Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
| Address: | 1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201, USA |
| Phone: | +1 703-243-2410 |
| Site: | bayoubakeryva.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–4PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
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Queenie Wong
Expresso NOT for to-go? I used to come here almost every week, sometime with friends or husband, sometimes by myself. I am also a big expresso fan, which is why I have my own expresso machine at home. Since I can make my own expresso at home, I usually ordered something else such as Mocha or Latte at Bayou. A few days ago my expresso machine broke. So I went to Bayou two days in a row for a two shots expresso to go. I was properly served for the first two times (they made the expresso and put it in my mug as requested.) However, today when I went there and asked for a two shots expresso to go. I was told that they have a policy not to serve expresso to go. I kindly asked why. They said "our expresso is only good if you have it in our little expresso cup in the cafe, it takes only 10 seconds." I then, was asked to move out of the line and to continue further communicate without "keeping others from ordering". I explained that I prefer to have my coffee at home. The staff said:"well, in that case, we would have to add either hot or cold water in it, do you want hot or cold water?" I asked "why? I dont want any water in my expresso." He then explained the "policy" again and asked me whether I need something else. I said "Thank you" and left disappointedly. I completely understand and respect that each cafe has their unique way to serve customer and their own rights to set its policy. But based upon my personal experience. This "expresso NOT for to-go" policy is not implemented in a consistent way. I dont think Im ever going to bring friends to this place.
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Brett Guidry
Im from Louisiana and live in New Orleans. I generally dont bother eating at Louisiana themed places when I travel for work except out of curiosity but when I heard the guy that runs this place was from Louisiana I decided to give it a shot. I tried this place three times. First time I got the grits and grillades . Grits were good and the pork was ok. Not bad but nothing amazing. Second time I tried their gumbo and boudin. Both were pretty bad. The gumbos roux was too dark and it tasted burnt. Behind the burnt taste there wasnt enough flavor to save it anyway. The boudin was weird. More like a pate than a link of boudin. I had an ok heat but once again not enough flavor. Im not really sure what the guy was going for but neither of those two menu items would fly down south. The third time I got the muffelatta. It was probably the closest regional food item they had. Could have used more olive salad though as there was barely a smear on the top and bottom of the bread. Over all they get three stars because their other food seemed like it would be ok but as far as their Louisiana food goes its not very good.
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Elizabeth Hamilton
Poor service, bad decor, botched order. We arrived an hour after the bakery opened, and the first two things I asked for were already all gone. The cashier missed part of my order. When I repeated the order and asked if the sausage she had rung me up for was the plain hot dog on the kids menu, she said yes. Turns out it was not. It looked delicious, but I wasnt about to feed my 1-year-old a sausage smothered in onions and spicy mustard. When we straightened out the problem with the order and finished our meal, we saw that we were expected to clear our table. Thats fine; Panera Bread is the same way. But there was a sign that said, "BUS YOUR OWN TABLE. THIS AINT YA MAMAS HOUSE!" Ha ha, hilarious. Insult the customers you charged $15 for two biscuits and a hot dog. Looks like we were dupes here. Bayou should scrap the corny faux-vintage Cajun-esque signs all over the walls and provide some ctual Deep South hospitality.
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Tommy Caillouet
After living nearby for a year, this is one of my favorite places in Arlington. Ive got a fair amount of experience with south Louisiana (though really more Cajun than creole), and Bayou does it good enough - which means excellent for anywhere this far north. Yes the jambalaya leaves a lot to desire; yes, the crawfish is outlandishly expensive. This is the DC area though. There are limits on the availability of ingredients that are cheap down there. The coffee is great (local roaster) and the beignets rival Cafe du Monde (different recipe, but Im a fan, though some days they clearly use old dough). The biscuits are the best Ive had in the area (not counting my kitchen). Its a bit expensive and can get crowded, but once again, not exceptional for Arlington. If youre visiting from an area accessible to New Orleans, dont bother, but Bayou is fantastic for locals.
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A Private User
Native New Orleanian - i was very offended by B.B. My friends told me about this place a few months ago. I was VERY excited, since I am originally from New Orleans, and miss the food so much. Their menu is very small, and doesnt offer many choices. I went there to try their jambalaya, and come to find out they didnt have it on teh particular day I went. OK. not a big deal. I tried one of my friends beignets, i almost wanted to spit it out! there was way too much dough in it, and the dough was flavorless. so it was basically flour, with some powdered sugar on it. On top of that, they were offering crawfish, at 15 DOLLARS a POUND! i was so angered by this. They are 3 bucks a pound in new orleans, and that is on the high side. DO NOT go here if you are looking for authentic new orleans cuisine, i beg of you!!!!
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A Private User
the chicory coffee is one of the best coffees ive ever had. the menus has a sort of fancy spin on new orleans food. dont expect authentic, expect creative twists on the authentic. the menu is, however, somewhat limited, but a fairly decent smattering of those "authentic twists," such as the biscuits (good southern style and the jam is fantastic), muffalotta (spin on the muffaletta), etc. the bayou chopped salad is great. i like the atmosphere...good new orleans-type music (such as zydeco) and decor, again with a twist to it. i do really wish the beignets were authentic, closer to the ones at cafe du monde, and that there were some more southern staples on the menu...but then again, this is more of a cafe than a restaurant, so some of the criticism are from misplaced expectations. still, ill keep coming back!
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Becky Wood
Bustling coffee bar & café for the Courthouse crowd -- good food with a fun Nawlins flair. Treat yoself to a hot beignet & fresh drip before work! Expect to wait during lunchtime, though, as all the office workers in the building run down to Bayou for a Jive Turkey sandwich or specialty Mac n Cheese. Patio is excellent when the weather is fine, and the lounge area in the back (couches, community library, comfy chairs) is great for getting work done in a busy but not-too-distracting coffeehouse atmosphere. (Free wifi!) Must try: Beckys savory scones with an iced basil mint latte for breakfast, or the Veg-a-lotta sandwich (a hot vegetarian sandwich with sundried tomato and broccoli rappini) on Tuesdays. And, of course, beignets --piping hot and smothered in powdered sugar.
