We Found Real Beignets Outside of NOLA—and Yes, We’re Still Recovering
Katherine: Let’s just say it—we’ve been burned before.
Kelsi: Beignets outside New Orleans are usually just… square doughnuts in witness protection.
Beignet Trauma Is Real
After our girls’ trip to NOLA, we developed what can only be described as a beignet superiority complex.
We still dream about the powdered sugar clouds at Café du Monde and the golden fluffiness of Café Beignet.
So when we saw a sign at Louisiana Charlie’s Seaport Village on Mardi Gras, screaming “Hot Fresh Beignets,” we felt what can only be described as cautious hope.
Katherine: Set the scene – we’re strolling through Seaport Village, not even hunting for food, and BAM. A beignet ambush.
Kelsi: Cue our skeptical glances and dramatic eye squinting.
We were literally mid-eye roll when a hostess spotted us. “Y’all looking for something sweet?” she asked.
And like moths to a fried dough flame, we asked the only question that mattered: “Are they real? Like, real New Orleans beignets?”
Without missing a beat, she dropped the backstory bomb: The owners’ family is from Louisiana. The beignets are the real deal.
And just like that, we were seated on their breezy patio, cautiously optimistic—and maybe already mentally drafting our apology to Louisiana if these disappointed us.
A Powdered Sugar Miracle
As we waited, we swapped NOLA stories, reminiscing about the time Kelsi accidentally inhaled powdered sugar like it was a party favor at Café du Monde, or when Katherine declared a beignet “a religious experience.” And just as we were mid-flashback…
They. Arrived.
Golden, pillowy, steaming, and absolutely blanketed in powdered sugar—these beignets looked like they passed their final exam with extra credit.
No sad grease pools.
No chewiness.
No weird funnel cake energy.
Just pure, airy perfection.
Kelsi: I took one bite and immediately had to sit with my feelings.
Katherine: It was a spiritual reset. A beignet baptism.
Fluffy on the inside, delicately crisp on the outside, and somehow managing that impossible balance of sweet-but-not-too-sweet.
We could’ve closed the tab right then and called it the best Mardi Gras west of Bourbon Street.
The Story Behind the Powdered Sugar
But the magic isn’t just in the beignet basket. It’s in the legacy.
Louisiana Charlie’s is a Black-owned restaurant run by Shanda and Eric Laurent, a couple who’ve been married (and business-partnering) for over 40 years.
While the original Louisiana Charlie opened in Long Beach back in 2013, they expanded to San Diego CA, in 2020 with this waterfront gem in Seaport Village.
Named after Shanda’s father, Charlie, who was born and raised in Wilson, Louisiana, the restaurant is equal parts homage and hospitality.
The recipes? Straight from their grandmothers’ kitchens.
The vibes? A Mardi Gras dreamscape meets soulful BBQ joint—with outdoor seating, bold chandeliers, and cocktails that might just get you dancing in the patio aisle.
Kelsi: They even serve alligator. This is not a drill.
Katherine: I was too emotionally fragile from the beignet bliss to explore the menu further, but we’re coming back.
The Cajun Cuisine You Didn’t Know You Needed
Yes, we were there for the beignets. But let’s be clear—Louisiana Charlie’s San Diego is bringing serious cajun cuisine to the coast.
Think slow-cooked gumbo with that deep, rich roux that whispers secrets from Lafayette.
Po’boy sandwiches that are actually overflowing.
Crawfish boils.
Alligator meat (for the adventurous).
And Southern BBQ so flavorful, it might just demand its own love language.
Their San Diego spot isn’t just a second location—it’s a heart project.
In past interviews, Shanda has shared that they wanted something that truly represented their family and culture, and this place delivers on that vision.
Mission: accomplished.
So… Should You Go?
Katherine: This beignet unlocked a memory from a past life where I was clearly a Southern grandma.
Kelsi: And I died in that life from butter-related joy. Worth it.
If you’ve been chasing beignet redemption outside of Louisiana, let us save you the heartbreak. Louisiana Charlie’s Seaport Village is the real deal.
It’s rare to find a place that nails the flavor, the texture, and the heritage—but they’ve done it.
And done it with a patio seat and waterfront view.
Final Thoughts + FOMO Checklist
If you’re still on the fence (how?), here’s your hit list:
- Name: Louisiana Charlie’s San Diego
- Location: Seaport Village (yes, the touristy one—and yes, still worth it)
- Vibe: Family-run, Mardi Gras-themed, friendly as heck
- Must-try: Beignets (obviously), gumbo, po’boys, cocktails
- Backstory Bonus: A family legacy born in Louisiana, thriving in California
- Other Location: Long Beach — the OG
We Came. We Doubted. We Got Powdered Sugar All Over Ourselves.
New Orleans may be the motherland, but Louisiana Charlie’s is bringing that soulful, powdered sugar-coated comfort straight to San Diego CA.
It’s rooted in family, rich with heritage, and it just might ruin all future beignets for you in the best possible way.
Skip the flight. Skip the heartbreak. Just head to Seaport Village, order the beignets at Louisiana Charlie’s, and prepare to question everything you thought you knew about dessert loyalty.
New Orleans, don’t come for us—but San Diego may have just entered the chat.
Pro Tip: Once you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth, head over to Stone Brewing Company for bold, hop-forward brews and one of the coolest beer garden settings in San Diego.
