From Downtown to Mid-city: Scratch Farm Kitchen Doubles Space & Taste in New Lafayette Location

A fresh chapter begins for Scratch Farm Kitchen, the beloved local eatery renowned for its farm-fresh ingredients. After serving the Acadiana area for 4 1/2 years from its Downtown Lafayette location on Garfield St., Scratch Farm Kitchen is making a monumental move to Mid-city Lafayette.

Slated to open its doors within the week, the new establishment is located at 2918 Johnston Street, offering a central spot nestled among Lafayette's most storied neighborhoods. The new home for Scratch is poised directly across from Moncus Park, with owner Jamie Harson hinting at possible picnic basket offerings during a recent restaurant tour.

Serving as a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality, just about everything in Scratch Farm Kitchen is, true to its name, made from scratch. Collaborating closely with local farmers and growers, the eatery ensures that the freshest ingredients grace the plates of its customers. Regular culinary decisions pivot around the seasonal availability of produce.

The move to Mid-city isn’t just a change of address but promises a whole new level of comfort and expanded offerings for patrons. One of the most notable enhancements is the introduction of three air conditioners in the new Scratch space. The initial 1500-square-foot space in Downtown faced challenges in terms of climate control. Summers saw employees grappling with the heat, and several customers had to be turned away on particularly sweltering days. Such climate challenges are now a thing of the past.

But that’s not all. The new Scratch Farm Kitchen will not only enjoy enhanced climate control but will also boast double the seating and kitchen size. The enhanced space aims to address previous limitations in both volume and variety of cooking.

"We were driven to upgrade the entire Scratch Farm Kitchen operation by the sheer demand from our clientele," remarked Jamie Harson. The upcoming Johnston Street location promises a coffee and wine bar, a broader selection of baked goods, ready-to-take food items, and other culinary delights. Harson also teased some unique delivery options, details of which will be unveiled in due course.

Members of the nearby Red Lerille’s Health Club will find the location perfect for grabbing a nutritious bite before or after their workouts. Extended operating hours are also on the cards, with the eatery currently aiming to be open from Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Harson, reflecting on her journey, mentioned, "All I ever wanted was for people to have access to good food. Little did I know it would manifest in the form of a full-fledged restaurant." For Harson, feeding her patrons is akin to feeding family, underscoring the love and commitment she pours into the venture.

Scratch Farm Kitchen embodies the essence of "homegrown", both in spirit and practice. They predominantly source from local farms in Acadiana and Louisiana, ensuring that every dish is a celebration of the region's rich agricultural heritage.

But with new beginnings come new challenges. Harson playfully noted, "When the sky is the limit, it makes it harder to set boundaries."

To stay updated on their exciting journey and offerings, follow Scratch Farm Kitchen on Instagram at @scratch_that_midcity.