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                      Gulf Coast Businesses



Business of all kinds flourish on the Gulf Coast.  Even so, with the Great Recession well under way, competition for what money is being spent can be intense.  For those travelling to the Gulf Coast, or new to the area, finding businesses to trust can be difficult.

Each business on here is a business we know the owners or have done business with in some manner.  We think they are honest and legitimate.  They don't pay us for putting up anything here.  We post this because we believe in the region and the people that make it what it is.

That's worth more than a Better Business check--we have done business with these companies or know the owners.  If you have any complaints about these businesses, let us know!


Automotive Parts & Repair

Auto-Tune
6221 Airline Drive
Metairie, La 70003
(504)733-6913
(504)739-1709
Automobile repairs.  They build dune buggies too!  No checks/ no credit cards.

Jerry's Auto Repair

6209 Airline Drive
Metairie, LA 70003
(504)733-1711
Automobile repair.  He loves VWs!  No checks, no credit cards.


Bakeries & Pastries/Coffee Shops


Haydel Bakery
www.haydelbakery.com
4037 Jefferson Highway
Jefferson, LA 70121
This bakery does it all, from wedding cakes to king cakes, with pastries in between.  They also SHIP at least king cakes for those of you who are living in exile (or just want to have a taste of New Orleans!)




Food, Spices, Specialty foods

Mike's All Purpose Seasoning
www.mikesseasonings.com
This is THE best all-purpose seasoning in the world!
I use this stuff myself in the kitchen.
601-213-3698

Zuppardo's Family Supermarket
www.zuppardos.gourmetfoodmall.com
5010 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
(504)887-1150 or (504)887-1151
This is a very friendly, owner-operated grocery store.  It also has THE very best French bread in New Orleans!  Carries a lot of hard-to-find Italian items as well.
VISA/MC accepted

Mama Mary's Pepper Jellies
Metairie, LA 70003
article here
Mama Mary's Pepper Jellies are sold at both the Westwego Farmer & Fisheries Market and the German Coast Farmer's Markets in alteration.  As of right now, she does not do mail order or have her own website.

Dirty Potato Chips
307 E. Airline Hwy
Gramercy, LA 70052
www.dirtys.com
These are pretty good, packaged by the same people who do Zapps Potato Chips according to the research online. Cracked pepper & Sea Salt is my flavor of choice!

Zapps Potato Chips
PO Box 1533
Gramercy, LA 70052
www.zapps.com
I think these are like the official New Orleans potato chip--even Emeril Lagasse likes them!  My daughter loves the crawtater flavor.  I am not too crazy about them.

Community Coffee

Its roasted right in Baton Rouge!
www.communitycoffee.com
They have a variety of roasts--I think the official New Orleans one is the New Orleans blend with chicory.  Others prefer the Between Roast, and those who like their coffee milder like the Medium.  Between and the New Orleans blend are normally found in my kitchen.





Do the tourist trail!

The Gulf Coast has a lot to offer, so don't cheat yourself by not experiencing some of the fantastic attractions, historical sites, tours, and other things we typically dismiss as "tourist" stuff.  Its easy to have a lot of fun while learning about our own history in our own back yard, and why drive for hours and hours to have some fun?  Enjoy our own events, our own tours!

Laura Plantation
2247 Highway 18
Vacherie, LA 70090
(225)265-7960
www.lauraplantation.com
I loved this tour, it was a real treat, with a tour guide so far above average that anyone could learn a lot about Creole history.  This is a "must-do" tour for everyone!  Has a gift shop.  VISA/MC accepted, may accept others as well.

Destrehan Plantation
13034 River Road
Destrehan, LA 70047
(985)764-9315
www.destrehanplantation.org
The oldest documented plantation in the Lower Mississippi, its a great tour.  Gift shop on premises.

