I-20 across Louisiana

[Milt]

We have a trip planned which will take us from Atlanta along I-20 to Shreveport, then north into Arkansas. What would you recommend along the way? We will be in travel clothing, so places convenient to the interstate and reasonably casual would be appropriate. We eat anything. Quality is far more important that atmosphere or what type food or cuisine.

[Mayhaw Man]

Just for the record, this is a repeat from another thread concerning I20-but the answer really belongs here.

If you have to stop in Monroe (my hometown, so I don't want to be overly critical here) there are a few places that I would reccomend, but not many-although these are really good and long established

The Warehouse #1-a seafood place on the Ouachita River. Interesting building (old cotton warehouse) and really good food. Great place for drinks if you end up spending the night (if that's going to be the case, let me know-I can list some entertaining things to do, believe it or not). This was also the site of my first rest. job. I waited tables and bartended there for a long summer through the opening of the place. It was like a drug. I wanted more. Opening restaurants is hard work but a hell of alot of fun.

Cascio's Seafood-Sicilian Italian Creole (yes, this is a real style-google on Mosca's and you can find a description of the cuisine style)-really good. Order Trout Tony-trust me on this one.

Enoch's is a great bar owned by an old hippie cat named Doyle Jeeter. Good pub grub and sometimes great ive music from Southern Traveling acts. I saw the Black Crowes in Enoch's a very long time ago.

Davebr is probably going to help you out with Shreveport. He lives there and owns a couple of restaurants in Shreveport. I have pm'd him for some recs.

[davebr]

One great casual spot is in Minden, LA. It is 20 miles east of Shreveport/Bossier and the exit says "Dixie Inn". Go north for about 2 blocks and on the right lies "The Crawfish Hole #2". INCREDIBLE crawfish. Huge and wonderfully seasoned. They also have great crawfish pies and a twice stuffed potato smothered in crawfish etouffe.

In Bossier, at the Hamilton road/Ilse of Capri exit, take a left and on the left in the Ramada hotel, The second best asian restaurant I have ever been to(nobu NYC being first) is in that hotel. Its called the Lucky Palace. They have some typical Chinese/American dishes. But they also have a seperate menu with more creative asian food--Whole steamed fish, Korean shrimp pancakes, Roast duck with steamed buns, Dungeness crab with black bean sauce, and of course The "David's Prawns" named after yours truely. The wine list has about 200 selections and Lim the owner is more than capable of helping you pick out a bottle.

My restaurant is by no means stuffy, but the food is upscale and contemporary. We have been reviewed 3 times in 4 years by the newspaper and recieved the highest rating for food, service ,and atmosphere each time. Its called Bella Fresca and the food is a blend of America. Some asain, some italian, french, but always a touch of the south in every dish.

I hope this helps. Also if your into wine stop at the Delta exit. Its the first one when you enter Louisiana. Go to the Chevron on the south side of I-20. Cases of Siver Oak on the floor, and just crazy wine all over that little truck stop. Its too funny.

[Mayhaw Man]

I hope this helps. Also if your into wine stop at the Delta exit. Its the first one when you enter Louisiana. Go to the Chevron on the south side of I-20. Cases of Siver Oak on the floor, and just crazy wine all over that little truck stop. Its too funny.

Man! I forgot all about that place. My wife's families farm is in Sondheimer (don't look on a map, but it's right there) and we used to buy beer there all the time. THey had an incrdible selection, as the business is based on people driving across the bridge from Vicksburg and buying stuff that is not availablein Mississippi because many importers don't want to deal with MS arcane tax stamp law. Not enough volume in the whole state to make it worthwhile, although some of that has changed with the advent of Casinos all over the place. You can buy lottery tickets, tank up your car, and get tanked up at the same place. What a great state this is!

[SaltySnack]

I don't know how you are heading north from Shreveport, but If you take Highway 3 better known as Benton Road from Shreveport, (well, actually Bossier city) north to Hope,Arkansas, where you will meet up with I-30, you pass through Lewisville, AR. There's a little bitty restaurant called Burge's famous for their smoked turkeys. http://www.smokedturkeys.com Honestly, I've never eaten there and it's been a long time since I've made the drive in that direction.

Have you checked out Southern Living's website? I don't know if they list restuarants, but they usually do one page features on small towns around the south (including Texas and Oklahoma). That information may be accessible on their website, but you may have to register.

[davebr]

Ive eaten at Burges' and it was great. BBQ, sausages, smoked meats, tater tots and milkshakes. I was just thinking today, that if it rains tommorow and I cant play golf, Im goin there to pick up some grub.

