Post Hurricane SW Louisiana

[FistFullaRoux]

Anyone interested in a post Katrina/Rita thread?

[davebr]

I was thinking about driving down wednesday to buy some goods.

[SusanGiff]

Hi. Being safely ensconsed in the northeast, I couldn't contribute, but I'd certainly be interested to know what's going on down there, how things are going for folks, and what we might still be able to do to help.

Susan

[camilleboudreaux]

i am definitely interested, i am coming home from new england in 2 weeks and plan on doinf a lot of eating, and would love to give a regular contribution the post-diluvian state of eating in new orleans. would take pictures to boot.

[highchef]

Well, if you're coming to S.W. LA., then come along. The racetrack is open (although I could care a rat's butt, but then some do) and so is the new casino LaBerge DuLac. Which I hear has some decent resturants. I don't do casino's but have friends who do.

There is no Rabideaux's sausage available, there apparently is no Rabideaux's sausage building etc. to make it.

Cafe Margeaux is still closed, not expected to open until early next year. Sitting on a bayou has it's disadvantages. Margeaux's is known primarily by it's owner who I am happy to say, is a friend of mine. D.C. Flint is a master of wine, one of only 50 or so in the U.S.. He's a great guy who has a lot on his plate. He has had to gut the place, but he's busy with some wine deals so is not in dire straits.

The trees are off the streets, Cameron Parish is still somewhat under martial law in that the Nat'l Guard are very much a presence. People are literally living in tents down there. I'm sure they'll welcome the foodbanks etc. who'll be handing out hot meals (actually, they've never stopped them).

Lafayette is fine. Was there last month. Trouble is they've doubled in size, as Baton Rouge did. Lake Charles is almost normal except for traffic and lights and street signs. If you are planning a trip down here, please make sure you have a place to stay. Hotels have been at 100%. We still have Katrina victims (or the double hit ) around and they've nowhere to go, as well as our own residents who've been beaten up pretty badly. Rents are high, houses have gone up and there are help wanted signs on every single store......

fyi...pizza delivery stops at 6pm. I hate that.

[FistFullaRoux]

Well, if you're coming to S.W. LA., then come along. The racetrack is open (although I could care a rat's butt, but then some do) and so is the new casino LaBerge DuLac. Which I hear has some decent resturants. I don't do casino's but have friends who do.

There is no Rabideaux's sausage available, there apparently is no Rabideaux's sausage building etc. to make it.

Cafe Margeaux is still closed, not expected to open until early next year. Sitting on a bayou has it's disadvantages. Margeaux's is known primarily by it's owner who I am happy to say, is a friend of mine. D.C. Flint is a master of wine, one of only 50 or so in the U.S.. He's a great guy who has a lot on his plate. He has had to gut the place, but he's busy with some wine deals so is not in dire straits.

The trees are off the streets, Cameron Parish is still somewhat under martial law in that the Nat'l Guard are very much a presence. People are literally living in tents down there. I'm sure they'll welcome the foodbanks etc. who'll be handing out hot meals (actually, they've never stopped them).

Lafayette is fine. Was there last month. Trouble is they've doubled in size, as Baton Rouge did. Lake Charles is almost normal except for traffic and lights and street signs. If you are planning a trip down here, please make sure you have a place to stay. Hotels have been at 100%. We still have Katrina victims (or the double hit ) around and they've nowhere to go, as well as our own residents who've been beaten up pretty badly. Rents are high, houses have gone up and there are help wanted signs on every single store......

fyi...pizza delivery stops at 6pm. I hate that.

←

We're actually staying in Lafayette. Mom's house in Erath is still unlivable, and they are living in the camper in their back yard. Priceline.com does Lafayette now, and we got suites for $40 a night. Hotels aren't completely full, though they are busy. I guess any empty rooms aren't going to be filled with tourists anytime real soon, so they will take what they can get for them.

I do plan on making a trip through the southern part of Vermilion Parish to see about some relatives and some family property. I can't say I'm really looking forward to that. I'll take as many pics as I can and share what info I can come up with. I may or may not be able to post it until after the trip, though.

[My Confusing Horoscope]

Definitely interested in Vermilion, Acadia, and Lafayette parishes. I won't be down there until next May. Delcambre is where we get our supply of shrimp for the year up here in Maryland (head them at $3 a pound for the mediums, pack them in freezer bags with a little water, then freeze them--good for a year!). I suspect not next year if the shrimp fleet was damaged.

