Celebrating Natchitoches Meat Pies
What is a meat pie? Is it like an empanada? We were not sure. So, we headed Natchitoches, Louisiana to find out all about Natchitoches meat pies! Meat pies have history in Natchitoches, and they have been celebrating that history for 17 years.
We arrive in historic Natchitoches around 7 pm on a Friday. The Meat Pie Festival combines with the Annual River Run on the Cane River which has been going for 20 years. This year’s theme was “Summer of ’69.”
Music at the Meat Pie Festival
American Petty, a Tom Petty tribute band, was playing on the Riverbank Stage in Downtown Natchitoches. The concerts are free, and you can bring a chair, blanket or sit on the grass.
Bands played all weekend, and a schedule was posted online so you would know who would be on stage. The bands added a fun vibe to the festival, no matter whether you sat to rest and listen or if you listened while enjoying the art, games and meat pies.
Louisiana Artists at the Festival
The vendors varied from artists with original artwork, such as Rick Kom, and Cajun Frame & Art, as well as candles, wreathes, soap and jewelry. Children’s vendors offered light up, carnival type toys. Bounce houses and train rides also were highlights for kids.
One vendor, Cajun Frame & Art has fun and colorful works, and they can be found at festivals and events in the Southern Gulf states. Check out their FB page.
Rick Kom’s work is beautiful! The details and talent that go into his unique and beautiful pieces is simply amazing. Many people forget to stop and see the details, be in the moment and appreciate the beauty around them. Rick’s work is unique and a tribute to nature in our world but especially in his world, which is Louisiana. Rick’s website gives some background about his process and you can contact him via his email. His Facebook page can be found here.
This was definitely a family friendly event. Kids rode the train and burned energy in the bounce houses while parents watched and enjoyed music from the bands with the Cane River as a background.
Natchitoches Meat Pies
Meat pies were the main fare offered, but boudin balls and funnel cakes were very popular as well. We had to check out the boudin balls, and they did not disappoint. We also got some Cajun Crawfish Fries, which are made from Mama’s Oyster Housesidewinder fries and spicy cheese sauce with crawfish, chives, bacon bits and jalapenos.
Alas, we are back to the main question that brought us here: What is a meat pie? The answer is that a meat pie is NOT an empanada. It isn’t spicy, but it is wonderful! The meat is a mix of beef and pork, and is very tasty. If you do not like empanadas because they are spicy, you would probably love Natchitoches meat pies.
We had the seafood meat pie as well, and while it was good, our favorite was still the traditional meat pie. You can find the original recipe for the Natchitoches meat pie here.
If you are not handy in the kitchen, you can always make a trip to Natchitoches to try one at some of the local restaurants. If you make that trip to Natchitoches and like craft beer, be sure to check out our blog on The Cane River Brewing Company.
Let us know if you have ever had a meat pie and your favorite type of meat pie? Are you meeting us in Natchitoches next year to try your first meat pie?
