Our Story

Darlean’s Market and Café is a restaurant concept that pays homage to the family lineage by specializing in southern-style home-cooked cuisine. The recipes are inspired by the owner’s grandmother who was a great chef in the Golden Triangle. The meals will rival the lunch and dinners prepared by you or your parents. They will remind you of those great moments sitting around the table at Grandmama’s house enjoying the fine food and the company of family and friends.

Arthur “Art” Thomas and Ledetria Thomas Beaudoin are siblings who have spent their adult lives serving homecooked meals for others both formally in established facilities and informally in their respective homes. They both have had a lifelong desire to open their own restaurant to continue the family tradition. Their maternal grandmother, “Darlean” Cotton Fontenot, had her own restaurant in the Golden Triangle until the mid-1970s. Unfortunately, it closed very early in their childhood, leaving a lasting impression on both of their lives. While the restaurant closed, their grandmother continued to cook for a small army of her own. She closed the restaurant to focus on managing a household, including raising 5 stepchildren and for a short time 5 grandchildren. That brief period left an indelible mark on Art and Ledetria’s desire to one day continue her dream (and theirs) of preparing home-cooked meals for family, friends, and neighbors. They fondly referred to her as “Mother” and would like to believe their food is “Just Like Mother Used to Make”.

In advance of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, Art and Ledetria Darlean’s Market and Café Catering Service as a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) in November 2022. Jumpstarting their journey to fulfilling their grandmother’s legacy and a lifelong dream. “Mother” would be so very proud. Visit their food truck at 1301 Proctor Street, Port Arthur, Texas and follow Darlean’s on social media for news on their brick and mortar grand opening planned for 2026.