FOOD: A Culinary Tour of Baton Rouge

Move over, Tom Fitzmorris. A new generation of New Orleans food critics is now exploring the delicacies found in their home state’s capital.

Though accustomed to the specialties found in the famous New Orleans’ restaurants like Trout Almandine, turtle soup, and beignets, the displaced gourmands are seeking to sate their epicurean tastes in the safe harbor of Baton Rouge.

Just off I-10 near College Drive, gastronomes can delve into a veritable flood of top-notch corporate eateries.

The world famous family restaurant Applebee’s, the quirky but quaint taqueria Chili’s, and the high-class steak house Outback can be found right off the bumper-to-bumper traffic in sunny Baton Rouge.

“It’s more like a pleasure cruise for the pallet than a long term hurricane evacuation,” says diner Gerald Fotenot. “The fajitas at Applebee’s are great for a date night. It’s plenty of food, but you’ll have to ask for extra tortillas.”

Trade in your Bucktown seafood favorites for all you can eat King Crab legs at the Baton Rouge Red Lobster. The price is fair at $12.99, and you can’t get more New Orleans than the décor at the Red Lobster. They even have an old oar on the wall, adjacent to a framed Pat Swilling Saints jersey. Kids eat half-price.

Forget the Eggs Sardou and Brandy Milk Punch at Brennan’s. The Waffle House on LA Highway 1 in Port Allen boasts a filling patty melt and viscous fountain Barq’s.

(The Coke is currently out, but the management is working out some kinks in the supply chain.)

If it’s spicy you’re looking for, forget the boiled crawfish and get your paws on a Spicy Cajun Chicken sandwich available exclusively at Wendy’s Hamburger Restaurants in various locations in Tiger Country.

For those of you lucky enough to be in Baton Rouge for the holidays, head over to the Casino Baton for the Nouvelle Orleans Thanksgiving Dinner with Stove Top Stuffing that will make your forget your grandmother’s oyster dressing. It’s available for Thanksgiving Day and four days after.

Bon Appetít, Baton Rouge!