NOTE DE L’EDITEUR

When I was in my 20s and a financially challenged college student, a local burger joint — that will go unnamed — launched a deal that my best friend and I took advantage of frequently and with zeal. For $1.99, we could get a small burger, fries and a drink — and boy did we ever. In fact, we repeated the meal so often that to this day, I want nothing to do with burgers from that particular establishment.

While we certainly went too far with the burger deal, it was the catalyst for our subsequent mission to find similar bargains when and wherever possible. Even having achieved pro-level status in the art of thrifty feasts, we often had to resort to showing up on the doorstep of our respective grandmothers — like the veritable street urchins we were — to beg for a nutritious, home-cooked meal. It was either that or revisit the great egg challenge of 1992.

I can’t say which one of us came up with it, but somehow, we decided it would be economical, nutritionally sound and filling to buy a few dozen eggs, cook them every way we knew how and subsist on them until a) they ran out or In our “Cheap Eats” feature we have the scoop on meal b) we got sick of them. Both “a” deals throughout and “b” happened at the same the region, like time, which is of course better than if “b” happened first, but the catfish at Annie Mae’s on the Bayou in Franklin. neither of us wanted eggs again for a long time.

Despite the times we turned ourselves against a previously beloved type of food (I’m looking at you, Campbell’s vegetable soup), the thrill of finding a great meal deal stuck. To this day, I always appreciate discovering a food truck, restaurant, pub or gas station offering up a great meal (or snack) at a low price. Which is why I’ve begun anticipating our annual “Cheap Eats” feature with great interest.

Writer Eric Cormier did the hard work for us and rounded up an array of what some of us might call guilty pleasure foods. From pizza and burgers to Chinese takeout and seafood, the old favorites are there, as well as some tantalizing surprises. This is yet another of those articles to share, save and keep on hand for when you are looking for ideas on where to grab that next breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or when you are in the mood for a little foodie adventure.

The holidays are also officially here so be sure to peep our list of fun and fabulous celebrations around the region. If you coordinate it correctly, you can grab some cheap eats on the way to or from the festivities. This is such a fun issue and we hope you enjoy digging into it. Until next year, have a wonderful, warm, food-, family- and fun-filled season, however you celebrate.

Cheers!

Melanie Warner Spencer Managing Editor Melanie@AcadianaProfile.com

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2022 Winner Magazine of the Year Gold Overall Art Direction Gold Art Direction of a Single Story Gold Portrait Series Silver Food Feature Bronze Reader Service Article Bronze Special Focus

2021 Gold Art Direction of a Single Story Silver Covid Related Story Silver Food Feature Bronze Overall Art Direction

2020 Gold Overall Art Direction Silver Art and Culture Feature Silver Recreation Feature Bronze Food Feature Bronze Profiles Bronze Art Direction of a Single Story

2019 Winner Magazine of the Year Gold Overall Art Direction Gold Art Direction Single Story Gold Photo Series Silver Photographer of the Year

2018 Gold Overall Art Direction Gold Magazine Photographer Gold Art Direction of a Single Story Gold Food Feature Gold Department Silver Magazine Writer of the Year Silver Hed & Dek Silver Photo Series

2017 Gold Overall Art Direction Gold Magazine Photographer of the Year Gold Art Direction of a Single Story Gold Food Feature Silver Cover

2016 Gold Overall Art Direction Gold Magazine Photographer of the Year Gold Art Direction of a Single Story Silver Photo Series

Rebecca Taylor Sales Manager (337) 298-4424 (337) 235-7919 Ext. 230 Rebecca@AcadianaProfile.com

Coming Soon!

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023 Top Doctors in Acadiana Listing of Top Doctors in the region

PLUS Healthy Recipes

Honoring a Literary Legend

January brings the debut of a new U.S. postage stamp depicting the celebrated late author, Ernest Gaines (the former UL writerin-residence emeritus, born on a plantation in Oscar). The stamp, which artfully portrays Gaines in his beloved beret, will be the 46th in USPS’ Black Heritage series that also includes a 2023 stamp depicting writer Toni Morrison.

FOR MORE NEWS BRIEFS VISIT ACADIANAPROFILE.COM SOUTHWESTERN REGION

Ne Touchez Pas Les Canards!

While hunting and handling waterfowl (especially ducks) this season, avoid contact with sick birds since they may be carrying bird flu. A national lab recently found a strain of bird flu in blue-winged teal that were killed in southwest Louisiana. It has been detected in wild and domestic birds (including turkeys) in 49 states. Hunting equipment can also transport the virus. (For safety info: contact LDWF State Veterinarian Dr. James LaCour at jlacour@wlf.la.gov).

Become a Secret Santa

BEAUREGARD Homebound seniors often live in isolation without receiving any visitors. Their solitude is invariably amplified during the holidays. This year, the Beauregard Council on Aging is bringing Christmas to 55 qualifying homebound seniors. Volunteers who would like to become a Secret Santa and spread holiday cheer or temporarily “adopt” a senior for the holidays (via simple niceties) can apply through Dec. 13. Call 337-463-6578 or 337-4639694. The seniors’ presents are delivered the following week (beaucoa.com).

ARNAUDVILLE

Artful Awakenings

NUNU Arts and Culture Collective’s compelling group exhibition, Introspection: Land of Misfit Toys featuring 22 emerging and established artists (including NUNU founder George Marks, Lisa DiStefano and Paul Klubek) showcases a diversity of revelatory paintings, sculptures, photography, pottery and mixed media works through Jan. 1, 2023 (nunucollective.org)