Cajuns,

First and foremost, I want you to know that I am an east coaster, and for the vast majority of my life, I haven't lived much further than 5 or so hours from the Atlantic Ocean... so the bayou is quite different than what I'm used to!

I just wanted to let you know that my wife's mother took a good job at UL Lafayette. She's been there for almost a year now, and we finally were able to make the 12+ hour drive from Asheville, NC to Lafayette to visit her. We spent about a week in Lafayette (she bought a house down near the River Ranch area)... and I have to say, having relatively no idea what to expect down there, we had an absolute blast.

A few points...

1) Don's Seafood was amazing. Holy crap the charbroiled oysters.

2) I think it is amazing that you have drive-up daiquiri bars all over town. I asked my father-in-law how they get away with selling booze to people driving a car, and he said "They don't put the straw in it. Once you pull away, that's your business."

3) Avery Island was awesome. I think I spent way too much $ on the Family Reserve stuff... stocked up for the winter.

4) We drove around campus, and it's beautiful. The interior of the CajunDome... holy mother... what in the WORLD do you need with an arena that spectacular? I have to admit, the exterior leaves a bit to be desired, but once you're in there... WOW.

5) It takes roughly 2 hours to get from one end of Lafayette to the other. (I kid, but man, it seems SO spread out and the traffic was TERRRRRRIBLE... especially out towards the mall.)

6) But likely the MOST impressive thing I noticed about Lafayette was that you are what, 45 minutes from Baton Rouge... and I think in the entire week I was there, I saw maybe 2 or 3 people and/or vehicles with LSU stuff on them. It was 100% Ragin Cajuns... everywhere. That is very, very impressive. Right next door to the P5 cartel giant, and Lafayette isn't buying in.

I am a huge Carolina Panthers fan and was hoping to bump into Jake Delhomme while down there, but no luck.

Thanks so much for the kind words about our city.

Don's is great. But, honestly, it's easy to find one good meal after another in this city. I think, per capita, we have some of the best dining places ANYWHERE.

The Cajundome was renovated two years ago. $21 million bucks. When it was originally built, there would be nights in the late 80s early 90s when we'd pack the place. But college basketball in the South has fallen off the map. Now it's way too big for us.

I wish you had gotten to go to Russo Park. We just put 18million into the baseball facility and I'll put it up against just about any ball park. (By the way, you've got a good one too. I've been there.)

There is plenty of support for the Baton Rouge school in Lafayette. But Louisiana fans are passionate and fly their colors whenever and wherever they can. And, since we've now become known as Louisiana in our athletic branding, we piss them off on a regular basis.

And, boy, you're absolutely right about the traffic. YECCHHHHHH.

(12-20-2018 09:24 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Cajuns,

First and foremost, I want you to know that I am an east coaster, and for the vast majority of my life, I haven't lived much further than 5 or so hours from the Atlantic Ocean... so the bayou is quite different than what I'm used to!

I just wanted to let you know that my wife's mother took a good job at UL Lafayette. She's been there for almost a year now, and we finally were able to make the 12+ hour drive from Asheville, NC to Lafayette to visit her. We spent about a week in Lafayette (she bought a house down near the River Ranch area)... and I have to say, having relatively no idea what to expect down there, we had an absolute blast.

A few points...

1) Don's Seafood was amazing. Holy crap the charbroiled oysters.

2) I think it is amazing that you have drive-up daiquiri bars all over town. I asked my father-in-law how they get away with selling booze to people driving a car, and he said "They don't put the straw in it. Once you pull away, that's your business."

3) Avery Island was awesome. I think I spent way too much $ on the Family Reserve stuff... stocked up for the winter.

4) We drove around campus, and it's beautiful. The interior of the CajunDome... holy mother... what in the WORLD do you need with an arena that spectacular? I have to admit, the exterior leaves a bit to be desired, but once you're in there... WOW.

5) It takes roughly 2 hours to get from one end of Lafayette to the other. (I kid, but man, it seems SO spread out and the traffic was TERRRRRRIBLE... especially out towards the mall.)

6) But likely the MOST impressive thing I noticed about Lafayette was that you are what, 45 minutes from Baton Rogue... and I think in the entire week I was there, I saw maybe 2 or 3 people and/or vehicles with LSU stuff on them. It was 100% Ragin Cajuns... everywhere. That is very, very impressive. Right next door to the P5 cartel giant, and Lafayette isn't buying in.

I am a huge Carolina Panthers fan and was hoping to bump into Jake Delhomme while down there, but no luck.

Glad you were able to visit and that you enjoyed yourselves.....

(12-20-2018 09:47 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote:  Thanks so much for the kind words about our city.

Don's is great. But, honestly, it's easy to find one good meal after another in this city. I think, per capita, we have some of the best dining places ANYWHERE.

The Cajundome was renovated two years ago. $21 million bucks. When it was originally built, there would be nights in the late 80s early 90s when we'd pack the place. But college basketball in the South has fallen off the map. Now it's way too big for us.

I wish you had gotten to go to Russo Park. We just put 18million into the baseball facility and I'll put it up against just about any ball park. (By the way, you've got a good one too. I've been there.)

There is plenty of support for the Baton Rouge school in Lafayette. But Louisiana fans are passionate and fly their colors whenever and wherever they can. And, since we've now become known as Louisiana in our athletic branding, we piss them off on a regular basis.

And, boy, you're absolutely right about the traffic. YECCHHHHHH.

I saw the baseball stadium. Huge omission in my report.

I was blown away by how nice it is. Absolutely first-class.

(12-20-2018 09:24 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Cajuns,

First and foremost, I want you to know that I am an east coaster, and for the vast majority of my life, I haven't lived much further than 5 or so hours from the Atlantic Ocean... so the bayou is quite different than what I'm used to!

I just wanted to let you know that my wife's mother took a good job at UL Lafayette. She's been there for almost a year now, and we finally were able to make the 12+ hour drive from Asheville, NC to Lafayette to visit her. We spent about a week in Lafayette (she bought a house down near the River Ranch area)... and I have to say, having relatively no idea what to expect down there, we had an absolute blast.

A few points...

1) Don's Seafood was amazing. Holy crap the charbroiled oysters.

2) I think it is amazing that you have drive-up daiquiri bars all over town. I asked my father-in-law how they get away with selling booze to people driving a car, and he said "They don't put the straw in it. Once you pull away, that's your business."

3) Avery Island was awesome. I think I spent way too much $ on the Family Reserve stuff... stocked up for the winter.

4) We drove around campus, and it's beautiful. The interior of the CajunDome... holy mother... what in the WORLD do you need with an arena that spectacular? I have to admit, the exterior leaves a bit to be desired, but once you're in there... WOW.

5) It takes roughly 2 hours to get from one end of Lafayette to the other. (I kid, but man, it seems SO spread out and the traffic was TERRRRRRIBLE... especially out towards the mall.)

6) But likely the MOST impressive thing I noticed about Lafayette was that you are what, 45 minutes from Baton Rouge... and I think in the entire week I was there, I saw maybe 2 or 3 people and/or vehicles with LSU stuff on them. It was 100% Ragin Cajuns... everywhere. That is very, very impressive. Right next door to the P5 cartel giant, and Lafayette isn't buying in.

I am a huge Carolina Panthers fan and was hoping to bump into Jake Delhomme while down there, but no luck.

Glad you enjoyed your time you really need to come down for Mardi Gras or Festival International that's Cajun culture at it's peak.

I have friends that tell me Ashville is if you put Lafayette in the mountains wonder how true that is

(12-20-2018 10:32 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 09:24 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Cajuns,

First and foremost, I want you to know that I am an east coaster, and for the vast majority of my life, I haven't lived much further than 5 or so hours from the Atlantic Ocean... so the bayou is quite different than what I'm used to!

I just wanted to let you know that my wife's mother took a good job at UL Lafayette. She's been there for almost a year now, and we finally were able to make the 12+ hour drive from Asheville, NC to Lafayette to visit her. We spent about a week in Lafayette (she bought a house down near the River Ranch area)... and I have to say, having relatively no idea what to expect down there, we had an absolute blast.

A few points...

1) Don's Seafood was amazing. Holy crap the charbroiled oysters.

2) I think it is amazing that you have drive-up daiquiri bars all over town. I asked my father-in-law how they get away with selling booze to people driving a car, and he said "They don't put the straw in it. Once you pull away, that's your business."

