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LAPLACE – Before the clock strikes 7 every morning, Cora Francisco is hard at working cooking red beans, gumbo and other savory dishes at Frisco Deli. It’s a tradition that started 29 years ago, and her soulful cooking has helped attract a loyal following of repeat customers that have become extended family.

On Feb. 13, that extended family surprised Cora with a blueberry king cake in celebration of her 86^th birthday. Only a few years from 90 years old, Cora is feeling fine and happy to still be working half days in the kitchen. The question of when she will retire comes up often, but she hasn’t found an answer yet.

“I feel better being here,” Cora said. “What am I going to do at home?”

Cora and her husband of 57 years, Pedro Francisco, called several places home before settling in LaPlace and opening Frisco Deli at 113 W. Airline Highway. They both learned to cook while growing up in Cuba, and they brought that timeless knowledge with them to every place they traveled.

From Cuba, they landed in New Jersey before moving to Alaska and California. After moving to Louisiana in 1970, Pedro and Cora realized the Cajun influence existed as a gumbo pot of cultures, including culinary influences that reminded them of Cuba. Nowhere else had the same spicy, seasoned food they grew up on.

“I like it in Louisiana. I’ve got my family here,” Cora said, referring to her husband, their son, Joe, and their two grandchildren. Her sister, Fe, used to work in Frisco Deli prior to her passing six years ago.

Brenda Millet has eaten at Frisco Deli for 27 years, and she said Cora became a surrogate mother to her during a time of grief.

“Ms. Cora is my second mom,” Brenda Millet said. “My mom died at 53 years old, and Cora took a liking to me. She always makes sure I eat and that I have food. She always worries about me.”

Korean War Veteran Carlton Laborde, also known as Officer Friendly, is another frequent customer who dutifully comes to the business every morning to fill the ice machine and visit with friends.

“I love Ms. Cora,” Laborde said. “They’re like a second family to me. We’ve been friends for a long time.”

Pedro and Cora’s son, Joe Francisco, said his family has looked after the community. During Hurricane Katrina, as other businesses lost power, Frisco Deli operated on natural gas and provided meals to the police, firefighters and other civil servants.

Fair prices and large quantities of mouthwatering food have kept customers coming back for years, according to Joe. One of the hallmarks is their famous Cuban Sandwich, stuffed with roasted pork loin, ham and swiss cheese and covered in mustard, pickles and spices.

Other offerings include seafood plates, gumbo, spaghetti and meatballs, red beans, salad and poboys. All food is made fresh every day, according to Joe.

Cora doesn’t have a favorite meal to cook, but she loves when people compliment the food.

Frisco Deli is open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday.