I like to put Mardi Gras up on the list of categories of “holidays” that everyone claims and celebrates regardless of nationality, religious affiliation or ethnicity. You know, the same spot you will find the others like St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo.

In my book, the best food of them all comes from Mardi Gras and the flavors of Louisiana. The best news in that regard is that if you travel around Bluffton at all, then you don’t have to wait until the day before Ash Wednesday to enjoy it.

River Road Cafe is open year round.

I stumbled upon River Road in early 2021 when a friend suggested we grab lunch there. I had the Chicken and Andouille gumbo. The bread caught my eye. It was absolutely authentic and a sure sign that the foods were being made with love. You just have to when you are dealing with Louisiana pot cooking.

River Road opened in August of 2020. Yes, right in the middle of the pandemic. And I am here to tell you it is as authentic as you are going to get in the Low Country.

“My dad and I wanted to do the restaurant thing since I was probably 18.” Is how Rene Hotard put it. It is she, her sisters and mom and dad running the show here. Kids in the front of the house, parents in the back making magic.

“We knew it was going to be foods that we grew up eating. The foods that we love to make and eat” she says.

Fortunately for us, you can taste the decades of influence on these recipes. The gumbo I mentioned is crazy good, How good is the Crawfish Etouffee? It’s not something they do every day, but when they do, a photo goes out on social media and it generally sells out same day. Next morning at the latest.

The Shrimp Po’boys are fabulous. The bread pudding is without question the best I’ve ever had.

If you are a regular, then you know I don’t do reviews. But this needs to be said. If you love those types of flavors, then River Road Cafe is fantastic.

On the weekends, they are doing brunch only. That’s where the River Road Omelette comes in. Andouille, onions, peppers and cheese, topped with a delicious Shrimp Creole. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the bread pudding.

Beer and Wine is available. Their weekend punch tastes like a bubbly hurricane.

Do you need any more? No, you don’t. Get over to River Road for a taste of Louisiana. You will eat it and like it.

River Road Cafe
70 Pennington Drive
Bluffton, SC 29910
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