French Market Grille

Little Guide Augusta • Eat Local • Pg. 47

The Story

French Market Grille has been serving Augusta the flavors of New Orleans since 1984, when the restaurant first opened with a focus on authentic Cajun cooking. Decades later, the same recipe book still guides the kitchen, and many guests arrive knowing exactly what they came for. Gumbo remains a point of pride, alongside po’boys, Crab Chops and the restaurant’s peanut butter pie. For many families, a meal here is tradition — some guests today are the grandchildren of diners who first visited in the 1980s.

The current owner grew up around French Market Grille; his father was the restaurant’s first manager when it opened. Owning it now brings the story full circle. That legacy shapes the approach today: quality comes first, even if it means removing an item rather than lowering standards. Monthly Cajun buffets featuring roasted alligator add Louisiana flair, while catering, business lunches and whole pies to-go keep the kitchen connected to gatherings across Augusta.