I'll be making a trip from Fort Worth to New Orleans this weekend, chaperoning a group of high schoolers.

We did the same trip last year and wound up in BR at about dinner time, eating at a Chili's near I-10.

The teacher in charge of the trip thinks it cost us too much time.

So this year, with that memory in her mind and also considering that we'll be passing through on Friday of a four-day weekend she wants to stop for dinner somewhere before or after BR.

Criteria: Relatively fast, relatively inexpensive (students and teach both on a budget); prefer something local, something different from the standard chain fare.

Any suggestions? E-mails welcome if you want to reply that way: diffus@sbcglobal.net

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Diffus (edited 5/20/2013 11:53a).]

Check out the website for Don's Specialty Meats in Scott, right before you get to Lafayette. Check their hours and see if they serve dinner. I know they serve lunch. Everything from po-boys, boudin, etc. Your order at the counters and eat there. Or, pre-order your stuff, pick it up, and eat in the parking lot to save time and money. Between Lafayette & BR, there's Landry's, Pat's. They're authentic Louisiana but sit-down. And Landry's is overpriced, IMO. Between BR & NO, lot's of fast-food and Chili's-like places. So, the boudin/crackling/meat market type places are probably your fastest, cheapest options. Also check out the "Best Stop" in Scott. Another meat market/deli place. Just google 'em. Hope this helps. If I think of any more options, I'll post.

Thanks. The itinerary has us in BR at 6, so Lafayette or before may be a little early. I think she may have warmed to the idea of eating in BR, provided it's convenient and quick. Any thoughts on BR itself?

If you take the LSU/Acadian Thruway exit, you'll be in the middle of a lot of restaurants. The main artery is Perkins Road. One of the local favorites is George's. Great hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. Here's their website.

www.georgesbr.com

Other's near by are: Schlitz & Giggles (pizza), Chelsea's, Ivar's. There's also TJ Ribs and other things like Macaroni Grill, etc.

Google George's Perkins road address when you go to their website. Then, do a search for restaurants surrounding it. That should give you a better idea.

Good luck and safe travels.

Parrain's is excellent.

George's is so small though. A bus full of kids will be waiting in line out the door.

I like Parrain's too but it's not near I-10

I second Parrain's. Love the chargrilled oysters.

The better places for large groups/authentic Louisiana cuisine are away from I-10. Places that accommodate large groups and are closer to I-10 are Chili's, Applebees, Cracker Barrel, chains.

Smaller eateries that are close to I-10 AND are local, with poboys, etc, are places like George's, Ivar's. Maybe you'll find a good compromise. Maybe split up the chaperones and the kids and go to two different places that are near each other and walking distance. Like George's and the ones on Perkins Road. Good luck and bon appetite!

Parrain's is right off the interstate, but probably too steep for Aggie wallets.

Stop in Port Allen, across the river. Plenty of trailer parks to make you feel right at home and good eatin' at the Waffle House and Shoneys.

Yee-haw!

Jambalaya Shoppe would probably suit you all best. Several locations in BR, one off of Perkins would prob be your best bet. Closes at 7 pm tho.

http://www.thejambalayashoppe.net/

Darrell's in Lake Charles. Best Po Boys. I promise you won't be dissapointed

Since he posted this on the 20th, I'm assuming the trip already took place.

Maybe he'll update on us on where he corralled the teenagers to feed.

So how did the trip go?

I went to Baton Rouge for Bayou Country Superfest last weekend and ate at Parrains. It is a pretty nice joint with a country/southern theme. Luke Bryan was there and had a room reserved for him and his friends/family.

Wasn't expensive at all and the staff were decently nice (none of them would admit that Luke Bryan was there even after I saw him up myself)