San Francisco Plantation

2646 Hwy 44 (River Road)
Garyville, LA 70051
(985)535-2341
www.sanfranciscoplantation.org
Another great tour, focusing on the history of the house as well as the area.  I learned a lot and had a ball.  No photos allowed inside the house, photography allowed on the grounds only.  Small gift shop on premises.

Fontainebleau State Park

67825 Highway 190
Mandeville, Louisiana 70448
(985)624-4443
http://www.crt.state.la.us/Parks/ifontaine.aspx
Great state park with lovely campgrounds and knowledgeable staff.  Also has a beach on Lake Ponchartrain, which was nice!  Had a great weekend getaway there and will go back again.  Lots to do in the area makes it an attractive base.

Fairview-Riverside State Park
119 Fairview Drive
Madisonville, LA 70447
www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iFairview.aspx
Another lovely state park with a great campground.  Didn't talk much with the staff, but I enjoyed my stay immensely.  Also a great base camp for North Shore activities, and I will stay there again.

1850 House
523 St. Anne
(Lower Pontalba Building, Jackson Square)
New Orleans, LA 70116
http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/1850ex.htm
Great self guided tour, interesting house and its interpretation is nice.  Everybody should visit it when they visit the French Quarter.






Everything for pets!

Pampered Pets Bed & Breakfast

6213 Airline Drive
Metairie, LA 70003
Dog & Cat Boarding and day care by reservation only. 
(504)734-7387
www.pamperedpetsbedandbreakfast.com
Takes excellent care of your dog or cat in a controlled social atmosphere, catering to the couch potatoes of the canine/feline world. 
VISA/MC accepted

Pet Asylum
510 Dumaine St
New Orleans, LA 70116
(French Quarter)
(504)473-9947
Full service for dogs & cats, including grooming, pet food, and supplies.  They also usually have kittens for adoption.

Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital
Woolmarket, Mississippi
(228)392-7474
Emergency veterinary clinic open after normal hours, their staff is helpful, gives great directions to the clinic, and takes excellent care of your ill or traumatized pet.  Call to alert them about the situation and get directions, if possible!  They accept VISA/MC, and may take other credit cards as well.

Pets R Our World
Mobile Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Jessica Coates-Hudson
(504) 224-1996
Mobile veterinary clinic, excellent veterinary care, reasonable prices.  Frequently found at Jefferson Feed at the corner of Jefferson Highway & Central Avenue.  Call for appointment & location.

Frenchmen's Creek Veterinary
2221 Transcontinental Ave #B
(Shopping mall at Zenith & Transcontinental just north of W. Napoleon)
Metairie, LA 70001
(504)887-1770
Very reasonable prices, not one for tacking on unnecessary items to add up a bill.  Dr. Jones has a no-nonsense sort of approach.

Central Bark Doggy Day Care
1604 Justin Rd.
Metairie, LA 70001
(504)832-9247
www.centralbarkusa.com
When you need dog day care, give them a call!


Metairie Humane
6213 Airline Drive
Metairie, LA 70003
(504)451-2822
www.metairiehumane.org
This is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity focused on pet adoption and rescue.  They are 100% no kill, and have dogs & cats for adoption.  They can also use the donation of money, used towels (all sizes), canned dog & cat food, Iams mini-chunk dog food, Iams cat food, Royal Canin Mini 27 dog food, laundry detergent, dog chews, dog toys, clumping cat litter, and dog treats (any kind).  Their main fundraiser for 2009 is the Howl O Weenie Pet & Pal Parade and Costume Contest, which is to be held at Zephyr Stadium Parking Lot on Halloween Day, 10/31/09, from 12-4 pm.  This event will have raffles, food, games for the kids, and the costume contest where people can enter just their pet or compete as pet & person duo!  Donations can be made through PayPal on their website.



