p.m. most nights. Fridays and Saturdays stay open until 10 p.m., which makes it an easy road trip stop.
The atmosphere is casual and family-oriented, with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Grandparents, toddlers, and everyone between can share a table.
Outdoor seating is an option when the weather cooperates. It’s a nice choice on a mild Louisiana evening.
This steakhouse has stuck around for years in a small town. Staying power like that usually says something good about the steaks.
Address: 2206 S 5th St, Leesville, LA 71446