Just off North U.S. Highway 281 in Marble Falls, The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant has quietly turned into the Hill Country’s go-to comfort stop for thick gumbo, charbroiled oysters, and hearty plates of red beans and rice. Owner Willie Monnet Sr. and a kitchen crew steeped in New Orleans traditions cook from family recipes and keep the menu heavy on Creole staples. Regulars rave about the generous portions and the warm, church-rooted hospitality that keeps them coming back.
As reported by ATX Eats, Monnet says the restaurant grew out of a New Orleans church community that evacuated after Hurricane Katrina and wanted to give something back to Marble Falls. “This is the real New Orleans style restaurant,” Monnet told the station, noting that many of the cooks picked up their skills in French Quarter kitchens. The ATX Eats profile underscores how that shared history shapes both the menu and the mission.
From Katrina Evacuees to a Hill Country Staple
The backstory stretches to 2006, when members of the Smoking for Jesus ministry opened a cafe in Round Mountain after relocating to Texas, according to the Austin Chronicle. The Chronicle detailed how congregation members ran the cafe, poured Community Coffee, cooked family recipes from New Orleans, and gradually built a loyal following. That origin story helps explain why many diners say the food feels like a connection to both a city and a community.
What to Order
The Real New Orleans Style menu sticks close to Creole and Cajun comfort: gumbo, crawfish étouffée, Pontchartrain with fish and smoked sausage, and a Category-style seafood platter, along with house desserts such as bread pudding listed on the restaurant’s online menu. Charbroiled oysters and well-seasoned fried chicken are also favorites among regulars. Full hours, daily specials, and ordering details are posted on realneworleansstyle.com.
Community Role
The Real New Orleans Style team has stepped up during local emergencies as well. During heavy floods last summer, Derrick Curtis of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department told ATX Eats the restaurant provided meals for first responders. Monnet told the outlet he sees the restaurant as “a shore sign of endurance” and hopes the concept will eventually spread across Texas. For now, neighbors say having authentic New Orleans cooking within an hour of Austin is a welcome addition to the Hill Country dining scene.
The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant now anchors a busy stretch of N. U.S. Highway 281 in Marble Falls. Visitors can double-check hours and ordering options on the restaurant’s site or on local listings such as Visit Marble Falls. Walk-ins are common, although weekend evenings tend to draw the biggest crowds.
