LAFAYETTE, La. — For a long time Laura Broussard cooked for other people, particularly in downtown Lafayette. Then in 1968, she opened her own place, Laura’s II.
Although Laura may have passed away in the early 90's, her granddaughter Madonna is keeping the tradition and the delicious rice and gravy going strong.
“She made a way when there was no way, and that's exactly what we're doing,” says grand-daughter Madonna Broussard, the owner of Laura’s II, as she refers to surviving in the Corona Era. “Just figuring it out, day for day."
From Laura the grandmother-to her kids-and now to her granddaughter Madonna. There are questions to ask when you visit Laura's II: First, is there a Laura's one?
“We’re the second generation. No Laura's one; we're number two,” explains Broussard.
Second question--- what should you order?
“We’re the best rice and gravy spot."
Over the past few weeks, Laura's II has come to grips with the word "curbside."
“It’s been different for us, us having to learn to come out and be a waitress outside,” sighs Broussard. “We've kind of revamped our whole kitchen area and placed our counter outdoors. "
But Madonna Broussard, her daughter and a small, loyal staff are finding ways to keep Laura's II on the map. There's no dining inside--- just yet. “And hopefully we'll get back together soon."
It comes down to the food. Beef products are getting harder to come by, so turkey wings, catfish and fried pork chops are filling the tastebuddatory gaps.
Regardless, Laura's II is part of the Four Corners community. Families and generations of those families keep coming back.
“Almost our same clientele, same neighborhood, the same foot traffic, the same downtown workers-we've had the same people for a long time.”
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