Making a trip soon down to Baton Rouge for a wedding. Will leave St. Louis Friday Morning and get to Baton Rouge Friday night, prolly stopping in Memphis for food along the way. Wedding is a Saturday evening wedding at 6 pm. So we have Saturday afternoon to kill and might go to the USS Kidd then, or could use advise on other stuff to do that won't take long, and doens't take us far (we will have a car) The actual wedding is in the Plaquemine area.

We will then have all day Sunday to explore the Baton Rouge area, before leaving to drive back on Monday. We have complentated stopping in either Tunica or Memphis Monday night and returning back to St. Louis Tuesday.

So... What places to AVOID in Baton Rouge?

Suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, and what to do appreciated.

For the rest, Anyone been to Tunica? Nice? Crappy tourist trap? Shithole?

Any other advice from any locals?

Thanks

Eat at Parrain's Seafood Restaurant. You owe it to yourself to eat their Chargrilled Oysters (all of their oysters are great, but the chargrilled are life altering and likely life shortening). Eating there Saturday lunch, Sunday lunch, and Sunday dinner would not be overdoing it. If you've never had it before, you should try fried alligator, Boudin Balls, blackened fish w/ Ponchartrain sauce.

Fried pickles (Parrain's doesn't have them) are another cajun appetizer favorite (I prefer hamburger chips over spears).

It’s Florida /LSU game Saturday night this week.

Traffic is going to be a nightmare more than usual

Hope you’ve got lodging locked in already

Food is about the only thing Memphis has going for it, provided you aren’t looking to eat healthy. Gus’s Fried Chicken is legit. Good BBQ is everywhere. My favorite is actually Memphis BBQ Company which is just South of Memphis on I55 in Horn Lake Ms. central BBQ, One and Only (only good brisket sandwich in town), and The BBQ Shop are the one I frequent in Memphis. I had many a rack of ribs at Blues City on Beale when I worked downtown, but haven’t been there in years. Don’t get suckered into going to Corkys or Rendezvous. Corkys is OK, but generic. Rendezvous is overrated in my opinion and where the tourists flock. The location and the history are cool, but the food itself is merely adequate. There are also a ton of pretty neat little hole in the wall joints, but I wouldn’t recommend any of them for out of towers traveling with families as they tend to be in areas that the unwary can quickly find themselves in trouble. If you ever find yourself in the area alone and feeling adventurous drop me a line and I’ll send you a list.

Also I am told to try a "beignet" what the hell is It? Is it Good? Where is best?

A beignet is a square of donut like dough that has a little tougher texture that a donut. It is square and coated with powdered sugar. Along with the beignet get a cup of café a lait to go with it. This is a mixture of coffee and cream that is wonderful. I like Coffee Call on College Drive.

When in Baton Rouge also make a stop at the old state capital (Mark Twain called it the ugliest building on the Mississippi, but it isn't) Right down the road is the new state capital that has a nice observation deck at the top. Here you can learn about Huey P Longs assassination.

LSU doesn't play Florida until 7 that night so if you get out early you can drive through campus and start to see the madness that Tiger stadium becomes on a football day. If you decide to go try to see Mike the Tigers new home.


If you like Italian food then Geno's is about the best. Parrains as a poster recommended is good.


North Baton Rouge is where you should be most cautious. But I guess like everywhere else you have to be careful and aware anywhere.

One last thing. If you happen to be in the area of McComb, Mississippi between 11 - 2 there is a great restaurant called The Dinner Bell that has the best home cooking ever. You can have a great dinner and some good conversation as you are seated at a round table with about 10 other diners and the food is on a lazy susan type table that rotates.

Have fun and be safe.


Hope you enjoy your trip

I second the Memphis BBQ Company. There is also a nicely remodeled Drury's across the street that I have stayed at several times.

Several casinos are closed in Tunica.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:

Also I am told to try a "beignet" what the hell is It? Is it Good? Where is best?

A donut-like thing. I spent a couple weeks in New Orleans, teaching a course. My wife was there with me part of the time. She loved Café du Monde for her beignet and coffee (café au lait).

She also liked Muffuletta for lunch -- a type of sandwich.

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
It’s Florida /LSU game Saturday night this week.

Traffic is going to be a nightmare more than usual

Hope you’ve got lodging locked in already

Do not overlook this man's post. If you've never been to an SEC town on a weekend like this, you have no idea what you're getting into. Hopefully you're coming FOR the game, will be a good time.

Great places to stop from Memphis to Baton Rouge? Just keep moving.....

(eta - the Dinner Bell is pretty good in McComb as mentioned. Legit country cooking)

Sorry …. Memphis BBQ in Southhaven, MS is crap. Period.

Central BBQ, BBQ Shop on Madison, One and Only are all very good choices.

Recently tried Elwood's Shack off Highland near Summer. Excellent!!! Kinda tough to find as you have to park in the Lowe's parking lot.

Safe Travels.

Andrew

Tunica has gone to crap, nothing to see there unless you want to hang out with some old lady smoking pulling a slot machine handle.

Food in Memphis is excellent. Central (downtown location) and Gus's downtown locations are both close in proximity. Problem is downtown has nice enough hotels but also has a high chance of getting a window knocked out and your car rummaged through while you sleep. If you want to hit downtown, do it on your way to Baton Rouge and just stop here to eat.

I'll throw a curve ball at you if you want to stop here to sleep on the way back. You can get on the new 269 loop just south of Memphis and hit the east side of the area. Nicer places to stay near Collierville. They have a Gus's location out there as well as a Corky's BBQ and many others. You'll miss out on Beale street and some other cool places, but you'll also avoid the vagrants, muggers, and carjackers as well. For your travel back to St. Louis you can cut through at 79 to Mason then to 59 up to Hwy 51 up to Dyersburg and cross the river to get back on 55 at Caruthersville. Going this way you can actually hit the original Gus's location where it all started in Mason for your Sunday fried chicken meal (it doesn't get any more cooler than that). It adds a few miles, but the traffic is lighter so it kind of washes.

http://gusfriedchicken.com/mason-tennessee-location/

Great info given here, I’ll add this...

