by Jeanni Ritchie
September gives us plenty of foods to celebrate through National Days, Weeks, and Month holidays.
September is the month to celebrate cheese pizza, chicken, sourdough bread, and biscuits and gravy. You can also celebrate blueberry popsicles, macadamia nuts, coffee ice cream, and acorn squash.
But the two at the top of my celebration station are waffles and chocolate milkshakes.
National Waffle Week is celebrated the first full week of September. Created in the 13th century, made popular in the United States in the 19th century, frozen waffles (originally called froffles) were created in the 1930’s by the Dorsa Brothers. In 1968, Kellogg came up with the catchy “Leggo my Eggo” which depicted family members fighting over the toasted treat.
While the nearest restaurant named for the breakfast delight is an hour away, Central Louisiana has a few places you can get a waffle, whether traditional or loaded with toppings like ham and cheese or pecan pralines. Try them all and share on social media using #nationalwaffleday.
*Le Bistreaux Coffee and Waffle Bar, 5803 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria
*Pitt Grill, 2360 N. MacArthur Dr, Alexandria
*Huddle House, 2710 S. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria
*Nova’s Breakfast and Brunch, 104 Maryhill Road, Pineville
*Peach Cobbler Factory, 5913 Provine Place, Alexandria
The following week, on Thursday September 12, you can celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day. Created in 1885, by the 1920s and 1930s, milkshakes became a popular drink at malt shops everywhere.
Mix up a delicious shake at home or head out to your favorite “shake shack” to enjoy the treat on its birthday.
Better yet, go on a tour of chocolate milkshakes throughout Central Louisiana. Some stops to include:
*Marble Slab Creamery, 3730 Monroe Highway, Pineville
*Beans and Cream, 114 Versailles Blvd. Suite A, Alexandria
*Dairy Queen Grill and Chill, 737 MacArthur Drive, Alexandria
*Checkers, 3434 Lee Street, Alexandria
*Whataburger, 6240 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria
*Palmetto’s Cenla, 1319 Military Highway, Pineville
*Sonic, 3129 Hwy. 28 East, Pineville
Share photos of your milkshake journey with #nationalchocolatemilkshakeday and sound off on your favorite shake recipes and restaurants below.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