I heard the oysters are still good, so of course you will report from Abbeville about that?

Would also be interested in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles if you should travel there.

I suppose Henry, Esther, Intracoastal, PI, and Cameron are not the same.

What about Suire's grocery in Cow Island? Best turtle sauce piquante you can get down there at a lunch stop.

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck to your family and neighbors in Erath!

[FistFullaRoux]

Well, we're here. Apologies for no pictures, but the digital camera got left in Birmingham. Oops. Mea Culpa. We started seeing storm damage around McComb, MS coming in last night. Couldn't see much in the dark, but there was enough to see tree and sign damage.

Slept in a bit today after getting in at about 3am, and woke up famished. Went to Julien's on Ambassador Caffery for lunch so I could get my fried shrimp po-boy fix. My wife and I split a whole, delicious sandwich and a half order of fried meat pies. Both were superb. The sandwich was served with Zapp's Crawtater chips. They have gotten a little skimpier with the shrimp, but there was still a sufficient amount.

Lafayette and Baton Rouge look fine, if more crowded. I was sorry to see Woods and Waters near The Mall of Acadiana has closed. They were great. Kaplan, Intracoastal City, Gueydan, and the Islands are on tap for exploration while I'm here. I don't know if I can even get into Cameron Parish to see because of the sheer scope of damage there. I do know that only a statue and a church steeple were the only things in Holly Beach to survive. That's were Rita made landfall.

Did a little exploring on the way to mom's south of Erath. We went through Henry, LA on LA 330 and saw frightful damage from water, but not so much wind damage. But remember, Rita hit quite a while back, and a lot of weak trees and power poles were damaged and removed after hurricane Lili a couple of years ago. Luckilly, it seems that much of the sugar cane crop survived the saltwater and is being harvested right now. That was a bright spot on a pretty torn up area. There used to be thousands of cows, and we only saw a handfull. The large bales of hay used to feed them during the winter seem to be ruined. Feeding these surviving cattle will be a challenge this winter. Local authorities are asking for hay and feed donations from other parts of the country, and they are starting to filter in. In the Henry area, there was lots of debris along the roads waiting to be picked up. Refrigerators, carpets, cabinets, drywall... The usual suspects after water damage. Not much wind damage, but lots of campers in back yards.

After a quick visit with Mom, we came back towards Abbeville and saw that Champagne's grocery store (the only grocery store in town) was gutted (as was their other store in Delcambre) because of water damage. Abbeville itself has some sign damage remaining, but again, anything weak was fixed after Lili.

Supper was ultimate comfort food cooked by a friend that loves me. A fresh sausage rice and gravy, with green beans and corn. What's not to love? Homemade comfort food by a loved one is perfection itself. Who cares if the corn came out of a can, simply heated with a little butter? No fancy wines, no fancy dessert (We had cake trimmings. She decorates cakes and had a big bowl full of them. Pick them up and dip them into whipped cream, and life is good).

Tomorrow, my step-dad's should-be-famous rotisserie turkey, injected with butter and seasoned well, then turned over a charcoal flame. I am so looking forward to that, even if we will be eating on a picnic table. At least the weather is cooperating. 75 degrees and sunny tomorrow.

There's a lot to be thankful for in the midst of destruction. The important people in my life are alive and safe. The damage is being repaired as quickly as FEMA is letting them. Most of the local crops seemed to have survived somewhat (at least in Vermilion Parish), and people are getting back to bitching about the New Orleans/San Antonio Saints. My hometown is growing, if the presence of a few new chain restaurants and hotels are any indication.

More updates as I can do it. I may not do one tomorrow, as I think we are going to see "Walk The Line" with friends. I will definitely post this weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving. It could always be worse, right?

Edited November 24, 2005 by FistFullaRoux (log)

[SuzySushi]

Happy Thanksgiving!

Glad there's a home to go home to.

[FistFullaRoux]

Today was turkey day, and it was good. Thanks were abundant and heartfelt. Turkey and sweet potatoes and green bean casserole and rice dressing....

