Louisiana Eatery Recognized as One of the ‘South’s Most Beloved’ Diners

(KMDL-FM) If you get into a conversation with anyone and they realize that you are from Louisiana, eventually the course of the conversation will shift to food. While New Orleans is known for the sizzle and the show that comes with dining, other places in the state have earned an epicurean reputation of their own. Perhaps, "epicurean" is a little too highfalutin; we should just call them what they are, diners.

Every small town and every large town that was once small has a diner that seems to define the spirit of the community. In the South, there is a level of loyalty attached to these small-town eateries that, over time, has taken the establishment from a simple place to eat to iconic status.

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The folks at Southern Living appreciate this kind of homage to the past, and they have recently revealed their choices for the 14 Most Beloved Diners in the South. I am proud to say that I am a fan and semi-regular customer of Louisiana's lone representative on this list.

Oddly enough, the Louisiana choice made by the Southern Living editors is not known for its crawfish, shrimp, seafood, gumbo, or any of the other Louisiana food groups. This place is known for pie. No, you're going to have to drive further north than Lecompte and Lea's Lunchroom. But make no mistake, the folks at Lea's will serve you some pie.

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What Is Louisiana's Most Beloved Diner?

The "Most Beloved Diner" in Louisiana, according to Southern Living, is on the narrowest highway I have ever driven on in my life. It's called King's Highway in Shreveport, and you can tell they forced that road to be that wide in that tiny space. If you drive a truck with big mirrors, fold them in.

But right there on Kings Highway, you'll find Strawn's Eat Shop. It's been there since 1944. It's right across from Centenary College and not too far from the campus of LSU-Shreveport, at least the Health Sciences Departments. Stawn's has other locations in the city, but this is the original.

What Is The Best Thing to Order at Strawn's Eat Shop?

The food is what you'd expect from a diner. It's made with love, care, and a lot of fresh ingredients. I always get meatloaf and mashed potatoes. And you have to have pie at Strawn's. There is no if, and, or but. You're getting pie. I think that's what sets Strawn's Eat Shop over the top and why Southern Living and its editors found it to be such an amazing place.

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Oh, one more thing. When you visit Strawn's Eat Shop, you can help but marvel at the mural in the main dining area. It's like a visit from every pop culture figure you ever knew existed. Never mind those pesky copyright laws, we have pie to eat, right?