
Written by Staci Wilt
Greetings from Southern Louisiana! We sent our friend Staci Wilt of Ride to Food to document everything that the 2024 Cajun Country H.O.G. Rally had to offer.
I spent the morning at Cajun Harley-Davidson getting signed up for Friday and Saturday’s guided rides, swamp tours, and diving into deep conversations about all things cajun food and culture with the local H.O.G. chapter. The locals around here love to eat and know all the best places depending on what you’re craving.
Before heading out on a self-guided ride, I grabbed a shrimp po’boy sandwich (dressed, of course!) at the one and only Old Tyme Grocery in Lafayette. It had been recommended by multiple people, and judging by the number of locals that came and went during my visit to Old Tyme, I’d say it lives up to its hype of being the place in town to grab a po’boy.
Next, it was time to head to the “End of the Road.” This ride route takes you down south via 2-lane backroads flanked with cattle and crawfish ponds. Eventually, the road dead ends at the Intracoastal Waterway. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see a few ships make their way through the nearby locks.
Heading back north, I had to stop into Dupuy’s in Abbeville which had been highly recommended by many of the local H.O.G. members and dealer staff. They’ve been operating in the same location for over 150 years. They might be famous for their oysters, but I was told their crab cakes were worth stopping in for alone. After a crab cake and a cup of seafood gumbo, it was time to head back to the dealership, where a zydeco band was playing classic cajun tunes while people danced and socialized. Riders from all over were beginning to show up! Little Rock, Houston, Baton Rouge…and the list will continue to grow over the weekend!
A highlight of the day was visiting with locals and seeing the pride they have about their community and culture. Cajuns are some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet and they’re happy to give you as much help as you need to make the most of your time in their backyard.
As the locals say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (Let the good times roll!)
See y’all down the road!
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