Le Peep's Eggs Benedict. Randy Edwards/cat5
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Downtown Beaumont is making a comeback. And the renovation of Edison Plaza, with the addition of Le Peep Cafe and the Edison Cafe (which serves Starbucks), is a huge milestone.
Don’t be confused by Le Peep’s French-sounding name. The menu is a straightforward selection of breakfast and lunch items. Kevin Vaughn, one of the owners, also owns the Lake Charles store.
“It’s a great fit to be here,” he said. “We have a lot of support from everyone who comes in. We’ve been hammered every day since we opened.”
This place, unlike most downtown eateries, is open seven days a week.
Downtown workers now have a convenient coffee spot, as well as a place to grab breakfast with their caffeine fix. For the quickest option, walk up to the Le Peep to-go stand and order off the Quick Breakfast menu, which includes breakfast sandwiches and burritos. You can order a meal that includes Le Peep coffee, or just order a la carte and add your fav Starbucks drink. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that.
Le Peep at Edison Plaza
Recommendations: Martha and Alan were having their first ever Le Peep experience.
“It’s our first time here and will not be the last,” Martha said. “The Louisiana spiced tilapia is very spicy. It’s really good — I love it.”
Alan enjoyed the chopped steak and well-seasoned waffle fries.
My dining partners, Jacob and Bryan, were impressed with their experience.
“Overall, I thought it was great,” Jacob said. “The Louisiana Press sandwich and waffle fries were pretty dang good.”
Developed at the Lake Charles location, this panini is filled with turkey, ham, spinach and avocados and slathered with their famous avocado jalapeno mayo, another Lake Charles original. It’s so popular, Le Peep is going to add it to their national menu.
One of the iconic Le Peep dishes is the Monte Cristo crepe filled with ham, turkey and cheese, topped with melted Swiss cheese and served with a raspberry compote and Peasant Potatoes. Bryan was a fan.
“I think the crepes were the standout for me, and the potatoes were very well-seasoned,” he said. “I like that when you order soda, they bring it to you in a carafe.”
Darwin and Sam had already visited several times.
“I’m almost to the 10 punches on my Le Peep card,” Darwin said. “I’ve had their breakfast special with corn beef hash twice. I’ve tried different things and they’ve all been very good. It’s great to have the coffee shop here too.”
The drink situation: Sodas and juice, as well as Le Peep’s coffee and tea. For a liquid meal, try a smoothie. There are milk shakes for dessert, you can even place your Starbucks order with your Le Peep order.
Even more exciting is the beer and wine menu. The beer selection includes bottles of domestics plus Heineken and Corona. Feel like a glass of wine with your waffle? Have at it.
Atmosphere: is modern downtown chic with a relaxed attitude. Located in the lobby of the newly renovated Edison Plaza, with sleek white design elements and floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll feel like you’re in Houston or Dallas.
Extras and Specials: On the weekends, mimosas are half-priced at $3. Look for Bloody Marys available soon. Sunday brunch in a sleek downtown setting? Yes, please.
Before 9 am Monday through Friday, check out the dine-in early bird breakfast for $4.99.
And be sure to pick up your Le Peep card. For every $10, you spend, you get a punch.
Spent $30? You get 3. Once you fill up the 10 spots on your card, you get $10 off your next meal.
The verdict: Who doesn’t love breakfast food? Whether it’s a weekend brunch or weekday business lunch, do yourself a favor and experience some tasty food in a fabulous downtown setting at Le Peep Café inside Edison Plaza.
Le Peep Cafe
Where: Inside Edison Plaza, 350 Pine St., Beaumont
Info: (409) 347-8299
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. every day
Price range: Quick Breakfast egg sandwich $1.99, Quick Lunch classic BLT $3.99, Dutch apple oatmeal $5.99, chicken-fried steak breakfast $8.99, mountain mushroom burger $8.49, breakfast burrito with beans and potatoes $9.99
Online: Le Peep Beaumont on Facebook
grace@thecat5.com