Willie's Restuarant - Baton Rouge

The food was incredibly fresh and delicious. I ordered the Redfish RYN with onion rings. While the service could have been better, it wasn't terrible either; it seemed like our server was a bit overwhelmed, likely due to the busy crowd. The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite relaxing. I will definitely be returning.

We ordered curbside pickup, and the service was quick and friendly. I had the chicken club, but unfortunately, one side of the chicken was severely overcooked. I had to use a knife to cut through it to eat. For the price, I expected a properly cooked piece of chicken. The chips were hard and overly seasoned, although that might just be a matter of personal taste. My friend had the fish tacos, which she said were just okay—not exactly a rave review. Overall, I think we won’t be returning.

My husband and I enjoyed a quick early dinner at Willie's on a recent Saturday evening. By just after 5 PM, the place was nearly full, but we were promptly seated in the patio area. I figured any restaurant with a crawfish expert must have great crawfish. Although we didn’t order any, the 3 lb platters appeared to be a popular choice among many diners, with large platters stacked high with crustaceans and big rolls of paper towels on the tables. I ordered a local beer on tap and a bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo. I'm glad I checked with our server about the bowl's size before ordering anything else, as it turned out to be a sufficient portion for a meal, complete with a roll and crackers. The gumbo was flavorful but a bit on the salty side, and it wasn't spicy. My husband opted for a glass of house wine and a club sandwich, which came with a side of homemade chips. The sandwich was served on a soft roll that fell apart easily. While the chips were delicious (I may have snatched a few!), they were also quite salty for both of us. Willie's menu features a diverse selection of appetizers, sandwiches, platters, and sides. Drinks are accessed via a QR code on the menu, and happy hour specials are available only on weekdays. The patio area we sat in had a lively atmosphere, enhanced by the cheerful screams of a couple of nearby children. The service was excellent. If we lived in the area, I would definitely be back soon to try those crawfish!

Unfortunately, they no longer serve my favorite dish, the Smokehouse Spud, which was a massive baked potato topped with a cajun cream sauce, cheese, and pulled pork with sweet BBQ sauce. I really hope they bring it back! The seafood potato was also tasty, but unfortunately, they’ve stopped using baked potatoes altogether. I would love to see those return. I appreciate that the entrees come with salads, as they complement the meal nicely. My next favorite item is the catfish. Overall, Willie's deserves a solid 5-star rating, but if they bring back my favorite dish, they'd easily earn a 5-plus (I made that rating up)!

I decided to go with The Bayou Salad, which was massive and easily shareable. It was topped with fried crawfish and sautéed shrimp, and it was loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and spring mix. It came with an Asian fusion dressing, but they have other dressings available if you ask. The portion was so large that I ended up taking home a full box! We also sampled the Honey Mustard Chicken and the BBQ Ranch Burger, both of which were served in generous portions, freshly cooked, and came with all the necessary toppings. The fried catfish was served on a large plate and was seasoned perfectly and crispy. I’m a bit disappointed that I live several hours away, but I will definitely recommend Willie's whenever we’re in town. The food was delicious, and the service was quick and friendly!