Elsie's Auto & Truck Plaza Guide and Review
Elsie's Auto & Truck Plaza, located in Shreveport, United States, presents itself as a multifaceted stop catering to travelers and locals alike. While officially categorized as a casino, user reviews paint a broader picture, suggesting it's primarily a busy truck stop and convenience store with an attached gaming area. It's known for its accessibility, hot food, and varied customer experiences.
What to Expect at Elsie's: A Closer Look 👀
This plaza offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of those on the road, alongside its offerings for the local community.
- Fuel & Convenience: Patrons appreciate the "plenty oof pumps" available. The store is praised for being open 24 hours, making it a convenient stop at any time. For those living in outlying areas, it's a welcome nearby option, saving a 30-minute drive to other stores.
- Hot Food & Dining: A significant highlight for many is the "good" and even "excellent" hot food. Reviewers enthusiastically commend the cook for consistently preparing delicious meals that often sell out quickly. The friendly nature of the food service staff, particularly the cook, is frequently noted.
- Customer Service: The general sentiment towards the employees, including manager "Dee," is overwhelmingly positive. Many describe the staff as "extremely friendly & courteous," fostering a loyal customer base. While one older review mentioned initial "coldness" towards non-locals, this was noted to have improved on subsequent visits.
- Parking & Accessibility: This is an area with mixed feedback. One recent review (3 years ago) strongly states "NO truck parking available" due to spots being taken by cars. However, an older review (5 years ago) contradicts this, asserting that parking "always has room for big trucks" and is "lighted, quite and safe." Truck drivers should be aware of this potential inconsistency.
- Attached Casino: Mentioned briefly in one review, there is indeed a "casino attached if you gamble," offering an additional entertainment option for those interested.
Points of Contention & Considerations ⚠️
While many aspects are positive, a few reviews raise concerns:
- Internal Congestion: One reviewer noted the inside of the store was "cramped" and "congested," making it difficult to maintain distance from others.
- Product Freshness: A critical concern was raised regarding expired milk found on shelves (dating back to 2020). This suggests a need for vigilant stock rotation and quality control.
- Public Health Measures (Historical): An older review from late 2020 highlighted a lack of mask-wearing among employees and customers, raising concerns about public safety at the time. While this specific issue is dated, it points to a historical perception of disregard for public health guidelines.
Overall Verdict ⚖️
Elsie's Auto & Truck Plaza appears to be a local favorite for its friendly staff, excellent hot food, and 24-hour convenience, particularly for those in the Shreveport area and truck drivers seeking a reliable stop. The presence of an attached casino adds another dimension. However, prospective visitors, especially truck drivers, should be mindful of conflicting reports regarding truck parking availability. Concerns about internal congestion and past issues with expired products indicate areas where the plaza could improve consistency and attention to detail. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall picture suggests Elsie's remains a frequented and valued establishment for many.
As seen in the photos...there is NO truck parking available. All spots are taken, mostly by cars.
I have always had good service here. I moved away about 8 years ago and the place is still the same. Good food plenty oof pumps and even a casino attached if you gamble. I met a friend there and we sat out in the parking lot and talked for at least 2 hours without any issues from the staff for loitering ilon the parking lot. It's a good way out on hewy 1 but then again if you live out that way your happy to have a place close to you instead of driving 30 minutes to a store.
I'm in this store almost daily. I like the employees & yes Dee (manager) I like you too. Most of the employees in the last 2 yrs have been extremely friendly & courteous. Their regular customers are many & loyal. Thank you Dee & your employees for the service you've given me. Also the Hot Food is so good & will sell out fast but no worries the cook is on top of it with food coming out before you can blink your eyes. Love this store. Julia Bertrand (Allison's mom)
Try again. 3 rd time stayed night. The parking always has room for big trucks. It’s lighted it’s quite and it’s safe. Open 24hrs. Bathrooms are small old but clean. Service is good I realized that if your not local try can be a little cold to you. This visit was friendlier as expected. The cooked food though is “ excellent “. The lady cooking and serving the food is very warm and friendly. YES I will be back.
Congested place was cramped inside so u can't really stay away from others. None of the employees wore a mask and very few of the customers wore them. Milk was expired. One bottle had expired in November of 2020! I do not recommend stopping here. Just not a respectable place to stop. Certainly no concern for public safety or much else.