DeRidder has plenty of great restaurants—but it also has a lot of expensive great restaurants. And while there are places where we’ll happily spend $20 on Cajun specialties, it’s nice to have options when you don’t want to break the bank. That’s why we made this guide. All these spots deliver authentic Louisiana flavor without emptying your wallet.
Shyrine’s Turo-Turo
$ | (337) 221-1129 | WEBSITE
Shyrine’s Turo-Turo is a cozy family-run spot in DeRidder that serves up generous portions of Filipino comfort food. They have a simple counter setup with a few plastic tables, and the warm lighting makes you feel right at home even when it’s just a quick take-out meal. Focus on the 3 meat plate which only costs $12. The beef caldereta is tender and simmered in a rich tomato sauce, and they also have garlic shrimp and chicken katsu.
The best one is the lumpia, and regardless of how much you order, the friendly staff makes sure you leave satisfied.
Steamboat Bill’s DeRidder, LA
$ | (337) 460-7788 | WEBSITE
Inside this lively Cajun spot in DeRidder you’ll find a handful of tables with rustic wooden chairs, vibrant Mardi Gras beads, and some of the best fried dishes in Louisiana. A few of our favorites at Steamboat Bill’s are their crawfish etouffee pistollette, flavorful boiled shrimp, and crispy fried seafood. And since all of the main dishes are hovering at $15, it’s easy to come up with all sorts of combos that will comfortably fall around $30.
That extra five dollars can go towards some dessert, a drink, or a souvenir, so you won’t even need this guide.
Miss burger
$ | (337) 462-2771 | WEBSITE
Nearly everything here is under $15, a welcome surprise since this drive-through burger joint in DeRidder offers a solid variety of classic options. Our go-to’s are their char-grilled burger with Swiss bacon and crispy fries or the kid-friendly corndogs paired with a thick, creamy shake. But for maximum satisfaction, order the onion rings: a generous portion of golden, crispy rings that’ll have you coming back for more.
And since there are picnic tables available, their casual setup is an excellent place to go when the only thing you want to do is to enjoy a simple, delicious meal without breaking the bank.
Fausto’s Fiesta Café
$ | (337) 462-3046 | WEBSITE
When people want to go out for Korean or Mexican food, we might start worrying about whether it’ll be worth the splurge. But that’s not the case at Fausto’s Fiesta Café. This DeRidder family-friendly spot not only has amazing food, but is also extremely welcoming. Basic dishes like the fresh salad made just as you order it or classic Korean options all cost less than $12 while specialty plates with multiple cuisine influences are priced around $16.
And with most appetizers and sides priced around $6, you can build your own feast of favorites without breaking $25. This place is wheelchair accessible at the front door, and the friendly staff makes you feel right at home. Don’t miss the great daiquiris—just be careful with that Long Island iced tea!
Acadian Coffee Roasters
$ | (318) 677-9050 | WEBSITE
Acadian Coffee Roasters in downtown DeRidder might be a recent addition to the local scene, but this charming coffee shop feels like it’s been a neighborhood fixture for years. The clean, cozy interior and spacious outdoor seating are complemented by genuinely friendly service and seasonal drinks that make you forget about rising prices, like the $5 Brown Butter Toffee Dalgona iced coffee and $6 Spanish Latte on their Fall Menu.
But the real treasure is their daily offering of freshly roasted coffee beans, where you can grab a bag of their signature blend for just $12 and enjoy the rich, smooth flavor of locally roasted beans any day of the week.
Waffle Shoppe
$ | (337) 463-2301 | WEBSITE
Aside from being a great family-friendly spot (the Waffle Shoppe is especially welcoming to children, including those with special needs), this casual DeRidder restaurant is a perfect place for an affordable breakfast. Hidden in its straightforward morning offerings is a standout dish labeled Chicken Fried Steak. There you can get a hearty plate with perfect sunny-side up eggs, creamy grits, and crispy hashbrowns—all for around $8.95.
That way, even if you’ve spent most of your morning running errands you can still enjoy a satisfying meal here with excellent coffee and wonderful service that makes it feel like dining at a friend’s house.
Catfish Hut
$ | (337) 462-2266 | WEBSITE
This DeRidder spot offers a pleasant dining experience with great food and service, which we choose to believe because of how tasty their fried shrimp and fish are. But they also have a poboy sandwich and a well-stocked self-serve salad bar—all of which cost moderate prices and come with excellent hush puppies.
There’s actual seating that’s wheelchair accessible and not noisy, but it’s still satisfying whether you’re enjoying Tanner’s excellent service or trying to avoid inconsistencies in the poboy.
The Coffee Connection
$ | (337) 495-9220 | WEBSITE
The signature drink at this cozy coffee spot in DeRidder is a rich salted caramel coffee made with organic beans. But if that’s not enough to catch your attention—maybe a $4.75 price point will. At The Coffee Connection, that gets you a perfectly balanced medium roast that either comes hot or iced with your choice of milk. Not in the mood for coffee? Their mocha costs the same.
Big Thicket BBQ
$ | (337) 202-4051 | WEBSITE
From the smoky burnt ends, to the perfectly sauced St. Louis ribs, our stomachs do a happy dance whenever we hear someone mention Big Thicket BBQ. Plus, this DeRidder spot serves fantastic barbecue at reasonable prices, with most plates coming in under $20. We like to alternate between the phenomenal brisket paired with jalapeno creamed corn, or the pulled pork alongside the Texas tot casserole.
Both also get plenty of flavor from the house BBQ sauce, fresh sides, and that highly recommended loaded baked potato.
Kyoto Japanese Cuisine
$ | (337) 462-0888 | WEBSITE
This Japanese restaurant in DeRidder has sushi considered the best within a 50-mile radius, with beautifully presented dishes. From the popular Hibachi dinner to the Deridder roll, there are plenty of large portions to choose from at a great price. Plus, each meal gets attentive service from friendly wait staff that takes good care of customers, though it can be slow at times.
The restaurant is a great alternative to other sushi spots, with a nice atmosphere and tasty food that makes it a great value for the quality and quantity received.
Festival Tacos: Authentic Mexican & Seafood Grill #2
$ | (337) 221-1525 | WEBSITE
For excellent shrimp fajitas, beef enchiladas, and steak quesadillas, head to Festival Tacos in DeRidder. You can taste all of the advertised flavors in their authentic, generously portioned Mexican plates. Even without their complimentary chips and salsa, these dishes are savory, perfectly seasoned, and served with sides of refried beans and Mexican rice that hold their own after multiple bites.
And since most everything costs $12 or less, this place is ideal for a small group meal featuring lots of attentive service. Or a solo taco trip that’s heavy on flavor and light on the wallet.
Taqueria El Centenario
$ | (337) 401-5090 | WEBSITE
Taqueria El Centenario is a genuine Mexican taqueria in DeRidder with generous portions that deliver authentic flavors rarely found in Louisiana. There’s a variety of tacos and homemade Aguas Frescas, plus warm chips and salsa included with every meal. We’re constantly struggling to choose between the tender lamb barbacoa tacos, or the ones with all the fresh toppings from the self-serve bar that’s so well-stocked we should probably add it to our home kitchen.
Most people stop by this family-friendly spot for takeout, but there are also a few tables for dining in with friendly, accommodating service.
