The People of SWLA

Area 337 A Latino Kitchen

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO PLAY!

Do you know the best part about Louisiana’s Playground? The people who are here, waiting to welcome you with open arms – on the playground! I’m sure you’ve run into people who seem like they have “never met a stranger.” Well, that’s the feeling that the people of Southwest Louisiana give to everyone who is here to experience our culture, traditions, and steaming pots of gumbo! Southwest Louisiana is a blend of diverse cultures with roots that run deep and intertwine with a variety of backgrounds and traditions, and we love to treat everyone like family. We are all one people in Southwest Louisiana, and we make room for everyone at the table! The melting pot of traditions comes from the span of Southwest Louisiana in No Man’s Land after the Louisiana Purchase with influences from Cajuns, Creoles, Africans, native Attakapas, Spanish, French, a variety of European settlers, and the busy ports and waterways that brought activity into the area. Family trees are built from this blend of people, and the diversity that we share is more than something that we appreciate in one another. It’s who we are. The good news is that you get to experience it! Enjoy tasting the cultural flavors of Cajun cooking at places like Seafood Palace or Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen, or Creole and soul food at Famous Foods, Ju’Elles Café, or Mama Reta’s. Not to mention Latino cuisine at Area 337, Mexican food at La Rumba, Sake Japanese House in Sulphur, and family-owned restaurants serving Thai, Chinese, Greek, Indian, and Italian fare. You can also celebrate it at our many festivals throughout the year with Cajun Food & Music Festival, Juneteenth Freedom Festival, or the MLK Festival of Southwest Louisiana. Throw in Cajun and Zydeco music, and you have taken the party to another level! We’re glad you’re here to be part of our story because everyone is welcome to play in Louisiana’s Playground!

“Being inclusive of everyone is a shared value that we stand on as a foundation and as part of our authentic story that uplifts our entire community. Everyone is seen and welcome here.” –Timothy Bush, CMO at Visit Lake Charles