A biscuit crossed the basin

Here’s the thing about Parish Biscuit Co.: if you’ve spent any time in Lafayette, you already know the pull. People make the drive to Coolidge Street, wait in line, and eat a biscuit worth the trip.

Baton Rouge residents have had to take their word for it—or cross the Atchafalaya to find out for themselves. That’s about to change.

Parish Biscuit is opening on West Lee Drive within about two months, sliding its Louisiana-influenced breakfast and brunch menu into a stretch crowded with national quick-service chains.

The draw does begin with the biscuit. Parish makes them 17 ways, many named for South Louisiana parishes. The Vermilion keeps things simple: fried egg, American cheese and sausage or bacon. The Allen is for people who believe breakfast should require structural engineering: a fried boneless pork chop, fried egg, smoked sausage, tasso gravy, bacon jam, green onions and fig preserves.

The menu stretches well beyond biscuits: bread pudding bites, duck empanadas, omelets, salads, burgers, spiked coffees and mimosas.

General Manager George Monsour says lines do form on weekends in Lafayette, but owner Steven LaBorde has built a system that keeps the food moving.

“It’s more of an elevated experience inside; it’s not your morning greasy diner kind of joint,” says Monsour, who will manage the Baton Rouge location. “It’s also quick service. People will not wait long for their food. Turnaround time is eight minutes.”

West Lee has plenty of places built to move food quickly. Parish Biscuit’s wager is that Baton Rouge will make room for one that gives breakfast a reason to linger.