Taste the best at Taste of the Triangle

For nearly a century, the Judice family name has been synonymous with phenomenal Cajun food in Southeast Texas. It was 1927 when Albin Judice Sr. and his uncle Edgar Vaughn relocated to Port Arthur from the small town of Loreauville, Louisiana, to open the first Judice’s French Market, then another store on 7th Street, which specialized in meats. Then came Judice’s son, “AJ” Judice Jr., known to most as the “Crazy Frenchman” who went on to become a local icon passing down the tradition to his sons Larry, Al and Kevin.

Just as similar to the Judice name is the long-standing tradition of the biggest foodie evening in the area with the Sabine Area Restaurant Association’s Taste of the Triangle, which will celebrate 41 years on “Fat Tuesday” Feb. 21, inside the Beaumont Civic Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. More than 35 local restaurants and food trucks will showcase their best bites for all to enjoy while competing for the coveted Best Restaurant and Best Decorated Booth awards.

General admission tickets are $30 and are available online at sara-tra.com.

Foodies can enjoy offerings from 1014Plethre, 1701 Barbecue, 5 Under Golf Center, Benny’s Pizza, Bruno’s Italian Kitchen, Buckstin Brewing Company, Charlee and the Cookie Factory Community Coffee, Crazy Cajun, Crown Pizza, Daddio’s Burger, For the Love of Foods, Honey B Ham, Judice’s 1927, Kat’s Korner, Ko Korean Grill, Lamar State College Port Arthur, Lamar University Culinary, La Real Michoacana, Longhorn Steakhouse, Main Event, Los Molcajetes, Market Basket Foods, Mary Brazier’s, Marisela’s Tamales, Modelo’s Sports Cantina, Novrosky’s, Pour 09 Rooftop & Bar, Soiree & Vine, Sugar Momma Confections, SuperAntojo de Hidalgo, Sweet Basil Vietnamese Noodle House, Tacos el Primo, Taco Rey, The Tamale King, Texas Star Bar & Grill, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, Two Magnolias Café & Catering and Willy Burger.

“Last year’s event had a good effect on everyone with a lot of buzz,” said Lauren Bebeau, marketer and public relations director for the Taste of the Triangle. “We freshened it up. Our VIP tickets are sold out and this year’s judges will be past Mardi Gras Royalty.”

Al Caldwell, a two-time Marconi Award winner and Texas Radio Hall of Fame recipient, will host this year’s event and local party band The Big Show will provide entertainment as patrons snack on food.

If that’s not enough, the Gator Country crew will make a special appearance along with a performance by the popular iRule Dance Studio.

Each year, SARA honors a chef, restaurant owner or culinary enthusiast who is dedicated to serving and promoting the local food industry and this year, SARA has named Al Judice IV the honoree.

Now four generations deep, Judice IV has carried on his family’s nearly century-old tradition with Judice’s Cajun Café in Bridge City and the elegant Judice’s 1927, which opened in 2019, in Nederland.

When learning the news about the award, Judice said he was shocked, yet excited.

“Our family has been in business for 96 years,” said Judice. “Since the beginning, the Judices have had amazing staff, and staff does 95% of the work, so the experience the customers have is literally because of the staff.”

Judice complimented his chef, John Hersey, and was thrilled to let him know.

“I love other people to be happy,” said Judice. “My job it to keep our customers happy, our employees happy and try to run the best business we can. To be able to see a person take a bite or drink something and experience the ‘ahh’ moment, that does it for me. It’s really a team effort.”

Though Judice said there isn’t pressure carrying the Judice name in his restaurant ventures, but more of a standard.

“It’s just who we are,” he said. “We are givers. I value people, honesty and trust.”

For a restaurant to be successful, Judice stated you have to get it right 800 times a day.

“It’s our responsibility for customers to leave the restaurant with a smile on their face,” he said. “Customers need to be greeted properly and as soon as the walk into the restaurant, the clock starts. I believe we do not fall short on any of that. They come back if they are treated really well.”

So well, in fact, that Judice has one customer who drives to Judice’s 1927 weekly from Spring for the barbeque crabs and lobster rolls.

“His family has an amazing history,” added Bebeau. “He also is a voice for the restauranters and that is very important.”

Judice said that folks who stop by their booth at the Taste of the Triangle will enjoy a small, fried boudin ball with a roux-based etouffee on top called, Bayou Delight.

“This is going to be a great event,” said Bebeau. “I love the fact that vendors get to come together all in once place. I’m also excited that Daddio’s and Novrosky’s are coming back to the Taste after a 15-year hiatus. We definitely need more restaurant owners involved in SARA. We need more support.”

The mission of SARA is to support scholarships for Lamar University’s Hospitality Management Program, the Texas Restaurant Association’s Education Foundation, and educational and professional development for the Texas Chefs Association. Proceeds from the Taste of the Triangle go back into the community through support of many local charities.

Laissez les bons temps rouler at the 41st Taste of the Triangle in the downtown Beaumont Civic Center (701 Main St.) Don’t forget your toothpick.

-Chad Cooper, Entertainment Editor