Best Of Part 2

Best Of Part 2

The Times Original Best Of SWLA
Decision ‘09

“The Times Original Best of SWLA” decision ’09 votes are all in and counted. This year we’ve added some new categories and taken a few out. You’ll find some of your old favorites, some new favorites, and some surprises. We now present the results for Best Art & Culture, Best Night Life, and Best Food in SWLA. Envelope please! And the winners are...

Best Arts & Culture

Best Annual SWLA Event – Contraband Days. Well, shiver me timbers! The two-week spring festival Contraband Days on the Lake Front has taken 1st place this year! No place party’s like SWLA, especially from Twelfth Night to Fat Tuesday. This year our voting readers gave second place to Mardi Gras SWLA. Third place goes to DeRidder’s Civil War Reenactment. Honorable mention goes to the Black Heritage Festival, Annual SW District Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Christmas under the Oaks, Sulphur, and Downtown at Sundown..

Best Arts Event – McNeese Banners Series – This year, McNeese Banners Series was more diverse than last year with its mixed disciplines, world artists, and musical variety. Banners Series is attracting larger crowds, giving the University, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and the community a fresh look at the variety of talent out there. The Arts & Humanities Council’s yearly Arts Fest came in second and will be celebrating its 30th year this October. The popular fall event, Gallery Promenade took third place this year, with Spring Art Crawl receiving honorable mention.

Best Live Theatre – Lake Charles Little Theatre. Up from last year’s second place spot, Lake Charles Little Theatre takes 1st place, comfortably ahead of the competition. Second place goes to McNeese Theatre Department. The Children’s Theatre Company took third place in decision‘09. Honorable mentions go to ACTS Theatre, A Block Off Broadway in Jennings, and The Impromptu Players in DeRidder.

Best Live Music – Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Decision ’09 has Jack Daniel’s at L’auberge still the #1 place for live music. Isle of Capri came in second this year. The Locally owned Luna Bar & Grill is a strong third place favorite. Earning honorable mention in ‘09 for providing quality live music were OB’s, followed by AJ’s Bar & Grill, and Yesterday’s.

Best Local Band/Musician – Static. Known as the creators of Zydecore, a progressive mixture of Cajun and Rock, Static is a versatile party band and that made them the number one choice in Decision ‘09. The amazing talents of The Kadillacs put them in second place with our voting readers. City Heat placed third. Honorable mention goes to Judd Bares, Steel Shot and Barry Badon & the BayouBoys Band.

Best Music Event – Downtown at Sundown. A sure sign that summer is on the way is the Friday night gathering at the corner of Broad and Ryan, downtown Lake Charles. Downtown at Sundown is an annual spring event spanning four Fridays after work. McNeese Banners Series was a close second with its eclectic music offerings. The Cajun Food & Music Festival placing third. Honorable mentions go to the Marshland Festival, the Zydeco and Blues Festival, the Lake Area Christmas Celebration, Trinity Baptist Church, and International Festival.

Best Public Art Gallery – 1911 City Hall. With variety of quality exhibits for residents and visitors alike, 1911 City Hall placed first. Gibson-Barham Gallery at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum took second place. Gallery By the Lake, Associated Louisiana Artist’s took third this year. Honorable mentions go to the Black Heritage Gallery and the Abercrombie Gallery at MSU this year.

Best Art/Gift/Frame Shop & Gallery – Greg David’s Frameworks. For fine custom framing, gifts, photographs, and original art our readers chose Greg David’s Frameworks as #1 in decision ’09. Second place goes to The Frame House Gallery & Gifts. The Louisiana Artist’s Guild, Imperial Calcasieu Museum came in third this year. Honorable mentions go to Bridgepointe, in Moss Bluff, Harrington Gallery, and Gallery By the Lake.

Best Museum – The Children’s Museum. Each year the Children’s Museum offers hands-on art, science, and creative playtime, and ranks highest among our voters. We wish them a quick recovery from the fire. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum with art exhibits, regional history displays, and the beautiful Sallier Oak, placed a strong second. The Brimstone Museum, in Sulphur came in third. Honorable mentions go to the Beauregard Museum, DeRidder, the Mardi Gras Museum at Central School, and 1911 City Hall.

Best Park– Sam Houston Jones. In a repeat of last year’s rankings, the beauty of Sam Houston Jones Park rated first with our readers. Sulphur Water Park, offering unique fun to residents and visitors, took second place. Bor du Lac Park on the lake front came in third. Honorable mentions go to Prien Lake Park, Frasch Park in Sulphur, the Oil and Gas Park in Jennings, and the 9/11 Memorial on the Lake Charles seawall.

Best Place to Take the Kids – The Children’s Museum. The Children’s Museum, conveniently located right in downtown Lake Charles rates the highest for area kids. We wish them a quick recovery from the fire. Sulphur Water Park came in second, with Sam Houston Jones State Park placing third. Honorable mention goes to Shiver Me Timbers Park.


Best Night Life

Best Casino/Place to Gamble -- L’auberge du Lac. L’auberge takes first place hands down, with a variety of gaming, dining, and night life. The Isle of Capri came in second, with Grand Casino Coushatta a strong third. Honorable mention goes to Delta Downs. All of our top four gaming venues offer great food, fun and music to both residents and visitors of Southwest Louisiana.

