Food - A Family Legacy: The Coffee Pot

The Coffee Pot

I'm not sure if this has anything to do with my love of cooking and eating, but my dad's family owned and operated a diner in downtown Ponchatoula for about 40 years.  It opened in the early 30's and closed in the early 70's.  Below is an article in the paper that gives an early history of the restaurant and my grandfather, Paul Williams.  A special thanks to local historian, Jim Perrin, for finding this article and some of the pictures. 

It was a place that was open 24 hours a day.  For most of its history, it did not even have locks on the doors.  Later they began closing for Christmas, but my grandfather felt this was a service to those that needed a place to eat.  I remember hearing that the first time they closed the restaurant was when FDR died.  My grandmother, Mabel Varnado Williams, was a huge fan of the president and was too distraught to work. 

I have some memories of visiting the restaurant.  I would stop by on my way to swimming lessons at the town pool in Kiwanis Park.  At that time we lived on West Willow - just a few blocks from the restaurant.  I was especially fascinated with the milk dispensers and would enjoy chocolate milk as often as I could.  I remember a long curved counter and booths along the wall.  There was also a candy counter and maybe ice cream near the front.  I also remember my dad bringing home supper in large plastic jars.  My mom was the baker in her home growing up, but did not learn to cook.  We would joke that she didn't need to learn since dad could bring home leftovers from the restaurant each day.  I don't remember eating very much at the restaurant - just stopping by every now and then. It closed when I was around 11 years old - soon after my grandfather died.  By that time the downtown area of Ponchatoula was struggling, with the addition of the interstate, and my father had 5 children to support.  

Unfortunately, when it was time to close the restaurant, my dad was so ready to leave this all-consuming business that he did not keep very many items from the restaurant.  Also, unfortunately, he is no longer here to ask questions about the restaurant.  I will share some of the stories that he did share over the years in upcoming posts.   If you or someone you know has a memory or artifact from the restaurant, I would love to hear about it or see it. 

Here are a couple of other pictures of the restaurant:

This picture was taken when the Ideal Theatre was caught fire in downtown Ponchatoula.   His future wife (my mom) worked at the Ideal - he did not know it at the time. 

Here is picture from the 1955 PHS Greenback.  These were two class favorites that some may recognize as members of their family. 

Culinary Discoveries: Hawaii - Loco Moco

This blog series will feature discoveries that I have made in my travels - near and far - that I have incorporated into my cooking repertoire.  This discovery was made on a trip I took with my sister, Holly, to Hawaii several years ago.  The trip was one of those "free" trips if you listen to the timeshare presentation.  Although resisting the hard sale on one of the days of the trip was tough, the trip was wonderful.  Here a just a few pictures from the trip. 

Although I tried several new dishes on the trip - including attending a church pot luck that included included some traditional dishes like poke' - the dish that I loved and have repeated at home is "loco moco."  I had it the first day as we drove around looking for something to eat and stopped in a shopping center at a placed that looked like typical chain restaurant.  I saw a dish on the menu that intrigued me.  It was a series of bowls called - loco moco.  Each featured white rice, a freshly cooked hamburger pattie, and some type of gravy or in my choice - chili.  All of them also featured a fried egg or two on top.  Once you cut open the egg and mixed all of the ingredients together - it became a very satisfying meal.  One that I realized I could easily recreate at home.  On many occasions since - especially if I have leftover rice and/or make a pot of chili - I make this dish.  Since my first one was with chili I mostly make that version - but can imagine that the one with gravy is equally delicious.  

I don't have a picture of the one that I had in Hawaii or ones that I have made since, but here are a few pictures I found that represent the dish.

Do you have any culinary discoveries that you have repeated once returning from a trip?  If so, feel free to share.   

Trey Yuen - Past and Future: Part 3 - Special Memories

Trey Yuen has been the place for some special memories.  One of the most consistent has been hosting the Ponchatoula High School Key Club's end of year banquet.  This is my 30th year with the PHS Key Club and we have probably done about 20 of our banquets at Trey Yuen.  I don't have digital pictures of the early days, but those were special times for me as I remember each group of outstanding students I had the privilege to work with.  Trey Yuen had a nice and large banquet room (we needed space for 80-100 at times) .  We used their buffet menu (Joe let me substitute Tong Cho for the sweet and sour sauce on the pork).  The students (and I) enjoyed going back for seconds.  Below is a group from about 5 years ago. 

We also held board meetings there at times.  Below is a picture of our officers at a board meeting in one of the private rooms.  They called them "VIP" rooms - which made them seem special. 

As I  mentioned in my first post, we have convinced my mother to come once or twice for special family get togethers at Trey Yuen.  When my sister, Holly comes to visit from Chattanooga, we like to all get together.  This time it was on a Monday night and we had to go to Trey Yuen.  Mom reluctantly agreed.  Just another example of how she will do anything for her children.

  For the family, we have also been to Don's, Café Nola, and Buddies - all great places for special events.  Still not sure where we can have our Key Club banquets with such a nice large room and reasonable (and filling) menu.   I guess it will be time for some new traditions.  The memories of these special occasions just helps to add to the feeling of loss - like a good friend who was always there for you when you needed them.