One week ago, Reveille columnist Garrett McEntee wrote a story about his desire for an on-campus Waffle House. In that story, he lamented LSU’s sparse options for breakfast food, counting only five establishments that offer it.
His list only accounted for eateries on campus, so Louie’s Cafe, located just outside of LSU’s borders at 3322 Lake St., didn’t make the cut. This exclusion invoked the ire of many LSU alumni and Louie’s veterans, with many claiming the cafe’s existence alone invalidated the need for a Waffle House.
The Reveille opinion section is dedicated to thorough and exhaustive diner-related journalism. As such, we could not sit by while an alleged rival to Waffle House’s brand of greasy and delicious breakfast food went untasted.
Here is a chronicle of our thoughts on the Louie’s experience.
Garrett McEntee | @9are_bear
As the columnist behind the Waffle House article, I was skeptical that I would approve of Louie’s. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
To start off, I didn’t like the food; I got a waffle with two strips of bacon. The waffle was undistinguished—tough, flat and slightly cardboard-esque—which I strangley enjoyed. The maple syrup was pretty generic: sugary sweet. The bacon was extremely crispy, perhaps a little burnt, which I didn’t enjoy. 4/10 for food.
Our waitress was phenomenal, keeping our busy table entertained with witty one-liners. Her constant repertoire with each of us didn’t hinder her efficiency though, and, in fact, made the customer service experience a 10/10. I adore the Louie’s staff.
The last thing of note was the ambience. Children were screaming, and the teal, white and red of the parlor was phenomenal in the way only something slightly ugly could be. Easy 8/10 for atmosphere.
Louie’s is beloved for good reason, although I wish its hours were more accessible. I’d give it a solid 6/10, with the main attraction being the darling staff and family-oriented diner aesthetic. Perfect for early Friday mornings with friends.
Jemiah Clemons | @Miclemah
Before visiting Louie’s, I was a bit nervous. I’ve been a Waffle House girl my entire life, so eating at another diner felt like a crime. I played it safe and ordered a BLT. It seemed simple enough, and I didn’t want to be disappointed. I did, however, add a slice of avocado to spice things up. Once the food came out, the sandwich was pretty good, so I ate it. While the food was an absolute 10/10, my pride won’t allow me to say Louie’s is better than Waffle House. So, in conclusion, Waffle House is still the best diner
Mathew Pellittieri | @m_pellittieri
By the time I finished my first ever meal at Louie’s Cafe, two things became clear.
First, it’s a quality little restaurant that I would certainly eat at again. As for the food itself, I ordered combo No. 3. The pancakes were good, if not a little thin, and the random piece of banana that fell into the batter was appreciated. They put more cheese on the scrambled eggs than I had expected, but that was actually a good thing. Finally, the bacon was oddly lukewarm but still enjoyable. I also had two cups of coffee. They could have been better but were by no means unpleasant to drink.
Second, the atmosphere and experience of Louie’s isn’t the same as that of a Waffle House, and it’s preposterous to argue that its existence is a substitute for one. Louie’s is a local, long-standing establishment. Waffle House is raw consumerist Americana. That kind of thing is often undervalued or even criticized, but it’s a sort of pure (if unhealthy) nostalgic environment that cannot be replaced. 6.5/10.
Nathaniel Dela Peña | @NateDerDoner
As one of the few LSU seniors in the Reveille opinion section, I was incredibly surprised when I found out the rest of the crew didn’t know about Louie’s. I’m glad that’s changed; they were introduced to a restaurant that will change their lives.
I ordered a Southern breakfast meal: chicken-fried steak topped with white gravy, eggs loaded with cheese, hash browns and biscuits with gravy. The chicken-fried steak had a perfect crust and tasted wonderful when paired with the creamy white gravy. I could tell the hash browns were freshly made, and they complimented the heaviness of the steak. Food-wise and service-wise, Louie’s never disappoints.
My only complaint with the cafe is that it takes forever for them to bring out the meal. But since I first went to Louie’s my freshman year, there’s a quote in my head that always comes up while I wait for my food: “Good things take time.”
Since Waffle House was never in my hometown, I never cared for that mediocre establishment. Louie’s has my heart, my wallet and most importantly, my stomach.
Overall, I give Louie’s a 9/10.
Lindsay Bickham | @lindsayymariah
When I first walked into Louie’s Cafe, I was instantly put at ease by the family atmosphere. I also enjoyed the 1950s diner atmosphere. The restaurant’s decorations and theme make you feel like you’ve been taken back in time. We were greeted by a friendly server who helped us with our decisions for our meal. I decided to get banana and pecan pancakes. I had my reservations, because I would never think to combine those two ingredients. But to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed the pancakes. They were warm and tender; all things considered, I could tell they were made with love. Louie’s Cafe is the perfect breakfast spot for students on campus.
Colin Falcon | @nestingnests
I had high expectations for Louie’s. Its proponents are passionate, and it takes a special kind of establishment to garner such fervid support. Now, having tasted the fruits of Louie’s’ labor, I see why the cafe has garnered its reputation. On Friday morning, I bore witness to a true masterclass of college dining.
From my first step in the door, I was already succumbing to the Louie’s charm. The garish teal and red color palette was at once headache inducing and spiritually soothing. Parents were corralling unruly children. The wait staff looked randomly selected from a list of every make and model of person. One waiter was well over 6 feet 6 and had a chest-length beard. His presence improved my experience. The ambiance was easily a 9/10.
I’m of the opinion that the vibe makes the restaurant. Still, the food can’t be overlooked. My turkey, swiss, spinach and tomato omlette was nothing to write home about. A larger cheese fan than me may have had a better time though, as my omlette was bursting with it. The middling food, however, didn’t detract from my experience. It felt familiar and reliable, and I could see a Louie’s omlette being a meal to lean on in times of distress. 6/10 for the food.
Final thoughts:
While many of our allegiances still lie firmly in Waffle House’s territory, there’s something to be said about the value of a fresh experience. Louie’s Cafe was eye opening. It gave us a chance to think and reflect on our diner-related biases. An entire world of breakfast variety was waiting just beyond Waffle House’s yellow, run-down walls, and all we had to do was look in our own backyard.
Who knows how many more hidden gems are out there. The Reveille opinion section is open to trying them all.
Louie's Cafe neon sign sits on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 on Lake St.
