dining - Pitstops for Kids

Where to find authentic cajun food in SW Louisiana

February 24, 2022 By Amy Hagstrom

In much of Southwest Louisiana, alligators outnumber people, residents still live off the land to an impressive degree, and local cuisine is well-loved and much applauded. In fact, the Lake Charles, Louisiana area features a type of southern cuisine not experienced anywhere else. From cracklins to boudin to crawfish boils, SW Louisiana’s authentic cajun food is truly an attraction in its own right, and worthy of your time during any trip to the region.

Start on the Boudin Trail:

My part of the world has wine trails. Lake Charles as a boudin trail. Without this resource, visitors will surely miss some of the best of this local specialty. What is boudin, you ask? It’s a local sausage made with a variety of meats and seafood (pork seems most popular, but shrimp and crawfish isn’t unusual), mixed with rice and signature spices. Boudin is usually in links, but sometimes served in boudin balls, which can even be stuffed with cheese. Below, we list some of our favorite stops along SW Louisiana’s Boudin Trail:

B&O Kitchen and Grocery: This roadside stop has been in the family since it began 35 years ago, and used to be a one-stop mercantile. Now, they specialize in their family recipes. Visitors can pick up boudin, of course, but can also find guadidaun sandwiches (a pulled pork type meat with boudin ball on the bottom, in a bun), smoked meats, jerky, and cracklins (fried pork rinds with meat still on the skin). Location: 3011 E. Burton Sulphur, LA

LeBleu’s Landing: Get hot cracklins here, as well as meat ranging from gator to headcheese. Location: 202 Henning Drive Sulphur LA

Restaurants serving authentic cajun food:

Restaurants serving authentic cajun food in SW Louisiana can be found in all price ranges. We found great cajun fare in both Lake Charles’ top resorts and in roadside dives…and everything in-between. Here’s where to go:

Pat’s of Henderson: Pat’s is located in an unassuming building by a car lot. Don’t let this dissuade you! Owner Pat is from, you guessed it, Henderson, Louisiana, where her family has been in the cajun cooking game for generations. In fact, our server was the daughter of Pat’s head cook, who has been cooking for the family since Pat was a girl. Prepare to leave Pat’s well-fed: we recommend the stuffed red snapper (it’s stuffed with shrimp and crawfish, of course) and the catfish bites, but the gumbo is out of this world as well! In fact, at Pat’s, visitors can take home a starter kit of their own roux, which is made to create their classic gumbo. Location: 1500 Siebarth Dr Lake Charles LA

T-Boys (on the Creole Nature Trail in Creole, LA): This roadside diner looks a little rough, but the women who run it are friendly and welcoming. We loved the fried fish and shrimp here, and the crab cake po-boy was great, too. They make great fries and onion rings, and all their seafood is locally sourced.

Seafood Palace: You can tell Seafood Palace is a local favorite by the packed parking lot just about any day of the week. Their specialty is probably their boiled crawfish baskets in season (spring, primarily), but they also serve boudin, oysters, shrimp, catfish…you name it.

Jack Daniel’s: Located inside L’Auberge, one of Lake Charles’ two premiere casino resorts, Jack Daniel’s looks like an upscale Texas roadhouse-type chain. However, the young, talented head chef here enjoys creative control over his dishes, and does a great job blending more traditional Texan foods like burgers with cajun specialties like crab cakes and red snapper. Location: 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles LA

Disclosure: I experienced the above restaurants as a guest of Lake Charles, for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.

Where to eat in Oceanside California

June 3, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Forget fast food chains or cookie cutter restaurants. Oceanside is brimming with inventive cuisine from earnest, hardworking chefs and restaurant owners, all with a story to tell. You won’t go hungry, whether you’re in town with your family for some beach time or on a grown-up getaway or solo adventure. Here’s where to eat in Oceanside:

Breakfast:

Elena’s Cafe French Crepes: this hole in the wall on Pier View Way is run by a husband and wife team and serves delicious French-style crepes and local art.

Banana Dang: Smoothies and coffee like no other! Stop in for bananas in blended form in a dozen or more ways!

Petite Madeline: This celebrated local hot spot for breakfast and lunch is not to be missed!

Lunch with kids:

Ruby’s: Yes, it’s a chain, but the best Ruby’s Diners are on California’s piers. This one at the end of Oceanside Pier is fun for kids and has views for days.

