A Taste of New Orleans

809 S Broad St, Brooksville, FL, 34601

A Taste of New Orleans brings Louisiana cooking to South Broad Street in Brooksville. The restaurant is run by a married couple who grew up in small Louisiana towns and say their recipes were handed down through their families. One of them, a former assistant chef in New Orleans, learned the craft of Cajun seafood in that city's kitchens, and the menu reflects that background. The menu leans on the classics. Gumbo, shrimp jambalaya and crawfish and shrimp étouffée anchor the plate-lunch side, alongside po'boys, boudin, red beans and rice and lobster bisque. Fried shrimp, fish and oyster platters share space with gator bites, Cajun wings, hush puppies and fried okra. The signature is the seafood boil, served with corn, potatoes and garlic butter, and a seasonal larger boil adds snow crab and crawfish. Beignets and pecan pralines round out the sweets, and there are kids' meals as well. Ordering is at the counter: customers place an order, choose a seat and wait for their name to be called. On weekends the restaurant adds live jazz, performed by the owner, which gives the dining room a lively, festive feel. A Taste of New Orleans offers takeout and delivery, along with full-service catering for parties and events; a catering request form is available on its website. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. The owners also operate a separate Taste of New Orleans food truck that travels to fairs and special events, so look for it on the festival circuit if you cannot make it to Brooksville. For the latest hours, specials and music nights, call (352) 593-4779 or check the restaurant's Facebook page.