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Jun 05, 2023

New Lafayette restaurant is revamping breakfast and late night dining

Late night dining in Lafayette just got a new addition. Shakebacks on Congress Street is adding a hipster touch to a Cajun brunch. Providing a unique place for true foodies to gather over midnight

Late night dining in Lafayette just got a new addition. Shakebacks on Congress Street is adding a hipster touch to a Cajun brunch. Providing a unique place for true foodies to gather over midnight beignets or fries loaded beyond belief. Shakebacks is hoping to shake up the local food scene

Owners Terrence Jeffery and Blake Fontenot opened Shakebacks last month with the goal of providing a new eating experience for Lafayette's young adult demographic. The term shakeback is often used to describe someone refreshing or trying again - the late night theme allows people to shakeback from any choices they made the night before.

"One day we were hanging out and it was late," Fontenot explains. "And we're like there's nothing really good to eat late night anymore. Mel's had burned down and the only other option was to wait in line at a drive- thru for 45 minutes to get something you know mediocre?"

The restaurant concept had been in the works since 2019, a few setbacks put some plans on hold. The duo was determined to open Shakebacks and over the past 10 months they've dedicated countless hours into getting this dream off the ground.

While making choices on the business, the location was a major factor. Located about ten minutes from the University of Louisiana campus and less than five minutes from Cajun Field and the Cajundome, they are near the pulse of college life in the city. The casual atmosphere will allow for students to study away from campus and grab some great food while they do. It's also located near the newest Chips Daquiri so customers can enjoy both in one stop.

Fontenot not only serves as an owner but as the head chef. He brings his more than 20 years of culinary experience to Shakebacks’ unmatched menu.

"Our food is brunch food, but the typical brunch crowd is not really our target demographic," Fontenot says." If you look at our menu you can try something new every visit. There is a build-your-own part. That way people who know what they want, can be like, 'oh, I want this, this, this, this, this'. Then we have a full menu of loaded fries, brunch specials and sweets for the people who can't decide on something."

“Breakfast and brunch is such a universal meal,” Jeffery says. "You can eat it at 8 o'clock in the morning or ten at night and it's still good."

Although they have only been open a few weeks the items that have been flying out the door include: the Cali Burrito, brisket loaded fries, chicken and beignet brunch and Zaza loaded fries. Fontenot and his kitchen staff are always fine tuning and finding new items to keep people coming back.

Shakebacks hopes to become your next late night or lunchtime meal destination. Their hours of operation are 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. They are closed all day Monday.

Shakebacks is located at 2464 W. Congress St.in Lafayette. Large pickup orders can be made by calling (337) 534-8086. Delivery is also available through Doordash. You can connect with them at www.instagram.com/shakebacks or www.facebook.com/SHAKEBACKS

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