There is a turn and a three way stop sign in front of the restaurant, that makes it impossible not to smell the smoker. You have to stop and eat.

[highchef]

I'm bumping this up to see if the information is still accurate. I'm heading there next weekend and am trying to find the best local resturant that I can. Cannot do anything not adolescent friendly. We cart these boys around 3 states to play soccer and I've vowed to research the area before hand due to horrible experiences recently in Miss..

I cannot really blame the resturants, each and every one of them here has had to cut hours and are operating on skeleton staff when they ARE open, but I don't want to wait 2 hours for crappy food either. A good barbeque place would be nice, or meat pies? What's the North Louisiana equiv. to a cajun cafe? What's the Sun. lunch/brunch place? I imagine that wine/gasstation/lottery outlet is still open?Thanks.

[Timh]

In Shreveport, if you see a Southern Made donut shop, stop immediately and get some(they have a lighted sign when just made). They are great fresh, tradtional donuts.

[highchef]

In Shreveport, if you see a Southern Made donut shop, stop immediately and get some(they have a lighted sign when just made). They are great fresh, tradtional donuts.

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I'll do that, and pass the tip along. Thankyou.

[LainerX]

Hi All, bumping this up again to see if info is still current and to see if anyone had more recs.

I am in Shreveport a lot these days as my boyfriend has moved here. We are always interested in trying new places. We have eaten at Bella Fresca and it was fantastic (thanks, Dave!). We look forward to trying Lucky Palace tonight.

Anyway, any new recs? I've heard something about a house-turned-soul food joint somewheres in the area? Anyone familliar with this?

[highchef]

I will be there weekend after easter as well, I hope someone helps us both out. I really would like a good soul food joint, let me know if you find it.

[shellfishfiend]

I haven't heard of a new sou-food restaurant, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I will keep my ears open.

One of my favorite places for casual food and atmosphere is Herby-K's. They are famous for their shrimp buster sandwich and they have a to die for gumbo. It is a small place, but one of our favorites.

There is a fairly new Thai place on Youree Drive that we like: Mary's Thai Kitchen. We don't know alot about Thai food, but we think what they serve tastes great and the prices are outrageously low.

[highchef]

Hi again, help please.

Shellfishfiend, please tell where is Herby K's?

Can you advise where a Southern Made donut shop is near here?

Thanks, we have big breaks between games on Sat.

[TAPrice]

Hi again, help please.

Shellfishfiend, please tell where is Herby K's?

A little Google sleuthing comes up with

Herby K's

1833 Pierre Ave.

Shreveport, L

(318) 424-2724

If you go, make sure to get onion rings and the shrimp buster. It's a great place.

[highchef]

Thank You!! I'll put the address in from our hotel (motel) and get directions asap. I don't know a cajun kid who doesn't like onion rings and shrimp po-boys!!

[Becca Porter]

If anyone ever has any questions about the Monroe/West Monroe area let me know...

[TAPrice]

Thank You!! I'll put the address in from our hotel (motel) and get directions asap. I don't know a cajun kid who doesn't like onion rings and shrimp po-boys!!

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The shrimp buster is actually something different from a po-boy. Before frying the shrimp, they butterfly them and then pound them flat. They become patties, more or less. You end up with a sandwich of shrimp patties with little tails sticking out.

For the life of me, I can't remember what kind of bread is used. Can somebody help me out on this one? It's been a few years since I was up in Shreveport.

[shellfishfiend]

Hi again, help please.

Shellfishfiend, please tell where is Herby K's?

Can you advise where a Southern Made donut shop is near here?

Thanks, we have big breaks between games on Sat.

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I think the directions below will get you to the nearest Southern Maid Donut location.

TAPrice got you the correct address for Herby K's. I would recommend mapquesting directions for it and going when there is still a little light outside. It can be hard to find, but is worth it. We were there last week and it was as great as ever. Everybody but me ordered the shrimp buster. I ordered my shrimp boiled (and they were great.) Don't forget to request Herby K sauce. My husband thinks the tartar sauce there is the best ever.