Yes, rice dressing. It's a Cajun thing. It's not stuffed inside the bird. Rice dressing is a dark roux base with chicken livers and/or ground beef, the trinity, and cooked white rice added to that base and simmered gently until the rice absorbs the flavorful liquid. My family uses mushrooms as well. The rice is precooked and added to the finished broth so it's not creamy like a rissotto, but the grains are not as dry as a a jambalaya.

The turkey, as mentioned previously, was bathed and injected with seasoned butter, then slow roasted on a spit over charcoal. The breast was more tender and juicy than the dark meat. So amazing. We were discussing carving techniques and asked me to show him how I did it. I carved and introduced my stepfather to the oyster behind the thigh. I am fortunate that he is very well versed Cajun cook and adventerous enough, but he normally sticks to the breast and drumstick. I took one and he had the other. He looked at me with newfound respect. The sweet potatoes were pre baked, then poached in a brown sugar and butter sauce. The green bean casserole was OK, but I'm not a big fan of it to begin with.

After completely stuffing ourselves and bitching about the Saints, we took a serving to my grandmother, who we hadn't seen in over a year. She didn't recognize my post gastric bypass wife. It was so good to see her. I love her dearly, but she doesn't understand anything over the phone, so I really hadn't had a chance to talk to her in a while. That visit was needed and good.

We bowed out of the movie tonight to catch up on some rest. Having trouble sleeping in a hotel, I guess. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant because it was open, and we were pleasantly surprised. The waiter was from New Orleans and the cook had been on the job forever. She was shocked when we asked to speak to her and tipped her generously for serving some fine food on a holiday evening. We had the chance to talk to them for a bit as we were the only customers for a while.

My wife had fried shrimp, which were frankly spectacular. The usual cornmeal had been eschewed for a basic flour coating. The shrimp were not overseasoned or overcooked. Simple perfection. I had a grilled catfish filet topped with crawfish etouffee sans rice. Oh. My. God. It's a very common dish that is usually quite good and a safe bet, but this was the best meal I have ever had in a hotel. One of the best dishes I've had in Lafayette, and that's saying quite a bit. The last bite on a full stomach was better than the first. This was the first dish I've ever eaten that did that. Simply great. The fish was a little crispy on one side and perfectly moist and flaky. My only complaint about the meal was the baked potato, which was still a little crunchy and served with Promise spread instead of butter. It still worked though.

Back to the room for a Lunesta and an early night. New start tomorrow when my brother gets here. He's gonna be pissed when he finds out I'm rooting against his adopted Texas Longhorns this weekend. This means I have to root for Texas A&M Saturday, and may cause us to end up on the evening news or Montel Williams. I look at it as rooting for LSU during the Longhorn/Aggies game.

He probably won't see it that way.

More travel and damage reports as they become available.

Edited November 25, 2005 by FistFullaRoux (log)

[davebr]

Tuesday I took a trip down to Lafayette to stock up for Thanksgiving. The first stop was at the French Market gas station in Nachitoches. The boudin was weak but the meat pies had the perfect amount of spice. Usually here in North Louisiana the meat pies need hot sauce but these were perfect.

Then we drove to the Old Thyme Grocery in Lafayette. The girl at the counter, whom I am convinced was flirting with me, recommended the Old Thyme Special. It was a poyboy that had roast beef, ham, turkey, cheese, ect.. I would have never looked at a menu and ordered that, but damn was that good. My sidekicks had a shrimp poy boy and fries. All was great.

From there we headed to Reese's grocery in Breaux Bridge. Ate some boudin that I graded A-. The casing was perfectly delicate, just a touch too much heat. I also bought some green onion sausage.

The next stop was supposed to be Touchet's. But it was closed. Since we were just around the corner from Poche's off we went. We ordered a snack of crawfish etouffe and rice dressing. The rice dressing is so awesome. It's not the usual commercial crap, where all you get is rice with some spicy ground meat. It has the livers and gizzards the way it is supposed to be--truely great! For my cooler I bought Andouille, crawfish boudin and a cornbread stuffed chicken. The later I served yesterday and it was very good. The dressing was a little gummy but the boneless bird had great flavor and held together well against the carving.

More on the day later..............

