It's a lively spot serving authentic Cajun and Creole food, and you can tell everything is made with care. The jambalaya, their "Jammin on the Bayou," is excellent, packed with flavor and a real taste of Louisiana, and the brisket burger is amazing too, hearty and cooked just right. Don't skip the beignets either, other guests were raving about them. The portions are generous and the service was over the top even when the place was packed. Atmosphere was also relaxing and fun which was awesome! Everything tasted fresh and authentic. This has quickly turned into one of our favorites in Sanford! read more

The Bayou has quickly become one of the best places to eat in Sanford! It had been on our list for a while and now it's our favorite! The interior is cute and fits the New Orleans vibe. The tv is playing feed from New Orleans and it's cool! The decor is very Mardi Gras centered. Our food was outstanding. The blackened shrimp appetizer was out of this world. We also enjoyed the Cajun fried rice and oyster poboy. Everything was seasoned and flavored so well. We dined on a Friday night and it wasn't busy at all. The staff members were nice, specifically our server, Jordan. The food came out fast. Make sure to give The Bayou a try! You won't regret it. read more

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So this is going to be a mixed review. I will start with the good. The food was fantastic. We tried several things and liked them all. The drinks were strong and if I was just judging food the rating would be much higher. The vibe in here was strange. It kind of gives church food hall decorated for Mardi Gras. Our server was horrible. She kept forgetting things. At one point we asked her for a drink, she left us then started taking shots at the bar and then had to be reminded of the drink when she came back 10 min later. I liked the food so much I might go try the Lakeland location but the service in Sanford was really bad read more

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Service was fantastic. The server was super kind and patient. Inside, it looks super cute, very Mardi Gras style The food looked super nice, but the flavor wasn't really there. I'm not sure what was happening, but it tasted like it needed salt to enhance the flavors or something. The chips with the burger tasted like they were re-fried, which is not an amazing flavor, and they didn't have salt on the table. I'd suggest always bringing a little condiment basket to the tables when it's time for the food The drinks look good, but the flavor was blah. They were very watery. We did have a little issue with one of the plates, and they were super kind and apologetic about it, which was really nice read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

Stopped in for a different Sanford experience from my usual haunts. The food was excellent as was the service. The ambiance was definitely lunch time spot in New Orleans, which was fine. 10/10 I recommend. read more

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Nothing like great Cajun food at an affordable price. Everything was delicious, and especially wonderful place to visit because of the excellent service by our server Alea. Will be going back again soon and I recommend you try this joint as well if you haven't. read more

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This was a truly unfortunate meal. We were in Sanford for the seafood fest when a lovely gent mentioned the redfish at The Bayou being to die for. After exploring the fun options, we decided to follow this fun guy's rave review. Boy... that was a giant mistake. We arrived around 2:30 pm so we didn't expect a vibrant crowd but it was pretty dead. We asked about beverages and the lovely server informed us that they were out of almost everything, the drink menu wasn't accurate, and she could just tell us what was on tap. Okay.. that's fine and we picked some reasonable beers. Then it all fell to hell. Hubby asked for the dinner with redfish only to have the server look at him dumbfounded and say she didn't know if they had it. Okay.. I asked for the crab cake appetizer with a side of fries. They have multiple loaded fry options on the menu. They had no fries. None. No redfish either. Hell, pretty sure they didn't have catfish either. We opted out of any entrees and just got the crab cakes (sans fries). Stopped by the ladies potty and it was super stinky, though still manageable. What wasnt manageable were the doors with broken locks and the toilet seats that slid across the bowls when you tried to tinkle. It's pretty when you look toward the sinks. It's vile when you sniff toward the pots. The crab cakes finally arrived and smelled/looked delicious. Alas, looks are wildly deceiving when the chef flips the BLACKened cakes so that you don't see it, but you sure as heck tasted the epic char of loneliness. I don't know what to make of this experience because many have had a lovely meal. They were understaffed (the server was a lovely darling), they were severely under-prepared, and the chef tried to hide an epic fail of a dish by flipping it over. Do I think I others should try it? I actually do. They have had good reviews and this was weird. Will I be back? No, that's very unlikely. I wish them the best but this was a fairly epic fail. read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Looked good on top... - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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From the moment we walked into Bayou Kitchen & Lounge, we had an amazing experience. The food was absolutely incredible fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Every dish was packed with authentic flavor, and you could tell everything was prepared with care. What truly made our visit stand out was the exceptional customer service from Lex. Lex was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely made us feel like valued guests. She checked on us regularly, made excellent recommendations, and ensured our drinks and food arrived promptly. Their positive attitude and professionalism elevated an already fantastic meal. If you're looking for outstanding food and top tier service, The Bayou Kitchen & Lounge is the place to go. Be sure to ask for Lex they'll make sure your dining experience is nothing short of five stars. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I enjoyed some food from The Bayou at the food trucks in downtown Sanford and let me tell you that the shrimp bowl did not disappoint! It was refreshing but also had a little bit of kick to it. The team working the tent was very friendly and they brought my order over to me once it was ready. I've heard many mixed things about The Bayou but now I'm excited to try out their Sanford location next time I am in the area and enjoy the vibe! read more