Best Place to Hang Out With Friends – Luna Bar & Grill. The popular night spot to hang with friends is Luna this year with its outside music venue and live choice music acts. Buffalo Wild Wings took second place with Frosty Factory a close third. Very honorable mentions, popular with our readers, go to Crystal’s, Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill at L’auberge, Darrell’s, Cooler’s Ice House, Yesterdays, and OB’s.

Best Happy Hour – Buffalo Wild Wings. If you’re hanging out with friends for happy hour, Buffalo Wild Wings is the first choice! Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill at L’auberge took second place this year. Frosty Factory came in third. OB’s, Cowboy’s, Globar at L’auberge, and Pujo Street Café garnered honorable mention.

Best Place to Dance –Yesterdays. Yesterday’s is the favorite place to dance the night away for our readers. They voted L’auberge After Dark as their second favorite and Cowboy’s took third place. Crystal’s and Isle of Capri made a strong showing for honorable mention.

Best Beer Variety – Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Voted first place again, patrons at Jack Daniel’s at L’auberge can tour the world of beers. Buffalo Wild Wings took second place this year. Waynes & Laynes came in third. Making honorable mention for lovers of the brew are Pappy’s Sports Pub, Cajun Jeaux’s, Darrell’s, and Luna.

Best Margarita – Casa Manana. Frozen, on-the-rocks, salt or no salt, Casa Manana’s margarita’s continue to be tops with our voters. Casa Ole took second for Decision ’09 with Chili’s showing a strong third. Honorable mentions go to Margarita’s Bar & Grill, Outback, and Nevie Beach Club at L’auberge.

Best Martini – Globar at L’auberge. Voted number one for its variety and quality, Globar’s martinis’ are tops with our readers. Pujo Street Café came in second. Their chocolate martini is a must try—you know, instead of desert or with! Nevie Beach Club at L’auberge comes in third. Honorable mention martinis go to Outback, (the aptly named) Martini’s, O’Charley’s, and Cajun Jeaux’s.

Best Sports Bar – Buffalo Wild Wings. Our readers have voted and it’s Buffalo Wild Wings for sports on the big screens. Darrell’s came in a very close second. Jack Daniels Bar & Grill came in third. Honorable mentions go to Cooler’s Ice House and OB’s.

Best Bar Overall – Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Decision ’09 gave Jack Daniel’s top honors again this year. OB’s made a strong showing for second place, with Yesterday’s placing third. Honorable mentions go to Cajun Jeaux’s, Wayne & Laynes, Darrell’s, and Luna Bar & Grill.

Best SWLA Food

Best Appetizers – Outback Steakhouse. As with any great meal, we’ll start at the beginning. Decision ’09 voters gave Outback Steakhouse top honors for appetizers. O’Charley’s took second place and Luna Bar & Grill garnered third place again. Honorable mentions go to the popular Pat’s of Henderson, Logan’s, and Snake River Grill at L’auberge.

Best Plate Lunch – Cajun Café. Still a great bargain again this year, the Best Plate Lunch is Cajun Café. Hackett’s came in second and Southern Spice took third. Very honorable mentions go to Nina P’s Café, Hollier’s, and Sausage Link, Sulphur.

Best Romantic Dinner Date – Mazen’s. When it’s time for romance, our readers choose the ambiance at Mazen’s. Harlequin Steakhouse placed second this year with The Snake River Grill at L’auberge in third place. Honorable mentions go to La Truffe Sauvage, Pat’s of Henderson, and Pujo Street Café.

Best Place to Chow Down After 2 AM – KD’s Café. After the party, late night studying, or late shift, KD’s is the place for night owls to gather for breakfast or a burger. The Waffle House placed second with Le Café at L’auberge taking third. Honorable mention goes to Tradewinds at Isle of Capri.

Best Gumbo – Seafood Palace. Decision ’09 is a repeat of last year! Our readers gave Seafood Palace first place honors for its gumbo. Pat’s of Henderson was voted second place and Steamboat Bill’s came in third. Honorable mentions were earned by Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen, Chastain’s,and The Boiling Point, Sulphur.

Best Seafood – Pat’s of Henderson. Decision ’09 put Pat’s of Henderson in first place with Steamboat Bills in a close second. Seafood Palace was voted third place again this year. Honorable mentions go to Mazen’s, Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen and Chastian’s Food & Spirits.

Best Crawfish – Steamboat Bills. When it comes to boiled crawfish, nobody does ‘em like Steamboat Bill’s and they take first place again this year. Our readers gave second place to Seafood Palace and third place to JT’s Seafood. The Boiling Point, Hollier’s, Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen, and Richard’s, in Sulphur earned honorable mentions.

Best Po Boy -- Darrell’s. Once again, Darrell’s was overwhelmingly voted the best Po Boys in SWLA. Tony’s Pizza took second place this year. Leonard’s came in third this year. Wayne & Layne’s, Blue Duck, Pappy’s Deli, and Nina P’s earned honorable mention in the tight race.