[davebr]

After Poche's we drove to Broussard to go to Billeauds. as we were getting off of the exit there was a place called Tiny Pruddohmes Meat Store. How can you not stop at a place with a name like that? I purchased a crawfish stuffed boneless chicken, some chicken jalapeno sausage, boudin poppers and cracklins. The chicken I served yesterday and it had alot more flavor than Poche's chicken, Although it fell apart after roasting and taking the netting off. It wound up looking like jambalaya. The cracklins were the best tasting on the whole trip. Plenty of spice and a nice forgiving crunch. They were very addictive. My buddy walked accross the street to the Daquri store and got a frozen beverage. He warned against anyone staying and drinking in that bar, it looked a little too scary---snob.

At Billeauds I bought some pralines from the little girl in front of the store. A genorous square almost an inch thick. We then liberated some boudin, cracklins, 6 sausage stuffed jalapenos(only $.67!), and a beef tongue. The cracklins are the only thing that I have tasted thus far. They are good, just not as good as Tiny's.

Back in the car, next stop Chops. I must admitt, I love Chops. Unbelieveable Ribeye sausage, Chicken/shrimp/jalapeno sausage, stuffed briskets and birds. On each trip, I go to as many places that I have never been to before. This omage to charcuterie has become a mandatory stop each trip.

With no room left in our 2 ice chests we drove into Lafayette to go to Pouparts Bakery. I bought a shrimp and spinach pie a dozen cookies and some olive basil bread. I ate the bread yesterday with some olive oil and roasted garlic. Crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. The perfect snack to munch on while cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

For dinner we went back to Broussard to eat at Nash's. My favorite turtle soup, BBQ'd soft shell crab, baked oysters, shrimp remoulade and about 6 Ketel One screwdrivers. Dont tell my wife but those women with that accent, ohhh boy.

From there we drove back to Shreveport. I am glad we did come back the same day, but I'll never do it again. My friend and I are convinced that we could have had an 90 minute break in a hotel room and had room for another dinner.

Next time!

[FistFullaRoux]

2 days worth here. The wireless connection at the hotel was being difficult last night.

My brother got into town yesterday, but our lunch was from a drive thru. Time was tight and patience was thin. Taco Bell it is. My brother and his wife joined us and some friends at their home, and fried seafood was on everyone's mind. So 4 big seafood platters from Lagneaux's in Lafayette along with an order of fried crawfish tails was ordered for dinner. 4 platters served 7 adults with plenty of leftovers. Shrimp, crab (not soft shell), catfish, oysters, and frog legs were breaded and fried with abandon. The fries and the jambalaya were curiously untouched. The shrimp were kind of small, the crabs were those hard shelled blue gulf crabs, and the frog's legs were a bit too salty. But overall, everything ranks at least good in the taste department. Brownies for desert, Sideways on the tube, and the company of good friends made it a great evening.

This morning we went back to Julien's for lunch so my brither could get his shrimp poboy fix, my wife had the shrimp en brouchette po boy (shrimp wrapped in bacon and grilled), and I had the special ham sandwich. Ham boiled in "crab boil" seasoning (primarily cayenne, salt, and allspice), lettuce and tomato on the perfect french bread that only Julien's gets just right.

After more family time, dinner tonight was at Deano's Pizza in Lafayette. If you have the chance, eat here. They do a shrimp pizza that is so good. They skip the red sauce and use a sauce based on the trinity, seasoned perfectly. There's a carbmeat version as well. And they will do a half and half with crab and shrimp. The all meat pizza was also ordered for the table, and was pretty good, using a different type of sausage than the chain places. Breaded and fried mushrooms were the appetizer, and they are darn good. Not brilliant, but tasty. Desert was some old fashioned stick candy I picked up at Cracker Barrel on the way in. Peaches and Cream, Tangerine, and Spearmint. My favorite snoball flavor fix when the stands are closed for the season.

Tomorrow we head back to the frozen nawth of Birmingham after watching my best friend's son play in his Pop Warner league Super Bowl. Then back to the grind.

We didn't get to see as much of the area as we planned, but the scene is the same all over, as I understand it. It's not pretty. It will take a long time for the area to recover. Things are in limbo with FEMA in a lot of cases, and with insurance companies in others. It will simply take time, but I worry about a lot of these people this winter. It's going to be rough. Don't forget about them. The donations will still be needed. The Red Cross has said that they expect an increased number of fatal house fires this winter from things being done improperly. It's going to get better, though. This area will be stronger than before. But it will take a while.

I know that the donations and well wishes had made a huge difference here, and they won't forget it. Acadiana has always been willing to help others, and it is being repaid.