Written by Gabrielle Pruitt
Just off of Pleasure Avenue is a new restaurant that certainly will give you a pleasurable experience. Lea Lee’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has created buzz among local residents after only three weeks of being open.
While still in the research and development stage of business, the Tobias family has been working hard to make a successful living. W.J. Tobias, commonly known as “Junior,” described his sister Talitha Tobias as the one with the dream of owning and cooking in her own restaurant. Now he and his brother Nathan Simon are making that happen with this quaint establishment right here in White County. In fact, Talitha is part of the story behind the name of the restaurant.
Talitha’s middle name is “Lea,”and Junior’s 17-month-old niece is nicknamed “Lea” as well. Nathan’s middle name, “Lee,” is the inspiration for the second half of the restaurant’s name. Junior said they will have a large sign created to put next to the road with a picture of his beloved niece on it soon.
Despite the understandable rivalry that can exist between siblings in any family, the Tobiases get along well when it comes to running a business and working together day in and day out. Talitha is the main cook, and it is she who has the unique recipes from family traditions for their all-you-can-eat buffet.
“Just American cooking” was the description Junior enthusiastically gave when asked to categorize the type of food that is served.
This is an appropriate way to put it when inspecting the selection: fried catfish, fried chicken, green beans seasoned to perfection with a hint of bacon grease and new potatoes, boiled okra, sweet potatoes, coleslaw and rice. Those are most of the typical items found on buffet weekdays and Saturdays.
As of Friday, March 25, the Tobiases have started adding pork chops and other options such as meat loaf, based on customer preferences. A basket of mouth-watering corn bread is also served at each table with the meal. Then there is Sunday; with a title like”Big Mama’s Dinner,” it is sure to please the taste buds. This menu switch brings a Thanksgiving theme to the tables with turkey, ham and dressing.
The Tobiases said they are open to suggestions and listening to preferences from the customers because they realize it is the public whom they are aiming to please. Junior also talked about plans to eventually expand on the back of the restaurant and build a deck for people to sit outside and enjoy a home-cooked style meal from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. any day of the week.
Originally the Tobiases tried serving a breakfast menu as well. With only the family members cooking, cleaning and serving tables, they realized they should focus on lunch and dinner while also providing the option of take-out.
The lunch and dinner buffet costs an affordable $6.99, with drinks and desserts priced at 49 cents.
The dessert selection changes to offer variety; options include red velvet cake and banana pudding. For Big Mama’s Dinner on Sundays, the price is a justifiable $8.99.
Perhaps the best feeling one gets from this restaurant is not the contentment of a full and happy stomach from such delicious food, but the feeling of home and comfortable interaction with the family of the Tobiases themselves.
Service is exceptional, with a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere of hard-working, kind individuals who understand the importance of good “American cooking.” I highly recommend that anyone go to Lea Lee’s, and I encourage all to go regularly and keep this wonderful establishment in business.
