Bayou Bakery Celebrates 15 Years Of Serving Sweet Southern Fare In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Founded by Louisiana Chef David Guas in 2010, Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar and Eatery has been charming Arlington foodies with southern sweets and a selection of savory casual eats for 15 years.

To mark this anniversary, Bayou Bakery will be serving celebratory promotions on Thursday. The first 100 guests who visit the cafe after its 7 a.m. opening will receive a free order of Baby Beignets. At lunch, the restaurant will offer a Soup + Sandwich Combo for $15.

Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar and Eatery, which is located at 1515 North Courthouse Road, is open Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

To learn a bit more about the bakery's 15-year journey, Patch asked Guas to answer a few questions about his experience starting and running a business in Arlington.

First, how does it feel to be celebrating Bayou Bakery's 15th anniversary?

As I look back on the 15 years at Bayou Bakery, what it took to get open and those that have helped me along the way, I have nothing but deep gratitude for all who have been there for us from the beginning and continue to support us now. It is with deep sincerity from our team to all of you that we say — Thank you. My heart is full and I feel so connected to my community — now more than ever.

What events over the last 15 years stand out to you, good or bad?

Looking back to 2020 and the onset of the pandemic. This was a true test of myself, the restaurant industry and our community. Taking a leap of faith, I sprung to action on the day when everything shut down, to launch the first local rapid relief response to feed families and students reliant on the public school meal plan, providing free, nutritious, plant-based meals.

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When I looked around my Bayou Bakery home, I knew my staff would also be affected and countless others. We truly went rogue, cooking in a make-shift kitchen outside the restaurant. This relief effort grew into a far-reaching, highly-coordinated initiative Chefs Feeding Families, co-founded with Real Food for Kids. Hundreds of thousands of meals were made for those in need, while also keeping our restaurant workers employed. This would not have been possible without the support of my community. I have dear friends, neighbors, and loyal guests that share similar values and who wish to lend a hand to those in need. A positive of all of this when it brought us closer together.

What did you set out to do 15 years ago?

Before opening Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery, I had left a corporate position with Passion Food Hospitality, to complete my first cookbook, "DamGoodSweet," which dove into desserts of New Orleans, providing a meaningful narrative of my hometown’s food culture. The overwhelming support for the book made me realize there was no New Orleans place in the DMV that nurtured that same feeling. It set me off in search of the perfect place that would be receptive to the warmth and hospitality of my city. I’ve always felt very strongly about the culture of Louisiana, so at Bayou Bakery it is all about sharing the authentic food, the music, the ambiance, and the energy that people possess down there. The concept was always going to be something that was specific to what I grew up with. For me, food tells a story, so it energizes me to cook something soulful and meaningful.

How has the restaurant changed over the years?

We will always stay true to the foundation of southern and New Orleans cuisine, but time has given me the opportunity to open a window into the other food cultures that influence my hometown’s cuisine. Over the past eight years, we have proudly showcased dishes from New Orleans’ “sister city,” Havana, adding not just one or two specials, but dedicating an entire day, every Wednesday, to Cuban culture. We hope to give under-represented places a louder voice.

We’re always refreshing the decor and striving to innovate the menu. We continue to expand our user-friendly offerings with efficient, online to-go ordering, catering, and pop-ups, like our annual Christmas Corner featuring edible gifts for the holiday season. But, what remains constant is our commitment to supporting local producers, sourcing from Farmers Markets and regional purveyors. Like New Orleans, with its deep roots in history, we adore our relationship with the George Washington Gristmill team at Mount Vernon, providing our custom grits and cornmeal. It’s been incredibly gratifying to develop these meaningful relationships over the years and share these heritage ingredients with the community.

Where do you see Bayou Bakery going in the next 15 years?

Even though I am spreading the love with Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen, my new place in McLean, Virginia. I will always remain invested in Arlington, Bayou Bakery is my “first born.” Not to say, it’s my favorite, but maybe I should. The first-born child is the one who teaches the parents new life skills and what it taught to me was patience, commitment, community, and the importance of giving back. For the next 15 years, those core values will only be furthered and deepened.