Located at 1904 W University Ave., Laura’s Cafe Two is an authentic, family-owned soul food restaurant, known for its famous plate lunches and Louisiana flavors. Locals often go to Laura’s Two for their classic Southern dishes such as fried pork chops, chicken, stuffed turkey wings and seafood gumbo. Over nearly six decades, the restaurant has become Acadiana’s most recognized destination for original, home-cooked food.
Their daily menus offer a variety of Southern classics that rotate throughout the week. According to their weekly menu, Mondays are typically reserved for food truck pop-ups or special events, while the regular plate lunches begin on Tuesday. Tuesday’s specials include fried chicken, fried pork chops, stuffed baked turkey wing, smothered turkey necks and shrimp and grits with catfish.
On Wednesdays, diners can choose dishes such as fried chicken, fried pork chops, stuffed baked turkey wing, hamburger steak or shrimp and grits with catfish. Thursday’s menu continues the tradition with additional options like fried chicken and meatball stew.
Friday’s menu expands with fried chicken, fried pork chops, stuffed turkey wing, fried catfish, shrimp egg stew with Louisiana catfish and crawfish étouffée, depending on the season. Saturdays offer similar classics like smothered pork chops. Sundays feature the restaurant’s “Soul Food Sunday,” offering dishes such as barbecue ribs, barbecue sausage, stuffed pork roast and stuffed turkey wings.
The original restaurant was founded in 1968 by Laura Williams Broussard in her Lafayette home. She is believed to be the first African American woman to serve authentic Creole lunches, and she was known as the “plate lunch lady.” In 1984, her daughter, Dorothy Broussard, took over the restaurant until 2000, when her granddaughter, Madonna, bought the restaurant’s current building and took ownership. It is safe to say that this family has used the same recipes throughout its history.
As Madonna Broussard said to the Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine, “I went to the Culinary Institute of Laura, I was raised on rice and gravy.”
Madonna said that her grandmother, Laura, grew up cooking for her siblings at her home, which led her to open a restaurant. After operating for several years in her home, she moved to a metal trailer on Voorheis St., where her daughter Dorothy operated the restaurant until 2000.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is warm and inviting, truly embodying Southern hospitality. As you walk in, you are greeted by warm lighting and adorable decor that shows off the culinary journey of the Broussard family. It felt like a restaurant featured in New Orleans, with Zydeco-themed music, decor and pictures.
My colleague and I decided to visit this restaurant on Wednesday, March 4. As we walked in, we were greeted by several employees and got in line to order. It kind of reminded me of cafeterias where you line up to select your meal from the various options displayed behind the glass. I could smell the mouthwatering aromas of the food, making my stomach grumble with excitement. Looking at the menu online beforehand for Wednesdays helped us pick our food quickly.
Both my colleague and I ordered the same thing, fried pork chops, served with rice and gravy, with a side of cheesy mashed potatoes and corn. After ordering, we sat down at a table next to the window.
After what seemed like no time at all, our food was brought to us in to-go boxes: hot and ready.
As we opened our to-go boxes, we were met with a heavenly aroma that nearly made me drool. The fried pork chops were golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender within. The portions were generous, and the rice and gravy were flavorful beyond my palate. The cheesy mashed potatoes added a nice creaminess, while the corn added a sweetness that rounded out the plate.
The food reminded me exactly of my grandmother’s home cooking. The generous portions and authenticity of the food made me feel like I was at home again.
I decided to interview the owner, Madonna Broussard, after finishing our meal. As she stated earlier, she took over her grandmother’s business in 2000 and has been the owner since. Using the same recipes, Madonna has committed herself to maintaining the legacy of her family’s cooking.
She emphasized why the public should come to her restaurant, stating, “This economy is rough, and especially for students, you get that box and you can share it for both lunch and dinner. I know the boxes can be a little pricey, but you’re gonna have a generous portion. We have always been like that, you know you’re gonna get two meals in one, and a good one at that.”
When asked about her favorite meal at the restaurant, she said, “Well I grew up with it all, my grandmother acted like every day was Sunday to her. So I would say my all-time favorite has to be the fried pork chops, but the turkey has stood the test of time.
“We’re all about consistency here. I see people in the grocery store and they always ask me if I have a fried pork chop in my purse because they love it so much.”
Overall, I had a wonderful experience at Laura’s Cafe Two. The food was exceptional, and the service exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed chatting with the owner and learning about the cafe’s rich history and what makes it so special. The authentic, family-owned atmosphere is truly the key to its success. If you would like to visit this iconic restaurant, it is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.
