Tag: Meat Pies

DREAMS Foundation Meat Pie Food Truck Expands to City of Lafayette

The DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana, a nonprofit that helps people with special needs, has recently expanded their previously private meat pie food truck business, the DREAMS Xpress Truck, so that the citizens of Lafayette can order delicious meat pies all over the city, according to this article for The Advocate.

The nonprofit, the DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana, was founded by Donielle Watkins and Brian Watkins in 2008, and it has a name indicative of what they stand for. DREAMS stands for  Disability, Resources, Education, Activities, Management, and Services. Donielle Watkins and Brian Watkins founded the nonprofit organization in honor of their son, who has spina bifida and who had expressed interest in playing sports. Upon researching active organizations in the region for their son, the Watkinses noticed that the region was lacking offerings for their son, so they took it upon themselves to provide sports and activities for people with special needs and resources for their family members.

As the years progressed, the Watkinses launched their pie business, DREAMS Manufacturing Co., as a way to create jobs for people with special needs. Donielle Watkins commented on their ability to offer jobs to those with special needs: “we trained them from day one. We figured out what they could do based on their ability and had them do that. Whatever they could do, we use that ability and have them make them successful.”

The Acadiana Advocate, who covered the grand opening of the DREAMS Xpress Truck, spoke to several employees about their experience with the organization. Reporters noticed Logan Watkins, who usually made the meat pies or worked the ordering system on the truck, offering drinks to customers as they waited for their orders. He revealed that he enjoys the social aspect of working on the truck.

Additionally, Lex Goulas is another employee of the Food Truck who was seeking a job after graduating from high school, and after finding DREAMS in 2018, he has worked for them ever since. He spoke of this sense of duty by saying, “because DREAMS has done so much for me, it’s been an opportunity for me, and I loved it ever since then.”

One of the main jobs offered by the DREAMS Foundation is to work on the highly-popular DREAMS Xpress Truck, a food truck that has spent the past three years selling meat pies for nursing homes, jails, and local businesses. But as the popularity of the truck has risen over the past three years, the DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana and its workers are ready to expand their business to the city of Lafayette as a whole by making their pies publicly available.

The expansion of offering the food truck’s menu to the wider public of Acadiana began in mid-June with a grand opening held on Johnston Street near Burger Tyme, which is a highly popular spot for food truck patrons. Within the first hour of opening for business, the food truck was completely sold out of all of their available pies, which included popular flavors such as Chicken Alfredo and Pulled Pork. In speaking on the turnout of the grand opening, Watkins said, “it was awesome. Yes, we had to turn around and make more after the first. The Lafayette community (is) so supportive! I am exhausted, though!”

The DREAMS Xpress Food Truck specializes in baking and selling stuffed meat pies that come in a variety of flavors. As the truck expands to the public, Donielle Watkins revealed to The Advocate that they hope to sell upwards of 120-150 pies, as they offer a deal of purchasing two pies and a bag of chips for only $10. The truck is located at 3302 Johnston St., the central location of the DREAMS Foundation of Acadiana, and it will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on various days of the week.

Donielle Watkins invited the citizens of Acadiana and the city of Lafayette to try out the pies by saying, “come out, have a good time talking to our employees and have some great food!” Those interested in purchasing pies or booking the truck for private events are being asked to check out the organization’s official Facebook Page.

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Top 5 Reasons To Visit Natchitoches

Natchitoches, pronounced “Nack-a-tish”, this city in Louisiana was established in 1714, making it one of the oldest parts of the Louisiana Settlement. The region’s culture and heritage date back 3,000 years, starting with the Caddo tribe and then slowly acquiring Spanish, French, African, and Creole settlers.

This little city has a lot of history, a robust community, and gorgeous scenery. With over 30 bed and breakfasts for travelers to pick from and elaborate french architecture from colonial times, it’s clear that there’s something special about this charming town.

Cosmos Mariners shares their top five things to do when visiting Natichoches:

  • Go on an adventure in the historic district.

This 33-block National Historic Landmark Distance in Natchitoches contains a multitude of structures, homes, and historic sites. You’ll see sites like the Fort St. Jean Baptiste Historic site located on the Cane River Lake (make sure to see the exquisite replica of a french fort!) and the Herman Taylor Home, known for its role as the home in the movie Steel Magnolia. You can even choose to stay in the pink “Shelby” room overnight, or choose one of the other rooms that is named after the characters.

If you want to see some original French architecture, check out the Roque House. Located downtown on the riverbank, the home was built by a freed slave around the 1800s. While your downtown, stroll through the oldest general store, Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile.

  • Learn about Creole culture in Natchitoches

Start at the Melrose Plantation, constructed completely by descendants of freed slaves, served as home to the Metoyer family for generations. The matriarch of the family, Marie Theresa Coincoin, was a freed slave who built her empire by trapping and selling local game, making medicine, and growing tobacco.

Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation Complex are both a part of Cane River Creole National Park and provide a unique insight into the daily lives of past residents. On Magnolia Plantation, pay close attention to the slave cabin area – this would have been the heart of the African AMerican community before the Civil War era.

  • Tour the Hall of Fame and History Museum.

The tour starts before you even enter the building – the modern architecture of the building is contributed to the area’s rich and dynamic culture. The uniquely designed building was named world’s top architectural project by Azure in 2013.

The Sports Hall of Fame caters a spot to Louisiana athletes like Shaquille O’Neal, Audrey Patterson, and Archie Manning. New Orleans Saints’ fans need to check out the commemorative football signed by all players from the 2010 Super Bowl.

At the Northwest Louisiana History Museum learn how the native and early French, Creole, Spanish, and African settlers contributed to the dynamic melting pot Louisiana is known for today.

  • Try Louisiana classics.

What’s the best way to dive deep into Louisiana culture? Food!

Fill up your plate (and your stomach) with meat pies and étouffée and explore the different options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with these favorite restaurants:

– Maglieaux’s on the Cane

– Merci Beaucoup (try their mini crawfish pies and stuffed potatoes with etouffee!)

– Mariner’s Restaurant, (for fresh seafood fans)

– Lasyone’s Meat Pies(the name says it all!)

– French Market Express (for when you’re on the go)

  • Get festive during the Christmas season.

Natchitoches Christmas Festival of LIghts is the oldest celebration in the state. The riverbank and downtown dress up for Christmas, brightening the night sky for over 90 years. Make sure to stroll through the shops downtown and try some fresh locan gumbo or gator on a stick!

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