"There are several feel-good restaurants in Baton Rouge, but perhaps none as much as Valley Park’s Owen’s Grocery and Market (also known as Miss Emma’s), open since 1938. Back then it was a gas station and grocery store, but the addition of hot breakfast and lunch in the ’80s made it into the institution it’s known as today. You’ll want to try all the sides here (mac and cheese, yams, green beans, potato salad, collard greens, red beans) to go with daily specials of fried or smothered chicken, fried pork chops, lasagna, and the shop’s Truck Driver Sandwich: meatloaf and American cheese, dressed like a po’ boy on a French baguette. Desserts like peach cobbler and sweet potato pie are the best around." - Clair Lorell
