Spatula Diaries: Where to get your gameday boudin balls

Photo courtesy Maggie Heyn Richardson

Boudin links are great—we all know that. But boudin balls are better, because as we also know, what pork and rice really need is to be deep-fried.

This weekend, as LSU fans across the state prepare for the game against Auburn, many will stock up on Cajun charcuterie’s greatest guilty pleasure. Whether you tote your boudin balls to your tailgate in a grease-stained paper bag, or on a behemoth disposable platter gilded with parsley, boudin balls are the pinnacle of gameday finger food.

I fell in love with boudin balls all over again after I figured out how to make them for my book, Hungry for Louisiana, An Omnivore’s Journey, which includes a chapter on boudin lore. But I still love to pick up a sack for myself, or a tray for parties, and leave the frying to someone else. There are probably few things in life that are as bad for you as boudin balls (OK, maybe hard drugs or drunk driving), but you have to admit, they’re charming. Like boyfriends you know you need to get rid of.

Maggie’s go-to spots for boudin balls

For your weekend satisfaction, here are four sources for boudin balls in greater Baton Rouge. These places are well-plied with other Cajun meat products as well, including cracklins, links, jerky and smoked sausage.

Benoit’s Country Meat Block
7151 Highway 1 South
Addis
(225) 749-3869
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
benoitscountrymeatblock.com
Pork boudin balls are 6 for $4.99 and are sold in party trays of $25 (approximately 2 dozen) and $50 (approximately 5 dozen). 

Bergeron’s Cajun Meats
760 LA Highway 415
Port Allen
(225) 338-0921
7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Bigger-than-a-golf-ball boudin balls come in pork, seafood or pepper jack, and are priced at .89 to .99 each. Can be ordered in any amount on a party tray. 

Ronnie’s Boudin and Cracklins
9830 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge
(225) 216-7151
7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
ronniesboudin.com
Specializes in pork boudin balls. Price is 3 for $1.99 or 50 for $30.

Tony’s Seafood
5215 Plank Road
Baton Rouge
(225) 355-2172
tonyseafood.com
Pork, shrimp and crab or crawfish boudin balls in a diminutive size. Price is a dozen pork for $4.80, or a dozen shrimp and crab for $7.80. Available in party trays.