Bayou BBQ & Grill

OMG - so good!!!! We ended up here by chance around 4:20pm, a weird time for eating (unless you’re a fan of the “early bird!”😆). So happy we did.
The food, amazing!
The folks working there are friendly and welcoming. The bartender greets everyone that enters, and there were plenty of regulars that he knew by name. Loved our waitress, and the chef came by our table to say hey and ask how everything was… and it was delicious.
Big servings, hot and spicy. We had the combination BBQ Pig Out Platter, which we shared. The sausages and the brisket were outstanding. We also shared the special pork belly appetizer (beautiful and SO tasty!) and I had a cup of the gumbo (hot spicy goodness which I did NOT share 😏).
Even though we were stuffed, we made room for the bread pudding and rolled out of there looking for a place to nap.
The restaurant is small, with tables inside and outside. It’s clean and accessible. Plenty of parking in the back.
We will absolutely return and you’ll do yourself a favor by placing Bayou BBQ on your “to try” list.

The last time we were here was close to when they reopened. It's a reminder not to judge a restaurant in its early days as I wasn't enthusiastic about that visit.The food was fabulous, the service impeccable,the vibe laid back and welcoming. A talented chef, rhe cuisine across Creole, Cajun, BBQ, and Tex-Mex. All of it is delicious. I was especially taken with two of the specials, a garden-grown tomato caprese and a shredded beef enchilada with roja sauce I would lick off the plate. I was impressed with the St. Louis ribs, which is rare since my rubs are delicious. The beer and wine list, both pair well with food options.

I LOVE the food here. The jambalaya is absolutely incredible and so are the collard greens. I can't stop ordering the same thing here because I love it so much. The staff are also extremely friendly and welcoming, even when they're busy.

Absolute gem! I’m mad that I JUST found this place! I got brisket, collard greens, Mac & cheese. Sooo good. My son got the pork platter - he would have been happier without the BBQ sauce on it, but he loved the Andouille sausage. And the bread pudding - phenomenal! While the food was great, the service & atmosphere were even better. We were really made to feel at home. Love it, will be back.

This little hole-in-the-wall is my favorite place in New London. It's got a different kind of more Louisiana vibe that is rare to find in New England anyway. The service is great, the food is flavorful, and the decor is delightful. Bang for the buck this is incredible maybe I shouldn't even leave this review because I had no trouble getting a seat and that's even better although it's not beach/boat season anymore.

The food was great and everyone working was so nice! Chef even came out to say hi. Would definitely recommend and am looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu!

Simply great. Fun place to go. Exceptional and personable service. Over the top delicious food. A must visit every time I'm in New London.

Had the brisket. Wow. Can't wait until next time!

This is the #1 hidden gem in the area. I have yet to find anything else close to this type of food, it is amazing. We've never had a bad meal, the margaritas are incredible. The owner and team are always happy to see you. We just love this place. Incredible specials, not to mention the regular menu. The picture is of my chicken mole special.

Doug & Margaret brought me here for dinner. Incredible experience. Love these people! ❤

Genuine bayou shabby chic... real deal local place unexpected fun and great all around.

Awesome shrimp jambalaya with corn bread, roasted root veggies and green beans! Delicious!!

Have been here a number of times and plan to return many more. Have not had a bad experience and always very prompt in the food preparation. Can't say I've ever experienced an off day for them or their kitchen as the food has always been on point!

Excellent food made from fresh, local ingredients. I have no idea if this is "authentic" southern food, but it tastes great, which is what matters.

Consistently flavorful, with the emphasis on consistency. My favorite is the blackened catfish, but I have had many of the items on the menu as well as the specials. I have never been disappointed in anything I ordered. This is real food!

They talked the talk, walked the walk, and delivered the goods. Delicious. Authentic. Get the hush puppies.

Best Kept Secret in Southeastern CT!

The Hemmingway: Absolute hidden gem with excellent food, excellent service, and fair prices for the quality. Highly recommend the daily specials. Both TexMex and Cajun are on point. Ignore 1-star reviews (their idea of Cajun must be Popeye’s).

The Tolstoy: The Bayou has presented me with every foodie’s moral crisis: do I spread the word about this hidden gem or keep it all to myself? In this day and age, we NEED to support our local restaurants, and my head has won out over my spoiled, only child heart. When you see someone working as hard as Chef Brian to make fresh, delicious cuisine on the daily, you want to see them recognized!

We first wandered into The Bayou via word-of-mouth a few weeks ago, and have been back almost every week since. This man must’ve picked up some Voodoo in New Orleans because every single dish that has comes out of his kitchen is simply some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. Each meal we’ve had has topped the next!

As for the Cajun/BBQ, Chef Brian’s BBQ sauce is perfection in my book and simply the best I've ever had: savory and not too sweet, with a nice North Carolina tang! The brisket is amazing, great smoked flavor and tender. The collards are actually vegetarian-friendly but with good flavor and cooked perfectly (not mushy at all). The cornbread is true Southern-style and always a great accompaniment to soak up all those good juices/sauces. I’m addicted to his cheese grits and always order them as a side regardless of my main course-yes, they are THAT GOOD! Looking forward to future visits where I can explore more on this side of the menu.

The TexMex here is on another level. Chef’s incorporation of his smoked meats into these dishes creates a non-pretentious fusion of BBQ and TexMex which would make any Abuela jealous!

Now, the dilemma coming here (and it’s a good one) is this: do I stick with what I love on the menu or do I try one of the daily specials? TRY THE DAILY SPECIALS! Even between the specials it can be very hard to choose (just relax and know that whatever choice you make, it’ll be a good one). I feel like this is particularly where Chef Brian shines: you get to see his creativity with the fresh ingredients for the day! And I love how this man’s mind works!

I cannot forget to give a shout out to Scott and Kate, who will attend to your every need and do so with a smile(so be nice)! The service here is truly exemplary—warm, very engaging, and funny! Do yourself a favor and give it a try or risk missing out on what might be the best meal of your life!

Amazing food!!! Great service, employees are friendly and attentive. The Gumbo is delicious 😋. We drive almost 2 hours just to eat here.

The staff is awesome. The waiter has an amazing sense of humor. The ribs fall off the bone.

Superb! My buddy and I were up here for military training. He’s from Louisiana and I’m from North Carolina. We had serious doubts that were all laid to rest the moment we walked in the door. The food will make you believe you’re back home. I got the BBQ pulled pork, get it you won’t regret it.

Excellent food, so glad Bayou is opened during covid. Looking forward to getting delicious dinners for take out tonight, tired of home cooked meals... Highly recommend Bayou! My favorite New London restaurant! 10 stars!