We arrived at 11:55, not really knowing what to expect. It's a gas station/ knickknacks shop. Placed our order at the counter paid at the register and chose a table. We waited about 8 minutes for our Natchitoches meat pies, an egg roll and a boudin ball. The ball was tiny. In and out and back on the road in about 20 minutes. Destination Lake Charles. read more

Wonderful! Many unique items. A full grill, serving breakfast and lunch. It is a actually a gas station, with a bakery inside, with delicious lemon meringue, & coconut cream pies, large bunt cakes, pastries, and big cookies. They even have boudin, sausages, sandwiches, & bottles of local wines, with a large selection of Cajun seasonings, and frozen crawfish and other frozen items. They have perfectly cookable healthy Lousiana rice, books about Louisiana and about Louisiana cooking. Cajun lifestyle, history, beautiful, dishware, unique gifts, toys & puzzles for the kids, pralines and sweet candies and so much more! read more

French Market Express is a solid stop in Natchitoches, especially if you're in the mood for pastries. They offer a little bit of everything yam cakes, beignets, and Tagos, which I tried. The Tagos were pretty good; basically a scone or biscuit with a filling, depending on how you see it. The staff is friendly, and even when it gets busy which is often the line moves fast. It may look like a simple convenience stop from the outside, but it offers much more, including grab‑and‑go salads and plate lunches. and plate lunches. read more

French Market Express - Blueberry Tagos - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

Loved the bakery! The cookies were excellent. And the selection of candy was awesome. Staff is very friendly

The food was just ok. Unless you are a regular, the process of ordering and getting your food is confusing. Small store with a few crowded tables. read more

The French Market is a popular gas station but has more to offer like food, gifts, etc! their customer service is absolutely the best when you're a taurus or just traveling and their mostly knew for there amazing hush puppies, meat pies, and louisiana Yam cake... the ambiance atmosphere is friendly like lively! To sum up everything it is a perfect convenient gas station. read more

French Market Express - Food bar - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

The food is delicious! I had my doubts because it's at a gas station, but it's clean, there's table seating, the counter displays the wide variety of goodies available, the staff is great and helpful, then there's the food!! I had the meatball sub on French bread. I'll be craving that for a while. I also had a gingerbread man, in APRIL!! Warm spices made it delicious, it was fresh, just soft enough to have a little bit of chew. It was perfect! read more

Was in town for an important morning business meeting with some locals and decided I should bring some goodies and coffee for the group. My first stop was FME and they did not disappoint! I dropped in the night before to get some dinner and asked if they could accommodate and they were very accommodating indeed! They suggested numerous appropriate items and were also able to provide coffee. The next morning I came in and everything was ready, they even let me take a coffee pot thermos dispenser thing with me with no deposit, and helped me load my car. All the items were a hit, including the Kolaches. Outstanding service and product, I'll definitely visit again. read more

This place has a little of everything, including good, simple food like the hamburger I had. Hot and tasty with fresh, toasty bun and crisp veggies. And the selection of pastries is vast. Lots of wines to choose from, boudin, prepared meats, and more. It can get crowded, but the workers are fast and friendly. Don't skip this place because it's in a "convenience store". read more

French Market Express - Hamburger - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

This is a fantastic stop right off the interstate. They have a huge selection of foods, drinks and desserts and also have fuel pumps. I ordered a bunch of different foods and it was all really good. I highly suggest the crawfish pies - they are similar to empanadas and super delicious. All the food I got was only $40 which I could hardly believe. For a quick gas stop and some sandwiches you can't beat it. I'll definitely be stopping next time I'm in the area! read more

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Oh my, we loved the meat pies and crawfish pies here! I would really like to try some more of the hot and fresh comfort food that they have the next time we are in town. This place is pretty convenient if you are staying at one of the hotels that are near the highway and you don't have time to make it into the downtown area or if you are just passing through. I will never pass up this place if I can help it in the future. I enjoyed the meat pies immensely and they are a very special Natchitoches treat and are great to heat up in your hotel microwave later. I was very impressed by the friendly service and they have souvenirs and treats unique for Louisiana. I would definitely return! read more

This place looks a little run down from the outside, but the inside is surprisingly clean and a great place to stop in if on a long car ride or just in the area. They carry the usual gas station supplies as well as local souvenirs and some great food. We had two Natchitoches Meat Pies and some yam mini muffins. Meat Pies are a local delicacy - and they are delicious! Ground beef mixed with onion, bell pepper, and a variety of spices make for an excellent bite to eat. I highly suggest stopping in and stretching your legs here, and while you're at it, fill up the tanks in your car and in your belly. read more

French Market Express - Meat Pie - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

