After being closed due to a fire for around one year, P-Beau’s restaurant in Denham Springs is set to reopen in a few weeks.
P-Beau’s shut down in 2022 after an overnight fire caused significant damage. At first, the closure was called temporary, but once the full extent of the damage had become apparent, the closure became more long-term. Ownership partner Peter Sclafani told What Now New Orleans that plastic burning in the dish room caused some of the more extensive fire-related damage.
“Apparently, when plastic burns, it creates this airborne chemical that just destroys everything,” he said. “Stainless steel doesn’t rust, but we had stainless steel silverware wrapped in napkins, and when we unwrapped them, it looked like the silverware had been rusting for 100 years.”
After opening in 2016, P-Beau’s built its name on modern comfort food, a relaxed atmosphere and brunch. Popular menu items included house-made burgers, large chicken sandwiches and poutine topped with short rib meat. On the boozy side of things, the options included craft beer, wine, margaritas, and something called P-Beau’s Punch. The restaurant had undergone major renovations and reopened to double the sales volume just six weeks before the fire happened.
“Everybody just seemed to love the renovations and so we were devastated when the fire happened,” Sclafani said. He added that there won’t be any major changes to the menu and many staff members are returning for the re-opening. So, if you were a P-Beau’s fan before the fire, then you can expect to be one after it reopens.
