Local touch succeeds for drive-thru donuts

“Another holiday?” Bud Picou asked with a laugh when it was pointed out that today is National Cream-Filled Donut Day. Just in case there is a run on that specific product Bud and his staff of between 25 and 30 employees at any given time, which operates Mr. Ronnie’s Famous Hot Donuts on Tunnel Boulevard near St. Charles Street, are ready.

Donuts are one of the ultimate comfort foods. There is nothing that has the same level of appeal as a warm fresh donut with cold milk or hot coffee. Some people have even suggested that the fried dough contains super power-supplying nutrients for law enforcement.

Except for fitness fanatics and a few cardiologists, everyone loves donuts, especially those that make their living in the multi-billion dollar industry.

As a second-generation family business, Bud said that operating Mr. Ronnie’s as his career choice has turned out pretty sweet, or savory depending on product selection.

Ronald Picou, Bud’s dad, started in the donut business in 1976, when he took over Al Copeland’s Tasty Donut at the intersection of Bond and Barrow streets. Another of Copeland’s efforts, Popeye’s Fried Chicken, had begun to take off and the famed restaurateur wanted to put his energy into that venture.

By 1984, Ronald sold his Tasty Donut franchise, put his own name on the sign, and dedicated his business to produce high-quality products, which known chain donut shops have been unable to match.

Business began flipping faster than dough in hot oil, and by March 19, 1994, Mr. Ronnie’s, the priority stop for hundreds of drivers on their way to work, or folks wanting a quick meal or lingering snack, moved to it’s present location.

“[March 19] is the feast day of St. Joseph, which also my father’s patron saint,” Bud said. “He made it a point to open the shop on that day, and we have been bountifully blessed ever since then.”

Even more than having a piece of prime real estate on a main traffic flow through Houma, Mr. Ronnie’s has the product, hot glazed donuts available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, that has kept established residents coming back for more and asking newcomers, “Have you tried Mr. Ronnie’s yet?”

Bud pointed out that product quality, customizing menu selection and making efforts to suit local interests has helped them outlast even national chains, which are not easily found in these parts of the bayou region.

“Some people told us that Krispy Kreme said they ate too many losses when they tried to truck into the area [to sell glazed donuts in grocery and convenience stores]. They stopped trying to come here. They never sold anything,” Bud said.

Mr. Ronnie’s makes and sells an average 500 to 600 donuts a day, and because of customer loyalty offers a wide variety of specialty items including LSU and Saints donuts and King Cakes on game days. Then there are the standard holidays like Christmas, Mardi Gras and Easter, each requiring their own taste and visual appeal for the occasion.

“We have a lot of salesmen who come get five, six, seven dozen at a time to bring to their customers,” Bud Picou said. “That’s a great part of our business.”

There is no definitive history on the donut and its origin. However, culinary anthropologists, researching back through the centuries do confirm discovering evidence of some form of the fried dough delicacy found on almost every continent around the world.

Hanson Gregory is listed as the man who claimed he originated the hole in the middle of a donut in 1847, when he tried to make a product in which he had trouble getting the center finished before the outside was soaked in cooking grease.

Some stories suggest various forms of symbolism behind the circular shape. Others contend there is something more solid about the enclosed roll enveloping any array of fruit, jelly or cream content. Either way, the donut is a common food with which virtually anyone can identify with fondness.

“It is a decision between making a quick buck and losing at the expense of making donuts cheaper,” Bud said. “We don’t go that way.”

Ronald Picou, 72, is officially retired now, but still works as the up-front man when it comes to public relations among customers. Daily business operations are left to Bud, his sister, Wendy, mother, Linda, and a dedicated crew.

“A lot of people don’t realize that we are open 24 hours and you don’t just open the doors and, boom, have all this [product variety displayed],” Bud said. “Every night at 11 p.m. we have made a giant batch to fill us up, and we do that around the clock.”

In addition to donuts and other pastries, Mr. Ronnie’s offers customers snack-sized hamburgers sold by a count of three, and served with a selection of condiments.

Helen Kennedy, a regular patron, stopped by for lunch on the day Bud offered a tour of his business. “It is always good to come here for breakfast or lunch,” she said. “The staff is always friendly and they are always there is a second to help you.”

Kennedy acknowledged that she likes frequenting a locally-owned business more than big chains. “It is people of the community, not just somebody from out of town here to make money,” she said. Kennedy then treated herself by completing her hamburger lunch break with a donut. After all, it is a holiday.