Of course I had to stop at the French Market on my way back to Dallas. The city of Natchitoches is the perfect place to stop for gas, food or fun & the French Market is your One Stop Shop. You name it they have it ( ready made food or food made to order, dessert, groceries, snacks, drinks/DRANK, books, clothes, souvenirs etc). Usually when we stop in I just buy either a po'boy or one of the regular meat pies (which are always good). Today I saw they had Christmas ornaments, so I had to indulge. I've never seen an actual book as an ornament before. So cute and functional. Whenever I have kids I can surely not only put it on the tree, but read it to them. If you've never been in or through this town I highly encourage you to visit. read more

French Market Express - Book ornament - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

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Don't get the hype. Gas station food. Worst chicken cracklin I've ever had. Over seasoned and stale. Not good at all. Very average po boys. I've decided you can't get good food in this state north of I-10. read more

I'm a Lasyone's man but the fam prefers FME for meat pies. They're so good, I'm cool with it. Tasty, traditional boudin and boudin balls. Very good king cakes in season. Surprising regional wine selection for a fuel stop. read more

French Market Express - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

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Service is great each time I come. People are kind and they have a lot of great Louisiana staples in way of the products they sell, and the hot bar/pastries. I make it a point to stop here each time I pass through. read more

This market is popping and hopping. It has its own bakery and kitchen, and a place to sit and dine. Plenty of people to help behind the counter. Must stop just off the interstate in Natchitoches. read more

It's not your average highway rest stop. Though we stopped here strictly for gas, the French Market Express quickly won us over as a must-visit on our return trip from the Baton Rouge area with it's interesting food items and French Bakery. Really though, it's all about the Togas. And by that I don't mean the Roman garment. Toga is also a pastry, sugar glazed and cheese filled. The girl behind the counter said it was the best thing in the store and she was not wrong. The last thing we expected to find along the interstate in Louisiana was a French bakery. But the glass case was full of freshly baked goodness. The store has seating in the center, surrounded by a surprisingly diverse selection of wines (for a road trip?). Natchitoches is a college town, and i suspect much of their customer base is local. We stopped first for the gas, but came back for the Togas. I can guarantee that, should we pass this way again, we will come for more! read more

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Great place to stop if you're on the road. Great service and food. Richie suggested his custom Grilled Chicken Hot Sandwich and it was delicious! Will be stopping here anytime I come this way. read more

Usually a great experience but now a trip to the hospital, ordered a regular meat pie and received a crawfish one.

It has immaculate service and is amazing!it is literally amazing my son lives their food

The Yam cake is the shiznit! They sell it in a tiny muffin, like one bite, also in a small loaf (thats what I got) its about 5-6 bites, they also sell it in cake size like for the whole family. This looks like the average gas station on the outside but on the inside everything is made with love. They also have fine wines, liquor, etc. This is a Natchitoches landmark. read more

Delicious road stop food! Great service, and be sure to try the alligator smoked sausage!!

Got the Roast Beef with Gravy sandwich. Gravy and beef were almost non existent. Bread was puffy and definitely not the baguette it was advertised to be. Their homemade loaded tater tots (larger than store bought), were pricey at $1.25 each. Lots of fried food options . Quite expensive, crowded. Probably not worth the bother. read more

Good variety of food options, drinks and coffee. Friendly service. Touristy ambiance.

This was our first stop on our trip from Dallas to New Orleans and it was a great first impression of Louisiana! On the way to the bathroom my boyfriend tripped and broke his leg and Richard helped fix it back together! Just kidding, that didn't happen but we enjoyed our short but eventful visit. They have a wide variety of products and a lovely bakery that's hella affordable. We got one snickerdoodle and one red velvet cookie for $2! They were delicious! Richard was a great employee and had great hospitality :) read more

Food is pretty good so are the sweets however the workflow is the worst i have ever encountered. Over 10 minutes to grab my already made grab and go items when they could have handed them to me as soon as i pointed them out. Place was not even busy. Workers just seem extremely lazy with no urgency. A wait is expected if ordering something to be prepared or at a restaurant. Not grab and go from a gas station. Nothing express about this place read more

Yes it's a gas station right off I-49. But it's way more than that! Excellent hot bix food like meat pies, boudin, catfish, fixings, and amazing sweet treats! Plus way more souvenirs and such than your typical roll in and roll out gas stations! Definitely go in, browse, and grab a snack! read more

The was perfectly seasoned and crispy. The meat was a perfect balance of spice and flavor. Definitely a place to stop pick a quick meal. read more

French Market Express - 2 spicy meat pies and a 2 piece catfish - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

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Headed back home for a week and stopped in for my apple fritters to take with me and for the first time a grilled chicken spinach wrap that the ladies recommended. I've never had one but it was amazing!! read more

French Market Express - Grilled Chicken Spinach Wrap - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

