The Daiquiri Shack

Imagine it's 5pm on a Friday after a very long week. You've worked hard, you've paid rent, you've fixed a leaky sink, kept the laundry and chores under control. You dear 21 years-old-or-above friend, deserve a treat. Where do you go? You've got dinner plans so the treat you oh-so-deserve needs to be quick. Should you get a Cherry Limeade from Sonic? A Pumpkin Spice Latte (if it's in season) from Starbucks? How about something a little more grown up.

For the people of Lake Charles, there is an answer. The Daiquiri Shack. The Daiquiri Shack at 2451 Ryan Street, Lake Charles is a drive-through Daiquiri service and is also a non-smoking bar for those over the age of 21. In Lake Charles, there are several drive-through adult beverage drink spots to choose from but I can tell you from personal experience, the Daiquiri Shack is very special. 

Sweetie, where'd ya get your glasses and lipstick?

 

I have driven through a few times, and placed my order, always the same, “A small Mudslide, Please.” I have, and always always will, responsibly wait to sip my drink. I wait to try my drink even if I am the passenger in the vehicle. I wait until I have reached my final destination.

Last week, for the first time, I parked my car and went inside the shack and may I say a cliché? Never judge a book by it's cover. 

Inside, I felt like I had stepped into, part swanky cosmopolitan bar, part temple devoted to the Louisiana State University Tigers.  There is a beautiful granite bar top lit-up by blue pendant lights.  The walls are decorated with LSU items as well as some fun quirky signs.  

Granite and blue pendant lights?  I want these in my home.

I walked in and was immediately greeted by two wonderful Daiquiri Shack employees who were so sweet to let me ask them a little more about the place.

This is Ms. Layah and Mr. Nathan. Layah has worked at the Daiquiri Shack since 2007. 

 

First, I introduced myself and I asked a little about the history of the place. I learned the Daiquiri Shack was not always as, and where, it now appears. Originally, there was a smaller version of the Daiquiri Shack. The new Daiquiri Shack opened in 2005 after Hurricane Rita.

“After Hurricane Rita, this was the only place selling alcohol [in Lake Charles]...I heard the line was busy,” Nathan said.

The Daiquiri Shack has a variety of drink options for patrons to select from. Layah and Nathan agreed that the most popular drink is The Killer.

[The Killer is] “A fruity punchy Rum Vodka drink,” Nathan said.

Yo ho ho and a Killer to go.  Aaaaaargh.

While The Killer, which is a Rum and Vodka combination drink made with Hawaiian Punch and 3 different rums is the most popular with customers, Layah's favorite drink is the Mango Margarita.

“We have the best Margarita's,” Layah said.

Nathan has worked at the Daiquiri Shack for four years. He told me about his favorite Daiquiri Shack beverage, the White Russian.

“Our White Russian is made with ice cream milk so it tastes delicious,” Nathan said.

The drinks are excellent. The non-smoking atmosphere is  awesome. The customers and employees treat each other like family.

“We are all family. We've all known each other forever. We get really friendly people and have customers who are down-to-earth people,” Layah said.

“It's really a great place to decompress after a tough day at work,” Nathan said.

Nathan and Layah also told me another part of the Daiquiri Shack that customers love are the very clean bathrooms.

This is the Women's room (what gave it away?).  For some reason, I was too shy to get a picture of the Men's room.

“Everybody says something about [how clean] the bathrooms are,” Nathan said.

A bell rings, alerting Layah that there is a drive-through customer. The drive-through window opens and she takes their orders. 3 drinks. She mixes and pours the beverages into 3 Styrofoam cups. She grabs three straws and tapes the lids shut with thick,white masking tape.

“The tape makes it legal. It is considered a closed container with the tape,” Layah said.

The other part of the legality aspect has to do with presenting a photo id such as a drivers' license.

“If there is five people [in the vehicle] and they order four drinks we need to ID four people,” Layah said.

I know the concept of a drive-through Daiquiri Shack is surprising for many. Honestly, it was very surprising for me but once I tried it I really enjoyed it. I am not a bar person and I rarely drink alcohol. However, should the mood strike me, I like being able to quickly get a well-made Daiquiri without leaving my car. I like that I have the opportunity to enjoy a professionally mixed drink in the comfort of my own home. Unfortunately, abuse is an awful reality. However, I believe we shouldn't necessarily take away something because of those who abuse the privilege.

I am also not yet a football person, but I enjoyed my time on the inside of Daiquiri Shack so much that I foresee myself coordinating a gathering with friends to go enjoy an LSU game at the Shack. 

 

Geaux Tigers!

So, if you have the chance, I recommend trying the Daiquiri Shack. The prices are very reasonable, the drinks are tasty and the employees are as nice as they come.

and of course, a Mudslide to-go