Must-Taste Dishes on the Holiday Trail of Lights

Santa will be making multiple stops along the Holiday Trail of Lights—try to catch him in Ruston and you’ll have an excuse to visit the Cajun restaurant Ponchatoula’s, where you can warm up with a bowl of gumbo, sip on various seasonal cocktails, or enjoy a beer from local Utility Brewing. Afterwards, stroll across the way to Railway Coffee, where the winter menu offers just the afternoon pick-me-up (caffeinated or not!) you’ll need. 

In search of more seasonal drinks? In Alexandria, community staple coffee shop Tamp & Grind’s extensive menu of teas, hot chocolate, chai lattes, and Italian sodas pair deliciously with homemade mini waffles or avocado toast. After a long day of Christmas festivities, dine at the Bentley Room Restaurant to indulge in entrees like filet mignon, maple bacon bourbon salmon, and garlic alfredo pasta.

In Natchitoches—between your adventures at the Natchitoches Christmas Festival (in its 96th year!), don’t miss a chance to try the best meat pies in the country at Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen—which has been praised by The New Yorker and Southern Cooking alike. Also worth a bite are this landmark restaurant's Creole fried chicken sandwich and Cajun crawfish etouffee. 

Are Monroe’s ballet performances, fireworks shows, and parades on your itinerary? Add in a stop to Trapp’s—where the seafood nachos are an absolute must. Savor a plate of crispy kettle chips smothered in fried crawfish tails, grilled shrimp, veggies, and a generous helping of queso while taking in sparkling fireworks (December 3) right on the riverfront.  

Don’t miss your chance, while you’re in town, to try Shreveport’s famed local delicacy: deep-fried shrimp stuffed with spicy Creole dressing—tartar sauce on the side. The dish originated in the Freeman & Harris Café, which, before its closing, was one of the oldest Black-owned restaurants in the country. Today, you’ll still find Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp served in many establishments, but if you’re looking for a fine dining experience, opt for Orlandeaux’s Café, which offers Shreveport-style shrimp along with other Creole dishes, as well as stellar views out over Cross Lake.

Looking for inspiration for your own kitchen this holiday season? Keep an eye out in grocery stores along the trail for Benwood’s Surely Southern products—created by Logansport local Chef Hunter Lee, who is the author to three cookbooks, too. Made with local cuisine in mind, Benwood’s barbeque rubs, blackening seasonings, and hot sauces are sure to add some serious Southern credentials your next Christmas menu. Find a list of locations selling Benwood’s at bewoodssurelysouthern.com.

And, of course, we can’t forget the sugarplums—satisfy your sweet tooth in Minden, where local businesses Geaux Fresh and Parish Design Co. offer Dorcheat Bottom Cookies—chocolate-dipped vanilla delights with chocolate chips, frosted pecans, and caramel. 

Plan out your Christmas Adventure/Louisiana food tour at holidaytrailoflights.com