Richard and Lori Hurst – Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn

Lori and Richard Hurst, owners of Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn, join Discover Lafayette to discuss their family business celebrating its 90th year in operation. Richard Hurst is a third-generation family member who has worked in the restaurant since he was four years old when he started peeling potatoes and shrimp. Discover Lafayette is grateful for the support of Eat Lafayette and Lafayette Travel for the opportunity to highlight our local restaurants, starting with Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn this month! Pictured are Lori and Richard Hurst, owners of Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn Restaurant. Lori says, “I am very passionate about eating local and shopping local. I want everyone who was born here to remember how blessed they are to have been born here. Remember we were voted ‘Happiest City?’ Of course, we’re happy. We’re eating Cajun food! We are so lucky to have this flair and everybody here knows how to cook with love! We have fun and our food tastes great and it catches every sense. Everybody should embrace our culture and share meals with their family at local restaurants. Let the restaurant cook, and serve you, and clean up for you. Come make memories!” Lori Hurst is the public spokesperson promoting locally owned restaurants, serving as 2022 Chair of Eat Lafayette. The “water girl” of Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn, Lori is passionate about sharing the many reasons we should all celebrate our Cajun culture. Lori Hurst, chair of Eat Lafayette, says, “Restaurant people give so much back to the community. All those fundraisers…those are local restaurants supporting you. It’s so important to eat locally. Support our local economy. You’re missing out if you’re not experiencing our local restaurants. Lafayette has so much to offer! The Hursts are carrying on the rich legacy of Hulo “Poor Boy” Landry, who started Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn in 1932. As the Hursts tell it, Hulo used to hang out with his uncle at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans where he learned to cook by working with the guys in the kitchen. During the Depression, everyone brought something to the pot to make a meal to feed a crowd. Lori Hurst says back then you either put something on bread or added water to it to make a gumbo. “Poor Boy sandwiches” were a delicious meal outcome that originated in New Orleans and Hulo took a liking to them. He brought the concept back to