Road trip time!

[doubleg2005]

alright, so tonight my wife and i will be driving down to houston for a couple days, and then heading over new orleans. while i intend on keeping a trip log of mileage (etc) i'd like some other recommendations, such as good places to eat!

i've never been to new orleans and will be there for 4 days, so a good blend of the "standards" as well as some local gems would be appreciated!

[Dixiechick]

Have fun in NO. I love that town. I haven't been since Katrina, but would love to go back. I always loved the muffaletas at Central Grocery (near Jackson Square).

[zenMachine]

Mulate's is a great Cajun restaurant right outside Lafayette. It's not right on the highway (I-10), but is worth a small detour on your way to Baton Rouge. They even have local Cajun bands in the evening, if you're into local culture and stuff.

As for N.O., I would avoid Cafe DuMonde. The coffee is bland, the beignes now taste like doughnuts with lots of powder sugar, the lines are long and the restrooms are ... not that great.

A trip through the devastated Ninth Ward might be interesting, but be sure to visit during daytime.

(I lived in Lafayette for a few years back in the 80's, BTW.)

Mulate's, Lafayette - Lonely Planet Travel Guide

[Jiipa]

If you get tired of paying top price for the gormet restuarants in N. O. and like pizza stop by Mama Rosa's Slice of Italy on North Rampart St. But be sure to bring your appetite.

[doubleg2005]

great ideas thus far, i think i may have to make some pit stops!

zen: i'll actually be volunteering in the lower 9th a couple of the days i'm there. i would feel way too guilty if i didn't...

travel update: started with 100 miles on tank and MFD reading 69.7, made a stop after 90ish minutes for dinner, then drove another 90ish minutes and pulled into Houston with the MFD reading 300 miles and 56.7 MPG. So far, so good, methinks... especially with the incredibly full load in the hatch...

[pdhenry]

Unioin Oyster House, definitely.

We go to the "big name" restaurants for lunch; the same experience for less money and less food left on our plate (my wife has a small stomach and I can only compensate so much).

[doubleg2005]

final update:
1300 miles, 24.6 gallons of gas purchased (nearly 53 mpg for the trip)

oh, and if anyone is ever down by the convention center, avoid Gordon Biersch... microbrewery that provided the WORST experience of the week...

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by doubleg2005

final update:
1300 miles, 24.6 gallons of gas purchased (nearly 53 mpg for the trip)

Looks like a good and not-too-expensive trip. We're going to triple the miles next month, and we will be in mountain-type country part of the time. We'll aim at your 53, but I'm not optimistic.

[doubleg2005]

Originally Posted by Fraser

Looks like a good and not-too-expensive trip. We're going to triple the miles next month, and we will be in mountain-type country part of the time. We'll aim at your 53, but I'm not optimistic.

3 or 4 months ago, i wouldn't have gotten 53 on the hwy (hooray for break-in periods) but this trip i set the CC at 62 (98 km/h) and let it ride.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by doubleg2005

3 or 4 months ago, i wouldn't have gotten 53 on the hwy (hooray for break-in periods) but this trip i set the CC at 62 (98 km/h) and let it ride.

We'll probably cruise at 65. My wife would prefer 70, but I gotta be cheap. 5 mph probably won't add two hours to the trip, one way.