Bagby Beer: Plenty of outdoor space for kids and pets to run around and play while adults enjoy the brews right on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Dinner for everyone:

Exhale: casual yet sleek and minimalist, this simple take on wood-fired cuisine takes tortillas, guac, empanadas, and Mexican corn to whole other levels.

Flying Pig: Off the main drag, Flying Pig is actually the food joint that started it all…in terms of a foodie revolution in Oceanside. Stop in to enjoy the eclectic decor and fun menus (spoiler: they repurpose old record covers) and stay for the authentic BBQ.

Master’s Kitchen and Cocktail: Located across the PCH from the newly revamped boutique hotel The Fin, Master’s repurposed a car dealership garage to create an inviting space with inventive salads and sliders, small plates and burgers. The cocktails steal the show, however. Try the Go West if you’re a bourbon fan.

Tip: Thursday is farmer’s market day in Oceanside, right on Pier View Way. It’s a traditional market from 9 am until 1 pm, but then in the evening from 5 pm until 9 pm, it becomes the ‘sunset market’, with street food galore (with an entire row of desserts alone). If you’re in town on Thursday, plan on the farmer’s market being your dinner choice! Stalls not to miss: Flamin Salmon plank-roasted salmon, Viva Paella, Thai rice burgers from Thai Burger, and Wicked Maine lobster.

Date night:

Orfila Wine Tasting Room: this hip and modern wine tasting room has a fantastic chef to pair the wines with tapas, flatbreads, and other shared plates. Start your date night here!

Dija Mara: This fresh take on cuisine from Indonesia is surprising, inventive, and fresh. Try the ceviche with coconut and radishes and the fried rice.

How did I know about all these places? Carla and Linda’s Walking Food Tours! A must for anyone who’s going to be eating their way through Oceanside, Linda and Carla are a wealth of knowledge on the Oceanside food scene. They know the restaurants and their stories, the chefs and the wait staff, and are beloved everywhere they go. Head to http://shoesandchews.com/ to book a your tour; no matter which one you do, you’ll be treated to four stops of sit-down shared plates.

You’ll meet the chefs and serving teams and enjoy the warm company of Linda and Carla. For the $59 tour fee, I sampled four restaurants I would not have likely discovered on my own, and learned about countless more. And I easily came home with to-go boxes to feed two people lunch the next day. The value is incredible. Alcohol and other drinks (aside from water) are not included, but can be purchased at each restaurant. I highly recommend getting the lay of the land with this tour on your first day in Oceanside. Young kids are half price, and as long as they’re old enough to behave in restaurants and are willing to try to be adventurous eaters, they’ll have a great time going from restaurant to restaurant.

Downtown dining in Palm Springs with kids

March 14, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Palm Springs may be a more appealing destination to adults than kids—after all, it’s known for golf, spas, wellness retreats, and shopping—but we found the downtown area to be surprisingly kid-friendly. We saw many other parents with kids in tow, and our own kids really enjoyed the city. Whether you spend your Palm Springs day at the tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, or the local water park, plan to spend some of your evenings downtown. Tip: consider booking a stay at a Palm Springs vacation rental for your own kitchen when not dining out. Below are our four favorite Palm Springs with kids dining options in Palm Springs:

Lulu California Bistro:

Take kids to LuLu California Bistro (located at 200 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) for the quintessential California dining experience. This bistro has trendy decor and California cuisine, plus outdoor patio seating so you can watch the comings and goings along bustling Palm Canyon Drive. Don’t let the swanky interior (and fairly steep prices) fool you: the wait staff here welcomes kids. You can get the standard burger or wrap, or get adventurous with fun cocktails for the adults, chopped and wedge salads, and seafood.

Kaiser Grille:

Directly across the street from Lulu, Kaiser Grille (located at 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) offers up what my kids voted as their favorite meal during our Spring Break trip through the California desert. Decidedly upscale like Lulu, Kaiser Grille also offers outdoor seating, and while our service was a bit behind the curve the night of our visit, the food more than made up for it. Adventurous eaters will love the truffle oil mac and cheese and fettucine dishes, and meat-lovers will enjoy the steak sandwich. The ambiance is just as fun as at Lulu, as is the people-watching along the street. Best of all, the kids’ menu is very reasonably priced.

