Harlequin Steak and Seafood
Wining & Dining
First up,
those well-established establishments. The places everyone knows and loves and have been around for decades. They have a legacy in the Lake Area. They’re packed full, even on weeknights, and sport a line out the door on weekends. And for good reason . . . awesome food!
Harlequin Steak and Seafood Mr. And Mrs. Edward E. Hunter opened Harlequin Steaks and Seafood in 1956. When their grandson, Nic Hunter, was 13 years old, he started working in the restaurant from the ground up. By age 17, he was managing the establishment. “It has been a blessing and joy to continue the legacy of my grandparents,” says Hunter, current mayor of Lake Charles. “The restaurant has thrived thanks to hard work and the support of our loyal staff and customers. And we’re really excited today to be celebrating 63 years serving the Lake Area.” Hunter says Lake Charles is home and he works hard to give back to the community he believes in. “I try to not only serve a great steak and baked potato, but to make this business a part of the community. The better community we have, the better in the long run it is for everybody. Here at Harlequin Steaks and Seafood, we try to make a positive impact on every aspect of Southwest Louisiana.”
Darrell’s Po’boys Darrell’s has been thrilling friends and fans since 1985. Initially, the concept was simply a means for Darrell DeRouen and
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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • February 2019
his friends to have a place to hang out and play cards when they got off work. For big events such as Super Bowl Sundays, Darrell and his wife Susie would prepare po’boys for the crowd. The sandwiches were such a hit, their friends encouraged them to start selling them. Now at their third location at 119 W College St. (the first two were on Ryan St. and then Common St.), they continue to grow. This Lake Charles foodie destination recently opened a new drive-through window for faster take-out service. Their menu has not changed over the years – eight po’boys offered . . . with chips. “Why fix something that isn’t broken,” Darrell always said. Their Darrell's Special and the Surf & Turf po'boys are the most often ordered, but the smoked BBQ brisket, sautéed shrimp, BBQ sausage, ham, turkey, and roast beef each have respectable followings of their own. The bread is cooked to order and their BBQ sauces and gravies are cooked in-house daily. Darrell passed away in August 2013. Susie now owns the establishment and his grandson Tyler Benoit manages the place. All six of their grandchildren have worked at Darrell’s at some point. Check them out and see for yourself why Darrell’s is consistently voted the best po’boys in SWLA. Just be sure you have plenty of napkins!
Harlequin Steak and Seafood
Darrell's Po'boys
