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.
In 1988,Richard and Elaine opened their second restaurant, Little River Inn.Now located in the old Trappey’sbuilding at 833 East Main in New Iberia, the dining area looks out on the old Trappey Oak estimated to have been planted in 1630.Both locations recently completed remodeling.Riverside Inn’s waiting area now includes roomy seating and a bar open on weekends, and Little River Inn just added a new Oyster and Margarita Bar and expanded its banquet room. Richard's wife, Lori, runs the front of the house operations while Richard manages the kitchen at Little River Inn.
Both locations have seen Acadiana grow and prosper.If windows and doors could talk, what tales they could tell!Birthday celebrations, business deals, proposals, reunions, parties of all kinds have taken place at Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn.Couples who held their wedding receptions thirty, forty, and even fifty years ago return on their anniversaries.The Hursts would like to thank you for the opportunity of serving you and hope that in their food and service you find a bit of the love and intense pride that has gone into the creation of Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn.
Newsletter
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 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.