Driving Directions * - Show Directions by Shortest Distance

Turn Directions Miles/Kilometers

1 Start out going SOUTHEAST on FINANCIAL PLZ toward CENTRE DR. 0.28 MI / 0.45 KM

2 FINANCIAL PLZ becomes BUNCOMBE RD. 0.56 MI / 0.9 KM

3 Turn LEFT onto LA-511 E/W 70TH ST. 0.12 MI / 0.19 KM

4 Merge onto LA-3132 E. 2.54 MI / 4.09 KM

5 Take the WALKER RD exit, EXIT 3. 0.15 MI / 0.25 KM

6 Merge onto WALKER RD. 1.56 MI / 2.52 KM

7 Turn LEFT onto LA-525/COLQUITT RD. 0.27 MI / 0.44 KM

8 Turn LEFT onto MANSFIELD RD/US-171 N. 0.13 MI / 0.21 KM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Route Distance:

5.61 MI / 9.03 KM

Edited April 13, 2007 by shellfishfiend (log)

[shellfishfiend]

Thank You!! I'll put the address in from our hotel (motel) and get directions asap. I don't know a cajun kid who doesn't like onion rings and shrimp po-boys!!

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The shrimp buster is actually something different from a po-boy. Before frying the shrimp, they butterfly them and then pound them flat. They become patties, more or less. You end up with a sandwich of shrimp patties with little tails sticking out.

For the life of me, I can't remember what kind of bread is used. Can somebody help me out on this one? It's been a few years since I was up in Shreveport.

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IIRC, you can order a shrimp buster, or you can order a shrimp buster po'boy. We have never ordered the po'boy, so I can't speak to that.

The shrimp buster comes with what seems to be half a soft po'boy loaf, split long ways like for a sandwich, buttered and grilled. It also looks like it has been pressed to flatten it out. Some people re-form everything to be like a sandwich, and some eat it in its individual components.

[highchef]

Oh, My God..Thanks so much! I now have a schedule. It works! Thanks loads. all of you.

[highchef]

The shrimpbuster is to die for, but had to get them to go, this is not the best area of Shreveport to bring a bunch of kids into..besides, it's a bar, mostly at night (which explains why it took so damn long for the guys to bring it back!).

I'm mixed about the SouthernMaid dounuts...While hot I ate 1/2 of one and my driving friend ate the other half..we thought, while different, they were great because they were hot. Then I brought the 2 dozen of them to the soccer fields and every MAN (including team) thought they were the best dounuts they had ever had.

My senses told me as soon as I walked into the shop that vanilla was their signature. The donuts taste like you fried a piece of vanilla cake.

btw..the reason that donut is so popular,, is vanilla has been shown to be a real turn on for guys.

well, my guys thought it was the best donut they ever had.

I thought I had a bite of fried vanilla cake.

best 8 bucks spent this weekend.

edit: although...we froze our arsesses of .. this is the weirdest spring.

Edited April 16, 2007 by highchef (log)

[LainerX]

Yup, I just mowed down 3 Southern Maid donuts. Yummy. Actually, I took them in a bag to go, and then sat outside Starbucks with a decent cup of coffee to drink with them. Deeeelish. I agree that the regular old glazed one was the best.

We also did the Mudbug festival this weekend. The crawdads from Shavers were fantastic. And, well, I had much beer.

Tonight we will either go to Herbie K's or to the Lucky Palace. I'm rooting for Lucky Palace.

[joiei]

Yup, I just mowed down 3 Southern Maid donuts.    Yummy.  Actually, I took them in a bag to go, and then sat outside Starbucks with a decent cup of coffee to drink with them.  Deeeelish.  I agree that the regular old glazed one was the best.

We also did the Mudbug festival this weekend.  The crawdads from Shavers were fantastic.  And, well, I had much beer. 

Tonight we will either go to Herbie K's or to the Lucky Palace.  I'm rooting for Lucky Palace.

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Hope you opted for Lucky Palace, it is one of my favorite places. Either way, how was dinner?

[davebr]

I am in Shreveport a lot these days as my boyfriend has moved here.  We are always interested in trying new places.  We have eaten at Bella Fresca and it was fantastic (thanks, Dave!).

Anyway, any new recs?  I've heard something about a house-turned-soul food joint somewheres in the area?  Anyone familliar with this?

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Thanks! Im glad you enjoyed my restaurant. Did you ever go to Lucky Palace?

The house turned soul food shop---There is a place called Fullers. Its not listed or do they have any of the proper licensing to be a cafe. But, it is very good. Take youree and turn east on olive heading into the shadey neighborhood. Take a right on freewater and go about a block and look on the left for the house with a big garbage can in front of it. great cornbread, pig feet, pork chops, greens, ect... Go for lunch.

My favorite things at Herby K's are the gumbo(file) and the fried oysters and onion rings of course.

[LainerX]

Dinner ended up being warmed leftovers at home due to the fact that my boyfriend got home so late. Now I'm back in Michigan, so another outing will be a while.

I will be back in July and we *WILL* hit Lucky Palace then.