La Louisianne Express

Tucked next to a gas station and a 7-11 lies the best food in whitebread Simi Valley. Let everyone else go to the factory chains. You should make a point of not missing La Louisianne Express. Steve makes the best fried chicken in the known universe. Always blazing hot, crunchy crust and tender, moist chicken. He also happens to make the best crab cakes I've ever had. They're square with a deep fried crust, but with almost a mousse-like crab filling. I could eat 10 of these.Be sure to order the red beans and rice. Or, if you're lucky, try the butter beans. They are awesome. And for desert you simply have to order the bread pudding AND the benyee's. Steve can be a little grouchy at times, but if you were in pain most of the time, you might be too. Offer a smile, and he will always return one likewise.\r \r Don't look for glamorous atmosphere here. That's not what LLE is all about. But if great food at a good price appeals, don't miss it. Pros: Great food..... Cons: Needs a facelift inside. more

For Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Super Bowl Sunday, their Cajun turkey can't be beat! Buy it pre-cooked or uncooked and feed a crowd in mild, medium or spicy. more

I read a few bad reviews here and although I never sign up for this type of site I have to come in and tell my experience. La Louisianne Express is not the fanciest place in town but the food is excellent. If you do not want spicy (for those whose stomachs burn) you have to as for a mild version. They make excellent Ettoufee (both shrimp and crawfish), good po boys, fantastic bread pudding with whiskey sauce, frog legs, yummy bacon wrapped shrimp, etc. But best of all is the Thanksgiving turkey. We deiced ti try it about 10 years ago and we have not cooked our own turkey since. Anytime we have someone new over for Thanksgiving it adds to the list of people who buy their Turkey from here. The turkey is stuffed with sasage, shrimp and crab and they even make the gravy. As I sit here typing this I wonder if I am doing myself and all the other regulars a disservice as now I will have to call in September (instead of October) to order my Turkey next year. So before you write this place off, if you love cajun food, come out and give it a try, keep an open mind (do not be a decor snob), tell him it is your first time in and give them a chance to win you over too. Pros: great food, especially thanksgiving turkey Cons: decor more

This place is kinda cool because it gives the feel of being in a dirty little hole in the wall in New Orleans. The food SUX! Love the beignets and the owner Steve calls you ""sheriff!"" What the hell is that all about? Must be a southern thing! Whatever, the price is reasonable but now my stomach is now killing me after eating one of their PO'Boys! \r \r It's worth a try! You decide for yourself! Pros: Begniets Cons: PO Boys more

The worst place I have ever been to. Filthy . looks like he got the decor out of the dumpster in back. and the food tastes like it too. The owner is the server, some asain woman in back cooking. the owner is a rude grumpy old bas$&%# . from the moment you walk in you are asking yourself why did I come in here. Stay away from this dump. Pros: leaving Cons: everything more

I have been to a few cajun resturants and by far this is the best. Dont be fooled by the location. The food is consistantly great, and the service always leaves you smiling. I have been to Les Sisters or Les Cousins but it does not compare. If you have a chance and are in Simi Valley try out La Louisianne Express it wont let you down. (Try the crab cakes, hot ham and cheese / roast beef po boys, and bread pudding- the best!!) more

I'm sad to see this restaurant get some bad reviews. From my experience it was wonderful! Now I can't vouche for all the dishes but I know for a fact/or from my opinion that the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp served w/ Rice, Blackened Catfish, Ettoufee are really good. The fried chicken I will admitt is nothing special, but really that's not why I go there. (Not even for the scenery, who cares its about the food right?)\r \r I go there for the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp! I love it, my girlfriend loves it, and a few other people that I have introduced it to. Bottom line, go try it out for yourself! People who make judgement over one dish I find ridiculous.\r \r Also the host is very humble, especially if you become a regular there. \r \r I give this place a 4 out of 5 from my experience. Pros: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp!, Service. Cons: Can't make up my mind what to order. more

