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Lake Park, Georgia

Where the hell is Lake Park? It's in Georgia along I-75, just north of the Florida border. Not somewhere you go, I think, unless you gotta take a break from driving north or south. The area off the highway has all of the fast food and waffle house-y places you'd expect and a bunch of hotels. Even a bar…

The hotel

Lake Park Travelodge

I was thinking Super 8 until I decided on the Travelodge a couple hundred yards away. No reason really. Just hadn't stayed at a Travelodge in a decade. Every place in this area just west of the interstate was advertising $35 so didn't really matter. Was too lazy to look for the one place in Lake Park that was asking $30, but FYI, it's the Guesthouse Inn down Lakes Blvd just to the east of the interstate.

So, Travelodge. Pretty standard room. Cleaner than my car, but not somewhere you would want to perform surgery. Lots of amenities: tv, microwave, minifridge, electronic safe, and coffee maker (which didn't work, but not a huge biggie as they offer free continental breakfast 6am-10am, with all the normal continental breakfast stuff including waffles). Lamps work but are temperamental. About to try the shower, but it looks a little gross. Oh how I've missed you travelodge. Is that blood on the ceiling…

The bar

Rajun Cajun Bar and Grille

So, the deskguy at Travelodge seemed to think that there were no bars in town, explaining that there were a couple places I could get beer togo. Kind of a bummer with the Duke-Butler championship about to start. So after a quick search I find the Rajun Cajun…

The front of the bar gave me an idea what to expect on the inside. Big sign says "Biker Appreciation Party Saturday." Large motorcycle-only parking area. Inside the motorcycle theme continued. Harley this. Davidson that. Heavily wooded interior. 5 TVs were showing a random combination of sports, news and Keno, but the audio was controlled by the jukebox that belted country songs that everyone seemed to know. To the side of the bar was a more lounge area with comfy padded chairs and two pool tables (and a sweetass Galaga/Ms. Pac Man machine). I was stupid enough to buy a bottle of Bud for $2.50 before realizing that draft Bud Lights were $1.50. Their bottle of Cuervo is chilled and a hefty shot will run you $4.50. Monday and Tuesday, you get a free pitcher of beer with 24 wings($15).

The menu has the expected Cajun influence. Jambalaya and Gumbo run $11 each. They also sell crawfish. I had the red beans and rice and smoked sausage ($9). Rice and beans were kinda bland, but that wasn't so bad as the sausage was very, happily smoky. They also got appetizers including: gator tail ($7), fried oysters ($7), and fried pickle chips ($4); entrees including: surf and turf ($17), seafood combo ($18), and ribeye steak ($17); and a variety of sandwiches ($6.50-$8.50)

Glad I found this place.

Is this not the Lake Park you know? Have something to say? Do it! I dare you. Or read about some other place, like Banlung!