Crowd lines up before dawn for Dong Phuong king cakes at Lee’s International Market
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lee’s International Market sells limited Dong Phuong king cakes each Friday.
- Customers form lines as early as 6 a.m.; weekly stock typically totals 30–35 cakes.
- Out-of-town buyers travel for the cake’s reputation; late arrivals often miss out.
Carnival season began this week, which means Lee’s International Market is now offering the wildly popular Dong Phuong king cakes every Friday.
The market is located at 917 Division St. and opens at 7:30 a.m., however those looking to get a king cake on Friday lined up outside the store as early as 6 a.m. The number of king cakes for sale will vary each week, but typically there are around 30 cakes available.
“Normally if you’re here between 6 a.m. and 6:40 a.m., you’re guaranteed to get one because the cutoff is sometimes between 32 and 35 cakes,” Steve Rocha said, who was the first in line with his wife, Stacy Rocha, at 6:15 a.m.
For Stacy Rocha, the long wait outside the market is worth it because “these are the best king cakes on the coast that you can get.”
The reputation of Dong Phuong king cakes is well-known outside of Biloxi, with some customers like Carl Blyler who’s visiting from Shreveport, Louisiana, lining up for a chance to buy the Mardi Gras treat. “Next week, I think I’m going to bring a chair and hang out at 6 a.m.,” Blyler said after failing to get a cake despite getting in line at 7:15 a.m.
Generally, those who were able to get king cakes lined up before 7 a.m., with most of the crowd at the end of the line arriving after 7 a.m.