I ordered jambalaya, which is almost impossible to screw up (I've even had fair to good jambalaya at chain restaurants....everyone serves it nowadays). The ham in La Louisienne's -- well, it was rubbery. It was not a normal texture for ham. In fact I've never bitten into ham of that texture. I had to inspect my plate to be sure that, yes, those were little pink chunks of ham, which should have been delicious and were instead tasteless and of a very offensive texture. After a few bites, I couldn't force myself to eat any more, and I am a big food lover who usually cleans their plate even when the food is mediocre. This was one of those disgusting food experiences that haunts you. (Not to mention, the atmosphere in the restaurant is kind of ""plastic"" -- but, hey, they tried.)\r \r If you are looking for good Cajun food, drive 10 minutes east on the 118 to Les Sisters. Best Cajun food value in Southern California, in my opinion. Pros: The soda was...soda! Cons: This is not a good Cajun restaurant. more

I know this place doesn't look spectacular from the outside (located in a strip mall next to a liquor store) but it's well worth the trip. While the decor may not be to your immediate liking, give this place a chance; you will be won over with the service and the charm of the owners and the staff. \r \r We ordered red beans and rice and ""fried chicken."" I thought it would be two pieces, maybe three. Instead I got a whole chicken (in parts)! And it was amazing! Fresh, juicy, crispy! I regret that we were too stuffed for dessert. We are going back tomorrow night to try some of their more daring selections.\r \r Give this place a chance and don't let its Spartan decor fool you-- the food is tremendously tasty! Pros: Flavor and authenticity, seating, service Cons: Ambience is a little lacking. more

I'd been waiting a long time to go and eat at this place because of the reviews\r I read here and other places. there's obviously not enough information going around.\r mainly, I based my hopes on going there because of the supposed texas couple that wrote a review above.\r \r as a gulf coaster, and cajun food fiend, myself, i will tell you that no self-respecting folks from the south would say anything remotely close to the praise that they declared. this doesn't even near the proximity of anything cajun/gulf-coast cuisined.\r \r this place is really bad. the gumbo tastes worst than if you followed the directions on a Zatarain's mix box,\r the fried seafood (i had the oysters) was unsettling and just deep fried like bowling alley onion rings. \r southern fried food uses cornmeal. this should be as obvious as ketchup to french fries,\r especially for a place that expouses Mardi gras decore, posters, postcards, and snapshots as the alpha and omega of the interior. maybe a friend handed them a mardi gras party catalog. i have the same one.\r \r my heart hurt from the disappointment, my stomach turned from the bad food, and my tongue died from the aftertaste that wouldn't leave my mouth. the only thing that saved me was an A&W root beer float from down the street. please stay away. \r i know we're half a country away from cajun country, but please there's no excuse for this travesty to continue. Pros: i mean the lunch special is cheap, but it tastes bad Cons: bad food/ cajun lies more

This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. We sat at a filthy table and food was prepared with cheap ingredients. A couple of ladies were chatting loudly in the kitchen. Definitely not recommended. Previous reviews are suspicious. more

you have not had the bread pudding from this spectacular cajun eatery. My girlfriend and I, both from TX and cajun ancestory, drove over 30 miles seeking authentic cajun cooking that we had not been able to enjoy since moving from Texas. WE FOUND IT HERE!! We had po-boys, hush puppies and shrimp e'touffe and I must say, it was FANTASTIC! If you don't mind not having the fancy atmosphere and just want a place to kick back, have a beer and enjoy some real creole cooking, you must try this restaurant. The owner Steve also does 20lb turkey's with his own special recipe for holiday gatherings. One of these birds and you'll never cook your own again!! Pros: quiet, trully authentic, service Cons: wish it was closer, to Sherman Oaks more

They serve up some spicey cajun grub here. Their po boys are crispy outside, tender, flaky and flavorful inside. The owners are very cordial and have a huge following. You have to try them out! Pros: Yummy Food, Variety, Real Cajun more