A food trailer known for serving up regional classics in Lafayette is preparing to establish its first brick-and-mortar storefront in Acadia Parish.
As a food trailer, The Lillie Pad Cafe has served customers in Lafayette’s Parc de Oaks food truck pavilion for the past three years. Owner Lillie Broussard said the decision to open a location in nearby Rayne was entirely inspired by the loyal community built around the mobile business.
“Because of all our repeat customers, we decided that we should start looking for a brick-and-mortar,” she told What Now New Orleans. “We wanted a place where our regular guests could come in, sit down and eat,” Broussard said.
At Park de Oaks, the cafe built a dedicated following through consistent weekend service and home-style cooking. The new permanent location will allow the kitchen to expand its operating hours and offer a wider variety of daily dishes beyond its traditional weekend schedule.
“We’re known for our cornbread dressing and our stuffed ham. That’s like our top two dishes and what brings people in the most,” Broussard explained.
In addition to these signature menu items, the new location will feature classic Cajun offerings, including smothered cabbage, smothered okra, and gumbo. There will be per-packaged frozen options for customers to take home and bottled soft drinks. The physical space is designed to maintain an intimate, welcoming atmosphere.
“It’s a small restaurant so it only seats about 30 people, but in near future, we will be adding a side pavilion for outside seating as well,” Broussard noted.
Broussard said she working toward an opening date of January 1, but renovation timelines remain subject to change. Local food enthusiasts can follow progress updates, ribbon-cutting announcements, and official grand opening details by checking The Lillie Pad Cafe Facebook page.
