So, there we were, my wife, Shyla and I. We were gearing up for the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving holiday week. My parents flew into town to share in the delight. Shyla and I prepped for the week ahead. All the planning, the shopping, the preparation and the cooking was so much work for the seemingly few short minutes of actual dining. Then there was the daunting task of all the cleanup and cramming of food into leftover containers before settling down for a minute.
With full bellies and Black Friday shopping looming the next day, the last the thing I wanted to do was cook breakfast or think about leftovers. I started running through a mental list of possibilities for everyone to enjoy the next morning. Because of many restaurants extending their holiday breaks, it seemed as if our choices were going to be limited. Then I thought Southern Spice Restaurant and Grill would be perfect.
For nearly 30 years, Myron Leleux and his family have been serving the Lake Area with some of the best home cooking in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. I reached out to Mr. Myron, to ask if perhaps the restaurant would be open in the morning and if they took reservations? A short while later, I received a reply stating Southern Spice would be open that morning, and, as expected, they accommodate diners on a first come, first served basis.
I was eager to get the morning started when reality set in and reminded me there’d be delays and struggles in getting out of the house in a timely manner. When we are finally en route to the diner, I start to become more optimistic. “Nobody is out here,” I say to Shyla. The roads are eerily sparse. Maybe, those Black Friday deals don’t have the lure they once did? Maybe everyone overslept? Maybe we might get a table? That little glimmer of hope faded quickly as I got close enough to view the parking lot of the restaurant. Nobody was on the road, simply because they were all here. Everyone was vying for their own shot at a Southern Spice breakfast. Shyla added our party to the list and we patiently waited our turn. Names were called, folks were seated and the line moved rather quickly. We ended up being escorted to our table sooner than I had anticipated
With a fluid-like motion, a stand is unfolded from one arm, the large tray full of food swoops down from the other and Taylor distributes the dishes of more-than-enough food accordingly. The eyes across the table beam in approval. My mother, Peggie, claims to “eats like a bird” with her a la carte bacon and toast, yet finds several opportunities to reach a fork into my dad’s spinach, mushroom and tomato veggie omelet and crispy hash browns. Shyla was craving a pseudo-breakfast with a classic BLT, loaded and stacked with crisp bacon, lettuce and firm, ripe tomatoes, along with an order of heavenly pillow-puffy beignets. I ordered an all American power plate: a beautiful, tender 10 oz ribeye, grilled to medium rare and a pair of eggs cooked over easy. I added in breakfast potatoes, a side of house-made chipotle sauce and a couple of slices of buttered toast for good measure. Could I finish all of this? Not a chance, but I gave it an honest shot and took a doggie bag home with me.
It was a pure pleasure to introduce my parents to one of the best little restaurants Southwest Louisiana has to offer. It was busy, but from the moment we walked in, throughout the fantastic service and the tasty home style cooking, it’s no wonder people clear the streets to line up for this wonderful family experience.
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