Cafe Josephine

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#1 of 6 Restaurants in Sunset$$ - $$$, Steakhouse, Cajun & Creole

+1 337-662-0008+ Add website

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Hours

Tue

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wed

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thu

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Fri

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sat

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

140 reviews

#1 of 6 Restaurants in Sunset

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

Steakhouse, Cajun & Creole, Seafood

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

Location and contact

818 Napoleon Ave, Sunset, LA 70584-6118

+1 337-662-0008

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Is this a Steakhouse?

Yes

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About

Chef Troy Bijeaux wants to welcome everyone to Cafe Josephine. We have many spectacular dishes, but our signature dishes are both our steaks and oysters. They can be seen getting prepared and cooked at our oyster bar. Its a great time to speak with Chef and others around you.

CUISINES

Steakhouse, Cajun & Creole, Seafood

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.0

140 reviews

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LASouthern_gent

78 contributions

Very nice place, great service, and great food in a sleepy little town.

Jun 2023 • couples

We had Eggplant with Lump Crab Meat, and Fried Frog Legs with onion rings. Delicious and plentiful. The wait was short and the employees seemed genuinely concerned about our convenience and prompt service. They were busy, but they made sure we got served in good time. Very nice place, and the owner checked on us herself. We will be back.

Written June 25, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DeJean

Opelousas90 contributions

Best restaurant around

Nov 2022 • couples

Cafe Josephine I absolutely love this restaurant. They have the greatest steaks anywhere around (fight me on that) and the steaks are sorced from a local butcher shop and a local cattle raiser right here in Louisiana that is veteran supported and delicious too. You can support local on so many ways by eating here. This last time we went we had great service from Macy. She was attentive but not overly attentive and had just the right recommendations. They will customize any order within their means and make everything so perfect it is crazy. Chef and owner Troy does a fabulous job from preparation to plate that it wants you to forget all of the other places within 100 miles. The ribs are awesome, as are the fresh oysters whether grilled or raw. All.of the seafood is fresh and delicious. We have only made this a couples restaurant and left the kids at home each time and will continue to do so. Best left for adults. Do not go here if you are looking for a cheap meal. You won't find it. But you will find a fabulous meal excellently prepared that is worth more than the money you spend.

Written November 29, 2022

tmde

Lafayette974 contributions

Wonderful food

Mar 2023 • couples

I’ll start with the few negatives. The two seater tables are too small for your food and drinks. The chairs are uncomfortable metal. The table had sharp edges under it on the main pole (not sure what to call it) that held up the table. Every time I moved my legs, I would get jabbed. It felt like continuously being stabbed by a big needle, it hurt & I was afraid my pants were going to get holes. The other only real negative was the salt and pepper shakers were dirty. As in you could see other people’s, dirty with food, finger prints on them. Obviously the prices are high, but I don’t feel that is a negative since it’s clearly stated & the food is very good, made with quality ingredients. Everything we ordered was wonderful. The seafood gumbo has a nice flavor. The ribs are HUGE, juicy, & tender. The seafood pasta was delicious. We really enjoy this restaurant.

Written March 4, 2023

Carencro r

Carencro1 contribution

Chef Wiped His Head and Nose with a Dishtowel and Another Chef Wiped a Knife with it

Mar 2024 • family

My husband and I decided to give this location a second try, after years ago seeing a roach there. While we were waiting for the appetizer, a chef walked from the back to cook a steak in a front open area they have. In 5 minutes and I kid you not, he took his hand and wiped his nose at least ten times, wiped sweat from his forehead with his hand, scratched his head, took a rag off the counter and wiped sweat from his entire head (hair included) then laid the rag back on the counter. He then walked to the back still wiping his nose with his cooking hand as an older man, also a chef, walked to the open area, picked up the SAME rag the first guy used to wipe his head and wiped a knife with it to cut something. It was very hard for us to swallow our appetizer and we did not order any entrees after witnessing all that. Yes, the food is good, but if that is what I saw in 5 minutes out in the open, I don't want to know what happens in the back the rest of the day. We won't be going back and I feel so sorry for people unaware what is going on at this restaurant.

Written March 28, 2024

Gwen

1 contribution

Male Owner tells Black Female Customer, "Don't Come Back...Not the Restaurant for You."

