Southern Bayou Grill: Real Deal

Sometimes the places a little off the main path surprise you. Colleen and I stop off at Southern Bayou Grill on Hwy 32 for dinner DEC 6th 2025. Open for almost six months, the place is picking up momentum under owner Barbara Edwards and Chef Perry Boyd. The menu has something to please almost anyone needing a serious seafood fix: Fish, shrimp, oysters, jambalaya, gumbo–you name it, they serve it. Being an oyster fan, I can’t resist the call of the fried oyster basket served with two sides ($22). I also add on a side of seafood gumbo ($2). Curious about Perry’s Jambalaya, that’s Colleen’s choice along with a side of hush puppies ($20).

The verdict on both of our entrees and sides is the same: Really good. This isn’t a surprise, because of Perry’s extensive background in Cajun seafood preparation. Colleen and I agree that–when it comes to regional specialty dishes like Jambalaya and gumbo–we’re getting the real deal. My oysters are fresh and cooked perfectly. The gumbo, containing shrimp, crab and rice, is full of flavor. Colleen thinks her Jambalaya (with chicken, pork, ground beef, rice, spices and seasonings) is excellent. We’re in agreement that we’d get everything again, but there are other options that beckon to be tried on the next visit. Among those is the roast beef poorboy ($16). Perry says the cheeseburgers are popular at lunch. And then there’s the shrimp boil with corn, potatoes and sausage offered Friday and Saturday.

The total for our meal winds up at $56.02 without tip. Order and pay at the register and they bring your food to you. Meagan serves us and is very good about checking with us to see if we need anything.

One cautionary note about eating here: You’re likely to fill up, and that could mean a major decision lies ahead about whether to try some of the white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. Perry tells us that customers adore this, and we understand why. We manage to walk out with a couple of small containers that we enjoy with coffee the following day. The pudding is an absolutely, positively ‘wow-this-is-good!’ treat. Perry has folks buy entire pans of this pudding for $60.

For us, no doubt whatsoever about Southern Bayou Grill: We’ll be coming back.

Open TUE-SAT 11 ‘til 8 at 11950 Co Rd 32. From Hwy 181, take Hwy 32 east (toward Fish River) about 1.9 miles and the place will be on the right. To-go orders can be set up by calling 251-517-7058…