June 2025’s new openings and spots to watch in Baton Rouge: Court to Table, Dave’s Hot Chicken and more

June may have brought hot temps to the Capital Region, but it brought even hotter new concepts and restaurants to the local scene. Yep, things are heating up with these new business debuts. 

From a Nashville-hot, LA-born chicken chain that opened with a drone show to a cookie shop on wheels, there’s a lot to talk about. Check out these June arrivals and other spots that made their way onto our radar recently. 

Did we miss a new eatery or biz? Have a hot tip? Email us at [email protected].

Dave’s Hot Chicken

640 Arlington Creek Center Drive 

Fried-and-true chicken chain Dave’s Hot Chicken landed in Baton Rouge, opening the brand’s first location in Louisiana on June 20. The buzzy franchise opened in the Capital Region with graffiti walls, neon signs, DJs and drone shows. Locals responded by hopping in a line that wrapped the building for opening day. On the menu, find a no-frills selection of monstrous tenders, sliders, chicken bites, sides and loaded shakes. Customers can pick from seven different heat levels, defined as: no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot and the trademarked “Reaper,” which requires signing a waiver. 

Cookies By Freddie

Parked in the Acadian-Perkins Plaza shopping center 

A new cookie food truck featuring sweet staples and unique creations is rolling in the Capital Region. Cookies By Freddie officially opened June 28. Expect to find it parked in the Acadian-Perkins Plaza shopping center in place of Crawfish on the Geaux. The truck will serve eight cookie flavors—four classics: chocolate chip, cookies and cream, lemon white-chocolate and white-chocolate macadamia; and four deluxe varieties: s’mores, praline, brownie-stuffed chocolate chip, and peanut butter and jelly. 

Boba ParTea

10190 Celtic Drive

The bubble tea shop, which debuted on O’Neal Lane back in March 2020, opened its second location at 10190 Celtic Drive this past Saturday, June 28. Situated near Celtic Studios and Costco, the shop boasts a range of bubble teas, sweet and savory baked goods, and cakes like tiramisu. The grand opening event kicked things off with an Asian street food fair and arts vendors.

Court to Table

7477 Burbank Drive 

Grab your paddles and get ready to dine, dink and drink at Court to Table, a new pickleball and restaurant concept on Burbank Drive. Opened on Sunday, June 29, the campus, sitting on about 6 acres, boasts 11 pickleball courts, with indoor and outdoor options, and a courtyard space, with lawn games and a live music stage. Worked up an appetite on the courts? No prob. Find a seat in one of two dining areas, The Kitchen and the Funky Pickle Bar. Feast on a full menu of shareables, plates, pizzas and tacos, all thought up by Ozzie Fernandez, known for his work at GO Eat Concepts brands like Rocca Pizzeria, Modesto Tacos Tequila Whiskey, Izzo’s and Lit Pizza. Stay hydrated with beers, craft cocktails and frozens, like a frosty espresso martini. 

 Also on our radar

• Dr. FeelGood expanded its local footprint in May with a second location at 19970 Highland Road, which formerly housed Aurora CBD & Hemp. The wellness shop’s new digs provide room for owner Heather Smith and her team to make smoothies, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, salads, juices and more.

• Philly Me Up, a popular family-owned Philly cheesesteak eatery, opened June 10 at 120 Bass Pro Blvd., Suite A1, in Denham Springs. Managing owner Josh Lee was approached by customers Briaunna Schexnayder and Tommy Riddle with the idea of selling franchises, and the loyal fans said they wanted to be the first in the expansion. 

• Bayes Oyster Bar debuted June 16 at 315 North Blvd. in the space formerly occupied by Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar. While the bones of Jolie Pearl remain, Bayes Oyster Bar emerges as its own brand with a new identity and decor. Old fans can expect some Jolie Pearl signatures on the Bayes menu, such as the chargrilled and Bienville oysters. Diners can also choose from sandwiches, boiled shrimp or a shrimp inside an oyster shell with chargrilled toppings.

• Spanish Town Market & Cofe opened its 110-year-old doors back on April 1 and officially grand opened June 28. The newly christened shop is run by Horatio Isadore, who owned the now-closed concept Southern Cofe. Expect specialty coffee drinks, grab-and-go items, lunch specials, pizzas, grocery goods and fresh meats.