Las Casuelas Terraza:

Ready for something more reasonably priced? Las Casuelas Terraza is also located on the main strip of downtown Palm Springs (222 S. Palm Canyon Dr.), and has just as lovely outdoor seating. However, plates at this standard Mexican restaurant are in the single digits, and yes, there’s definitely a kids’ menu. Margaritas are half the cost of a cocktail or glass of wine at Lulu or Kaiser, and the chips and salsa just keep on coming. This is definitely our pick if you’re looking for Palm Canyon Drive ambiance without the price tag.

Sherman’s Deli and Bakery:

For breakfast or a deli dinner, Sherman’s is a local favorite (and always busy) just off the main strip on 401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The deli is kosher, but yes, you can still get bacon in your breakfast omelette. Sit outdoors in the morning or evening, or come just for dessert.

Where do you like to eat in Palm Springs? Leave your recommendations in the comments!

The above post was written in partnership with VacationRoost.

Knoxville dining scene: Farm to fork country cooking

November 27, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Imagine a culinary destination rich with vegan, vegetarian, and additional healthy dining options on nearly every menu, taking care to utilize locally-sourced ingredients. Then imagine Southern comfort cooking, from casseroles to pies, chow chow, and grits, with a heavy dose of tradition in each plating. Now imagine these two culinary styles combined, in one place, and you have Knoxville’s dining scene.

Downtown Knoxville has enjoyed a recent revival, with its walkable Market Square playing host to upward of 80 independent restaurants. The surrounding countryside in Knox, Anderson, and Jefferson counties boast several more destination restaurants, as well. Here’s where to go, on your next visit to the ‘cradle of country music’.

Knoxville and Market Square:

French Market: This French creperie is owned and operated by a couple who lived in Paris much of their adulthood, and have brought traditional French crepes back to Tennessee. Recently recognized as one of the top 25 creperies in the world, French Market gets busy each morning, but service is quick and the coffee and juices are great, too. Pick from sweet or savory crepes, omelettes and homemade croissants. Located at 412 Clinch Ave.

Tomato Head: This sandwich and salad eatery’s motto is, ‘Food’s gotta cook…don’t come out of a can’, which pretty much says it all. Tomato Head has an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu, in addition to your traditional meats and cheeses. We picked up a to-go order to eat at the nearby Knoxville Visitor’s Center, where we listened to the Blue Plate Special radio hour (a Knoxville must-do), which worked out perfectly. Located at 12 Market Square.

Maple Hall Bowling: This boutique Market Square bowling alley is more hip bar than traditional bowling alley, with 11 almost elegant lanes, small plates and cocktails, and a very fun, young vibe. Come with the kids in the afternoon, or in the evening for date night. Located at 414 South Gay Street.

Bistro by the Bijou: Located next door to the Bijou Theater, Knoxville’s top venue for live music downtown, Bistro by the Bijou is run by Martha Boggs, a Tennessee native who managed the bistro for years before becoming its owner. With no formal schooling in culinary arts, Martha has curated a menu with the sophistication of a trained chef…her diverse offerings are plant-based at heart, with added proteins with a Southern flair. She says she’s been cooking all her life with her family, and it shows: of all the meals we enjoyed in Knoxville, Bistro by the Bijou represented the farm-to-fork Southern sophistication hybrid I so enjoyed best. She grows her own vegetables, so you’ll see seasonal offerings like okra, tomatoes, and eggplant, and her daily chalkboard always features something in season and locally available. Located at 807 South Gay Street.

Knoxville Ale Trail: Knoxville boasts 10 breweries on its ale trail, with craft brewers from all walks of life, running breweries sporting all types of vibes and personalities. Most locals will recommend Alliance Brewing Company, located right next to Knoxville’s urban wilderness, making it a great stop after mountain biking or hiking. Crafty Bastard Brewery is run by a colorful and lively couple, serving unconventional, quirky beers.

Surrounding area:

Museum of Appalachia restaurant: Learn more about the awesome Museum of Appalachia here, but trust me, it’s attached restaurant deserves its own spotlight. Serving traditional Southern food with some modern twists, it offers farm to fork fare during lunch (long before farm to fork was a buzz word), such as vegetable casseroles, pies and soups, classic mashed potatoes and riced cauliflower, pot pies, carved meats, and to-die-for desserts. Eating here felt like Thanksgiving dinner, there were so many sides to choose from. Located at 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton, TN.

