Pat's of Henderson-December 15, 2012

We can add today to that growing list of wonderful and unique experiences. We decided to drive to Lake Charles and have lunch at Pat's of Henderson. No, it is not in Henderson. The original Pat's is there and is still run by family. This one is run by family also. Big family. Huge restaurant. The parking lot was jam packed. We knew there would be a wait. There was no place to stand while waiting much less sit so we went into the Oyster Bar. We were the only ones in there, so the bartender/waiter started talking to us. What we learned would probably fill a book. The conversation really took off when he asked if we knew where Kerrville, Texas is? Indeed, we spent several weeks there late last year. He takes his sons over there to hunt on a ranch owned by the owners of these restaurants. We decided, since we were having so much fun, that we would just eat there, so we took our name off the other list and ordered lunch. The food was out of this world. They prepared the wrong meal for me, so he put that one in a box and ordered me the correct one. We have lunch for tomorrow now. Brooks was the guy's name. He was fun, interesting, full of personality and extremely efficient. A number of people caught on to what we were doing and joined us there. They were packed to the gills because one of the local colleges had graduation today. There were graduation parties going on. Brooks said they had reservations for over 300 people for lunch. And then there we were! Fabulous food. I had grilled red snapper with sauteed crab meat. Jerry had the Who Dat Crawfish Etouffee. What wonderful food. Brooks had the owner come in and talk to us about their traveling experiences. She insisted our next time in the south we go to the Pat's in Henderson. We promised we would. She was just delightful. I did take a picture of their tree which was really pretty in person but it does not show that well in a picture.

It's a very happy tree. It reflects the happy owners

and happy employees.