There’s a lot to love about the SBC. Check out this list with the Best of Shreveport-Bossier City!
At the end of every year, SB Magazine puts out their “Best of SB” issue to share the best of the best of everything in Shreveport/Bossier City. While I was reading through their choices, for some I was completely onboard, but there were a few that had me absolutely flabbergasted. It seemed like some of the restaurants listed paid for their name to be on the list, so I decided to make a list of my own from a local’s perspective and completely unfunded.
There are a variety of different “bests” listed in the magazine. Everything from best bank to best car wash to best vehicle repair. Many of the businesses I can’t speak on because I haven’t experienced enough of a variety to make an opinion, so I’ll just be sharing my “bests” in Shreveport/Bossier City that I can form a valid opinion on. Not gonna lie, most of them are food-related.
Best Local Annual Event
RED RIVER REVEL
I completely agree with their choice. The Revel has always been one of my favorite Shreveport festivals because it has lots of the good food, the bands are good and the vendors are awesome.
Best Bar
STRANGE BREW NOBLE SAVAGE
The only time I go to Strange Brew is on Thursdays for Fill Up Your Cup for a Buck night and when they have a good band playing. It’s not a bad bar, but I do hate the sketchy location. Noble Savage has my win for this because it has all the makings of a good bar. There’s live music every night, but if you don’t want to listen to music super loud, you can go to the adjacent room and play pool or darts. Also, they have a kitchen, so it’s not just bar food; it’s a legit menu.
Best Brewery
RED RIVER BREWING
So they didn’t actually have a category for best brewery, but hopefully next year they will. I can’t say much about the beer because even though I’ve tried the beer at all three of our local breweries, I’m still not a beer drinker. It all just tastes like beer to me. As far as environment goes, Red River has my vote. They have ping pong, cornhole, board games, giant Connect 4 and so much more. On some LSU game days, they’ll bring out the big screen in the back area for you to watch. They also have several activities that go on there, such as brewoga every month and trivia every Sunday.
Best Beer Selection
RIVERVIEW RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE at MARGARITAVILLE ROUND BAR
Again, not a beer drinker, but my boyfriend was consulted on this list, and he thought Round Bar was a solid choice. They have tons of beer available on tap, and they’re all on display in a convenient way.
Best Casino Pool
DARE ULTRA POOL at HORSESHOE CASINO
I definitely have to agree with this one, mostly because it’s the only casino pool open to the public. Margaritaville has a pool, but it’s only open to hotel guests. I hear it’s nice, but unless I actually stay there, I’ll never find out.
Best Karaoke
(Tied) STRANGE BREW & WHISKEY ROADHOUSE at HORSESHOE CASINO
I don’t actually want to change this answer because I’ve never been to either of these places for karaoke, but my favorite place to do karaoke is Fatty Arbuckles, but usually only at the beginning of the night. My friends and I are usually the ones that start the trend of singing karaoke. We get a few songs in each, and then once everyone else starts signing up, we usually make our way to another bar.
Best Place to Dance
(Tied) CELEBRITY LOUNGE at ELDORADO CASINO & CHICAGO BIG COUNTRY
As bars and clubs continue to close, it’s slim pickins for places to go out and dance. Of the two SB Magazine picked, Celebrity would be the clear choice (it’s actually where I rang in the new year), but my favorite place to go dancing now is Big Country. I enjoy two-stepping, but I’m not very good. I’d like to learn though. Beyond two-stepping, they also do a ton of line dances and in between country sets, they do more club dancing music. They also have a room upstairs that’s constantly playing that type of music, so if that’s what you prefer, that room is always hoppin’ and fun. Also as an aside, they have a karaoke room, and it’s non-smoking.
Best Place to Gamble
HORSESHOE CASINO
I’m not a big gambler, so I won’t disagree with this choice. Horseshoe is the oldest casino in town, but it’s also one of the nicest. I’d say Horseshoe, El Dorado and Margaritaville are all pretty solid.
Best Sports Bar
WALK ON’S BISTREAUX & BAR
While I do enjoy a good football game, I don’t really go out of my way to watch sports at all. This was their choice for best sports bar, and I’m onboard. They have good food, the environment is fun and they sponsored the Independence Bowl this year.
Best Wine Bar
WINE COUNTRY BISTRO
I mean, with “wine” in the title, it’s kind of hard to beat.
Best American Restaurant
STRAWN’S
Strawn’s is a staple of Shreveport/Bossier, and there was a point in time when I went every single week. Their strawberry pie is everything.
Best Asian Restaurant
IMPERIAL CATHAY
This is probably the nicest Chinese restaurant in Shreveport/Bossier, and their food is divine. My suggestion is to go during lunchtime because they have this soup that’s so friggin good, but you can only get it at lunch, and you have to eat it in house.
Best Barbecue
SILVER STAR SMOKEHOUSE
I had Silver Star for the first time a couple weeks ago, and holy cow. Everything I ate was so dang good. I 100% agree with their decision to make this the best BBQ.
Best Breakfast
ANOTHER BROKEN EGG
There’s a reason this place always stays busy. Ever since it came to the area, it’s stayed packed. Their food is so good and never disappoints. My favorite is the salmon benedict. Yum-my.
Best Brunch Spot
ANOTHER BROKEN EGG THE LEVEE
The Levee is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Shreveport, and I think it deserves a spot on Shreveport’s best list. Everything is farm fresh and the owners are super friendly. I’ve literally never had a bad meal here.
Best Cocktails
THE BAR CHORD
This is another category that wasn’t on the list, but I felt the need to add it because I wanted to include the Bar Chord. This is a new bar in Shreveport that sells craft cocktails, including an adult Capri-Sun. Umm…yes please.
Best Cajun
SHANE’S SEAFOOD & BARBQ BLIND TIGER
Shane’s has never been my go-to for good Cajun food. It’s not a bad restaurant, but I believe there are better, i.e. Blind Tiger. This is where I take people who are traveling from out of town and want some good local food. Also, working at a hotel, anytime a guest asks me where they should go eat to get some Cajun food, I always suggest Blind Tiger. Anything blackened is amazing, and the fried corn is everything.
Best Po-Boy
PO-BOY EXPRESS MARILYNN’S PLACE
Marilynn’s is popular for their brunch menu, but the real winner on the menu is the Shrimp Remoulade Po-Boy. I like mine with fresh shrimp, and my boyfriend prefers his fried, but we both agree that it’s the best po-boy on the block.
Best Deli
JASON’S DELI
I don’t even care that it’s a chain. Jason’s Deli is pretty dang delicious.
Best Fine Dining
2JOHNS STEAK & SEAFOOD
I’m not going to agree or disagree with this one because I’ve only been to 2Johns once. I do have some friends that swear by it, but I also want to mention Superior’s Steakhouse because I’ve never had a bad meal there. Also keep in mind that I don’t eat much steak, so I’ve never had steak at either of these places. In a battle of seafood dishes, Superior would win for me.
Best Italian Restaurant
MONJUNIS GIUSEPPE’S PASTACAFFE
To me, there’s no contest. Giuseppe’s Pastacaffe is one of my favorite restaurants in Shreveport-Bossier. My favorite is the Spinach Tagliolini. I also like to get whatever the special happens to be that day because it’s always good. Honestly, I’ve never had a bad meal here, and they have an excellent wine selection.
Best Mexican Restaurant
DON JUANZ BAJA BEACH TACOS KI MEXICO
I’m disappointed that SB Magazine had no mention of Ki Mexico. This is literally the best place in Shreveport-Bossier to get tacos, and I know a lot of people who would agree with me.
Best New Restaurant
EL CABO VERDE THE LEVEE
I’m not doing this to hate on El Cabo Verde, because that’s actually one of my favorite taco places in the area – good food and good service – but The Levee just has my heart. I love the concept for the restaurant, and the food is always good and made fresh. The environment is so laid back, and the staff is always friendly and takes the time to have a conversation with you. Ever since I’ve gone the first time, they’ve remembered me and welcomed me back. I just don’t have enough kind words to say about this place. I love it.
Best Seafood Restaurant
JIMMY’S SEAFOOD & STEAK KIM’S SEAFOOD
Having lived in Shreveport-Bossier for over a decade, Kim’s has been a staple in my family ever since we first got crawfish there. Kim’s is easily one of my top five favorite places to get crawfish, and beyond that, they also have delicious seafood poboys.
Best Burger
TWISTED ROOT
I love Twisted Root, so no arguments here. The Freshman 15 is literally my favorite. It’s everything you could ever want on a burger.
Best Chicken Wings
WING STOP WINGS & RICE
As much as I love Wing Stop, I have to say that Wings & Rice is a staple in the Shreveport-Bossier area. The service takes forever, so I 100% recommend ordering ahead of time, but the food is so good. They also serve fries, but don’t get the fries. It’s called Wings & Rice, not Wings & Fries.
Best Donuts
SOUTHERN MAID
They will always be my favorite.
Best Frozen Yogurt
COUNTER CULTURE
Most of the other frozen yogurt places in town have shut down, but Counter Culture prevails because it’s the best.
Best King Cakes
JULIE ANNE’S BAKERY
King Cake is one of my favorite desserts, not just during Mardi Gras season, but like the rest of the state, I definitely indulge in it more during Mardi Gras season (which is right around the corner, yes lawd). Julie Anne’s serves king cakes year-round, and they are so dang good. They have a variety of flavors available in different sizes, and they have never disappointed me when it comes to their king cakes. I’m salivating just thinking about it.
Best Margarita
DON JUANZ BAJA BEACH TACOS SUPERIOR GRILL
I’m personally offended that Superior Grill didn’t win best margarita. All the locals know where to go when they want a good margarita.
Best Pizza
JOHNNY’S PIZZA HOUSE SOUTH HIGHLAND PIZZERIA
Probably a controversial pick because Johnny’s is a staple in the SBC, but it’s #4 on my list of favorite pizza places in Shreveport-Bossier. South Highland Pizzeria is where it’s at, y’all. I love their crust, they’re so generous with their toppings and they’re consistently delicious.
Best Sushi
SUSHI GEN JABEZ JABES
I know a lot of people who think Sushi Gen is the best, but I’m convinced is because they haven’t had Jabez Jabes yet. The rice that they use for their sushi is just so good, and it just tastes fresher than other restaurants I’ve been to. Also, the service is amazing, and they always remember me when I visit.
Even though I grew up in many cities around the world, I’ve been calling Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana home since 2006. When people visit the city, they’re often underwhelmed by the amount of things to do, but as the third largest city in Louisiana, there’s a lot more to the area than meets the eye. In my series, Shreveport Sunday, I’m excited to share some of my favorite things about living (and eating) in Shreveport/Bossier City. To see all of the posts in the Shreveport Sunday series, click here.
