Khai Tran and his wife Ngoan came to the United States from Vietnam in 1982. Working as a fisherman, his goal was to build a business with which he could provide for his family, their education and see his children all settled in good jobs.

In 1991 he realized his goal of owning his own business with the opening of Jane’s Seafood and Chinese Restaurant, 1201 Jane St. in New Iberia.

Although Khai still spends time in the restaurant, the daily running of the business has been passed on to his youngest son, Vu Tran.

The Daily Iberian’s 11th annual Best of the Teche, an unscientific survey in which readers cast their votes for their favorite people, places, businesses and things in the Teche Area, earned the restaurant several acknowledgments– first place for best portions, first place for best wait staff, second place for best po-boys, third place for best boiled seafood, third place for best gumbo, and honorable mentions for best prepared food.

This unique family restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. until with both dine-in or take-out meals, offering a great variety of boiled and fried seafood, Chinese food and more. As seen by the results of the survey, it is a very popular local restaurant especially on the weekends.

Vu, who completed three years of college before leaving to take over the family business, said he is proud of the honors given the restaurant by the people of the Teche Area.

In addition to Vu and his parents, the restaurant employs other family members who do a variety of jobs.

As for his other siblings, Vu said three are either pharmacists or in pharmacy school and one is a dental hygienist. Khai has realized his goal of providing a good life for his family and now Vu said his parents are now looking forward to retirement.