About Rita's

Originally opened in 1931 by the Francois  and family, Rita's Quick Stop is functionally one of the oldest Cajun Specialty Meats Shops in continuous operation. Bayou Des Cannes on one side, Crawfish ponds and farmland on the other rule the landscape.

Thomas and Rita Hewett purchased the store in 1993. The Hewett family purchased it to keep its legacy alive and make sure things didn't change. As a cornerstone of our small Cajun community, the store held a special place in their hearts. It was a big commitment but an easy decision to go into business there. We are from a small, tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone’s name. We take pride in our Cajun heritage and would like to share our tradition with you.

At the heart of that tradition is our smokehouse, which has been there through several generations. Slow-smoking meats over pure hardwood, never cutting corners. Our sausage and beef jerky are made using the same time-tested recipe that’s been in use for over 80 years. That recipe is bold, simple, and unmistakably Cajun. 

It ain’t fancy—it’s just real Cajun smokehouse flavor like your Pawpaw used to make, a secret weapon for any Gumbo, Jambalaya, and almost any other Cajun dish, or just on the Pit.