GROVES - A Canadian man dined at Larry’s French Market on
Thursday after hearing in Saudi Arabia that he “had” to try out this
Cajun food in Groves, Texas.
Brenda Judice was a little
emotional as she told her husband, the Larry of the day, that
anecdote, minutes after Groves Chamber of Commerce members marched
in with the surprise announcement that he was named Groves Chamber
2011 Small Businessman of the Year.
Larry Judice was sitting
at a table with family, wearing his familiar red apron, when Ronnie
Boneau, chamber director, arrived with a big plant. The entourage
had gathered in a parking lot at Larry’s French Market & Cajun
Restaurant to surprise Judice.
The award represented his
acclaim for representing the Cajun food and lifestyle in the area,
region and state, Boneau said.
Judice, usually a talker, said
he was overcome as he hugged his wife, who had kept the secret.
“She’s really the big boss here,” he said.
Larry is son
of the late A.J. Judice, also called The Crazy Frenchman, known for
crawfish races and his Port Arthur store that still sells boudain
that his mother, Lariza, made famous. Larry’s brother, Al, is in
charge there, now.
In 1978 Larry’s opened in Groves as a food
market and in 1995 expanded to a restaurant. It’s now known for a
buffet of fried Cajun seafoods and boiled crawfish, as well as a
dance floor that on weekends fills with all ages dancing to
traditional Cajun tunes from live bands. Day meals often draw hungry
refinery workers in their brightly-colored gear.
Brenda said
her husband loves to see people happy, and Larry said he loves that
generations mix it up and share culture under his roof.
“It
really makes me feel good,” Judice said.
Larry's French Market
Groves, Texas
Groves chamber surprises ‘Larry’ with Small Business honor