Heading to Lake Charles

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Daryl's

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for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Daryl's.

Luna's overrated as a food joint. If you go, do it for the live music and drinks.

The one in Jennings has my picture on the wall. I'm (in)famous!

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Daryl's

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Surf and Turf with Gravy on the side.

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What kind of shady place is that with a "No Loitering" sign by the entrance?

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It's a bar at night with a lot of college kids. Sometimes a lot of people end up outside with drinks. I assume that's what the sign is there for.

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The one in Jennings has my picture on the wall. I'm (in)famous!

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I need to make a trip there. It's been a long time since I had Darrells. Does it taste the same?

Want a whole in the wall for Saturday lunch... go to Crab Palace on Enterprise Blvd.

While you're there, try some Ball's Fried Cicken. Mo Better than Popeyes.

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Crab Palace

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Seafood Palace. This isn't 1995!

La Voglia has great lunch specials. The pizza is really good!

I'll start by saying that there are several new restaurants that have opened recently that I haven't had the chance to try yet. They are Walk-Ons, Blue Dog Cafe, 1910, LaVogla, and Tia Juanita's. I'd imagine Walk-Ons is on par with it's other locations, good sports bar food but not gonna blow you away. I've heard goof things about Blue Dog and Tia Juanita's. 1910 is great from what my friends have told me.


Now for what I have experience with...

Darrell's - most will recommend the special or the surf n turf. Can't go wrong with either. I'd recommend the special and also the brisket.

El Tapatio - best tex mex in town. Do not go to Casa Manana, trust me.

Hackett's - best plate lunches in town and damn good boudin(spicy smoked FTW). On Friday you'll have seafood option, on Saturday's they only do steak and gravy, which is outstanding but on Friday they'll have 3 main options. They serve from 10am-2pm. I eat here more than any other place in town fwiw. Go early because they usually run out at some point.

Tasterite Jamaican - My favorite hole in the wall. It's in a sketchy part of town but the food is outstanding. Go for lunch and not dinner and you'll be fine. Authentic Jamaican food run by a sweet woman named Heather. Talk to her for a bit and she won't steer you wrong. Add the fried plantains to whatever you order.

Victoria's Taqueria - best tacos in town, but very limited menu if you don't want tacos.

Taqueria Potrillos - On HWY 14 north of 14. Best mexican food in town. Most people have never heard of it but I make the drive when I want Mexican.

Botsky's - hot dog joint that always delivers. great toppings list, friendly staff, and plenty of Abita beers on draft. Sweet potato fries are a must.

MacFarlane's - Irish pub. Food is pretty good. The Irish stew is my go-to. 100+ beers and a solid scotch selection. Large patio and outdoor sitting area if the weather is nice.

Mazen's - my favorite restaurant in town, but is more high end and priced as such. Outstanding fish dishes. Fried kibbeh and stuffed grape leaves are good apps. The duck and lamb are also outstanding.

Toga Grill - where I go for casual Greek/Lebanese/Mediterranean food. Everything is homemade and the portions are generous. Lamb kabobs are my favorite.

Stellar Beans - cool, hipster-ish coffee shop downtown. Their Colombian dark roast keeps me going back. They have a breakfast scramble bowl that lets you choose your meats and veggies. large coffee and that get you a great breakfast for under $10 with tip.

Cadillac Cafe and Grotto at the Golden Nugget are both great options. Mexican and Italian.

KD's Diner - get The Rafferty or the Southern Chicken Hash

Tony's Pizza - Damn good pizza. Best Reuben in town

Cotten's Hamburgers - My favorite burger in town. Get it with the fried egg on top. Great onion rings and fresh squeezed lemonade

That should give you some solid options. People hate on Lake Charles but it's not so bad if you keep an open mind and branch out. I hope you enjoy your time here