One Acadiana Restaurant Closes, Another Prepares to Open

CROWLEY/NEW IBERIA, La. (KMDL-FM) - In the ever-changing Acadiana business landscape, we have news regarding two different restaurants -- one closing and the other opening.

Rice Palace Restaurant Closes After 30 Years

First, the sad news. According to a post on Facebook, it appears that the Rice Palace restaurant in Crowley has shuttered operations after 30 years of business.

As you can see in the post, the casino and convenience store remain open.

What Could Be Next for the Rice Palace Space

But, given that they posted in the graphic that the restaurant is closing "until further notice," it's making us wonder what they have up their proverbial sleeves.

Could a different type of restaurant be coming to the space? Could it simply be another kind of business altogether? Or, are we just reading too much into that? Only time will tell.

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In the meantime, many of us will miss that oh-so-good buffet that the Rice Palace restaurant was known for. The veggie soup. Those waffles for breakfast with the blueberry sauce. Dang, we'll miss it all.

What Customers Need to Know About Gift Cards

If you have a gift card from the Rice Palace restaurant, make sure you read the following post:

Mama’s Fried Chicken Nears New Iberia Opening

Now, on to some happy news. For those who have anxiously waited for Mama's Fried Chicken to open their new location in New Iberia, that wait is nearly over.

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There is a soft opening today (Friday, Dec. 31) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the new location at 101 E. Admiral Doyle Drive.

Many people will argue that Mama's has the best fried chicken in all of Acadiana.

A Look at Mama’s Fried Chicken’s History

They are among the oldest. Mama's Fried Chicken in Opelousas opened its doors in 1977, serving homemade southern comfort food from its original location on E. Landry Street. There's now a second location at 2307 Jake Drive in Opelousas as well.

We wish the new Mama's Fried Chicken the best of luck with its new venture in New Iberia.

Learn more about Mama's Fried Chicken at its website or on Facebook.