Anyone ever lived or spent time in Monroe, LA? I am stuck out here for two months on a project and the only thing I can see for miles around is fast food joints.

Any recs of non-chain restaurants would be appreciated.

I know there has to be some hole in the walls because 1) this is Lousiana 2) this is a college town.

I think I ate at a Ralph and Kacoo's there once..... Kind of like Pappadeaux......

There is a Hooters right off of I-20 in West Monroe.

Go to Cooter Bay...if it still exists...

There's a pretty good BBQ place there. I forget the name, but I think it's located kinda between the ULM campus and the airport.

I didn't know Monroe had a Ralph & Kacoo's. Their food ain't bad at all.

Podnuh's BBQ is good....it's on 165N and has another location on Louisville/Desiard

The Mohawk on Louisville Avenue is the best place in town.. by far..

O'Charley's by the mall... prettty decent dinner place.

Good luck.

BTW, the Hooters is in WEST Monroe.

Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

If you are on a project, why not as a local?

I think they also have a Coupland's. GREAT restaurant!

Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

Cucos, Lousville Ave. Used to have a good Bed and Breakfast also.

just drive to Lake Charles and go to Pat's of Henderson.

really

There's a good BBQ place in Ruston.

Drive half an hour west to Ruston to a steak restaurant/bar&grill called, Rabb's. You won't regret it. College bar with great music ... Over 25 crowd before 9:30... college kids after 10... David Allen Coe, Pat Green, and others play here if that helps.

Copeland's in Monroe:

3851 Pecanland Mall Rd.

Monroe, LA 71203

(318) 324-1212

www.copelands.net

Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

Thanks guys. Copeland's is good, but I can get that in Dallas. Ponuh's is right down the road from the office, so I will try that tommorow.

The locals I asked gave me a bunch of chain joints.

Here is the list I got from a post on www.chowhound.com

For excellent po-boys (the roast beef with extra gravy is THE best): Ray's PeGe, 8209 Desiard, in east Monroe (A few miles east of ULM).

For some of the best food in northern Louisiana: the Waterfront Grill. It's located on the bayou and everything served is fabulous. Just down the bayou from ULM on Desiard Street.

Johnny's Pizza -- This is locally owned and operated, and there are several locations in Monroe. Excellent pizza and gigantic muffalettas.

Thurmans Food Factory -- 1608 Stubbs. This is a catering business, but they serve box lunches on weekdays that are to die for.

The Kitchen -- 202 S. 6th Street. Serves huge helpings of good, old-fashioned food. Downtown off of Desiard.

Podnuh's BarBQ -- Several locations in Monroe -- one on Hwy 165 N and another on Hwy 165 S.

Boudreaux's Creole Grill -- 3610 Desiard. Good cajun food and Abita beer.

Genusa's -- Locally owned Italian food. Located on Park Ave. behind Forsythe Park.

The Warehouse -- 1 Olive Street, on the Ouachita River. Upscale ... Excellent steaks and seafood (shrimp, fried catfish, etc.)

Danken Trail BBQ: 7702 Desiard. Similar to Podnuh's, but the best baked beans in the south.

Cormier's -- On Forsythe Ave. Crawfish and shrimp, but food subject to season and availability.

Palmira's -- Home-owned Mediterranean, very good food. 1700 North 18th Street

Ernesto's -- Upscale and the best Mexican food in Monroe. 401 Bres Ave.

Try Johnny's....some of the best pizza anywhere.

I've always wanted to try some of Johnny's crawfish and "sweep the kitchen" pizza. Maybe someday.