This was brought up in one of the Katrina threads, but I thought it would be better to start another thread about it. Where do you get good Cajun/Creole food in Houston? I've only been to Ragin' Cajun and some small cajun food court restaurant in the underground mall in downtown. Where else do you guys go? How is Atchafalaya?
Zydeco is the one downtown underground...that's good stuff. I'll be honest, I'll put Pappadeaux up against anyone. NOLA restaurants included. Cajun food is my favorite food..BY FAR. I've never had seafood gumbo...anywhere...including NOLA...as good as it is at Pappadeaux. I've had friends from Louisiana say the same thing. It's more expensive than Ragin Cajun and other places...but the selection is much bigger at Pappadeaux than elsewhere. There's very little cajun food I don't like...I'll eat it virtually anywhere...but Pappadeaux remains my favorite. At some point...the Cajun population became bigger in Houston than it is in NOLA. Most true Cajuns would tell you that NOLA ain't cajun...it's southwest LA that is more cajun. southwest of NOLA, anyway.
Pee-Tee's in Clear Lake was the best and most authentic. It was there since the '60s but it just closed.
I like Rajun Cajun...have had their food and it's really good. There is one on westhimer and gessner near Hooters and the other is on Richmond near Mid Ln. Definetly a good stop.
years ago, there used to be a place on main st. called New Orleans Po Boy. i'm not sure if it's still there as i've lived in austin for about 15 years. it was yummy.
Still there and still good. Ragin Cajun on Richmond (the original) is still good. The others kind of suck. Denis Seafood House on Westheimer past Wilcrest is moderately priced and has great Cajun seafood. Baytown Seafood and Capn' Benny's, both on South Main near Reliant, are damn good. Treebeards downtown is excellent but only open for lunch.
My new Diane-Lane-ish food craving is Hebert's (the one on Dairy Ashford) thanks to this site. The food is lousiana style, unreal, and cheap. No place to sit, but just awesome food. Whole deboned chicken with crawfish stuffing is awesome! I smoked several chickens this past weekend. Yum! If you haven't tried it, do. Thanks, BBS, I now have to resist the urge to wack it when I think of whole deboned chicken...with crawfish stuffing.
One of our friends plays in a band that plays there alot, he just had 13 family members move in with him. Tip the bands well and often!
Cajun Town Cafe that Droxford posted in the other thread is very good. The mardi gras grill (formerly floyd's cajun kitchen) on Durham also has some good cajun dishes (oyster bar trash and blackened flounder, emmm emm good). Mr MEOWGI is right on about PT's. It's going to be missed as much for the food as their contribution to keeping cajun music going around here. Larry's seafood in groves near bridge city and port arthur has an all you can eat on friday nights with a band playing and I walk out of there 10lbs heavier than when I entered. The best cajun comes from my kitchen though. When that first cold front hits my wife and I will spend all day making a gumbo. Nothing like a cold sunday with a fire in the fireplace, football on tv and a never ending bowl of homemade gumbo.
Damn. You got most of mine. Can't vouch for Baytown and Capn Benny's, but judging from his other selections, I doubt Tex is incorrect. Treebeards: Best on Thursday and Friday for lunch. Their seafood gumbo is insane, ans inexpensive. Honorable mention goes to their red beans and rice. Ragin Cajun: Great all-around food and atmosphere. Very good red beans and rice. Very good crawfish. Their crab balls are tasty, as well. Don't order the crawfish pie, though. Denis' Seafood: I'll be damned. A nice sit-down restaurant with fantastic cajun cuisine. If you go here, try and order their fish special. Pappadeaux: Love this place. Again, a sit-down, waiter place. Food is always excellent. A tad pricey, but the food is always ginormous in proportion. Magnolia bar and grill: Best happy hour crawfish in town. Always $2.95 a lb. Sam's boat: Huh? Sam's? Yes. This place has very good cajun food for a bar. Their po boys are always excellent, especially when served with boiled crawfish, raw oysters, and tiger shrimp. Bring friends. Another place that is certainly decent is Bouxdreau's. Only place I know of in town that lets you order fried gator to go. Restaurant is set up Taco Cabana style, meaning order, get your ticket, and wait to be called. Their Fried Catfish is outstanding. Crazy Cajun in Seabrook is also very good, albeit a tad expensive. There's also a little place in league City called Mr. Brown's (I think). Awesome boudin balls. Probably the best in town. Well, that's all I can think of for now. Get eatin, gents!
I don't have any that haven't already been mentioned, but I wanted to give props to Magnolia who is giving away free chicken etoufee to the New Orleans evacuees.
I tried Ragin Cajuns gumbo last Saturday for the first time, and loved it. I had always been a fan of Papadeaux's gumbo but my wife and I both thought it was better. It has a good kick to it. We've been hitting up the Westhiemer/Gessner location lately since we moved to that part of town. Good spot for checking out college football games. I have some friends that live right down the street from Mardi Gras grill on Durham and they said it was terrible, I've never been though. Treebeard's is good, but last time I went to the tunnel location they said they didn't serve Muffalettas anymore. Pissed me off, they were awesome there.
Try their red beans and rice, crab balls, and boiled crawfish. All are very good. ( be sure and order the red beans "ragin cajun" style They serve onions and cheese on top.)
Anyone ever been to Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen? I've never been there, but the one by the Home Depot near 610 and Westpark is always packed.
In Austin... Gumbos on 8th and Colorado, best Cajun food I have ever had....just outstanding. Also agree about Pappas Gumbo....YUMMMY, I used to work there and get the Shrimp gumbo with extra shrimp....making my mouth water right now. DD
Hey Fatty, bad news. I read an article in the Houston Press that said 610 isn't going to have any gambling experts on this season.
I heard that, as well. I'm still calling in, though. I'm sure they won't have any problem talking about The Tech - Kansas game. We just won't have Willy there.