3) Avery Island was awesome. I think I spent way too much $ on the Family Reserve stuff... stocked up for the winter.

4) We drove around campus, and it's beautiful. The interior of the CajunDome... holy mother... what in the WORLD do you need with an arena that spectacular? I have to admit, the exterior leaves a bit to be desired, but once you're in there... WOW.

5) It takes roughly 2 hours to get from one end of Lafayette to the other. (I kid, but man, it seems SO spread out and the traffic was TERRRRRRIBLE... especially out towards the mall.)

6) But likely the MOST impressive thing I noticed about Lafayette was that you are what, 45 minutes from Baton Rouge... and I think in the entire week I was there, I saw maybe 2 or 3 people and/or vehicles with LSU stuff on them. It was 100% Ragin Cajuns... everywhere. That is very, very impressive. Right next door to the P5 cartel giant, and Lafayette isn't buying in.

I am a huge Carolina Panthers fan and was hoping to bump into Jake Delhomme while down there, but no luck.

Glad you enjoyed your time you really need to come down for Mardi Gras or Festival International that's Cajun culture at it's peak.

I have friends that tell me Ashville is if you put Lafayette in the mountains wonder how true that is

Asheville & Lafayette are probably the best eating/food cities in their respective states. That is one similarity I see. People here LOVE to eat, drink, and have a great time.

They both have abysmal traffic.

I do love Asheville... I don't really align with the politics in this city, but I can't deny how beautiful it is, and how nice everybody is as long as I don't talk politics. (Asheville is VERY left-leaning)

Thank you for the kind words and glad you enjoyed yourself!
Jake's house is pretty easy to find. It's right off the Breaux Bridge highway. Should have stopped in and told him "hey". Lol

If you ever make your way back in town again, give us a shout on here. You won't find a shortage of Cajun fans who will tell you where to find a good drink or meal.

(12-20-2018 10:48 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 10:32 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 09:24 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  Cajuns,

First and foremost, I want you to know that I am an east coaster, and for the vast majority of my life, I haven't lived much further than 5 or so hours from the Atlantic Ocean... so the bayou is quite different than what I'm used to!

I just wanted to let you know that my wife's mother took a good job at UL Lafayette. She's been there for almost a year now, and we finally were able to make the 12+ hour drive from Asheville, NC to Lafayette to visit her. We spent about a week in Lafayette (she bought a house down near the River Ranch area)... and I have to say, having relatively no idea what to expect down there, we had an absolute blast.

A few points...

1) Don's Seafood was amazing. Holy crap the charbroiled oysters.

2) I think it is amazing that you have drive-up daiquiri bars all over town. I asked my father-in-law how they get away with selling booze to people driving a car, and he said "They don't put the straw in it. Once you pull away, that's your business."

3) Avery Island was awesome. I think I spent way too much $ on the Family Reserve stuff... stocked up for the winter.

4) We drove around campus, and it's beautiful. The interior of the CajunDome... holy mother... what in the WORLD do you need with an arena that spectacular? I have to admit, the exterior leaves a bit to be desired, but once you're in there... WOW.

5) It takes roughly 2 hours to get from one end of Lafayette to the other. (I kid, but man, it seems SO spread out and the traffic was TERRRRRRIBLE... especially out towards the mall.)

6) But likely the MOST impressive thing I noticed about Lafayette was that you are what, 45 minutes from Baton Rouge... and I think in the entire week I was there, I saw maybe 2 or 3 people and/or vehicles with LSU stuff on them. It was 100% Ragin Cajuns... everywhere. That is very, very impressive. Right next door to the P5 cartel giant, and Lafayette isn't buying in.

I am a huge Carolina Panthers fan and was hoping to bump into Jake Delhomme while down there, but no luck.

Glad you enjoyed your time you really need to come down for Mardi Gras or Festival International that's Cajun culture at it's peak.

I have friends that tell me Ashville is if you put Lafayette in the mountains wonder how true that is

Asheville & Lafayette are probably the best eating/food cities in their respective states. That is one similarity I see. People here LOVE to eat, drink, and have a great time.

They both have abysmal traffic.

