Thanks for visiting French Market West site. We appreciate all our guests and work hard to give you a one-of-a-kind experience — both
online and in our restaurant.
Like many restaurants, our story started from humble beginnings. The original owners, Chuck and Gail Baldwin, opened the first French Market
in Surrey Center shortly after they quit their jobs and gambled a move to Augusta, Georgia in 1983. With a lot of restaurant management experience
and a fortuitous road trip to New Orleans, the two, along with Craig Calvert, seized the opportunity to serve authentic, Cajun and Creole food
locally in Augusta.
Chuck used his restaurant experience, along with friend Mary Mauldin’s recipes, to dazzle the locals. By 1997, with the help of Carl Swanson
and Frank Chirkinian, a second location was born.
The newest location, French Market Grille West, was a huge success thanks to Executive Chef, Jim Beck. Jim brought his expert management,
Atlanta restaurant experience, and culinary skills — including some secret time-honored recipes — to the West location and transformed it into
something special.
By 2003, Jim took advantage of the opportunity to buy Mr. Chirkinian’s shares. Then in 2006, he purchased Mr. Baldwin shares with one
caveat — keep the restaurants similar for integrity purposes. Today, Executive Chef Jim Beck and his mentor Carl Swanson, are exclusive partners.
Almost twelve years after opening its doors, the French Market West is considered the crowning pearl in a sea of restaurants. Its unique
Cajun and Creole cuisine, combined with an atmosphere usually found only in New Orleans, continues to set it apart.