‘Dive’ back into LSU’s dining scene

Oh, to be young again! Many of us count LSU as our alma mater, and remember fondly its hallowed halls, leafy pathways, and evenings in the student section of the stadium. Sometimes, too, our fondest memories happened off-campus, in the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and dive eateries that catered especially to students. But you don’t have to be a student to relive your college days—why not check out these tasty LSU-area restaurants for a taste-bud trip back in time? Pita Pit, 3260 Highland Road, Ste. 4: Open until 4 a.m. on the weekends (3 a.m. Monday to Thursday), this new plaza restaurant serves PBR and, in the spring, Abita Strawberry brew. For those of you who aren’t night owls or grabbing a beer while waiting for the line at Louie’s (across the street) to dwindle, it’s a great place to just have lunch … or dinner. There are several tasty pita options, from traditional gyro to light and veggie to a cheesy Philly steak. Louie’s Café, 206 West State St.: Part of the LSU community since 1941, this diner has been slinging hash from its West State Street location since 1986. Open 24 hours a day, it welcomes a myriad of characters daily, from State Street personalities to sports fans to students. The delightfully greasy food hits the spot at 3 a.m. after a night at the Varsity, and the River Road coffee cures your hangover at noon. Some of the best parts about Louie’s: hashbrowns, the Phyllis sandwich, and the peeling mural of a beach scene—perfectly normal, until you notice the guy riding dolphins. Click here for more favorites sure to satisfy your palate and your sense of nostalgia!—Caroline Gerdes