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LAPLACE — Mabile’s Restaurant welcomed customers for the first time since Hurricane Ida on Monday, October 4, just two days before the restaurant’s 37^th anniversary.

Second generation owner Brandon Mabile was excited to reopen and spread some joy to a community that continues to grapple with the impacts of Hurricane Ida. The homestyle cooking that St. John Parish has come to know and love was put on pause for just over a month after Hurricane Ida left Mabile’s in a disastrous state. Windows were blown out, leaving glass scattered everywhere, and ceiling tiles had collapsed to the floor.

Restoring the restaurant showcased the passion and talent of the River Parishes.

LeftHand Kreationz owner Leroy Mitchell assisted with signage and added a beautiful airbrushed mural to the wall. The Mabile family brought in neighbor Terry Mcintosh for the trim work and painting. Meanwhile, Ninja Concrete Coatings out of St. Rose made quick work of the floors, and Greg Fincher of Summit Homes came to the rescue with new cabinets and countertops. LaPlace Glass will soon come in to replace the front windows.

“Everything from the ceilings to the walls to the paint and trim is new. The only thing that was kept was the tables,” Brandon said.

What hasn’t changed is the excellent customer service and consistency that has allowed Mabile’s to thrive in St. John Parish for nearly four decades.

“The owners are here. We like talking to the customers. We’re very consistent, and we make sure the customers get what they pay for. Everything is overstuffed,” Brandon said. “We still have some of the same customers from day one that come in every week.”

First generation owner Donald Mabile Sr. established Mabile’s Restaurant as a meat market after working for Winn-Dixie for 19 years. The market opened on October 6, 1984 in the back of Woodland Drive in LaPlace.

LaPlace was growing fast at the time, and construction workers who frequented the area took a liking to Mabile’s roast beef, smoked sausage and cold cut sandwiches. Mabile’s moved to its current location at 1124B W. Airline Highway in LaPlace in 1988, still operating as a meat market and a deli.

The transition from meat market to restaurant took place over a number of years as the menu continued to expand and the community’s needs changed. The opening of a Walmart Supercenter in LaPlace made it challenging for smaller mom and pop companies to keep up.

“We expanded the restaurant side, and it was the best thing we’ve ever done,” Brandon said.

Business boomed as the menu expanded to include salads and fried seafood. Today, fried shrimp and old-fashioned roast beef poboys are favorites among customers.

All of Donald’s children were involved in the family business at one point in time. Brandon Mabile knew from a young age that he wanted to take over the restaurant one day.

“I always loved hanging out with my dad, loved being in here, loved dealing with people,” Brandon said.

As the community comes back from Hurricane Ida, its people are more united than ever before.

“We’ve been affected. A lot of residents and a lot of our employees were affected by the hurricane. We’re glad to be able to finally open back up and serve the community,” Marie Mabile said.

Restaurant hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mabile’s is closed Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to place an order, call 985-651-2893.