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I've been trying to make time to come in for dinner since the grand opening in Sanford...finally made it! We were seated right away on a Saturday evening which was great, was about half way full, asked to sit at another table and they said they were reserved, by the way they were empty the entire time we were there...but I digress. Ordered the Gumbo, crab cakes, Salmon and a Margarita. The Gumbo was said to be seafood but it had no seafood flavor, despite that it was good. Crab cakes were my favorite, they were delicious very little filling just the way I like it! The Salmon was really good also, lots of flavor even without the toppings that they had on there. Margarita was not that good, wish they used fresh ingredients rather than the artificial flavors. Service was not the best, felt rushed in ordering even though they weren't busy. Also, the waiter kept getting interrupted by other staff members. Ambiance was ok not what I expected, but the food was good! read more

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Food was excellent. Service was grand! Had the Bayou Fried Rice and collard greens. The others had the red fish and catfish. Got to sample them all. Fried Okra too, the bomb!!!! read more

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Heyyyyyyyyy you guyyyyyyyys!!! Let's get right into it, I've been hearing about a New Orleans cuisine coming to the area and this is it. They've been around about 7 month now, seems they have another location in Longwood. We opted for a cocktail of Hennessy with lemonade. We paired that with the Nola baby chargrilled oysters which were delicious. Apparently Thursdays you can get a dozen oysters for $21 so we'll def be back on a Thursday. The decor is casual, this could easily be a place to go with family. Staff was limited but friendly and welcoming. Let's eat!! read more

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lobster mac, big easy shrimp, lake pontchartrain red fish. all amazing bread pudding double amazing read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Great service - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

Located in the heart of downtown Sanford with free parking near by. The restaurant has traditional tables and bar seating. Visited for a pre-fixed special, the price was great which included an appetizer, entree, desert and a free daiquiri. Everyone was nice but the service was a bit slow. The night I went the restaurant was full so that may have impact. Recommend making a reservation for popular days. In terms of the food it was a hit and miss for me personally. I enjoyed the salmon pasta but didn't love the crab cake appetizer. The daiquiris were very strong, so 1 or 2 will get the job done if that's what you are looking for. This place has alot of potential read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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Upsetting experience, not for families. Our food took an hour to arrive and when it did it had been out so long that our food was stale from being out so long. We asked for a high chair twice and never got one. I assume they don't have them but no one told us that and our server was so inattentive we couldn't even ask him. The floor to the restaurant was the stickiest floor I've ever been to in a restaurant. Once the food arrived it was very salty. The best part was the kids meal chicken tenders (actually amazing) We will not be coming back here again, which is super disappointing because we wanted to love it and support This local business. read more

Weirdest review I have ever written, but keep reading to understand. We did NOT get to eat here, as I have a crazy allergy; Old Bay seasoning. I'm unfortunately they use it in most dishes or the cross contamination factor from the cooktop they use left me with no choice but to leave. BUT the waitstaff was so sweet and kind about the whole issue I would tell you to try them for just that! I will also say that while there we saw several dishes all come out looking delicious and happy customers commenting on how great their food was. I would send others, just not gonna be a place for me. I will say it was inviting inside and had good space for the diners there. read more

