(Lafayette, La.) - In Louisiana, some of our fondest memories and heartiest celebrations involve coming together with loved ones to share a good meal. In the spirit of tradition, several locally-owned restaurants have come together again this year to encourage local dining.

In its sixth year, the 2010 EatLafayetteTM campaign runs from June 21 through August 15; and with over 50 participating restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, Acadiana diners will have plenty of options to choose from.

"It's not about competition between local restaurants," said Charlie Goodson, owner of Charley G's Seafood Grill and one of the originators of the EatLafayetteTM campaign, "it's about local people experiencing local flavors and having a marvelous time."

The 2010 campaign includes a brand new television commercial that features several familiar faces from the Acadiana area expressing what they love about eating locally in Lafayette. One of those faces belongs to Gerald Breaux, Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission. "The campaign truly showcases Lafayette's eateries across several platforms, be it television, radio, print, or a whole new spectrum of social and digital media," said Breaux.

New this year, the official EatLafayetteTM website, www.eatlafayette.com, gives users the option to browse the restaurants either by name or by food type. The website also includes information about the Caribbean Cruise Giveaway, a promotion offered in past years encouraging diners to visit participating restaurants in order to win a free 4-day cruise compliments of Travel Machine.

EatLafayetteTM is employing the use of several social networking outlets like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and e-newsletters to keep the online community up to date on specials offered by participating restaurants or to share news about the campaign.

"EatLafayette gives Lafayette diners the chance to show their support of locally-owned restaurants," says Breaux, "With some of the most delicious food in the nation available right here at home, who wouldn't want to EatLafayette?"

The 2010 EatLafayetteTM campaign is set to launch June 21 and will continue through August 15. Visit www.eatlafayette.com to learn more about the campaign and to view a complete list of participating restaurants and sponsors.

This year, the following 51 restaurants will be participating in the EatLafayetteTM campaign.

2Paul's Radically Urban Barbeque
A La Carte
A Spot for Tea
Agave Cantina
Antoni's Italian Café
Bailey's Seafood & Grill
Bella Figura
BJ's Pizza and Deli
Blue Agave Mexican Restaurant
Blue Dog Café
Bonnie Bell's Bistro
Boulevard Grille
Burgersmith
Café Des Amis
Café Habana City
Café Vermilionville
Charley G's Seafood Grill
Collage Café
Country Cuisine
Crawfish Town
Dean-O's
Don's Seafood and Steakhouse
Dozo
Fat Pat's Bar & Grill
Fezzo's Seafood, Steakhouse and Oyster Bar
Gallagher's
Hub City Diner
iMonelli
Joey's
Johnson's Boucaniere
Jolie's Louisiana Bistro
Judice Inn
Julien's Poboys
La Cuisine de Maman in Vermilionville
Lagneaux's Restaurant
Lil Daddy's Bar-B-Q
Masala Indian Kitchen
McGee's Landing
Nimbeaux's Restaurant
Olde Tyme Grocery
Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant
Pete's Family Sports Grill
Picante
Poor Boy's Riverside Inn
Prejean's Restaurant
Randol's Restaurant
Sage Italian
Southside Bakery
Tsunami
Village Cafe
Zeus
EatLafayetteTM is sponsored by Atmos Energy, Farmers Merchants Bank, Konriko, Lafayette Regional Airport, Townsquare Media, KADN FOX TV15, COX Communications, KLFY TV 10, The Independent Weekly, Travel Machine and Calzone & Associates with a major grant provided by the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission.
About EatLafayetteTM
What started as a conversation between two local businessmen in Lafayette has evolved into a successful promotions campaign that provides a unique opportunity for people to experience local cuisine in Lafayette. Charlie Goodson, owner of Charley G's Seafood Grill, and Gerald Breaux, Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission got together in early 2005 to discuss how locally owned restaurants could gain visibility in a market flooded with big-dollar franchise restaurant advertising.

The result of those conversations was a summer EatLafayetteTM campaign, which is now in its sixth year. EatLafayetteTM is a two-month celebration showcasing the restaurants that make Acadiana culture so appetizing. It is an attempt to boost the success of locally-owned restaurants for the good of the Lafayette community. This year's campaign is a true success over with 50 restaurants signing up to participate.


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