Friday 5: Pig & Plough's Tyler Thigpen

 Photo: Tracie Fontenot

Tyler Thigpen, Coordinator of Pig & Plough Suppers; a slow foods dinner series celebrating our Louisiana foodways by promoting chef collaborations that feature foods grown and raised in south Louisiana, is passionate about food. From her time as President of Acadiana Food Circle to her current stint as Farm-To-Table Columnist at The Independent, the goal of promoting sustainability and culture are paramount. Check out her "Perfect For" picks in this week's Friday 5.

1. Neighborhood Hangout - When I first moved to Lafayette in 2007, I moved to the Saint Streets neighborhood, so I was thrilled when Saint Street Inn opened in 2011. It was nice to have an eclectic place I could walk to with my dogs and hang out with my neighbors. I found a lot of comfort and pride in supporting a small, locally owned business that took time to source quality grown within our community from farmers that I knew and trusted. Though I now live in the Arnaudville area, I still find myself dropping into the cottage-style restaurant from time to time. Now that Kelsey Leger, Ashley Roussel and the team of talented chefs are in the kitchen, it's the only place in the region where I can find true vegetarian and vegan fare that incorporates locally grown and produced foods.


2. Hole in the Wall - My absolute favorite hole in the wall joint is Mi Tierra #2, the quaint and authentic Honduran restaurant on Cameron Street. The food is incredible and the staff is very accommodating (especially to folks like me that speak very little Spanish, poorly). I highly recommend the papusas and Honduran tacos. It's legit and worth going off the beaten path.

3. Favorite Dessert - Bogart's Daiquiris on Taft. I'm not a huge dessert eater, but their daiquiris satisfy multiple cravings and are the tastiest in town. It's also my favorite afternoon snack, favorite sweet, favorite mixed drink on the go...it's just a favorite.

4. Eating on the Cheap - Laura's II hands down. Their soulful cooking makes my heart skip a beat and the meat and three set up reminds me of home in north Alabama.

5. Introducing Out-of-Towners to Lafayette - Because the slow foods scene is so precious to me, I generally hit up a variety of local foods loving establishments and chefs when I'm showing off Lafayette to visiting friends and family. These include DeGaule Square and Bistro, Café Vermilionville, French Press, Social Southern Table and Bar, Great Harvest Bread Co., Dark Roux, Bread and Circus Provisions, and more.