All the dishes we ordered were delicious! Crab cakes were bomb! Chef didnt skimp on the crab meat! Thats how it should be! The cajun fried rice definitely had a little kick to it. Sloppy nola was huge and full of meat. My daughter ordered 3 appetizers: hush puppies, lobster bites and cajun spinach dip. She was happy she ordered all appetizers for different variations. My son ordered the lobster mac n cheese and he killed it eventhough the serving was huge! Service was good, Jaclyn was friendly and fast. Will definitely come back! So glad they opened im sanford. read more

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Came in for their $10 Lunch Special. Much better than what $10 can buy at any fast food joint. Awesome service and even better food, everything was absolutely delicious. This will be our new lunch spot, for sure!! read more

The Bayou Kitchen - $10 Lunch Special, Bayou Southern and Jammin on the Bayou - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

Well, well, well, after visiting their Longwood location for the first time, I was a bit disappointed in my expectations. It seemed like they weren't quite ready to open for business. I was quite saddened to witness how another customer was treated when he was asked to move to another table simply because he was dining alone. The restaurant didn't seem very busy at the time, making it seem unnecessary to ask him to relocate. The way the situation was handled didn't quite reflect the warm and welcoming atmosphere I believe the staff strives to create. There are gentle and more understanding ways to explain why a table that seats six needs to be kept available for larger groups. Additionally, it would have been better if the communication had been more discreet and considerate, rather than spoken aloud across the restaurant from behind the bar. We ordered, ate our meal and desert, and no large group came ever came in. Now, let us discuss our dining experience. The menu was consistent with that of the Longwood location; however, they did not offer a cocktail menu because they haven't had the chance to print it. If we were unfamiliar with the beverages, we would have had no idea what to order. Regarding ordering time, the food at Bayou Kitchen was good, but I was a bit put off by the service. When I asked to keep a menu in case I wanted to order more later, the waiter told me they had to collect them after the initial order because the menus are new and they don't want them to get dirty. I understand wanting to keep things nice, but it felt a little unfriendly. It would have been more enjoyable to be able to look back at the menu during the meal. Hopefully, this is something they reconsider, because the food itself made me want to try more. Our meal was pretty good. We ordered some Hushpuppies, a Shrimp Po'Boy with fries and Shrimp with Grits, which was nice and creamy, though the portion was small. Both dishes deserved 5 stars overall for taste. We wished we had the cocktail menu to see what other options were available, but we ordered what we knew. Lemonade on the Bayou was great as usual. Swamp Water was also good, and tell them to add a splash of pineapple instead of orange juice. read more

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Wow! They hit it out of the park today. Excellent food, fast and friendly service and an impressive atmosphere. I had the chicken and waffles which were so flavorful and cooked to perfection. We sampled the best grits in town as well. I highly recommend the Bayou in downtown Sanford. read more

The food was delicious. Not my first time here. Each time l try something new. Some of the best food in town. read more

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New favorite place! Went for dinner last night with my family and everything was wonderful. Service was 10/10. Megan and Jordan were awesome! Very knowledgeable about the menu and so kind and welcoming to my kids. The food was delicious. We had the Voodoo Balls, the Red Beans, Jammin On the Bayou, and my kids had chicken tenders and fries. Everything was so yummy and came out very quickly (I will note that if you don't like spice this may not be the place for you.) We went on a Wednesday night so it wasn't too lively, but there is a stage so I'm sure when the live music is there it's a party. We will for sure be back to find out! read more

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Came to the Bayou for lunch and had such an amazing experience. They have 10 for $10 meal deals and the food was excellent. I had a shrimp po boy that even the pickles tasted good on it! Excited to try the rest of the menu as I come back! Service was great and the music and vibes were awesome too. Highly recommend read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Shrimp Poboy - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

Shrimp lo-boy...../shrimp were ok, bread was stale. Waitress was pleasant and timely. No iced tea at lunch time. No lunch specials available as in the past. I would rather write a better review but after 3 visits I am disappointed with the Sanford location. read more

This place serves very tasty authentic New Orleans cuisine. Our family enjoyed simple cozy Mardi Gras inspired ambiance and friendly service. read more