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Traveling through Natchitoches and just lucked into this one on way out of town. Sits just off I-49 by truck stops, c-stores and hotels. Amazing. Got fried fish and crawfish meat pies that were all excellent. Didn't order any of the fresh baked goods but must say they looked amazing. This place is a real find and was very busy. Not surprising. read more

This was what a large order of sweet potato fries look like... I'd hate to know what a small order is. I paid near $8.00 for this little bit of waffle fries... nor was it what they advertised. They advertised regular cut fries. Absolutely, not stopping again. read more

French Market Express - Waffle Cut Fries... Absolutely not what I ordered, nor what was advertised. - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

I don't understand why there would be a 4 star review. My vote is 3 stars and that's a stretch. Surly service at the food line- no French bread for a po-boy- I'm ok with that but you don't have to repeat that loudly - I got it the first time. If you don't order from the cafeteria line plan on a wait.. Freezer full of meat pies and crawfish pies (all for sale) so if you think the meat or crawfish pies you are ordering were handmade, just remember the freezer... Nothing is priced so you could easily spend nearly $10 on 3 pieces of catfish filets- no idea what the sides cost. Overall ok food for a gas station. read more

When we're traveling on I-49 to and from Texas, French Market Express is a great place to stop! We can fill the car up with gas and fill our bellies with a bite to eat. The restrooms are scrupulously clean, with that just-cleaned fresh smell - not what you'd expect from a convenience store restroom. They've got your usual gas station snacks in great quantity - chips, candy, beef jerky, and so on. But what sets this apart is the hot line. Meat pies and sandwiches and sausage, oh my! Ordering might make our rest stop just a little longer than usual, but the food is yummy. I'd rather grab a couple of boudin balls on the road than a McWhopperKingOnator any day. They've got bakery items, too. The cookies are really, really good. And if you want a bottle of wine to take with you, they've also got a good selection of that. (Just don't drink and drive, y'all!) Souvenirs, good food, clean restrooms, lots of snacks - French Market Express is the Buc-ee's of I-49! read more

Sooo good. Anytime I am driving through, I make sure to stop! I've always just gotten a meat pie (crawfish or spicy meat), but I decided to try a yam cake today as well based off the reviews. And again, sooo good. I wish I would've tried it sooner! It was not overly sweet or overly heavy with the spices. I loved the slight coconut and nut components and of course the frosting on top! Everything here always looks absolutely delicious, but it's hard to pass up getting a meat pie. They are great and not even just "great for a gas station great." Like really and truly great! It is quick and affordable, and I will continue to choose it on my drives. And yes, they do serve food items at night as well. Note: You order with someone behind the counter then walk to the register to pay and pick up your items. read more

French Market Express - Meat pies (spicy meat and crawfish) - Convenience Stores Near Me - Natchitoches, Louisiana

One must stop here when in Natchitoches. Get your meat pies, pralines, beignets, pastries...nom, nom, nom! I'm amazed at how cheap gas is in Louisiana compared to California - WOW! The best time to visit this charming little town is around Christmas. Beautifully decorated homes around the holiday season, brings so much warmth & joy to my heart. 'Til next time ~ cheers & see you on Yelp (SYOY)! read more

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I stopped in and discovered another world of convenience stores. They have all kinds of food, 3 tours of meat pies, sausages, etc. I'm currently sitting in my car eating a crawfish meat pie which is yummy. They have books, a large variety of wine, etc. They even have nice cakes for birthdays or special occasions. Oh and the bathroom is clean read more

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I came in for dinner one night after I saw that they had a fill kitchen. I was suggested a po'boy and some boudan to try because I am not of the southern populus. So i order an egg roll boudan style and a shrimp po'boy. Both were great. If i had any common sense i wouldve tried some dessert but i was a bit skeptical of the food from a gas station. I definitely need to go back to try something else. read more

Had meat pies- crawfish not my thing. Spicy beef tasted better but more heat than I expected. Might do regular beef next time. Po boys - grilled shrimp tasted boiled, didn't have any flavor. Will probably do fried shrimp next time. All produce and dressing on po boy were great. Choose French bread and they seemed to have crisped up the outside edges which was a nice touch. Cajun fries- one large order good for 2-3 people. Crunchy and tasty. Tasted good by themselves and also dipped in a side of remoulade. Sweet potato fries- softer than Cajun fries but tasty. Yam cake- got a slice to share, moist, pecans give nice texture, reminds me of a moist spice cake. Vote was to repeat it next time. I'm torn between returning to the cake or trying their soft gingerbread man which is also supposed to be good. Service- kind, friendly, fast, patient with lots of customer questions. Appreciate all of you! Glad stopped here. Thanks for a worthwhile stop. Also love all the Cajun story books and bedtime stories. read more

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Amazing and friendly staff everytime I visit. The food is always great. Place is very clean and organized. It has a little of everything!