re: Alexandria, LA people, I'm coming to join you... what's good up there

Grew up there and moved back there for first job out of grad school. Yes, it is a shithole if you're in your 20s and single. Like others have said, Spirits is a decent place.

Do you hunt or fish? You will have good access to both. Working at lsua will atleast keep you connected to the Yutes.

Good news is that you'll be close to laffy and BR

It had a Picadilly at one time. Not sure if its still there. Only place my dad would take us when we made the our monthly trip to the "big city" from Winnfield

I actually spend a bit of time in Alex. From past TD threads about it, I cut I pasted this list into my phone notes to go over when picking what I'm going to do.

Some info is exactly the opposite of others but that's the OT for you.

None of the comments are mine.

ALEX RECS
Robbie G's
Debarge's Crawfish
BJ's pizza My favorite pizza (BJ's),
Tunks (highly overrated) Tunk's Cypress Inn (great seafood, great location on Kincaid Lake)
Bayview -- older crowd usually, but a buddy of mine sister used to work there and most of my friends go there on weekend nights
Buds N Suds -- affliction wearing losers, very similar to LP ppl
Daiquiri Cafe -- turned a little ghetto recently
Finnegans Wake -- basically Alexandria wannabe hipsters. The best bar is Finnegans Wake downtown. Bar - Finnegans Wake, Top Shelf Cocktails
Chinese-Oriental Wok do however like the Shrimp Friend Rice from The Wok.
Pizza-BJ's
Fried Chicken-Lou & Laura's
BBQ-Outlaws
Spirit's is a good atmosphere and place to drink at night, but the food is meh. Spirits is a nice place to hang out. Spirits (Food has gone downhill, but vibe is cool). Spirits has live music Wed. and Thur. with a good atmosphere, but meh food
There's a new pizza place downtown called Embers that is pretty good. Hope this helps
favorite crawfish (Debarge's),
favorite chinese (The Wok but it is under new ownership now )
Can't forget about that broasted chicken at Lou and Laura's
Critic's Choice (2 locations) for sandwiches
Julia's (Mexican), near the Mall.
Bistro on the Bayou, for OT ballers out by the old air base is pretty decent
Chains are hit and miss - there is a Chili's, Outback, Logan's Roadhouse, Texas Roadhouse, BW3, Johnny Carino's, Copeland's, but no Olive Garden (for example).
Word of Mouth downtown
Pizza - BJ's & Wildwood
Lunch - Red Kettle(plate lunch) & the Cottage
Mexican - Caro (hole in the wall, but it is legit authentic..patio only) But I'm telling you, Caro is authentic..Def the best in town. It's on Metro Dr. Caro's Right down street from sombreros closer to Jackson though. It's patio seating only...More of a food truck style (walk up and order)...But they have tables with a covered patio
Lou & Laura's burgers, poboys & chicken
Janohns (actually in Boyce, about 10 miles) a little more upscale, but not uptight....good food Steak and seafood in an old cotton gin.
Julia's is good but I wouldn't recommend someone to go there
Hit up The Cottage for sure OP, but it's only open for lunch Cream of Broccoli and Cream of Shrimp Soup=GOAT
As far as mexican goes, Los Portales is the best in town, but if you are willing to drive about 20 minutes then Mi Tierra in Forest Hill is pretty legit.
Bellino's is good for steaks/tuna.
Krispy Kajun Chicken (Big Chicken) moved here and took over as the best fried chicken joint in town IMO.
I ain't gonna lie - as far as Chilis go, this is one of the best. Alexandria has a Subway, and a Texas Roadhouse. So it's a lot like Houston.
Oak wing
Links in the bayou
Sombreros
Johns pizza
Diamond grill downtown is Alex's 5 star restaurant.
Marksville and eating at Red River Grill occasionally
If you want good Mexican, ride down 165 and go to Mi Tierra in Forrest Hill IMO.
Wildwood is really good. I talked to the guy/manger about having more beer selection. He said they want to sell pizzas moreso than have a bar atmosphere.
Cajun Catfish- Pineville good for fried catfish
Paradise Catfish - Ball good for fried catfish
Brocatos on 28 West is on point for lunch

**Checks map***

I don't live anywhere near Alexandria.

Whew.

I grew up in a small town north of Alex.

If you look at a map, you are within 2+/- hours of Shreveport, Natchez, Monroe, Laffy, Marksville, Lake Charles, BR, Natchitoches. Since you're a teacher, it isn't like you are going to painting the town red on weekdays but on weekends, 2 driving hours on a weekend will get you to these other towns where there is a variety of things to do. It's not to say these other places are cultural hotspots, but each does have its merits. If you like to do outdoor things, the Kisatchie National Forests have many rec areas, including single-track trails for dirt bikes. The area really is a Sportsman Paradise, just not so much for much else. But if you're a homebody, the area is fine. Crime is in the hood, but as another poster said, the police try to keep it there.

My ex wife lives in Pineville. If you get desperate, she puts out. A lot.

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Maybe the worst town in the South.

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It's a notch above Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

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What's good up there?

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The I49 South exit

LOL at anyone who would voluntarily move to Alexandria for a non OT salary.

Is this your only option?

Crawfish/ Seafood:
Robbie G's
Debarge's Crawfish
Swamp Daddys

Pizza:
BJs
Johnnys just opened up
Wildwood

Asian:
Oriental Wok
Hana Japanese Steakhouse (similar to Benihana)

BBQ:
Outlaws
Eddies (really like their turkey)

Mexican:
Mi Tierra
El Paso
Los Portales
Caro

Lou & Lauras
Spirits
Brocatas
Shipleys donuts and kolaches)

If you are working at LSUA, a short drive will get you to Mi Tierra in Forest Hill (best Mexican in the area) theres also Leas in Lecompte


Magnolia Trace is nice
There are several decent complexes in and around Parliament Dr, Heyman Ln, Dorchester area