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Absolutely fantastic! As frequent travelers to New Orleans, we can spot the fakes. This place is LEGIT. Music is on point. Some deep cuts from New Orleans big names... read more

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Gumbo that SOOTHES THE SOUL! Whenever I am sick I come have a bowl of their delicious gumbo and it always gives me the warm fuzzies. It has the perfect level of spice and always helps me feel better. The salad is always fresh and tasty as well. The servers take good care of me and the music is always jamming. Both locations are GREAT! read more

The Bayou Kitchen - $10 lunch special. Gumbo and salad - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

I haven't had a chance to go to the Sanford location as of yet the Longwood location is delicious. I love the food. I've never had a bad meal here. The staff is friendly welcoming. They're always accommodating as well and the drinks are delicious. read more

Nonchalant manager and rude waiter. Came here to visit for first time after my doctors appointment in Sanford. As a person who has visited New Orleans numerous times I'm rather disappointed in food. Tough brisket, overcooked rice and bar didn't have necessary tools to create hand crafted drinks on menu. Definitely wouldn't recommend eating here if you want authentic creole food read more

This place has potential as a Sanford mainstay. Really appreciate their lunch specials. Have been a couple times and enjoyed the po boy and a chicken dish. read more

The food is great! I got the voodoo balls, gator bites, and red beans and phenomenal! The people that work here are great too! I can see this place quickly becoming a hangout during football season! I highly recommend eating here. Keep these wonderful local restaurants in Sanford! read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

Absolutely delicious! Me and my husband came before and we couldn't even get in and the wait was so long so we decided to come back on a weekday when it was slower. It was worth the wait! Food was fresh and homemade. 10:10 recommend read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Shrimp and grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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Red beans and rice- So savory and well portioned. Gator bites and Bayou Balls were also top tier, well plated and good portions. Not pictured because we ate them SO fast but beignets.. chefs kiss. Would get them over Café Du Monde any day! Super welcoming with plenty of space to hang out and not rush through a meal. We'll definitely be back! read more

Great atmosphere and food. Great Louisiana style restaurant. We will be back. Customer Service is wonderful.

Shrimp basket is a must and the service is great I love it for lunch the special is half price between 11am and 2pm

The Bayou Kitcken is an intimate setting bursting with delectable food, phenomenal people and service, and a lively vibe reminiscent of the French Quarter. Besides the succulent dishes, a stellar jazz band was cranking out tunes to live by. Nothing better than tantalizing food, and music that transports you to round out the experience. I ordered the Big Easy Chicken and fried okra. The blackened chicken was tender, juicy, and lucious. Sun dried tomato and spinach cream sauce blanketed the chicken and jasmine rice. The dish was unctuous, savory, and well balanced, highlighted by the umami that mushrooms provide. It was the best dish I've had in a long time and actually put some fine dining establishments chicken dishes to shame. I think I just found my new "Go-To" restaurant! Whoa, almost forgot about the okra...it was seasoned to perfection and "crunchified." No slimy okra drama there. The Bayou Kitchen's okra can turn people with a distaste for okra to okra enthusiasts. Try it...even Mikey would love it, for those who get the reference! Okay, beignets!!! A guilty pleasure worth the calories. Eat some now and save some for later. The beignets reminded of the best NOLA beignets; while also nostalgically, the zeppoli's I grew up enjoying. I could go on and on, but tasting is believing and I'd bet FOMO is not your style, so reserve a table and treat your taste buds now. Also, stay tuned because I also have the Red Velvet Cheesecake that is calling my name, but not today. Lol read more

Cute new place for cajun food in Sanford. I had the red beans and rice and they were delicious! The service was good and our server was very friendly. read more

The food was absolutely spectacular. We had the shrimp for starters and I had the jambalaya. I loved every minute of it. Service was also great. The food got to the table without a long wait. I also enjoyed the atmosphere. Overall 5 star experience for me. read more

The Bayou Kitchen - Jambalaya - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Sanford, Florida

I stopped in for lunch on Sunday and I really enjoyed the jambalaya. Terrence made excellent suggestions and provided awesome service. Will definitely be coming back to try the fried rice. read more

Good food and service. Nice vibe and the place looked well put. Definitely could come back