Art, Handcrafts, Photographers
, Musicians

Gerald Judice
Carved wooden bowls, etc.
This is some beautiful stuff!
(337)229-6003 or (337) 339-2700


Doreen's Jazz
Lawrence H. Ketchens II & Doreen J. Ketchens
These guys are fantastic.  She does it all, from lessons to weddings, conventions, churches, & other special events.  Just hearing Doreen's voice makes you want to smile!
www.doreensjazz.com
(504)908-7119 or (504)908-7114
email: doreenja@bellsouth.net

Teri Galleries LTD
3311 Severn Avenue
Metairie, LA 70002
(504)887-8588
www.terigalleries.com
Nice artwork, limited prints, etc.  Great gallery with courteous and helpful staff.

Dale Campo, Woodturner
Destrehan, LA 70047
www.campowoodturning.com
He does some beautiful work, I've seen a few pieces.  If you are in the market for something special--a bowl, a pen, a whatever--check out his website.  He does do commissioned pieces as well.


Farmer's Markets,
Local Markets, & Flea Markets


German Coast Farmer's Market

Saturdays: 8-12 noon
Ormond Plantation
13786 River Road
Destrehan, LA

Wednesdays: 3-6:30 p.m.
St. Charles Plaza (old K-Mart Parking Lot to the locals)
12715 Hwy 90
Luling, LA
www.germancoastfarmersmarket.org
This is a great market, with a wide variety, and I love the drive out from New Orleans to Ormond Plantation!  Its such a change of pace from city to country, and the River Road sports so many history that it is always a nice drive.  Parking is easy, you are literally right there with the market, so its readily accessible even to those who have mobility impairment.  The parking lot at Ormond Plantation is shell so the surface isn't exactly smooth, but the one in Luling is literally an asphalt paved lot.

Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market
484 Sala Avenue
(corner of 4th & Sala)
Westwego, LA 70094
www.cityofwestwego.com
Saturdays: 8:30-2:00 p.m.
This is another fantastic market, freshly built and complete with stage and CLEAN restrooms.  Its still in its infancy, but there is already a good selection of vendors using it.  I've seen plants, handcrafted items, food items, fresh fruit & veggies, shrimp, and meat for sale here.  I've heard some great local musicians playing and met a congressman.  The restrooms are an amazement--most flea and farmers markets are seriously restroom impaired, and have a facility that was adapted to the market concept for a few hours a week.  This one was designed for it, and its lovely.
Parking is also convenient, with the unpaved parking lot located across Salas Avenue from the market itself.  They also feature concerts and other events at this venue.

Crescent City Farmers Market
Saturday Market: corner of Girod & Magazine St., 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tuesday Market: River Road at Uptown Square, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org
This is a well-established market, and its very busy with an ample selection.  If you live in the city of New Orleans itself, its quite conveniently located.  This market has a LOT going on, so signing up for their newsletter is also a good idea.  It also offers the option of using your food stamp card, a great boon to those having hard times, as it allows the user to buy great fresh food at great prices!  They have also been running a special in which the Market matches up to $25 of what is spent on the "Louisiana Purchase Card" (food stamps) to encourage users to shop the market, as its quite a new idea to be able to use it there.  This offer will last as long as they have funding for it, and allows EBT/food stamp cardholders to double their purchases for the same amount.  (read about the program here)
Hint:  For those driving in from Jefferson Parish, don't try to park on Magazine Street, choose  one of the side streets instead--you will be much closer, especially if you are buying any quantity!

 Restaurants

Galley Seafood
2535 Metairie Road
Metairie, LA 70001
(504)832-0955
This is probably the best seafood restaurant in the Greater New Orleans area, and this is a place I take out-of-town visitors to.  Their specialty has to be their fried and boiled seafood.  Its a casual restaurant, but you are very likely to have to wait for a table, especially during peak hours.  Its worth it!

Coffeehouse Cafe
2010 Willliams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70062
(504)466-1074
Best coffee & fritters in town, makes their own donuts from scratch, has a few items for lunch and breakfast.  Uses Community Coffee that is consistently good.  Also has wi-fi.  Courteous staff, reasonable prices, casual donut shop atmosphere.  ATM on premises, has video gambling.