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FLAVORS FROM THE CROSSROADS

Cypress Bend Resort

In Central Louisiana, food and culture go hand in hand. This is the Crossroads region, where small-town charm, military roots,
and Cajun-Creole traditions blend into something entirely unique. It’s where the scent of cracklins frying in cast iron floats through
the air, étouffée simmers on stovetops, and recipes are passed down at kitchen tables, not through cookbooks. The flavors here
are bold, honest, and deeply tied to the people who’ve been perfecting them for generations.

In the Alexandria Pineville Area, meals aren’t just something you eat; they’re something you remember. At Quebedeaux’s
Cajun Café, rich pastas, gumbo, and seafood dishes bring together comfort and flavor in a warm, down-home atmosphere.
Southern classics get an upscale twist at The Diamond Grill, with menu items like lobster quesadillas and lemon beurre blanc
seabass topped with lump crab meat. Stop by Spirits Food & Friends, where you can enjoy a cocktail, listen to live music, and
feel like a local—even if you’re just passing through.

In Avoyelles Parish, history lives in every bite. Marksville’s La Petite Affaire Café takes a fresh, local approach to French and
Cajun favorites, with a cozy atmosphere and made-from-scratch dishes that reflect generations of care. For a more laid-back
experience, Bernard’s Cajun Sea-Fry Restaurant serves up fried seafood platters and po’boys that hit the spot every time.

Natchitoches, the oldest town in the state, is famous for its meat pies—and for good reason. Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant
has been serving them up for decades, filling that flaky crust with seasoned meat and Southern nostalgia. Nearby, Merci
Beaucoup takes things a step further with their Cajun Baked Potato, a belly-filling masterpiece loaded with crawfish étouffée
and fried shrimp.

Then there’s Toledo Bend Lake Country, where the meals are as memorable as the views. In Many, you’ll find places like
Fisherman’s Galley and Toledo Town & Tackle dishing out local favorites to hungry anglers and road-trippers alike. The 2nd
weekend in October is home to the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, where 20,000 dozen Zwolle Tamales are sold, but you can try them
year-round at Bub T’s Tamale House.

In Vernon Parish, the flavor’s as bold as the community itself. From slow-smoked brisket at Hickory Smoke House to soulful
plates at Battered Men’s BBQ and Caribbean-inspired eats at Brenda’s Puerto Rican Kitchen, this area proves that good food
knows no borders.

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