Pat’s Downtown has held a cherished place in Lafayette’s dining scene for over two decades. I first discovered this hidden gem when a paralegal colleague invited me for lunch. Her favorite dish was the crawfish étouffée mega potato, and I was eager to explore the menu.
When we arrived for lunch, the restaurant was bustling with patrons, a testament to its popularity.
I decided to order Pat’s Special and Creole Fried Chicken, paired with curly Q’s. The Pat’s Special is a hearty meal that features your choice of fried fish, fried shrimp or a crab patty, all generously topped with étouffée. This dish comes with a salad, dinner roll, bread pudding, a packet of ranch dressing and potato salad. Since I always prefer dark meat for its juiciness, I opted for that with the chicken.
The prices were reasonable, with the Pat’s Special priced at $16 and the Creole Fried Chicken plate at $12. I chose water as my drink, bringing my total to $32.16. I noted that using cash could have saved me a little due to the credit card fee.
The wait for our meals was about fifteen minutes, during which I chose to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful, breezy day. When my plate arrived, I was excited to dive into the crispy, well-seasoned Creole Fried Chicken. I found myself dipping the chicken into the ketchup provided on the table. To my surprise, the ketchup was unusually salty, but I couldn’t resist continuing to dip my chicken in it.
The curly Q’s were delightfully crispy and tasted remarkably similar to the ones served at Arby’s, evoking a sense of nostalgia. However, the dinner roll resembled what you might find at a grocery store, and the corn tasted like it came straight from a can. The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the cake, which was incredibly yummy. It had a delicious pecan flavor, and its fluffy, moist texture hinted that it was made in-house.
I had indulged in the Pat’s Special before, and I was familiar with its delicious allure. The fried fish was cooked to perfection, and my ideal bite consisted of the fish, etouffee and creamy potato salad. The étouffée and fish were seasoned beautifully, while the potato salad added a nice, creamy counterbalance to the flavors.
Ending my meal with the bread pudding was a real treat. It was sweet, soft, fluffy and creamy, making it the perfect post-meal indulgence. To add a twist to my salad, I used tartar sauce instead of ranch, as I’m not particularly fond of ranch dressing. Although it may sound odd, the combination was surprisingly enjoyable.
Walking inside Pat’s Downtown felt like stepping back in time, with an old-school vibe permeating the air. The cash register was antiquated, reminiscent of the ones you’d only find in places like Keller’s Downtown. In a corner, an older woman seemed to be managing the bookkeeping, which added to the cozy, homey atmosphere reminiscent of grandma’s house.
Pat’s Downtown operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a variety of options such as weekly lunch specials, po-boys, sandwiches, wraps, mega potatoes, salads, plates, soups, gumbo and sweet desserts.
It has become a favorite spot for my friends and I, as it is conveniently located near campus. We often gather here after class to unwind and catch up on life, enjoying the food and the comfortable, nostalgic ambiance that Pat’s provides.