Somewhere between the roaring crowds in Tiger Stadium, the bronzed ghost of Huey Long on the State Capitol lawn and the smell of shrimp in the fryer, there’s a culture and an identity unique to Baton Rouge. It’s not easy to capture, but if you piece together years of history, pink plywood flamingos and secret family recipes, you’ll find the voice you’re looking for.
That’s what we’ve tried to accomplish with this cover story: to encapsulate what it means to be a Baton Rougean. For longtime residents, consider this a celebration and send-up of everything you know and love about our home. For transplants and newcomers, consider it a how-to manual to fitting in with the locals.
So grab a po-boy and settle in—it’s time to find out how Baton Rouge you really are.
Reporting: Kaci Yoder, Mark Clements, Lee Feinswog, Megan Herr, Benjamin Leger and Jennifer Tormo
Illustrations: Steve Shamburger
HOW TO COSTUME
HOW TO GET YOUR FIVE MINUTES
HOW TO NOT GET LOST IN THE LIBRARY
HOW TO ORDER CANE’S
KNOW YOUR CHANGING STREET NAMES
KNOW YOUR ESSENTIAL DESSERT: AMBROSIA’S FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE
HOW TO INSULT NICK SABAN
HOW TO BIKE IN BR
HOW TO GET YOUR OWN SPANISH TOWN FLAMINGO
THE GUIDE TO A PERFECT CRAWFISH BOIL, BATON ROUGE-STYLE
HOW TO SPOT AND IDENTIFY BATON ROUGE HOME STYLES
HOW TO INSTALL A GAS LANTERN
HOW TO TAILGATE
HOW TO TAKE A GREAT SHOT OF THE BATON ROUGE SKY
HOW TO BUG-PROOF YOUR HOME
HOW TO ORDER WHISKEY WITHOUT EMBARRASSING YOURSELF
KNOW YOUR SIGNATURE SALAD DRESSING
HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT PO-BOY
SATURDAY NIGHTS OUTSIDE DEATH VALLEY
This article was originally published in the May 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.
