The Adventures of Dooley and Me Part 3 - Lake Charles

Blown Away – Pat’s of Henderson; Dooley is a Chick Magnet

Pat’s of Henderson - Blown Away

For the past several years of driving through Lake Charles on the way to The Kerrville Folk Festival, a special place has always stood out for me. Pat’s of Henderson is an excellent restaurant that is absolutely the best Cajun food I’ve ever eaten. Great service, friendly place.

A couple of years ago, it was quite disappointing, driving through Lake Charles, looking forward to eating at Pat’s, only to find a concrete slab with several trash dumpsters full of what was left of the family restaurant that had been there 50+ years. The building had been destroyed by hurricane Laura in late August 2020.

Dooley and I returned there, a week or so ago, to a beautiful new building, a stately bar, and an open spacious dining room. I sat at the bar, people watching as usual, and noticed an older (about my age)  couple walk in. Everyone seemed to know them, and they knew everyone.

“Who are those people?” I asked the bartender.

“They’re the former owners” he said.

Me: “New Ownership?

 He: “Well, their son Nick has taken over and rebuilt the place.”

Me: “Oh, the nice guy who welcomed me at the door”.

He: “Yup.”

Me: ”Do you think they’d mind if I spoke to them?”

He: “Nope.”  

So I walked over and introduced myself (something actually not like me, maybe it was the wine and the happy full tummy)

They told me how proud they were of Nick, He’s the 3rd generation to keep the place going, how they were ready to give up when the place blew away, but Nick wouldn’t say no, and wouldn’t give up. We talked for about thirty minutes, as they graciously let me interrupt their dinner.

As I walked out, I told Nick, I had met his parents, and what nice folks they were, and how I was “Blown Away” (pun intended) by  what a beautiful place it was. The place was packed by then, and he was busy. But not too busy to shake my hand, give me a smile, And tell me to “Hurry back!”

I will.

Dooley is a Chick Magnet!

I can spot a dog lover from a good 10 or 15 yards away… Dooley can spot one from 100 yards away! He starts wagging his tail and pulling on his leash and bouncing up and down. The approaching dog lover starts speaking in a high voice and smiling and saying things like, ”Oh he’s sooooo cute!”, or “I love your dog!”, “Can I pet him?”, “He’s soooo pretty!”. Dooley loves it, I get worn out with him dragging me around.

It turns out The Golden Nugget Casino in Lake Charles is a pet friendly place. They even allow your pets in the Casino! A guard told me about a guy with a Monkey on his shoulder a few nights before we were there. He said it was crazy, I believe him!

I have occasionally visited casinos in my travels, and must say, I’ve done well! Yes, “I have a system”,… a statement which guarantees I’ll lose!

But, with Dooley as your companion, it’s impossible to gamble. He draws attention from everyone. From big pit bosses, to dealers, to patrons, everyone. I’m going to estimate Dooley got over 50 hugs in 45 minutes in the Casino. One lady remarked how good he smelled, which didn’t make sense to me, he smelled pretty much like a dog when we walked in…  Then I realized he had been hugged and petted by about 50 well perfumed people.

A chick magnet? Well, he’s definitely a “Lover, Not a Fighter!”

Next up: Texas, nicest people, but the landscape?