As far as fast food goes, hot dogs aren’t a typical option.  At least, that’s how it used to be.

Hot Dawg Stop made its debut in Youngsville last year and completely changed the game for fast food.  The concept of made-to-order hot dogs was certainly new to Youngsville residents, but according to the amount of business Hot Dawg Stop receives each day, it’s the best idea since sliced bread.  

“I like to say that we recreated the hot dog,” says restaurant owner Bryan Aucoin.  Hot Dawg Stop offers so many different ways to customize your hot dogs, some of which you never would have previously considered.  Sure, you can order a traditional dog with ketchup and mustard or chili and cheese, but from what I understand, you don’t go to Hot Dawg Stop for a traditional dog.  Why not instead try a hot dog topped with crawfish boudin, red beans and rice, fried pickles, queso and salsa, or pulled pork and baked beans?  Talk about recreating the hot dog!

If you’re not feeling quite so daring, there are still plenty of ways to customize your hot dog and create your very own “specialty dog”.  And there’s no need to guess what exactly you’re eating when you go to Hot Dawg Stop.  All hot dogs are made with 100% Angus beef or turkey.  The chili, chips, and fries are made in house, and the buns are shipped a short distance from Jeanerette.  Everything is fresh and local so you can enjoy delicious dogs without having to wonder how your food got here.  In addition to hot dogs, customers are also offered other menu items such as chili by the bowl, loaded fries, wraps, and milkshakes.

Hot Dawg Stop has become so popular that its team has decided to open a new restaurant in Lafayette, so even more Acadiana residents will be able to experience this new fast food craze!  And they don’t plan on stopping there. Restaurant CEO Brittani Aucoin, daughter of Bryan Aucoin, has big plans for the franchise and is aiming for a total of five Hot Dawg Stop locations within the next few years.  Is a fast food hot dog chain the next best thing?  Only time will tell, but you don’t have to wait to see for yourself just how Hot Dawg Stop’s hot dogs are!

Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Al Berard was a Cajun musician, recording artist, and composer in addition to being considered a world-renowned Cajun fiddler.  He dedicated his life to promoting and preserving Cajun culture in Louisiana.  Throughout his life, he played with several different bands and taught fiddle and guitar lessons.  Berard’s passion for music began when he was a young child and stayed with him until his death.

To celebrate his life and pick up where he left off, the Al Berard Music Festival is held each year in Henderson, Louisiana.  The festival is a day full of music, food, dancing, and family friendly festivities, a silent auction, a dance competition, and a live acoustic jam.  There’s even an on-site playground and face painting station for the kids, as well as camper spots for your convenience.

The Al Berard Music Festival will be held at Henry Guidry Memorial Park in Henderson next Saturday, November 28, from 10 AM to 11 PM.  Proceeds from the festival benefit the Al Beard Memorial Music Fund, which provides instruments, instructors, and scholarships to students as well as funds community organizations that support the musical community in Louisiana.  Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day!

Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Although spring lawn care gets all the attention, fall lawn care is the make-it or break-it season for grass.

“I’m already thinking about next year,” says John Dillon, who takes care of New York City’s Central Park, which features 200 acres of lawn in the middle of Manhattan. “The grass I grow this fall is what will be there next spring.” 

Fall lawn care is no walk in the park. It’s hard work, and Dillon guides you through the four basic steps.

1.  Aeration

Aeration gives your lawn a breather in autumn and provides room for new grass to spread without competition from spring weeds. Aeration tools pull up plugs of grass and soil, breaking up compacted turf. That allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach roots, and gives seeds room to sprout. 

If kids frequently play on your lawn, plan to aerate twice a year — fall and spring. If your lawn is just for show, then aerate once a year — and maybe even once every other year.

A hand-aerating tool ($20), which looks like a pitchfork with hollow tines, is labor-intensive and meant for unplugging small sections of grass. Gas-powered aerating machines (rental, $20/hour) are about the size of a big lawn mower, and are good for working entire lawns. Bring some muscle when you pick up your rental: Aerating machines are heavy and can be hard to lift into your truck or SUV.

Depending on the size of your property, professional aeration costs about $150.

2.  Seeding

Fall, when the soil temperature is about 55 degrees, is the best time to seed your lawn because turf roots grow vigorously in fall and winter. If you want a lush lawn, don’t cheap out on the seed.

Bags of inexpensive seed ($35 for 15 pounds) often contain hollow husks, weed seed, and annual rye grass seed, which grows until the first frost then drops dead. Splurge on the good stuff ($55 for 15 pounds of Kentucky Bluegrass seed), which resists drought, disease, and insects.

Water your new seed every day for 10 to 20 days until it germinates.

3.  Fertilizing

A late fall fertilization — before the first frost — helps your grass survive a harsh winter and encourages it to grow green and lush in spring. Make your last fertilization of the year count by choosing a product high (10% to 15%) in phosphorous, which is critical for root growth, Dillon says.

Note: Some states are banning phosphorous-rich fertilizers, which are harmful to the watershed. In those places, look for nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which promote shoot and root growth. Check with your local extension service to see what regulations apply in your area.

4.  Mulching

Instead of raking leaves, run over them a couple of times with your mower to grind them into mulch. The shredded leaves protect grass from winter wind and desiccation. An added bonus — shredded leaves decompose into yummy organic matter to feed grass roots.

A mulching blade ($10) that attaches to your mower will grind the leaves even finer.

Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News