The Bayou

The Bayou Restaurant Review:

Small hanging sconces, icicle lights and neon beer signs create The Bayou's flattering illumination. Free pool tables, WiFi and a selection of more than 200 bottled and 30 draft beers just adds to the appeal. It's no wonder there's a two-hour wait at the bar on any given Friday or Saturday night. Jazz musicians jam in the corner, the sounds reverberating off the street-to-ceiling windows, creating a loud hum as diners try to converse over authentic Southern dishes. Alligator cheesecake and popcorn crawfish tempt the experimental palate, while the platter-size chicken quesadilla satiates more conservative taste buds. Unless there's a massive storm, there's a summer barbecue every Thursday night at 5 p.m. with smoke and ribs---but be forewarned that the grub is usually gone by 10 p.m., so get here on the early side if you don't want to miss out. Then again, you could just skip dinner and go straight for the Twinkie, a deep-fried version that comes in a crispy coat drizzled with raspberry sauce.