Editor’s Note
In our “Cheap Eats” feature we have the scoop on meal deals throughout the region, like the catfish at Annie Mae’s on the Bayou in Franklin.
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 b) we got sick of them. Both “a” and “b” happened at the same time, which is of course better than if “b” happened first, but 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
Awards
International and Regional Magazine Association
2022
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of the Year
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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