I do love Asheville... I don't really align with the politics in this city, but I can't deny how beautiful it is, and how nice everybody is as long as I don't talk politics. (Asheville is VERY left-leaning)

Yes I figured a gay friend of mine and his boyfriend just moved up there it was between there and Austin.

ECU Grad.....

So happy you enjoyed your visit. If you ever make it down here for a FB game, you will really enjoy our tailgating. It's a huge party, and EVERYONE is invited. We will make you feel at home.

Come to think of it, why don't we get a little Home and Home going? At the very least, we should schedule some baseball games.

ECUGrad07, I'm glad you had a great experience in Cajun Country. I love going back to Lafayette and miss it very much. Back when we played you guys in the NO Bowl, I met several ECU fans, and they were all very nice people. You represent your University with class and I know I appreciate your kind words.

Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

(12-20-2018 11:52 AM)CAJUNNATION Wrote:  ECU Grad.....

So happy you enjoyed your visit. If you ever make it down here for a FB game, you will really enjoy our tailgating. It's a huge party, and EVERYONE is invited. We will make you feel at home.

Come to think of it, why don't we get a little Home and Home going? At the very least, we should schedule some baseball games.

Absolutely. I would love a Home and Home in both football and baseball!

Just make sure you bring some Cajun Market Donuts with you to Greenville!

(12-20-2018 12:10 PM)ULGrad@Hou Wrote:  ECUGrad07, I'm glad you had a great experience in Cajun Country. I love going back to Lafayette and miss it very much. Back when we played you guys in the NO Bowl, I met several ECU fans, and they were all very nice people. You represent your University with class and I know I appreciate your kind words.

Thanks! I was also at that game.

As I recall, there were about 7,000 ECU fans and 55,000 Cajuns in that dome! We were a tad outnumbered. But yeah, I agree, everyone I met was really nice. Would love to play y'all again, now that Broadway and that bruising RB are gone.

(12-20-2018 12:15 PM)slycat Wrote:  Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

You wouldn't think it, but Lafayette has about double the population of San Marcos.

(12-20-2018 12:54 PM)CajunAmos Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 12:15 PM)slycat Wrote:  Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

You wouldn't think it, but Lafayette has about double the population of San Marcos.

I never would have until I drove into town from the west and saw how long it took me to get to the campus. It is bigger than San Marcos for sure. Just hidden on the highway until SM.

(12-20-2018 12:15 PM)slycat Wrote:  Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

90% of the city's growth has been south of I-10. The part of town closest to the interstate, aka The Northside, aka Upper Lafayette to the PC police, is the oldest part of town. Save for a few food places on the Northside, most out of towners probably want to stay to the south and west of Hwy 90.

(12-20-2018 04:25 PM)CajunFan3406 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 12:15 PM)slycat Wrote:  Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

90% of the city's growth has been south of I-10. The part of town closest to the interstate, aka The Northside, aka Upper Lafayette to the PC police, is the oldest part of town. Save for a few food places on the Northside, most out of towners probably want to stay to the south and east of Hwy 90.

Have to say there has been a good bit of growth recently to the north as well as the south.

(12-20-2018 12:15 PM)slycat Wrote:  Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

Yeah. There's not a lot of very tall buildings in Lafayette so it's deceiving. lol.

(12-20-2018 05:18 PM)CajunAmos Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 04:25 PM)CajunFan3406 Wrote:  

(12-20-2018 12:15 PM)slycat Wrote:  Traffic was shockingly horrible there. It was interesting how easy Lafayette is to drive by on 10 but once you exit you realize how much larger the city is than expected.

90% of the city's growth has been south of I-10. The part of town closest to the interstate, aka The Northside, aka Upper Lafayette to the PC police, is the oldest part of town. Save for a few food places on the Northside, most out of towners probably want to stay to the south and west of Hwy 90.

Have to say there has been a good bit of growth recently to the north as well as the south.

Meh. It's mostly in Carencro though and it's all been in the last 5 years. You can't argue that a majority of the cities growth in the last 50 years has been south and west of the Thruway and Cameron.

Glad you enjoyed your trip! Next time you come in, check out the Ragin Pagin board and one of the epic food/beer/whiskey threads. The thing we all agree on is that you will always find good food, drink and people!