By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SAINT FRANCISVILLE, La. — For those who came to St. Francisville for their annual pilgrimage, a yearly event where the community opens up historic homes, churches and shops, they also found soul and sustenance abounding at Eight Sisters along Highway 61.

The sisters and their food are well known in town. When Lori Disque, a visitor from Pawnee, Ill., asked the ladies outside the St. Francisville United Methodist Church for a good place to get great Southern food, they didn’t hesitate and pointed her to the Eight Sisters.

“They said this was where you could get authentic, wonderful Southern cooking,” Disque said.

“A soulful experience” is the motto that appears on the sisters’ and servers’ t-shirts. Disque was impressed with the smothered chicken dish she and her daughter shared and savored the Berry Delight dessert. Even though the staff of Eight Sisters treats their visitors with a family-like atmosphere, they would not disclose the recipe for the Berry Delight.

“We never tell that to anyone,” John, a nephew of one of the sisters, said.

The biggest delight for Disque when she visited on a recent Saturday was a gospel sung by one of the owners’ sons, who was home for a visit. Malcolm, a sociology professor at Colorado State University, provided the guests with an impromptu song that literally brought them to tears.

“That was the most beautiful gospel song, by the best singer I have ever heard,” Disque shared.

She is not the only customer to give rave reviews to this family-owned establishment that works by following a higher power. A review on the website Travelocity stated, “This little gem of a restaurant is owned/managed by a family. We stopped by on our way back from New Orleans and enjoyed it very much.

“The sign on the door says ‘A Soulful Experience,’ and that is exactly right. It is wonderful food and the one of the sisters, Barbara, was there and she visited with us ... she was totally delightful!”

In today’s hurry-up-and-run world, where a guest is often left with poor service or serving themselves, Eight Sisters is a balm for the soul, a friendly oasis in a beautiful town filled with flowers, fun and history. The sisters add a bit of Southern soul and made at least one Northerner sad to leave.

Over the cash register is a picture of a woman sharing the words, “Praise the Lord and pass the Collard Greens!”

Eight Sisters is located at 14233 Sunrise Way in Saint Francisville, La. The phone number is 225-635-2635.