From Fuel Pumps to Fried Shrimp: The Buddy B’s Origin Story

Let’s take it back—way back—to a time when a little gas station on Highway 44 in Garyville, Louisiana wasn’t known for gumbo or brownies... but for gum and gasoline.

Enter: Gary and Fege Boe, two lifelong River Parish locals with a vision, a whole lot of grit, and clearly no fear of grease—whether under the hood or in a cast-iron skillet. In 1998, the Boes traded in their gas pumps for gumbo pots and transformed a humble 1950s-era service station into Buddy B’s Restaurant, a now-legendary breakfast-and-lunch haven with the kind of Southern charm that sticks to your ribs.

And the name? It’s a family affair. Gary “Buddy” Jr. and Bridget “B” didn’t just inspire the sign out front—they inspired a whole legacy of Cajun comfort food and community.

What started as a roadside stop now serves up Southern staples like pork roast, crawfish pasta, shrimp stew, and burgers big enough to make your cardiologist sweat. Buddy B’s is more than a restaurant—it’s a slice of Louisiana’s heart, seasoned with history and served with a side of sass.

So the next time you’re cruising down River Road, just follow the smell of gravy and the sound of laughter—and pull in where the gas station used to be. It’s not just a pit stop. It’s a pilgrimage.

Hot tip: Come hungry, leave happier, and bring stretchy pants. Buddy B’s didn’t become a local legend by serving dainty portions.