Serve and protect

The line is serpentine, but it moves quickly. After all, this is a cafeteria in the classic, comforting sense of the word. You feel as though you could be in school again, except now you’re an adult seeking out a steaming tray of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and sweet peas—not a kid resisting one. In the expansive, airy dining hall are fellow grownups for whom the sun rises and sets around the plate lunch. For you and your fellows, the Louisiana State Police Cafeteria might just be heaven. The State Police Cafeteria has been serving officers, trainees, employees and the public for decades, but somehow it remains a well-kept secret in Baton Rouge. It’s not hard to find—just look behind the Department of Motor Vehicles off Independence Boulevard—and it’s in an area considered the historic center of Baton Rouge, at least before the city grew dramatically to the southeast. Still, the State Police Cafeteria hums with a loyal following that believes this is the sweet spot for affordable comfort food. Click here to read more.