For those of who take I-10 south of Lake Pontrachain, there’s the irresistible allure of the Big Easy. Last year, a big rig got stuck when the trailer was pinned on a balcony as it was making a right turn on Barracks Street. Needless to say, 18-wheelers are not allowed in the French Quarter. The City Council voted to ban trucks over 36 feet without a special permit.
That’s why the fact that the city has a couple of private truck stops within the city limits is quite remarkable. The Big Easy wanted $10 for parking. Mardi Gras Truck Stop didn’t seem to enforcing parking fees and was a lot closer to the French Quarter.
Located in Elysian Fields in the Seventh Ward, the private truck stop is only a couple of miles from Bourbon Street. The spot has about 20 spots, many were reserved not by signs but by their personal vehicles taking up the spots.
The lot was large so I easily found a spot without having to do a 90 or 45. I quickly made my way inside to find Ms. Betty frying up some Louisiana Fried Chicken. The scent of the deep batter and Cajun spices was irresistible.
“No one makes chicken so fresh and crispy than Ms. Betty,” a fellow trucker boasted.
“Oh yeah, you come here regularly?” I asked
“Everytime my dispatcher brings me by the bayou, I make sure to stop at Mardi Gras and get me a bite from Ms. Betty.”
“Oh yeah, I bet. so do we have to pay for parking here?”
“You’re supposed to pay $10 a night. But you know they don’t really check here. Last year, a lady trucker was killed in her cab and it took three days to find her body.”
“Oh my Goodness, here in Mardi Gras?”
“Yup, the truck stop staff only checked because her company called to do a wellness check. When the police broke open her windows, she was covered in blood and the cab was full of flies.”
“Well, I guess I better lock the doors real good tonight. I’m still gonna hit the town, but I’ll be sure to not stay up too late.”
“Always watch your back. This is NOLA – there are vampires here.”
I walked back to my cab, deciding not to walk or bike it to the French Quarter. It was only two miles to downtown, but I safely called an Uber after I checked that I had locked my truck and removed my hidden key under my hood.
