Thanks to their Instagram account @courtstreetcafe I found out about this place and hopped across the river to check it out. It’s just off Hwy 1 in Port Allen with that vibe you find all over Louisiana of a diner crammed into an old house with ten tables in front of an eight stool bar with a kitchen window just behind the bar and more seating and bathrooms back down a hallway leading to the rear of the building. I’d say ubiquitous, but that’s a bit out of place in that space between city and country where almost everyone is wearing work boots and Dickies. I got there just before eleven thirty and the place was already half full of old timers and contractors with a server flitting between them with the first round of sweet tea and lunch time bourbon. As I sat I watched a lot of women come and go picking up carry out orders. Flat iron steak was the special of the day, but I wanted to check out their bona fides so I ordered the chicken and sausage gumbo and a blackened gator poboy. The gumbo was on the thin side but did not lack flavor. Very enjoyable in mid-December. I was intrigued by their decision to dress the blackened alligator and grilled onions with Zatarain’s creole mustard on a soft hoagie bun , but it didn’t really work for me. If I got it again I’d order it up with mayo or just the alligator and onions which would also be fine. I’m sure the blackened gator/creole mustard combo rocks some boats, just not mine. Besides, they gained enough of my confidence that I’d be more likely to try their crawfish étouffée or oyster poboy or maybe both next time. Maybe even the flat iron steak if it’s on special.
