[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 16 (Friday, January 30, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S672-S673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                 RECOGNIZING BILLY'S BOUDIN & CRACKLIN

 Mr. VITTER. Madam President, many of our Nation's small 
businesses are well-regarded for their ability to truly showcase the 
local culture, food, and heritage. Small businesses have a unique 
perspective and opportunity to take advantage of local recipes, 
ingredients, and flavor profiles that allow them to provide regional 
favorites for residents and tourists. Without a doubt, one of the most 
remarkable aspects of Louisiana is our delicious, extraordinary 
cuisine. This week, I would like to recognize this truly special piece 
of Louisiana culture by honoring Billy's Boudin & Cracklin of Krotz 
Springs, LA, as the Small Business of the Week.
  South Louisiana has created its own genre of Louisiana cooking. With 
traditions and recipes handed down through the generations, the charm 
and flavor of Acadiana is undeniable. Billy's Boudin & Cracklin was 
originally founded in 1995 as a convenience store. It was not long, 
however, before Billy Frey and his father-in-law decided they needed to 
incorporate something in their store to set them apart from the 
competition. The brilliant addition of a family boudin recipe bolstered 
the success of their store to what we know today. Two short years 
later, Billy expanded their thriving business to the nearby city of 
Opelousas and purchased a popular local grocery store, Ray's, to 
establish Billy and Ray's Boudin. Maintaining the local charm, the 
Frey's purchased Ray's secret boudin recipe and added it right onto the 
new store's menu.
  Recently, the business expanded once again to the ``Boudin Capitol of 
the World'' in Scott, LA. What started out as a small convenient store 
has turned into a regional favorite, with over 3,000 pounds of boudin 
made daily between the three stores. In addition to the original boudin 
links, Billy's offers boudin in the form of balls, pistollettes, 
rollups, and sandwiches. They also have shipping options so nonlocals 
can enjoy authentic Cajun boudin and cracklins from across the country. 
The Boudin Balls have become a signature of the business, with around 
1.7 million of the regular and pepperjack-filled balls sold yearly. The 
famous boudin recipe is so coveted that

[[Page S673]]

only a select few people are in the know. In fact, this is taken so 
seriously that each member of the staff must sign confidentiality 
agreements before learning the family secret.
  After 20 years of thriving business in the area, it is no surprise 
that the Lafayette Daily Advertiser awarded Billy's Boudin & Cracklin 
as one of the ``Best Boudin'' places in their annual ``Best of 
Acadiana'' contest last year. It is great to see small businesses like 
this share our State's rich traditions with both Louisianians and 
nonlocals. Congratulations again to Billy's Boudin & Cracklin for being 
honored as this week's Small Business of the Week. I look forward to 
trying their delicious boudin soon.

                          ____________________