Welcome to The Depeaux
Nestled in the heart of Independence, Louisiana, The Depeaux is a culinary gem that pays homage to its historic roots as an old strawberry weigh station. Known for its friendly service and a menu boasting locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant excels in Southern cuisine. Highlights include their famed fried chicken, served with rich mac and cheese and pickled watermelon rinds, and a selection of creative dishes like the Boudin balls and Glazed Pork Ribeye, each bursting with flavor. With its charming atmosphere augmented by passing trains and restored original features, dining here is a delightful experience that celebrates both heritage and gastronomy.
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269 E Railroad Ave, Independence, LA 70443, United States Hotline: +1 985-606-2066
Welcome to The Depeaux, a culinary gem nestled at 269 E Railroad Ave, Independence, LA. This delightful eatery is more than just a place to enjoy a meal; it's a celebration of local heritage and artisanal cooking, harmoniously set within the charming confines of a historic train station. As you step inside, you are greeted not just by the tantalizing aroma of food but also by the stories embedded in the walls that date back to the 19th century. The Depeaux boasts original features, including an old scale that adds a nostalgic touch to your dining experience.
The atmosphere is vibrant yet welcoming, adorned with elements that remind you of its storied past. Patrons frequently review the friendly staff, noting exceptional service—particularly from Natalie and Blake—who are knowledgeable about the menu and eager to share the restaurant's rich history. Their enthusiasm transforms a meal into a memorable encounter.
Now, let’s talk about the food—this is where The Depeaux truly shines. The menu showcases a wonderful array of dishes, heavily inspired by regional ingredients. Guests rave about the Friday special: the fried chicken. Sourced from local farms, it is presented in its finest form—crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor, accompanied by creamy mac and cheese and an intriguing side of pickled watermelon rinds. This dish alone can leave you craving more!
For those looking for adventurous flavors, the Boudin balls are a must-try, boasting a crispy exterior complemented by a luscious pepper jelly that elevates every bite. One bite of the Shrimp Boiled Pasta will transport you back to the bayou, with a creamy sauce that begs to be savored. Moreover, the Glazed Pork Ribeye is an experience you won’t soon forget; juicy, flavorful, and visually enticing, it’s a dish you didn’t know you needed in your life.
Don’t overlook the dessert menu either! The Beer Custard Bread Pudding has garnered praise for its perfect balance of textures, combining a crisp exterior with a warm, comforting inside—truly a sweet finale to an exceptional meal.
Whether you’re dropping in for a casual lunch or celebrating a special occasion, The Depeaux assures a delightful dining experience filled with warmth, flavor, and a touch of southern charm. With the rhythmic sounds of trains rolling by, your time here promises not just great food, but also an atmosphere steeped in history and hospitality. So come hungry and be prepared to indulge in a culinary adventure that celebrates the heart of Louisiana!
For reservations or inquiries, give them a call at +1 985-606-2066. Your table at The Depeaux awaits!
Such a great place with a friendly staff (Natalie and Blake were my servers and they were knowledgeable about the menu and the history of the location) and great food. I’ve only been twice and I’ve gotten the fried chicken both times. It’s one of their Friday specials and man is it special. You won’t find a better chicken plate many places. Cooked to perfection and they only use local chicken sourced without hormones and all the other junk we get fed just about everywhere else these days. You can tell they put pride into serving locally sourced high quality products. I highly recommend the plate, it comes with some tasty Mac and cheese and some pickled watermelon rinds(a unique item but it’s a great complement to the meal). The place was an old strawberry weigh station that dates back to the end of the 19th century that has many of the original features that have been restored to their original glory. An old scale that was used for weighing strawberry’s, an old hidden cellar beneath the original hardwood floors that is being used to store the shine they serve(maybe the original use as well), old sliding barn doors where they unloaded and loaded, and so many other cool nuances throughout that make the atmosphere nostalgic and fun. You’re sure to see a train or two pass by the windows while you eat. This will continue to be a stop for me whenever I’m passing through.
The service was amazing, Natalie was great and friendly! The atmosphere was great, an old train station with plenty of trains going by. The food was incredible, way better than I thought it was going to be. We did the Valentine's Day special and chose the Boudin balls as the appetizer, they were perfectly crispy topped with pepper jelly and sat in a sauce. The taste of the Boudin balls was packed with flavor and the best I ever had, no lie! The entrees we chose was the Shrimp Boiled Pasta and the Glazed Pork Ribeye. The Pasta portion was enough for 2 or more normal sized meals, the taste of the shrimp and sauce was very good and creamy. The Glazed Pork Ribeye was Over the top Amazing! I had never had one till tonight and it was so flavorful, juicy and eye appealing. 10 times better than I thought it was going to be. The Desert we chose was the Beer custard bread pudding and let me say, Wow! I'm a Bread pudding fan and this is one of the best I had, It had a light crisp outside with a nice and warm inside. The sauce is so smooth and sweet, the flavor I tasted was similar to French Toast. The Overall experience was a 10/10 and we will be back many times! The only negative I have and this is just my opinion, the chairs. If you sit back in the chair your hips dig into the metal, so you have to slide down a little to be comfortable.
The food here is amazing. We loved everything that we tried. The boudin pie was my favorite. We will definitely be back.
Not what you’d expect from a wings place, every dish they serve is elevated beyond what you’d expect. Lots of locally sourced ingredients and really creative menu!
Super friendly staff! Delicious, hot, fresh food! Our waitress was amazing? She knew about all of the dishes and drinks. She made personal recommendations of drinks for my husband and I to try.
We went with friends and truly didn't know what to expect. All cocktails are made with moonshine. I had a blueberry lemon drop, sweet and earthy. The blueberries were a perserve which the blueberries were grown right there in Independence. Then had a peach lemon drop that was savory and was made with peach syrup. My friend had the moonrock, it was cute and tangy. Definitely sugary. She also tried the house margarita with Patron and she enjoyed it as well. Both of our guys had Bluemoon draft beer. We ordered appetizers. We tried the duck wontons (so good), onion rings and chicken cracklins (I 10/10 recommend these). The guys had chicken wings, flavored with the mistake sauce, which consisted of 5 different flavors, garlic parmesean and the blue cheese was cajun. I had a chicken club, it's not on the menu the way I had it, just added cheese and bacon to the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potatoe fries. I ate every bite. My friend had the burger which she enjoyed. The waitress was amazing. She provided all the information needed and was extremely helpful. She let us know the specials for the day and also before we left told us the specials for the upcoming week. The restaurant really has a champion as a waitress. I am so sorry I forgot her name. I waited to long to review. Overall great place to eat.
Amazing food, services ( Nathalie was fantastic) and atmosphere. A Louisiana jewel , very recommended...
Friendly staff, great atmosphere and the Wings were out of this world. Lots of great flavors to choose from. They even split them up so I could try 3 different sauces. Could not recommend this place enough! Check this place out!!!