DeQuincy saw snow last week. Some Southwest Louisiana residents began to hope conditions would favor more than a few flurries when forecasters warned of sub-freezing temperatures. The Dec. 8, 2017, winter storm was the last time they had seen it snow and stick for a while.

In DeQuincy, Shane Nelson, owner of Coconuts Cajun Grill made it happen.

“I bought the snow machine about a month or so ago,” Nelson said, “when I found we had some cold weather coming our way. Temperatures need to be around 25 degrees to make real snow.”

Large winter resorts create snow. Certain equipment can create the same effect on a slightly smaller scale. Snow created in this way has less water content, and is icier than naturally-occuring snow.

Being a snow maker meant rising at 3:30 a.m. to set up the equipment to ensure snow blanketed the ground later than morning.

“It was worth it to see the kids having so much fun,” he said, “hinting that the parents might have enjoyed as much or more. School was out, so they were here at 8 a.m., played a while and then families came in to have something warm to eat. The homemade gumbo and etouffee satsfied. There were snowball fights and a few built small snowmen.”

Nelson also provided snow conditions for the KCS Christmas Train visit to DeQuincy last month, and looks forward to pulling out the snow machine again once or twice this winter. Next year, he’s hoping to have a sled to make it even more fun.

Nelson opened his restaurant in January 2021 with a focus on fresh and homemade goodness. Fried alligator is on the menu. Onion ring lovers will not be disappointed. Fried pickles were added to the menu recently. Kickers combine hush puppies and crab, crawfish or alligator. Homemade chicken strips, fried fish and hamburger baskets are the most popular entrees served.  Choose from more than 10 po- boy options. There are also a few healthy choices on the menu. Full bar. Pool tables. Portions are very generous. Prices are affordable, ranging from under $10 everyday meal deals to $19.99 dinners.