Rick F.
Yelp
UPDATE
Background: Robert Cormier's "BEST STOP" remains the "GOLD Standard" for SW LA Cajun Charcuterie specialties.
We have always had boudin blanc & gratons (Cracklins) of superb quality in this area, Robert didn't invent either.
Importantly, what he did do, was to establish a quality standard never before reached; and made the boudin available daily, year round. Same with his gratons.
We had boudin before, and some was very good. But it was either a product of a home boucherie or a small business with changing standards and variable availability. Indeed, I well recall of folks telling of finding good boudin here or there.
Best Stop was an icon of consistency in a theretofore uncertain "Monde de Boudin".
But he didn't stop there. We had known for decades that boudin could be frozen, but many doubted. So, boudin makers made daily batches and froze what didn't sell, at day's end. IOW, it was already 12 or 15 hours old when frozen. Boudin is delicate, like REAL French bread; and, to be best, it must be either eaten promptly, or frozen when freshly-made. Our hero began freezing boudin immediately, preserving its fresh qualities.
Next came vacuum-packing. This was resisted for quite a while, but all eventually realized that boudin vacuum packed & frozen immediately would "keep" well, with preservation of taste and texture. A new World was opened.
We could then enjoy fresh quality boudin much later & far away. Best Stop boudin began traveling, and did it go ! I recall packing our twin with Best Stop goodies for Judge Gauthreaux in Islamorada, and flying them to deer camps in the West Texas Mountains. Try to explain boudin to a Mexican customs officer. It was a New World !
Things continued to grow steadily, despite a plethora of new wannabes placing themselves between the IH10 "Scott" Exit and the Best Stop. Even "Don's", an established boudin maker from southern Saint Landry Parish, moved in. This area is now known as "Boudin Alley".
Have we, the Best Stop "faithful", tried the others? Of course; either friends treated us, or we got there after 7:00PM and needed a bite. But we are loyal, and for very good reasons.
This story continues to unfold. there is now a modern "Best Stop Boudin Factory" and their trucks deliver to regional supermarkets like Albertson's, Rouse Markets, even "Cash Saver Stores".
Our boudin, and especially Best Stop boudin, is unlike that in France, which is made of the "left-overs" of a butcher. Robert's specialties are all made only of top quality packing house meats, no substandard ingredients.
These are some of the reasons why most of us locals & our Texan Cajun/Creole neighbors just drive past all those competitors on our way to Best Stop.
So, even if you are not an "expert", please do yourself a big favor and drive the extra 0.9 miles to the original and still the BEST, "Best Stop" !
Rick
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