New Sarpy

Twenty-one miles upriver from New Orleans, a rural hamlet called New Sarpy rests between the natural beauty of South Louisiana and the heavy industry of refineries along the Mississippi River. This rural enclave is home to many workers from the nearby plants and factories. The character of New Sarpy isn't much different from the early 1700s, when the area was settled by hard-working German immigrants who turned the wilderness into a vast swath of arable land. That land would be bought in the 1800s by Leon Sarpy, who lent his name to the town he helped put on the map. It's a great area for those who love to hunt and fish, and there's plenty of room to build a new house.

Homes in New Sarpy are generally found on large lots, leaving lots of room to play or to create a garden. Houses here tend to be traditional in design, and manufactured homes are abundant throughout the area. Other popular styles include Acadians, cottages, A-frames, and ranch-style residences. Dwellings come in all states of repair, so you can make your mark on one needing a bit of TLC. Prices range from $100,000 to $400,000 for a waterfront home with four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Students in the area attend some of the best schools in the state. New Sarpy Elementary challenges them to grow socially and academically through music and art. Named one of the fifty best public elementary schools in Louisiana by Niche, the facility keeps children engaged with activities like Grandparents Day, Muffins in the Morning and Donuts Day. There’s also a family literacy center to help everyone build reading and comprehension skills. Opened in 1982, Harry Hurst Middle School has a dedicated maker space and is a one-to-one technology facility, meaning each student works with a Google Chromebook to research and complete projects. Around for nearly a century, Destrehan High is rated the 11th best school in the state for athletes, and it's also highly regarded for its dual enrollment program with Southeastern Louisiana University.

Nearby, the Cypress Lakes Country Club welcomes golfers year-round to play its 18-hole championship course, which is known for its beautiful Bermuda grass fairways surrounded by cypress trees and wetlands. The challenging course features 17 ponds and 40 bunkers, but guests of every skill level are set up for success. In addition to playing a few rounds, visitors and members can swim laps in the pool or enjoy the tennis courts. After all that exercise, why not stop by the full-service spa for a bit of pampering?

New Sarpy has its share of places to eat, too. Regional chain Rotolo’s Pizzeria is part of a tradition dating back to 1996, when the first location opened. The casual Italian eatery makes its dough and sauces from scratch each day and sponsors a literacy program for local schools. Mitch Rotolo Jr. secured a world record for the restaurant at the World Pizza Games when he became the fastest dough thrower ever recorded. The pizzeria also had its iconic yellow cup featured in the film “Pitch Perfect.”

The Seafood Pot can be found along River Road and cooks up some of the best boiled seafood in the state. Serving lunch and dinner, the restaurant specializes in nicely spiced crabs, shrimp and crawfish. There’s also seafood gumbo, corn and crab soup, and the house specialty, crabcakes over pasta. Come take in the laid-back and friendly atmosphere while relaxing in the outdoor seating area. Then there’s the St. Rose Tavern. In business since 1950, the old-fashioned roadhouse occupies the former Migliore’s Food Store. Closed on Sundays, the eatery has a large selection of po'boys like fried oysters, shrimp or the regionally famous roast beef. Everything is cooked fresh to order, so don’t expect fast food here. Instead, enjoy a cold beer while snacking on fried mushrooms and let the kitchen prove why the food is worth the wait.

Found on the rural outskirts of New Orleans, New Sarpy provides residents with small-town charm at the junction of industry and nature.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Williams

Video By

Mark Barakat