Sep 2021 • none

Charbroiled oysters good. Tuna not that great. Poor management. Today was an off day for the Café…limited lunch menu, first dozen of charbroiled oysters overcooked, and tuna dish not appealing. When paying check, Mr. Owner rudely approached our table and said the meal is free…you apparently do not like the food here…so you should not come back…this is not the restaurant for you. I’m like…what the F…? Then I look around the room and noticed, we were the only Black customers. The waiter was very apologetic… gave him 25% tip. I encourage all reading this communication to stay away from Café Josephine in Sunset…an establishment that does not value its customers. Or maybe I should say its Black customers. What has happened to customer service? Instead of having a discussion if he was concerned about our meal…Mr. Owner of Café Josephine said this is not the restaurant for you…do not come back. Really?

Written September 4, 2021

guyp232

Youngsville22 contributions

You only have one chance to make a first — and lasting — impression

Feb 2021 • couples

We booked dinner reservations for 3 couples to celebrate my birthday on February 20 at Cafe’ Josephine. Excited for a road trip and a new dining experience, we traveled approximately 45 minutes to make our 7 pm reservation. After we encountered a bit of traffic along the route, my wife phoned the restaurant, spoke with Morgan, and explained our slight delay that would have our party arriving at the restaurant to be seated at 7:09 pm. Morgan informed us “no problem!” Upon arriving at the restaurant, we noted some patrons were waiting outside, so, having a booked reservation, we opened the entrance door to the restaurant only to have a hand extended by a member of the restaurant staff who uttered “we can’t have all of you in here right now...”. We indicated that we wanted to check in for our reservation, but the door was closed in our faces. We chose to wait in line behind other patrons who had reservations as well. While in line, we witnessed another couple attempting to dine at the restaurant told by the same woman, very curtly, that this restaurant sells out and if you want to eat here you’ll need a reservation. The couple even asked when the next available time for a table for 2, and was told 8:30. When the couple asked if they could have that reservation, the response was “ So ya’ll really want to wait that long??” Our party was then allowed into the foyer entrance area where we approached the check-in area to be told there would be a 20-30 minute delay in our reservation seating, as the restaurant was “waiting for the table seated to finish eating.” We clarified that we had a reservation for 7 pm and were told that “because you were 15 minutes late, your table was given away.” Upon attempting to clarify with the same woman ,who curtly dismissed us whenever trying to initially check in (and thus caused us to wait an additional 10 minutes outside), she was rude, dismissive, and had an offensive air. When my wife attempted to explain that we kept our promise by showing up in the same timeliness as we communicated from our phone call, we were essentially scolded that we were “ranting” and she was not having this type of behavior in “her place.” We honestly felt like we were adolescents being corrected by a school headmaster. No accountability, no apology, no smile, no feeling of welcome. Just ugly, rude, dismissive, and unacceptable behavior to customers choosing to spend a lot of money at “her restaurant.” In this day and era with such an economic downturn in south Louisiana, it is a luxury for some to dine out. Some restaurants are struggling to stay afloat and recognize this by going out of their way to welcome their patrons and thank them for their patronage. Perhaps Cafe’ Josephine has been unaffected by these economic ripples, but we were happy to get in our car and travel back to Lafayette to stimulate our own local economy at a wonderful, extremely welcoming restaurant that was happy to have us. We are all still in awe at the way we were treated. There is a saying, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” Such an unfortunate experience could have been handled so differently by the first and only person we encountered, simply by having a little tact and professionalism. I guess that just takes too much effort these days...

Written February 21, 2021

jeff3545

141 contributions

A Find on the way to Lafayette

May 2024 • family

Hole in the wall on the road to Lafayette. Well worth the small detour. Reservations probably necessary. Staff was great, steering us away from the ribs and to the Crispy Duck, which was outstanding. This is not Cajun food, but steaks and seafood in a casual setting. The clientele is very prosperous, gathering from the ladies' handbags.

