From the moment we pulled in to the parking lot of the Limp Lizard, it was obvious: this was going to be fun.

The exterior isn’t too prepossessing – a tin-roof roadhouse that inherited a fern bar atrium from a previous tenant (and promptly slathered paint over the top window panes) – but from the crowds milling about, to the many vehicles in the parking lot, to the pretty, dark-haired waitress who called to us out the window – the bon temps roulez nature of the Limp Lizard couldn’t be more clear.

It’s actually more Texas roadhouse than Louisiana, though the menu features both “swamp” food and “smoker” food.

When we arrived, there was a happy-hour style party going on in the back room. People were partying with long-neck beers, while trays of snacks invited them to nibble, and waitresses were scurrying around filling drink orders. The noise level is high, and so is the energy. We passed – reluctantly - through this room and into the bar and dining area.

The u-shaped bar looks industrial – we almost wondered if it were concrete with a metal banding – but it’s big, and busy, and surrounded by booths and tables for people who want to sit and drink, or eat, or all of these.

The crowd is mixed: we spotted a girl with a gorgeous butterfly tattoo in her neck, and nearby was a table of middle-aged businessmen in for a meal after a golf game. Dress is whateveryouwant – biker chic, business casual, sweats, tees, or out-for-the-night. There’s lots of coming and going, lots of talk, music, and big screen TVs featuring motocross (Bulgarian motocross, no less!). See what I mean? The whole point is have a drink, listen to music, laugh a lot, and have a good time!

Not that the food isn’t great, too. We decided to have dinner, and were seated in a big, comfy booth by the bar (there are also tables in the atrium area, if you’re looking for a slightly quieter place to eat). On the table was a roll of paper towels on a stand – a hint that we were going to be eating with our fingers (which we did), and making a mess (which we did, as well).

The menu was packed with an eclectic mix of Cajun-style favorites (like Jambalaya and Crawdaddies), smoked and barbequed meats, Tex-Mex fare (Burritos and Tacos) and northeastern bar food (like Nachos and Mozzarella Stix). Portions are big, meals come with sides like cornbread, slaw, and baked beans, and everything tastes just great. (Prices range from about $8 to about $12 for entrees.) We tucked into Crawdaddies (served piled high and deep-fried, with a dipping sauce) and Catfish (also deep fried, with a super-crisp outside, and tender, sweet, flaky inside). The cornbread was sweet and warm, and the slaw was flavored just right.

The décor re-enforces the Texas Roadhouse theme – and the Lizard appears to be a character (with a MySpace page of his own) with a personality as outgoing at the venue. Southwestern vistas painted on the walls feature the Lizard (or maybe the Lizard and friends!) busy having a good time; and cow skulls, and other odd and intriguing memorabilia invite investigation.

Live music is featured (Just Joe is scheduled for dates through the early summer), and Limp Lizard is famous for its catering – they’ll bring the whole experience to your event, whether it’s an office party, a wedding reception, even a picnic or box lunch event!

The tag line of the Limp Lizard is “Good Grub, Cold Beer, and Good Times.” And that’s the experience in a nutshell!