Our story unfurls in Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana, where the air is filled with the distinctive aroma of a century-old culinary tradition that warmly embraces you. At the heart of this tradition comes Mrs. Helen Wheat. Multiple of her family favorite recipes are still found in local gift shops. Her spirit and flavors are embedded in the joy people experience when indulging in her family’s delectable pies.

The narrative of Mrs. Wheat's family moved to New Orleans in the late 70s where they opened a family-owned restaurant, "Wheaty's Meat Pies & Curly Fries". Their menu showcased the authentic flavors of Louisiana through their renowned “Meat Pies” and “Crawfish Pies”. In 1985, Joe Sampite, the then-mayor of Natchitoches, endorsed Mrs. Wheat’s as the “Home of the Original Natchitoches Meat Pies”. Their authentic Louisiana recipes swiftly captivated the community, solidifying their status as local favorites at major Louisiana events like the New Orleans Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, the 1984 World's Fair.

Mrs. Wheat’s son Jim Wheat realized that their modest restaurant would soon be unable to meet the rising demand, prompting him to take the initiative. In 1985, he opened a manufacturing facility in New Orleans, gaining approvals from both the USDA and FDA. For over four decades, Mrs. Wheat's Foods has stood as a culinary landmark in New Orleans. This locally owned, family-run business symbolizes the might of family, tradition, outstanding flavors, and resilience.

Yet, life always has a way of testing resilience and had a stormy twist in store. The wrath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in US history, ravaged New Orleans and the operations of Mrs. Wheat's. However, this setback didn’t mark the end. Mrs. Wheat’s emerged stronger, with a state-of-the-art facility that surpasses all USDA & FDA regulations.

Today, the story continues with the torch being passed from owner Jim Wheat to his children, who now oversee the daily operations. They uphold the tradition, ensuring each pie encapsulates the legacy of the Wheat family, combining exceptional taste, culinary brilliance, and a touch of Southern hospitality.

Fun Facts:
Wheaties told us not to use Wheaty’s for aa restuarants name Ted’s S from Ted’s Frost Top help fund Jim’s vision on producing meat pies on a higher level Helen Wheat loved playing cards on Wednesday Night & she was great at playing Bridge.