Best Deli – Pronia’s Deli. For great muffulettas, look no further than Pronia’s Deli. Our readers voted them first place in Decision ’09. McAllister’s took second place and Pappy’s Deli was third in the voting. Tony’s, Luna and Roly-Poly Subway earned honorable mentions.

Best Breakfast/Brunch – Cracker Barrel. The local establishment of the national chain has taken first place for best breakfast again this year. But for breakfast anytime, KD’s Café placed a close second. The Waffle House took third. Honorable mentions go to the Le Café at L’aberge, and Pitt Grill.

Best Coffee House – Starbucks. The Seattle chain has found success globally and locally. Starbucks was voted number one. The local Coffee Beanery came in second. Local landmark Chez Café placed third. Joe Muggs and Latte’s at L’auberge took honorable mentions.

Best King Cake – Market Basket. Our readers gave the bakers at the area Market Baskets top honors again for King Cake. Misse’s King Cakes came in second, with Delicious Donuts & Bakery in third place. Honorable mentions go to Nelson’s Donuts, Pronia’s, Jo’s Party House and A Piece of Cake.

Best Boudin – The Market Basket on Nelson. In a repeat of last year’s winners: The Nelson Road Market Basket once again took first place for boudin. Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen placed second and Robideaux’s in Iowa took third place. The Sausage Link, Homsi’s Meat Market, and Boudin King in Jennings won honorable mentions.

Best Bar-B-Q – Dan’s BBQ Express. At the top again for Decision ’09, Dan’s BBQ Express is the favorite among our readers. Pink Pig moved to second place with the Smokey Joe’s in third place. Honorable mentions go to Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen, Famous Bar-B-Que, Smokey Joe’s, and Outback.

Best Local Pizza – Tony’s Pizza. Eat in or drive-thru, Tony’s on Prien Lake Road is the place to go for authentic homemade pizza. Mr. Gatti’s pizza was voted second place and DeAngelos Express took third. Honorable mentions go to Joe’s in Sulphur, Mama Rosa’s, and Leonard’s.

Best Local Hamburger – Dairy Barn. First place among our readers this year is Dairy Barn. Second place goes to Cotten’s. Third place is Back Yard Burger’s with Pappy’s Deli, Mary Ann’s Café, and Chastain’s earning honorable mentions.

Best Fried Chicken – Popeye’s. Our reader’s like their chicken spicy and voted Popeye’s as their first choice in Decision ‘09. Lake Charles’ own Ball’s Fried Chicken placed a strong second. Raisin’ Cane’s came in third. Honorable mentions go to Fausto’s, Church’s, and Kentucky Fired Chicken.

Best Bakery Goodies – Jo’s Party House. Readers with a sweet tooth voted Jo’s Party House their favorite again this year, with Cypi’s Cake Box taking second place up from third last year. Terra Cotta’s placed third with honorable mention going to Sweets & Treats and A Piece of Cake.

Best Salad or Salad Bar – O’Charley’s. Up from third place, O’Charley’s gets first place with our readers. Tony’s luscious salads with Greek olives and pepperoncini came in second. Luna Bar & Grill placed third. Pat’s of Henderson, and Harlequin Steakhouse earned honorable mentions.

Best Italian – Olive Garden. The national chains get top spots this year, Olive Garden in first place and Johnny Carino’s in second. Third place goes to locally owned and operated Tony’s Pizza. Very honorable mentions go to local landmarks Mama Rosa’s and DeAngelos Express.

Best Asian – Peking Gardens. Placing first for best Asian cuisine is Peking Gardens. Hong Kong placed second and Fuji Japanese Cuisine took third. Honorable mentions are earned by Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse, Wok D Lite, Miyako Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, and Asia at L’auberge.

Best Mexican – Casa Manana. Still number one with our readers, Casa Manana makes the top of the list in Decision ‘09. Cancun moves up and takes second place with El Tapatio placing third. Casa Ole, Que Pasa Taqueria and Tequila Margarita & Grille, earned honorable mentions with our voters once again.

Best Salsa – Casa Manana. Coming out ahead again this year, a full bowl of Casa’s famous salsa is always on your table or on the way. Casa Ole is in second place and El Tapatio came in third. Honorable mention goes to Cancun for their strong showing with voters.

Best Steak – Harlequin Steak House. This family-owned establishment earned the title of Best Steak in the area again this year. Mazen’s moves up from last year to take second place. The Snake River Grill came in third. O’Charley’s, Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill, Pat’s of Henderson and Outback earned honorable mentions.

Best Desserts – Terra Cotta’s. Those yummy confections at Terra Cotta’s took number one with our voting readers once again this year. Piccadilly’s selections came in second with Outback Steakhouse’s delights placing third. Honorable mentions go to O’Charley’s, Johnny Carino’s, Snake River Grill, L’Auberge, and Pujo Street Café.

Best Local Restaurant. Period. – Pat’s of Henderson. Over 50 years of Cajun family tradition and service make Pat’s of Henderson the ultimate dining experience for decision ‘09. Mazen’s Mediterranean & Continental Restaurant was voted second and Harlequin Steakhouse took third place.