Road trip along I-10W to I-49N - Eats between Baton Rouge and Alexandria

[CocoaNut]

I'll be making this trip mid-Sept and will be in no particular rush. Will have early lunch in N.O., then set out with a final dest. of Dallas. Plan to stay overnight somewhere between Lafayette and Alexandria.

For stretch between Baton Rouge and Alexandria, will be looking for good, what the locals eat Creole/Cajun-Acadian spots. It could be for leg-stretching snacks or, will also need ideas for dinner. Would prefer not to venture more than about 5 miles off either highway, but......

I've had someone rec Don's Specialty Meats - would like additional input.
Also Prejeans - Have looked at their menu, but it has way too many menu selections - looks like they're trying too hard to have something to appeal to everyone, ie, tourist trap food. I grew up on the coast in MS and have kept close ties, so know what's "right" and what's not.

Off-topic from the title - would also like a rec for lunch somewhere around Shreveport.

Thanks y'all!!

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Don's Specialty Meats
10 S Frontage Rd I, Scott, LA

Prejean's Restaurant
3480 NE Evangeline Trwy, Lafayette, LA 70507

[CocoaNut]

Just wanted to report back to say this trip never materialized. Thanks for the recs though. I'm sure I'll still be making the trip at some point, so will have this to reference.

[Littleman]

Get off I 10 at Exit 101 in Lafayette, LA then go S on Hwy. 182 which is N University. Go less than a mile to Creole Cafe for good country breakfast or plate lunch.

Creole Cafe @ 1227 N. University Ave., Lafayette, LA 337 - 266 - 4648.

Or get off I 10 at Exit 101 in Lafayette, LA and go S on Hwy. 182 which is N University. Go S on University and it becomes W University. Take a right on Johnston St. and go three blocks and take a right on W St. Mary Blvd. then go one block where you will find Old Thyme Grocery for good road food and the best po boys in LA.

Old Tyme Grocery @ 218 West Saint Mary Blvd., Lafayette, LA 337 - 235 - 8165.

Or get off I 10 in Lafayette, LA at Exit 101 and go S on Hwy. 182 which is N University. Go S on University and it becomes W University then it becomes E University. Go to Pinhook and take a right then go about 6 blocks to Blue Dog Cafe for great road food.

Blue Dog Cafe @ 1211 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA 337 - 237 - 0005.
http://www.bluedogcafe.com/

Get off I 49 at Exit 11 a few miles N of Lafayette, LA and go E on Hwy. 93 to E Martin Luther King Drive then go right to Catahoula's which is good road food open for dinner only and located in an old general store.

Catahoula's @ 234 East Martin Luther King Junior Dr., Grand Coteau, LA 337 - 662 - 2275.

Hotel Bentley in Alexandria is a 100 year old historic hotel that's very nice.

Hotel Bentley @ 200 Desoto St., Alexandria, LA 318 - 448-9600
http://www.historicbentley.com/

In Natchitoches, LA get off I 49 at Exit 138 and go E on Hwy. 6 which is University Parkway. Go past the University to the river and take a left on Jefferson then go N about 10 blocks to Church St. then take a left and go one block to Lasyone's Pie Co. for good road food for breakfast and lunch.

Lasyone's Meat Pie 622 2nd St., Natchitoches, LA 318 - 352 - 3353. I49/EXIT138.
http://www.lasyones.com/

Or get off I 49 at Exit 138 in Natchitoches, LA and go E on Hwy. 6 which is University Parkway. Go past the University to the river and take a left on Jefferson then go N about 5/6 blocks to The Landing Restaurant and Bar for outstanding creole cuisine for lunch and dinner.

The Landing Restaurant and Bar @ 530 Front St., Natchitoches, LA 318 - 352 - 1579. *
http://www.thelandingrestaurantandbar...

In Shreveport, LA get off I 20 at Exit 8 on Hwy. 526 which is W Bert Koun's Loop and go S a to second street which is W 70th St. take a right and go about a mile to Jan's River Restaurant for good seafood and good road food.

Jan's River Restaurant @ 7675 West. 70th St., Shreveport, LA 318 - 938 - 5026.

In Shreveport, LA get off I 20 at Exit 10 and go S on Pines Rd. to Westport Shopping Center and Becca's Steak and Seafood for outstanding cajun road food for lunch and dinner.

Becca's Steak and Seafood @ 6715 Pines Rd., Shreveport, LA 318 - 686 - 2811.

Near Kilgore, TX take Exit 583 off I 20 S on Hwy. 135 to Hwy. 31 which is several miles S of I 20. Take a right and go a few miles to Farm to Market # 2767 and take a right to Country Tavern BBQ.

Country Tavern @ TX 31 and Farm 2767, Kilgore, TX. 903 - 984 - 9954.

[CocoaNut]

WOW Littleman! THat's some serious information. Thanks!!

[CocoaNut]

Wanted to bump this up in hopes that someone in west/central LA will see it, or maybe someone KNOWS someone who could make a rec along this route........

[deepfriedkudzu]

Let me see if I can help.

I love Prejean's. As in, loooove Prejean's, especially at night when they have a band playing and it's really loud and busy and there's just something about it. I've eaten there about a dozen times and ten times it's been amazing and twice it's just been 'eh'. I still recommend it.

Of course, Prejean's is in Lafayette, and the fastest route to Alexandria from BR is to go from BR to Opelousas and then up 49. On the route between BR & Opelousas is Livonia, and that's where Joe Dreyfus Store is. http://www.joesdreyfusstorerestaurant.com/ That is some ***incredible*** food. If you decide to go that route, do not miss it. And do not miss their bread pudding under any circumstances.

Not far off 49 close to Alexandria is Lecompte, where Lea's is, and they are known far & wide for their pies. I think the last time I was there I had lemon and it was crazy-good. http://www.leaslunchroom.com/

I've had great boudin at a Chevron station in Alexandria but can't remember the location. My favorite boudin in the state is at Rabideaux's II in Iowa, which is on the west side of the state.

For Shreveport:
Hickory Stick - specializes in beef bbq and I liked it a lot (very casual restaurant
)I've not been to Herby K's or Strawn's but know people who love them
There's a wonderful Italian restaurant there that I need to think of the name of. It's unique.

There is a steak/seafood restaurant there that I am crazy for and can't remember the name of right now. I'll update when it comes to me.

Hope this helps get you started!

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Prejean's Restaurant
3480 NE Evangeline Trwy, Lafayette, LA 70507

Hickory Stick
4448 Youree Dr, Shreveport, LA 71105

Rabideaux's II
105 Highway 165, Iowa, LA 70647

[CocoaNut]

deepfriend, Joe's sounds and looks great! - found references on another review site and there were pictures. That looks like what I'm looking for! and thanks for the reference. If you think of anything else...... I'll have a cooler with me, so if there's something I just can't miss, but have already eaten, there's nothing wrong with getting a to-go for another hungry time!! ;)

I had someone mention Turk's Cypress Inn in Alexandria - do you have anything to offer on it??? Same person gave a thumbs up on Herbyk's in Shreveport.

Thanks again! I was beginning to think I'd have to go hungry through that stretch!

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Cypress Inn
5212 Airline Dr Ste A, Bossier City, LA 71111