Manchac, La. - Middendorf's Restaurant reopened for business Wednesday, two weeks after being inundated with several feet of water from Hurricane Isaac . The landmark restaurant opened its doors to lunchtime customers, who were eager to sample the fried catfish that has made the eatery famous.
Middendorf's owner Horst Pfeifer says the repairs from Isaac have cost him $250-thousand dollars, which he says he paid for by taking out a second mortgage on his house. He says he's not sure if his insurance will cover the damages.
In all, about four feet of water made its way into the restaurant. Destroyed were the wood floors and some sections of wall in the older part of the restaurant. The newer portion, just renovated about a year ago, stayed dry, thanks to the fact that it's built higher off the ground.
Pfeifer says he was determined to reopen the restaurant as soon as he could, not only to make money and provide food to nearby residents, but also to help his employees.
"Middendorf's is not all about Horst and Karen Pfeifer. It's also about 65 families who make a very good living off of this place and that's why I push so hard," Pfeifer said.
