Delta Delights

It’s quite easy to adjust to the relaxed pace of life and friendliness of folks in northeast Louisiana. Here, you’ll find ample farmland and scenic drives dotted with restaurants serving Southern staples. Cornbread and down-home vegetables are served alongside Louisiana favorites, including terrific catfish and crawfish, and a few more surprises along the way.

Start your tasty trip in Ruston at the Blue Light Café and fill your plate with butter beans, sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas. Their pork chops are so big they come on a separate plate! The peaches grown in this area are considered the best around, so take home a basketful if you're visiting in early summer.

In Monroe and West Monroe, work up an appetite with a little shopping along Antique Alley. Then, head for a meal with a view at Waterfront Grill or Warehouse No. 1. The Food Network show Chopped took note of local chef Cory Bahr. Named a Chopped champion, Bahr's Cotton restaurant in Monroe puts a contemporary twist on Southern comfort foods. Think okra fries, duck wraps and crawfish mac and cheese.