Written June 3, 2024

staci m

1 contribution

Family dinner

Oct 2024 • family

We have dined at this restaurant for several years like once a week . Tonight was just for a family dinner . Made reservations, so no issues with getting a table. The service was ok , and we all different entries and the food was just average . There were 5 people in the party and with a tip it was $350.00 which is completely typical but the food was just average. I see now why the place was empty

Written October 2, 2024

tmde

Lafayette974 contributions

Good

Nov 2022 • couples

It started off not so great. We did have reservations & didn’t have to wait but the young lady who was the hostess was unpleasant & not nice…..at all….no smile, no hello, no nothing, so awkward. Our server on the other hand was very nice. On to the food, we’ve eaten here a few times. This time a couple items weren’t as good as usual. We ordered seafood gumbo, it was very weak, needed more roux, & more seafood in it. It had like 3 shrimp & one tiny piece of crab in it. The ribs were delicious and it was a huge portion. And lastly the seafood pasta was off. I’ve had it before where it was so good, this time something was off, needed more seasoning I think. We’ll still go back because I believe it was an off day for them.

Written November 21, 2022

tmde

Lafayette974 contributions

Wonderful

Aug 2022 • couples

We’ve eaten here a few times so far. We’ve eaten the chicken gumbo, seafood gumbo, the ribeye, the filet, the seafood pasta, the crab egg roll, the soft shell crab with pasta, & a bread pudding. Everything we have eaten has been delicious. Our favorites so far are the seafood pasta, filet, & ribeye. If I had to critique anything, I’d say that the soft shell crab needed more seasoning which was odd because the pasta was well seasoned, but it was good. We really enjoy eating here. The service is wonderful as well as the food. It’s a very busy restaurant (and pricey). I’d advise making reservations or getting there at opening. Can’t wait to go back.

Written August 22, 2022

Aimee P

50 contributions

Macy was excellent!!!

Jul 2020 • friends

We dined with a group of 7 for a friends birthday. It was hands down the best food and service I’ve received at any restaurant. Macy took great care of us. She was very helpful in our dish selections. We ordered several different appetizers and decided to split our steak, she let us get our half cooked to our liking. The combo nachos are a great choice. This was the first steak I’ve ever eaten without steak sauce. It was seasoned to perfection. The chef came out to help bring our food and say hello to us. This was top notch!!! We traveled 45 minutes. I look forward to returning!

Written July 3, 2020

Bonnie C

4 contributions

Worth the trip!

Jul 2021 • family

This was our fourth visit to Josephine’s. We stop when going to visit family. We love sitting at the grill and watching the chef/ owner cook the steaks. Be sure to make reservations they are very busy! The chef is friendly, informative and answers questions as we watch. Kayla serves us at the grill and she is great!! The steaks and the oysters are delicious!!

Written July 16, 2021

lovelylady2759

Grand Coteau4 contributions

Inedible Seafood Pasta- had to spit it out!

Dec 2019 • none

Dined there on New Years Eve 2019. My husband ordered the "Seafood Pasta" for his entree and I had the Eggplant dish. We always share a little of our entrees with each other and when I took a bite of the his pasta dish I had to spit it out. I have never tasted anything so awful in my life. Put a little bit of it on the appetizer plate and when the waiter came I told him to bring it to the chef and ask him to taste it. He did and came back a few minutes later and apologized saying " The pasta was bad" and asked if my husband wanted to order something else. He did not. We shared my Eggplant and later the waiter offered us a free desert. We were not charged for the seafood entree. Good chef's don't let an entree leave their kitchens without tasting it, obviously that didn't happen. We will not be returning to Cafe Josephine.

Written January 12, 2020

tmde

Lafayette974 contributions

Good

Nov 2021 • couples

We went on a Saturday for lunch. The place filled up pretty fast and it got very loud inside. Our waitress was nice. We ordered the duck and the crab cakes. The duck was very good, tender, a little smoky with a sweetness. The crab cakes are just crab, no fillers. They tasted good, fresh, but small for $32. We also ordered a bread pudding to share. It was delicious too. I would warn that it is more expensive than other restaurants in the area, so be prepared. For our two orders it was $79 before the tip. All together we will go back to eat again.

Written December 1, 2021

888darreld

2 contributions

Great Food

Dec 2019 • none

We arrived on a Wednesday night early (5:30) , just ahead of the evening crowd. Cafe Josephine is getting a good reputation,so the place filled quickly. We ordered the charbroiled oysters for an appetizer. Clearly delicious. The staff is not the most professional but I have no issues with them. I had the Big Chop ( a large thick cut pork chop with an orange reduction). It was served with creamy corn grits with seasonal veggies. I enjoyed the meal. the Big Chop was tender and cooked to perfection for me. I would go again.

Written January 8, 2020