FAMILY WORKS: Nina P’s Cafe

by Angie Kay Dilmore

When Paulina Siebarth, aka Nina, wanted to open a restaurant in South Lake Charles in 1999, everyone told her she was crazy – even the bank loan officers. There wasn’t much in that area at the time. “It’s just a bedroom community south of town,” they said. But Paulina had a dream. She wanted to own a business near her home, close to where her three daughters attended school. “This little building right near S.J. Welsh had a red ‘For Lease’ sign in the window, and I thought it would be a great spot for a restaurant,” Paulina says. “I had a good feeling about it and thought I could do it. So we did! We started out very small with a hope and a prayer and it just took off.”

That was 25 years ago, and Nina P’s has consistently been a culinary favorite in Lake Charles. As one of the first restaurant owners to set up shop in South Lake Charles, Paulina helped pave the way for other businesses who saw potential in the area.

Nina P’s was not Paulina’s first experience working in a restaurant. Her parents had owned Dave’s Oyster House and Grill in the 1990s and she worked there full time as part owner/operator along with her parents and sister Penny. Paulina and Penny opened Nina P’s together and Paulina’s daughters – Tiffany Ashley, Nikki LaFuria, and Fallon Witherwax – followed suit, waiting tables at Nina P’s for many years through high school and college. Penny’s season with Nina P’s was short-lived and she moved on to other things. “But those few years of a big family working together were some of the best,” Paulina says.

Over the past several years, some of Paulina’s nine grandchildren have taken an interest and enjoy working in the business. Caden, age 21 and in college, comes in most days and works as a prep cook. Maybe you could say Nina P’s is in his blood . . . his mom, Nikki, went into labor at the restaurant before his birth. Fallon’s son Blayze, age 13, works at Nina P’s on Fridays when he’s off school, helping the hostesses. Her daughter Felicity, whom they call Tiki and is 10 years old, helps out doing anything she can.

While enjoying 25 years of popularity, Nina P’s has had its share of challenges over the years. In 2013, a major fire closed the establishment for nearly a year. After the fire, the family used that time as an opportunity to remodel, increase seating, and expand the patio. In 2020, COVID-19 presented hurdles they’d never experienced prior. The 2020 hurricanes further added to the difficulties of that year. But with each obstacle, the family worked together to overcome tragedy and came out stronger.

Currently, Tiffany is an attorney and lives in Lafayette, Nikki is a clinical psychologist in Lake Charles. And Fallon, a McNeese graduate and Paulina’s youngest, decided to stay in the family business. In 2013, Fallon became Nina P’s general manager. Paulina says, “I don’t think I could do it without Fallon here.” The mother/daughter team still works together daily. What’s the secret to their success? Paulina says, “We’re a hard-working family. We cook everything fresh each day. We hand patty every burger, pound out every piece of meat, make all our own cream sauces and salad dressings. We make gumbo and potato salad every day. I think what sets us apart is that we still just really get in there and cook every day.”

Paulina feels that hands-on presence is key. “My parents stressed that no one’s going to run your business the way you’re going to run your business.” She also credits the local people for her success. “This community has been so good to us. We love our customers. They’ve always been here for us.”