The Chapmans

“Through the years and through the generations, the community has really been faithful and followed us no matter where we went,” Chapman explained. After Hurricane Katrina stranded victims in the area, he fed them free of charge in his restaurant. Chapman’s background is in engineering, so he’s adapted his field engineering knowledge to work in the café environment. To Chapman, home means doing food in the Creole tradition, and that requires sticking with some unchangeable recipes. “I tell my employees as well as myself, and we pray, and we keep God in our hearts and treat people in the best way. Treat them better than we would want to be treated. We love what we do. It’s a passion for most of us. Most of us have been working here for years. I’ve been working around my family’s business since I was around 5. A lot of the employees have been here throughout the different changes, the different locations. So, it’s a very family-oriented work environment as well.” It’s not just the family and the now century-old, tried and true staple menu items; the staff also has some history.

About Orlandeaux’s Café

“Every day that I am here, I am able to feel his presence and him orlandeauxs.com just working through me and making sure that I am doing everything I can to continue the family’s legacy,” Chapman said. Ironically, he now owns the restaurant, which is within eyeshot of where his father took his last breath on that boat dock on Cross Lake. He took over and renamed the restaurant Orlando’s as a tribute to his father. When Pete Harris passed away, the next generation named the restaurant Pete Harris Café as a tribute. Harris and Freeman came to Shreveport and started the restaurant, Freeman & Harris.

Our Restaurant Rating Method

Eddie’s birthday is this week, making the festival a fitting time to come together to celebrate family, friends and food. If you’ve ever eaten a butterflied shrimp stuffed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, you may have just assumed it was another offshoot of the seafood dishes the South is known for. The awkward twenty-three-year-old had been dropped suddenly, like a basket of stuffed shrimp into hot oil, into the fragile clockwork of a busy restaurant kitchen with a century-long reputation to uphold.

A plate of stuffed shrimp prepared by Orlandeaux’s Café in Shreveport.

Strawn’s Eat Shop is Shreveport’s most impressive, welcoming, family-friendly, must-visit restaurant. In addition, I’ve engaged in conversations with both local and restaurant staff. Based on my experience, some of these restaurants offer a unique ambiance and a diverse menu. I personally visited these restaurants, tasting and studying each dish they offer. However, it is essential to understand the drawbacks of these restaurants.

One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the stuffed shrimp. Fried seafood lovers will be on cloud nine with the options here. You may remember the restaurant under Freeman & Harris Cafe, Pete Harris Cafe, or Brother’s Seafood. You can probably expect to find tasty items like the famous stuffed shrimp, alligator bites and zydeceaux shrimp. Smith’s was one of the area’s most popular restaurants for decades. Orlandeaux’s holds the title of being the oldest continuously operating Black-owned family restaurant in the United States.

The restaurant moved and was eventually renamed to Pete Harris Café in tribute to Damien’s grandfather’s cousin, Pete Harris, one of many family members who helped run the place during the twentieth century. When I first met owner Damien “Chapeaux” Chapman, I was midway through a deeply comforting bowl of divinely seasoned seafood gumbo. I ordered 3 stuffed shrimp. For a while, Chapman tried to have his career and run the restaurant too, but the restaurant was suffering and he knew he had to commit to it full time. He remembers as a little boy, he would run through the family’s restaurant. Through the years, the name and ownership has changed, but it’s the same great food.

• We are family-owned and proud to preserve recipes passed down through generations.
• Orlandeaux’s Café was founded in 1921 and has been a staple in the Shreveport community ever since.
• He’s renamed the restaurant after in father and in classic creole style, Orlandeaux’s.
• Sheron Jamerson says, “He has his father‘s heart and love for the people, Heart and love for the food.
• Since first opening in 1921, Orlandeaux’s has stood as more than a restaurant — it is living history.
• As the Louisiana Office of Tourism embarks on celebrating 2025 as the Year of Food, Damien Chapman’s passion for Shreveport-Bossier’s culture makes him the perfect member of our community to showcase the unique flavor, style, & soul that visitors crave.

Lasting for a century is a milestone for any establishment, and Chapman said there are good reasons for the family’s dynasty. According to Chapman, the business history reads a lot like the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, with plenty of family tree documentation. Soon the sign will read Orlandeaux’s, named in honor of his father and preserving the history as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Shreveport. The sign from “Brothers Seafood To Go” named in honor of his grandfather still hangs out front.

2Johns Steak and Seafood

It has a very family friendly atmosphere. Swamp water is a great drink to kick things off as well as the zydeco shrimp! Look forward to many more trips and bringing more family and friends here as they visit. This place is hands down the best food we’ve had while in town.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this spot guarantees a meal worth remembering. Located in Shreveport, this hidden gem draws locals and visitors alike for its creative dishes and exceptional service. The Missing Link offers an unforgettable dining experience that combines excellent food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Its combination of exceptional food, personalized service, and inviting atmosphere makes it a top choice for any special occasion or a night out to remember. The Mabry House is a must-visit for food lovers seeking a unique dining experience.