This Is My South: Erin Z. Bass

This post is part of a series where we interview prominent Southerners or Southern transplants about what they love so much about this area and why others should visit. If you are interested in being featured, leave a comment or send me an email.

I’m a native of South Louisiana and got my Journalism degree from LSU. After working for weekly newspapers, freelancing for regional magazines and a short stint in the communications department at Macy’s West in San Francisco, I decided to put down permanent roots in Lafayette, La., and started Deep South as an online magazine. That was almost four years ago. A new tech partner, site redesign and Recipes section have helped Deep South continue to grow, and I get to keep doing what I love: reading Southern literature, traveling and meeting people all over the South.

I love being close to my family and being able to spend holidays with all my siblings, cousins and grandparents. I love the hot summers and mild winters. I love the food, especially gumbo, boudin and etouffee where I live. And I love the people. There’s just no substitute for Southern hospitality and the mentality that goes along with our way of life.

I tend to stay close to my downtown neighborhood and like to pull out my bike when going out for dinner or drinks, so The Filling Station is a favorite spot for margaritas and live music. Saint Street Inn is a laid back hangout for drinks, farm-to-table food and friends on Thursdays, and Pamplona Tapas Bar is where I’ll be sipping wine during happy hour. For lunch, it’s a smoked fish salad from Taco Sisters, then Blue Moon Saloon for live music and the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. I realize it sounds like you asked me my favorite places to eat, but that’s what we do best here. I can also be found at the downtown branch of the library a few times a week.

Lafayette has so many great restaurants, but for an authentic meal, there’s no better place than my grandmother’s kitchen. She makes the best shrimp and crab stew, tomato casserole, stuffed artichokes and shrimp Creole I’ve tasted anywhere. I’d also have to say that I’ve never had a bad meal in Georgia.