Don't go through Krotz Springs without stopping at Kartchner's Grocery and Specialty Meats. It's a…read morebrown wooden Cajun store on the south side of Highway 190 -- on your right going east, your left going west. Why am I being so specific about the location? Because I don't want you to miss this little gem. Sure, you can find similar food along I-10 just about anywhere in Louisiana. So what makes this place stand out? The employees -- and some long-forgotten items you never thought you'd see again. Cracklins, pork AND chicken. Yes, I said chicken cracklins. A variety of boudin balls. And don't skip on what's in the frozen and refrigerated section either. Stop by if you can, and bring an ice chest. Oh, and please follow the speed limit! If you didn't get caught in Port Barre, you will definitely get caught in Krotz

The best boudin is in the little brown store! I'm ready to tell my story. For years I have followed…read morethe crowds and waited in the long lines and honestly, I have no regrets. But then I tried Kartchners! Boudin is a preference thing and you have many options. For me, the spice, texture, and flavor is what stands out here. I love their fried products like the boudin balls, egg rolls, and cracklings..but the smoked boudin is where it's at! I highly recommend you give them a try!

You never know what time they will have lunch ready. For people on lunch break this is a real issue.read more

Great place to get all the best meats and prepared meals. My first time visiting this market and…read moreboy was I impressed!! Your steaks cut to order and trimmed and seasoned to perfection. The ground meats were ground at the time I ordered it and they made my lasagna the best I had ever made! They will be my go to meat market from now on.

While I'm not crazy about Bourgeois Meat Market's andouille sausage, which I have found to be a bit…read moretough, I enjoy their regular smoked sausage, and I'm a huge fan of their Cajun Smoked Tasso. For the uninitiated: Tasso is fast-cured, seasoned, and smoked pork shoulder. It's used in stews and simmered foods, softening as it cooks, adding a delicious, unique flavor and bite that's typical of many Southern Louisiana (read: Cajun) dishes. Tasso's difficult to describe, but you'll know it when you taste it. I just received four 1-lb. packages of tasso, shipped from Bourgeois' smokehouse in Gray, LA via FedEx 2Day. The order arrived in good shape, and though the ice packs surrounding the meats had melted, the tasso was smoked (and so, fully-cooked) and it was vacuum-sealed. It went straight into my freezer, and it'll be fine. The cost to ship from Lafourche Parish to San Diego doubled the price of the product, from $7.24/lb to around $15, but I pay that much (or more) for quality steaks and seafood, here at home, and it was my choice to spend top-dollar for meat that I know, from experience, will make my gumbo, red beans, etc. taste better than I could otherwise make them. Kudos to the folks at Bourgeois Meat Market for offering a high-quality product, and for handling the purchase and shipping in a professional manner. I like visiting their shop when I'm in the area, but I LOVE that they don't make me get on a plane to eat what they're cookin'!

Zeke gives Four Paws on his knucklebone... I'll have to…read moreclear space in the freezer for my next run, alot to choose from. Fresh cut is always best.

While traveling across Louisiana T-Boy's Slaughter House Meat Market and Grocery was definitely on…read moremy list to stop at, so I loaded up my Yeti and headed to Mamou. When I arrived it was exactly how I imagined it, this old school family business reminded me of my childhood growing up in Louisiana, it's probably one of the most unpretentious places you could ever visit this is a true treasure that still embraces the cajun culture. Of course I wanted a little of everything, the fresh unpackaged butchered meats, the packaged seasoned meats including things like tame rabbit, a variety of tassos, cracklins and some of the best boudin on the planet. I must have walked around this store at least 3 times and I'm sure I didn't see it all - I had to keep in mind we were traveling in the RV and planned to be on the road for more than a month after leaving here so space is limited but there are somethings that are a must buy when the opportunity presents itself. The staff here is amazing so friendly and helpful and they can answer all your questions if your not familiar with all the items on display fortunately I was able to explain things to my girl who was in awe of the offerings here. I definitely wasn't leaving here without getting some of the most mouthwatering fresh center cut pork chops, a few other specialty items and of course their delicious boudin. This place definitely deserves a bookmark and if are anywhere within 50 miles or more of this wonderful store you have to get here - this is a rare find and a gem in this community...

Great food! Very pleasant and helpful! Definitely would recommend! True Cajun food! YUM! YUM! YUM!read more

When you're near Lake Charles LA, get off I-10 at highway 165, drive South about 1 mile for some of…read morethe best food ever. We arrived at lunchtime and they had BBQ pork steaks with dirty rice & beans. Was some of the best food ever. 105 Hwy 165, Iowa LA 70647

Ordered loaded potato with steak, chicken sandwich and fried catfish. The potato itself was super…read moresoft and flavorful the meat could have been more juicy. Order the catfish it was crunchy and yummy. The workers were all nice.

If you are coming to Louisiana you have to go to Poche's! I'm so glad we didn't miss out on this…read moregem! We did get there very early talking before 10am they were so sweet and amazing still letting us order what was available and answering any and many questions we had regarding food options. Service was 5 out of 5 for our first moment in LA everyone was so kind and made our journey so worth it. We got the crawfish fettuccine with the Crawfish dressing and regular rice and an amazing biscuit. (Honestly I could order a dozen just for the road back) All the food was a 10 out of 5 and so sad I don't live closer as I know I will be dreaming of this food for the rest of my life! They have other food there like a grocery store and really thinking of going back just to buy some for the freezer for when I miss it most. And always like to take a moment to talk about the restrooms and when going to places like that I don't expect the nicest bathroom but they shocked the mess out of me. By far the best restrooms. If there is a way to give a place more then 5 I would give them 10 out of 5 over all!!! Will be coming back!

Great local food. Crawfish etoufee was very very fishy. Good value with 2 sides. We were just…read morestopping by.

I was in town for one day and I went to 4 spots trying to find the best boudin. Kartchner's was my…read morefavorite. The flavor was perfectly salty and spicy and the boudin balls were perfectly fried and still juicy on the inside. Boudin capital of the world and I can't wait to come back here with Kartchner's being my first stop.

Who Dat looking for cracklings and boudin? Kartchner's Specialty Meats is our favorite place to…read moreget some. You too should come see, unless you are busier than a gator at a feeding frenzy. Spicy taste straight from the swamplands of Lafayette. It is a must stop for us, on our way to Florida each year. The boudin and cracklings are sold by weight and in my opinion, very formidable. Some may even say, around here, "C'est bon!" The inside has a few tables to sit and eat as well as a few picnic tables outside. The bathrooms are clean and make a nice pit stop for our road trip. Just make sure you Geaux early enough before they ain't dere no more.

Great service and meat always beautiful and fresh! Was so tender when done. Very delicious!read more

I love this place. I'm new here to Lafayette and I was looking for a butcher shop. Someone told…read moreme about Martin Kirk. I GSP'd it and thought I was on a wild goose chase because it looks like you are going on a drive out to the country. I then spotted it. It's a small place with really nice people working there...who took the time to tell me everything I asked about their meat and deals. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for fresh meat and not packaged.

Great Specialty Meats Great Specialty Meats .Great Specialty Meats . Great Specialty Meats. Stop…read moreby and enjoy.

Visiting Louisiana and had never had boudin or cracklin before. Delicious! And the meat selection…read moreis phenomenal! Staff is pleasant and quick service!

You have to try Chicken Cracklings! You will never forget them! Everything else is awesome too…read moreBoudin Balls, Boudin roll ups, hamburgers!