Newbie here, from South Louisiana.

[JLinza]

Welcome aboard, from Colorado.

 

[Guidry]

The big G-town......Jambalaya capital of the world. Between B.R. and N.O.

I know where ya at. I worked in Geismer, OIS, Regional QC Manager 10yrs.
I have friends that enter the jambalaya contest, good times.

 

[Guidry]

Any relation to Gator(Louisiana lighting)?

Welcome to the forums.

Chris

Are you referring to Ron Guidry(Louisiana Lighting)
70/80s pitcher for the Yankees?

 

[Guidry]

The wife is from Zwolle on the shore of Toledo Bend .......... Home of the Zwolle Tamale festival.

Go there often, sister and BNL had camp there. Now I go to fish with neighbor, camp is 1 mile from Bub Ts tamale shop, currently have 3 dozen in freezer! Love em'. Sad to say, I've only passed through Kentucky for work, beautiful state.
If your wife still has her mom's tamale recipe, I'd be happy to trade any recipe I've got for it.

 

[gmc2003]

Are you referring to Ron Guidry(Louisiana Lighting)
70/80s pitcher for the Yankees?

The one and only. I've been a big Yankee fan my whole life, and I believe he was from the Layafette area.

Chris

 

[DougE]

Go there often, sister and BNL had camp there. Now I go to fish with neighbor, camp is 1 mile from Bub Ts tamale shop, currently have 3 dozen in freezer! Love em'. Sad to say, I've only passed through Kentucky for work, beautiful state.
If your wife still has her mom's tamale recipe, I'd be happy to trade any recipe I've got for it.

I have one from her aunt I can give you.

 

[J_L_Smoker]

Hello from Louisiana as well. New Orleans

 

[fxsales1959]

Hello from Louisiana. New to forum, excited to learn new things and how everyone drives their smokers.
I've been smoking for about 5years, but still use a charcoal pit with fire box. Too much work! Getting material together to build a bigger more user friendly model.
You folks have some Awesome smokers!

Welcome, From SE Florida.

 

[BigEazy]

The big G-town......Jambalaya capital of the world. Between B.R. and N.O.

I'm from Empire if you know south Louisiana. Down around Venice. Ahhhhhyeeee!

 

[BigEazy]

Most of the old folks who made and sold tamales around Zwolle have quit (or died) and what you get from those selling them now are nowhere as good. The wife used to come back with dozens upon dozens in coolers when she goes to see her mom. Not so in the last few years.

Yep or on Saturdays they'd be the Lil vendors on side of the road selling them out a van or something with boiled peanuts or fresh shrimp. You don't see that as much.

 

[indaswamp]

I'm from Empire if you know south Louisiana. Down around Venice. Ahhhhhyeeee!

Know that area well....been fishing out of Venice, La. for over 30 years. Back before the place became popular. Matter of fact, was down there 2 weeks ago.

 

[Paulie Walnuts 440]

Welcome! You will find so much useful information and a lot of people on here wanting to help. I have learned a lot over the years on this site.

 

[ecto1]

Welcome from just this side of the Sabine River. In the last 10 years I have spent many a day in your wonderful state. Heck I worked in Hackberry for a bit and Plaquemine. Even lived in Carlyss for 3 of those years. Louisiana is good peeps and I will fight anyone that says otherwise.

 

[Guidry]

Ok folks, lots of posts ask to put smoker builds on to show our own custom build.
Here goes. I was able to find and refurbish oak pallet wood from a local farm supply store and the manager was nice enough to allow me to get all I wanted, neighbor had plenty of brick for me to lay out bottom and the angle iron frame came from the local steel supply company, with my welding expertise of course.
PLEASE keep in mind.... I AM NOT a carpenter!
First weekend, welded the frame and added the wheels. Layed the brick with a 2 in footing to help get the height I want for the box.
Second weekend, layed the fire box as square as possible, I'm not a brick mason either! LOL
Then started on the smoke box..... This was tricky, no prints just cut and screw to try to keep it square. FYI, table saw blades do not like old rusty nails. Ordered new blade.
I did remember to add cross braces to hold meat hangers before I closed it up and had to do the rest inside the closet.
The door was tricky. I made it the best I could, added some trim cuts to wall boards to keep rain water out, kinda like siding. Neighbor across the road donated the tin for the roof.
It's not the best I've seen but it has plenty character and charm. I went for the swamp /hills rustic look.
Couldn't wait to build a seasoning fire in it!

 

[Jim_C]

welcome from California. Sounds like a lot of good food coming out of LA.

 

[BugHunter]

Welcome from PA