Cajun food is steeped in historical and cultural distinction. The cuisine can be traced back to about 14,000 French Canadians deported from northeastern Canada for refusing to submit to the British king. Some of these exiles made their way to southern Louisiana, where they acclimated dishes to the bounty the gulf state provided while also mixing and mingling with Native Americans, Black Creoles, Germans, Spaniards and Italians, according to this history provided by Global Foodways.
When Hurricane Katrina ravaged Southern Louisana in 2005, displacing residents, the cuisine spread more rapidly to new communities, including North Texas. Much of the best Cajun food today can be found at food trucks, but there are also restaurants, some high-class others with live music, and all of them laissez les bons temps rouler.
The Free Man Cafe
2626 Commerce St. The Free Man Cafe in Deep Ellum hosts an annual march on Fat Tuesday and party all night long. The rest of the year, it's a fantastic spot for Cajun plates, muffalettas and live jazz music. Sundays at 2 p.m., the Freeloaders jazz band entertains the brunch crowd; their music calendar actually has something on it for every day of the month. But we're there for the food; the entertainment is a bonus.
Charlie's Creole Kitchen
2129 Greenville Ave. This Lower Greenville spot has dive bar vibes, with upscale plates of Cajun favorites. One thing we can get here that we've only also had in New Orleans is cheese fries with a brown gravy; a plate of these will save your life after a long weekend. They say their Crawfish Monica in a cream sauce is better than Jazzfest. We're suddenly flustered. Did we mention the Blackberry Crown Frozen Lemonade? Do we need to mention anything else? Bayou Cat Seafood
2505 E. Arkansas Lane, Ste. 131, ArlingtonDo not — repeat DO NOT — be intimidated by the long line when you walk inside. It’s there to impress and to also demonstrate how efficiently the staff works completing orders. Bayou Cat specializes in fried catfish, oyster baskets, hot sausage poboys and Louisiana meat pies. You can also get traditional Louisiana-style boiled crawfish. Randazzo and Dong Phuong mini king cakes, Big Shot sodas and other small treats you can only get in New Orleans can be found here, along with some of the best Cajun food in North Texas.Bucky Moonshine’s
2912 Elm St., Deep EllumThe Bucky’s without the furry mascot is a Deep Ellum mainstay we pray never goes away. Bucky's has big energy, like that found in the French Quarter, along with the best gumbo in the city from chef Ivan "Bucky" Pugh — we can't leave the restaurant without a bowl, even when there for brunch, which includes bottomless mimosas and a DJ. From muffalettas to boudin balls, catfish Pontchartrain and Atchafalaya, they have all the staples, plus some dishes with local flair, like crawfish enchiladas.Kajun Konnection
Local Tap and Table, 3333 Harry Hines Blvd.Izinka, 1701 Botham Jean Blvd.Chef Jamo Hammothe is responsible for Kajun Konnection, which works out of two locations: Local Tap and Table, a bar and grill, and Izinka, an upscale restaurant lounge. Whether you are looking for a watch party or a dinner date, he has the chargrilled or fried oysters, boudin balls and Kajun Fettuccine Alfredo you’ll want. Also, get one of their king cakes while available.
Restaurant Beatrice
1111 N. Beckley Ave.This restaurant near the Bishop Arts District truly deserves (and gets) recognition for its innovative Cajun dishes. While Cajun food is usually a party-like affair, no one ever said it can’t be upscale, and at Restaurant Beatrice the refined dining experience is perfect. Don't miss the seasonal Mardi Gras menu with deeper cuts of Cajun and Creole dishes; be sure to try the jambalaya or house-made andouille sausage. When the weather is right, the communal-style seafood boils on the patio aren't to be missed. Vegan Food House
832 W. 7th St., Bishop ArtsYes, you can have meatless Cajun food. The fried oyster mushroom po’boys at Vegan Food House are just as flavorful as a hot sausage po’boy. The greens gumbo does have spice in case you have doubts. Visit them in Bishop Arts for boudin without dirty rice and lion's mane Buffalo bites. You can't miss the space along West 7th Street — it's the peacock-teal house.E5 New Orleans Seafood & BBQ
8208 Park Lane, North DallasFrom peddling boiled seafood out of an apartment complex to a food truck located on Park Lane, E5 Seafood has developed a cult-like following over the past five years. The business has grown into a one-stop shop for everything you might be craving: turkey necks, pig feet or its trademark E5 NoLa Red Beans and Rice. Follow them on Instagram for details on their massive crawfish hauls. Spicy Tails 2 Geaux
Follow Online for LocationTo find this food truck follow the aroma of its custom boil seasoning (or follow them on Instagram). Either way, the fried side of the menu has unique offerings like fried alligator bites, Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp and deep-fried seafood poppers (a mix of shrimp, crab and crawfish). Don’t forget to ask for extra tartar sauce.Jaykusteaux Custom Cuisine
2897 W. Pioneer Parkway, Dalworthington Gardens (Arlington) This food truck is one of about four in a parking lot in Dalworthington Gardens, which is inside Arlington. (Yes, they have bored cops. Be warned.) Get past that, though, and you'll be dazzled by the grilled shrimp and chicken over mounds of creamy Cajun pasta at Jaykusteaux. The wait can be long (two hours on a recent Friday night) as the secret about this spot is now out. Just be patient; it's worth it. But don't speed. Boudamnn
Follow Online for LocationBoudamnn has mastered the art of boudin, even though they're not Louisiana natives. The pork, vegetable and seasoned rice mixture is used without pork casing in a variety of menu options: egg rolls, grilled cheese sandwiches, tortilla wraps with chicken strips, and red beans with rice.Southern Classic Daiquiri Factory
6751 Bridge St., Fort Worth3030 Ross Ave., Dallas Based on the decor, you’ll see that Southern Classic Daiquiri Factory celebrates all of Louisiana, not just the half below Baton Rouge. The menu showcases the best of the boot-shaped state with Natchitoches meat pies and crawfish pies, catfish Atchafalaya, Bourbon Street pasta and various frozen drinks named after cultural significance.
