re: Any advice on spending an evening at Evangeline Downs?

Went few weeks ago for first time with family and had a great time. We went on a Wednesday, no crowds or traffic from BR as we left about 3:30 so got there around 5pm. No buffet as you have to order from menu on weekdays. We reserved a table in the clubhouse but didn't need to, there was maybe 7 tables occupied of the 50 that sit along the window and you could just walk in. If you got a table, each person had to buy at least $5 from the menu. The food was not bad, few appetizer items and regular $10-14 dinners(we got Country Fried Steak, Burgers, Chicken Alfredo), drinks, soda, etc. There are TVs at the tables to watch the race when it goes into the backstretch and betting machines(look like ATMs) throughout the clubhouse.

At around the 7th race, we left the clubhouse and watched the last 3 races down below. It was alot of fun. I would recommend going on a weekday if your first time to get the hang of it.

For betting we did more for fun then hard-core strategy. We bet $3 to win for each person for each race.