Metairie, LA is located just west of New Orleans along Interstate 10 in adjacent Jefferson Parish; it is one of the largest unincorporated areas in the United States, with over 160,000 residents. Metairie was originally settled on a natural levee formed by an obsolete branch of the Mississippi River, known as Metairie Ridge. This area of town is now referred to as Old Metairie, and is the most prestigious part of Metairie, with upscale housing and businesses. Metairie is now a thriving suburb of New Orleans, and is home to New Orleans' triple A baseball team, the Zephyrs, and the headquarters and practice facility for the New Orleans Saints NFL football team. Metairie's Lakeside Shopping Center is the premier shopping center for the Greater New Orleans area. It has over 120 stores and boutiques and a variety of restaurants, many featuring local cuisine. Lakeside Shopping Center borders "Fat City" an area of town with many small businesses, restaurants, and bars. Fat City was planned as Metairie's business district, and is the heart of Metairie's nightlife, with many clubs and bars, as well as popular restaurants featuring the best of local cuisine. The cornerstone of Fat City is Drago's restaurant, famous for their charbroiled oysters, and featuring many specialties made from fresh Louisiana seafood. Metairie holds its own Mardi gras celebration with more than a dozen parades throughout the season. Touted as a family friendly event, the parades roll through parts of Fat City and along Veterans Boulevard, culminating on Mardi Gras Day with the Krewe of Argus and two trucks parade featuring dozens of floats decorated by individual groups.
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