A missing bag of buns turned into a signature dish and, eventually, a brand. We sit down with Lafayette’s own Shane Vallot to unpack how a walk-on center who almost quit transformed pressure into momentum—first on the field at UL, then in the kitchen with a quesadilla-burger that sold 75 out of his backyard in an hour. From there, the playbook expanded: a no-loan opening with five dollars left in the account, a sold-out first weekend, late-night prep, and a loyalty to freshness that meant shutting down rather than serving something subpar.

The conversation moves from grit to growth. We chart the leap from catering into Shane’s Quesadilla Burgers, the decision to name the concept after what only he could own, and the launch of the Loaded Mac Bar near campus—where you can build your own bowl with mac, baked potatoes, nachos, or grilled cheese as a base. Think brisket, pulled pork, chicken, corn, tomatoes, pineapple, and sauces ranging from crawfish cheese to Alfredo and marinara. Students pack the line; TikTok spreads the visuals; and the surprise MVP emerges: baked potatoes outselling mac. We get tactical on learning curves, from perfecting potato prep to staffing, pacing, and managing sellouts with transparency.

Then we head upstairs to The Red Zone, a sports-forward lounge perched above the quesadilla spot with projectors, TVs, a stage, DJs, and a full bar—an air-conditioned tailgate built for game days and postgame hangs. Through it all, Shane’s core values steer the expansion plan toward college markets: believe in yourself when others hesitate, create relentlessly from constraints, and inspire the next wave of builders to take smart risks while they can. If you care about food that stands out in a crowded city, or you’re looking for a candid map from idea to execution, this is a conversation you’ll feel in your gut.

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The podcast was made possible through partnerships with Logic Refrigeration HVAC, Ounce of Hope, Cajun Table, Chris Logan Media, and Sunday Soda Fountain – proving that when a community rallies around celebrating local food culture, amazing things happen. Subscribe now to join this delicious adventure and become part of the movement that's transforming Lafayette's food scene one bite at a time!

learn more: foodiesoflafayette.com

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