Memphis

Graceland if your a fan or curios about Elvis.

Mud Island a really cool large venue museum that showcases the history of the MS River. Has a
scaled model in concrete that you walk in with running water outside its perimeter of the MS River from start to Gulf, which is a big swimming hole. It’s pretty cool.

Baton Rouge (when we are in town visiting family these are must have stops)

Dempsey’s on Coursey Blvd if you want, you really do, a real and an excellent New Orleans PoBoy and gumbo also.

Sweetys, if still open for season, best New Orleans style real Snow-Ball you’ll ever have outside NO. It’s on Range Ave S, Denham Springs down from Bass Pro.

Raising Canes Chicken tenders. Best chicken tenders ever. They are to tenders what Chic-fil-a is to the chicken sandwich. Great sweet tea if you drink it or never have and want to try it. Also buy extra toast with your meal. Our kids ask for several pieces when we visit. All they serve is tenders.

CC (Community Coffee) coffee shops. Great coffee.


Flora, MS has an interesting Petrified Forest to walk through.


Vicksburg, MS has the Vicksburg Military Park. Great history on one of the major Civil War Battles. It’s a drive through self tour of numerous monuments dedicated to all states involved in the battle.

Don’t waste anytime in Jackson,MS except for gas and a bathroom if needed. Nothing there to see,

While Gus’s Fried Chicken is great, don’t waste a visit while in Memphis; you have one in Maplewood there in STL that is true to the original.

I agree with the others regarding Corkys and Rendezvous, both are sad examples of Memphis bbq. Central BBQ was always a favorite when I used to travel to Memphis pretty regularly.

quote:

Wedding is a Saturday evening wedding at 6 pm.

Whats the bet it's a 1 hour or less ceremony and there are TV's tuned to the LSU/FL game at the reception..

As others said, it's a big game this year both teams undefeated, top ranking involved, a lot on the line so Death Valley AKA Tiger Stadium will be rocking 102,321 crazy beer drinking fans. I think LSU approved beer sales at games when the SEC ok'd sales this year.

It isn't this coming weekend, but next.

What is the weather like down there during this time?

1)If you stop at Gus's chicken, the hush puppies (no kiddin') are the best thing on the menu, however, not all Gus's locations make them.

2)The Rendezvous has great ribs, but be aware, they are dry rub, not wet ribs. The One and Only has hands down, the best wet ribs.

If anyone is old enought to remember Gridley's back in the '70s-80s, well, Memphis lost a really great BBQ when they went under. Nobody, but nobody has ever done BBQ better than Gridleys...but I keep looking....hoping I just haven't found 'the One' (who can do BBQ better) yet.

My family and I routinely eat BBQ and live in the area, and we haven't found one better than Memphis BBQ in Southaven (one "H") MS. Well, technically it's in Horn Lake I guess, they're opposite sides of the interstate... Sounds like out of everyone here, one of us had a bad experience, but I eat it frequently and it's solid. I also like Central BBQ (original location, try the BBQ nachos if you go) and Germantown Commissary (for tamales). To my taste and that of my family, One and Only just isn't great, but it's ok. Sauces are too sweet, maybe??

Other options: If you like fish, Soul Fish in Cooper and Young district is good, their jalepeno tartar sauce rocks. Gus' chicken is good, and now Hattie B's (original to Nashville hot chicken scene) has a location also in Cooper & Young. Babalu has a great burger and their made-by-your-table guacamole is great also. Coletta's pizza is great. The Second Line is a great restaurant with a variety of delicious po-boys, red beans and rice, and other cajuny things. The Arcade downtown isn't famous for no reason, breakfast and burgers being preeminent. Jerry's Sno Cones in North Memphis for dessert, get the soft serve ice cream in the middle; sounds silly but once you get them, you'll crave more. Neighborhood looks sketchy, but stick on the property and you'll be fine.

Post up if you have specific things you don't like or do, and we can narrow it down for you.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
It isn't this coming weekend, but next.

What is the weather like down there during this time?

Long term forecast for the Memphis area is showing cloudy on Friday that week, high of 70; Saturday appears to be rain with a high of 75.

For lodging, if you decide to stay in the general Memphis area, avoid anything in Memphis proper like the plague.

If you opt to stop of at Memphis BBQ, that's on the Goodman Road exit off I-55. East of the exit is a Courtyard by Marriott, a Home2 Suites by Hilton, a Holiday Inn, and a Hilton Garden Inn, all of which are in very safe locations and I would let my daughters stay without concern. The Drury, as mentioned, is on the NW side of the same interchange (Goodman and I-55) and is a solid choice, maybe a little less desirable location relative to the others I mention. If you are stopping off anywhere near Jackson, stay in Madison/Ridgeland area, do NOT stay in Jackson MS itself unless you're familiar with the spot.

quote:

Originally posted by chuck416:
1)If you stop at Gus's chicken, the hush puppies (no kiddin') are the best thing on the menu, however, not all Gus's locations make them.

2)The Rendezvous has great ribs, but be aware, they are dry rub, not wet ribs. The One and Only has hands down, the best wet ribs.

If anyone is old enought to remember Gridley's back in the '70s-80s, well, Memphis lost a really great BBQ when they went under. Nobody, but nobody has ever done BBQ better than Gridleys...but I keep looking....hoping I just haven't found 'the One' (who can do BBQ better) yet.

Man I had forgot about Gridleys. Great memories of going there with my grandmother.