Poor Boy's Riverside Inn

Description

Starting with a snowball stand in 1932 in Lafayette until today with two full-service restaurants, one in Lafayette, and one in New Iberia, the Hurst family has prospered in the Acadiana area. The beginning - a hand-pushed snowball wagon and $1.30 investment in sugar and flavoring in the middle of the Great Depression with an enterprising country boy from Youngsville named Hulo "Poor Boy" Landry. Originally a baker by trade, Hulo developed an allergy to flour and by necessity became an entrepreneur.From snowballs to hamburgers to famed "Poor Boy" sandwiches, Hulo's business expanded and prospered. With input from his wife, Eugenia, and relatives and friends, the menu grew to include fresh seafood and Kansas City steaks. In 1939 the restaurant moved to a beautiful site overlooking the Vermilion Bayou at Pinhook Bridge. Then disaster struck. Many believed that the devastating flood of 1940, which swamped the restaurant, ruining building and equipment, would mean the end of "Poor Boy's", but three months later found Hulo back in business. In 1946 he opened the first completely air-conditioned restaurant in Lafayette and enjoyed continuous success until his death in 1958. Still Poor Boy's Riverside Inn endured. Upon his death in 1958, his son-in-law and only daughter, Larry and Kathlyn Hurst, took over the management of Poor Boy's Riverside Inn, and prospered on the same premise that brought success and respect from the community to Hulo - quality in food and perfection in service. In 1977, Poor Boy's Riverside Inn moved to its present site where the Hursts began to groom two of their four children to manage the restaurant. In 1985, under the guidance and watchful eye of their parents, Elaine and Richard took over the operation of the restaurant. Elaine and Richard make an outstanding brother/sister team, and along with their loyal staff continue the family tradition of consistent quality in food and service.

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