Southern Spice
Wining & Dining Peking Garden
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Peking Garden
Southern Spice
Mr. and Mrs. Tong Thy “Jay” Huang immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1976. They worked in the restaurant business in New Orleans, Houston, and here in Lake Charles. In 1984, they bought the China Garden Restaurant and re-opened it as the Peking Garden. It’s been one of the area’s most popular Chinese restaurants for 35 years. Yueh Shing Chen Huang, aka “Mrs. Jay” developed the Hunan-style Chinese menu and recipes. Several dishes, such as Dr. Bono’s Soup, Robert McHale's Shrimp Noodles, and Dr. Cormier’s Eggrolls are named after long-time regular customers. Peking Garden is also well known for their large, colorful tiki drinks, such as the Mai Tai and the Flaming Volcano (big enough for two!) In addition to great food, visiting Peking Garden is like entering a Chinese art museum. It is furnished with fine furniture and antiques, dark wood paneling, large traditional Chinese paintings, lamps, bronze lions, a wooden Buddha, and other works of art. Sadly, Mr. Jay, a good friend to many area residents, passed away in 2017. The restaurant is now run by Mrs. Jay, who keeps her husband’s legacy alive.
Myron and Danita Leleux opened Southern Spice at 3612 Ryan Street in 1997, along with Roger Benoit, who has since retired. By 2002, they outgrew that original location and moved to their current spot at 3901 Ryan Street. After Hurricane Rita in 2005, Southern Spice was one of the few restaurants that re-opened quickly. Even with a limited menu, they were quite busy, as one can imagine. A couple of waitresses have worked for
Thrive Magazine for Better Living • February 2019
Southern Spice
the LeLeux’s since the restaurant opened. They say Southern Spice has a loyal customer base and has seen the same regulars for 21 years. Good food would explain their dedication. While they do have daily specials and occasionally offer a new item, the menu has basically remained the same over the years – plate lunches, seafood, steaks, po’boys, and burgers. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In 2011, the LeLeux’s son, Brandon, opened a second Southern Spice in Moss Bluff.