Bush’s Beans Visitor Center: While it’s not possible to tour the actual factory at Bush’s Beans, located in Chestnut Hill, it’s worth a stop if you’re in the area for the restaurant alone. Tour the adjacent museum to learn a bit about the Bush family, then stop for at least a slice of pie (every one we tried was amazing) or a whole lunch. They serve everything from classic beans and cornbread here to catfish, steak, or burgers, but the sides are the stars of the show. Try the sweet potato fries dusted with cinnamon and sugar, the fried okra, or the pinto bean pie.

Calhoun’s: Located in Oak Ridge, Calhoun’s is a great dinner destination after touring the Manhattan Project National Historic Park and American Museum of Science and Energy. Known for their BBQ, Calhoun’s view is also a draw; it sits right on the Clinch River, at 100 Melton Lake Peninsula.

Note: East Tennessee does have several wine trails, with the Great Valley Wine Trail the easiest to access from Knoxville. While the region is not known for wine, the views and ambiance at Spout Spring Estates Winery and Vineyard make this friendly winery worth a stop if driving through. It’s located at 430 Riddle Lane in Blaine, Tennessee.

Disclosure: I sampled Knoxville’s dining scene as a guest of the city, for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.

What to do in Anaheim beyond the parks: Anaheim Packing District

November 15, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ve planned a trip with the kids to Anaheim for the Disney theme parks, hopefully you’re taking my advice and adding at least one ‘rest day’ to your Disney itinerary. Disneyland and California Adventure are now at least a two-day affair, and by extending your Orange County trip to three full days, you can take a much needed break from the parks in the middle. Here’s what to do, beyond going to the beach.

What to do in Anaheim beyond the parks:

Anaheim Packing District:

This pedestrian-friendly district in Anaheim is only minutes from Disney, but feels a world away. Built at the site of one of Orange County’s famed orange groves of a few decades ago, the Packing District is now an eclectic and artistic mix of shops, dining venues, breweries, outdoor walkways and green spaces. It feels urban in a way most of the OC does not, and has been described as the ‘locals’ Anaheim’.

Start at the Packing House, which is two stories of dining options and artisan food speciality shops. The Packing House reminded me of Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market or even Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Kids will go crazy for the sweet milk, boba, and tea concoctions at Mini Monster, served in custom mason jars topped in clouds of cotton candy, and with the hand-dipped popsicles and ice cream at Popbar. I recommend the authentic Indian cuisine at ADYA and the Vietnamese flavors at Sawleaf Cafe, but the best part is that everyone can order from a different venue at the Packing House, then come together to eat at the same table, sharing bites.

The Packing House is surrounded by brew pubs with outdoor seating and kid-friendly amenities (think swings and board games) and more handmade and homemade goodness in MAKE and nearby Farmers Park. Leisuretown, coming soon, will feature more dining options plus a massive swimming pool, among other amusements.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts:

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a world-class performing arts center located adjacent to Anaheim in Costa Mesa. Yes, there are shows in Disney, but if you need a break for some genuine culture, this is where to do it. The Segerstrom offers a year-round Family Series, which features kid-friendly shows and performances throughout the year. For young kids, offerings such as Muppet sing-alongs and Journey to Oz are on the schedule for 2018, with shows such as School of Rock for older kids. Dining near the Segerstrom is limited to a few fine dining venues, so I recommend eating before arriving.

Tip: Many families coming to Orange County just for Disney don’t rent a car. You don’t need one to get to the Packing District or Segerstrom. While Southern California is admittedly not known for public transit, ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) does do a good job of getting families to and from the resort areas and the rest of Anaheim. You can connect to ART directly from Disneyland, and fares are only $5.50 for adults and $2 for kids ages 3-9. Lyft is a good bet as well!

Where to stay:

If you’re not staying on Disney property and want to be centrally located for both Disneyland and additional Anaheim and Costa Mesa offerings, I highly recommend the Homewood Suites Irvine. Minutes from everything, Irvine makes for a central home base that will help you avoid traffic, and is more budget-friendly than Orange County beach towns or Disney-adjacent properties.

The value proposition at Homewood Suites Irvine is high: families get free parking, free breakfast, free WiFi, easy access to Disney, and even a free nightly reception/drink option, that includes enough food to call it a light meal. During my visit, I watched a family of four make a full meal out of Italian cuisine appetizers, drinks (including wine and beer for parents) and desserts served complimentarily, and settle by the outdoor pool for a chill evening. The next evening, it was Chinese food, and my last evening, the reception centered around pizzas and antipasto. Plus, in addition to an outdoor pool and hot tub, the Homewood Suites features an outdoor sport court.