Belsom Family Owned and Operated
The Abita Springs Café was built in 1881 as home to a local butcher shop, which operated here until 1919. Over the next 40 years, it was home to several different businesses, such as Murphy’s Lawnmower repair shop before eventually becoming Abita Springs’ favorite breakfast and lunch spot.
In the 1960’s, Walter J. Belsom and his wife, Betty purchased property at the end of Kustenmacher Road along the Abita River. Here along with their three children, Donald, Charles, and Mary, they raised a variety of livestock on the small farm they affectionately named “Belsom Haven”. Walter worked for Samuel Zemurray, nicknamed “Sam the Banana Man”, head of the United Fruit Company for over fifty years before retiring.
In 1979, Walter purchased several pieces of property in Abita Springs, including the current location of the Abita Springs Café and neighboring Snowball stand. Over the course of the next thirty three years the Abita Springs Café would be operated by several different restaurateurs and became famous for its breakfast.
In 1996, Walter’s grandson, Brent, entered the restaurant business and spent the next twelve years refining his culinary and management skills at several different restaurants including Chesterfield’s Casual Fine Dining in Hattiesburg, Mississippi owned by Chris Happ.
In 2008, with a combined 40 years of knowledge and experience in the restaurant industry Chris Happ and Brent Belsom began a business partnership, and in December of 2010 they opened a second location named Chesterfield’s Bar & Grill at 1300 Gause Blvd, Slidell, Louisiana, while they eagerly awaited their opportunity to return to the Abita Springs Café which was currently under lease.
In September of 2012, more than fifty years after Walter J. Belsom planted his family’s roots in Abita…The Belsoms were thrilled with the opportunity to return to operating the Abita Springs Café and rebuild this historic landmark. Through Charlie and Donald’s vision and guidance, the Café has undergone some major renovations and improvements both inside and out, all the while preserving the integrity and the history of this 130 year old building for future generations to appreciate.
Walter’s son and grandson, Charlie and Brent, along with their business partner Chris Happ are present daily in the Café preparing homemade favorites with fresh, quality ingredients. In addition to the historically popular breakfast items, our lunch and dinner menus also have a tremendous variety of Homemade Soups, Fresh Salads, Handcut Steaks, Babyback Ribs, Fresh Gulf Seafood, Burgers, Poboys, and Pastas. We also have many delicious desserts, such as the award winning Southern Fried Pecan Pie.
Abita Springs Café staff, management, and owners appreciate the opportunity to serve you. As we strive to carry on the rich tradition, we are pleased to present favorites from menus past and present. May these selections enhance your dining experience with us. Today, there are many choices for dining in our town and we are flattered that you selected us.
Thank You
The Belsom Family
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