Boudin, gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish… nothing will satisfy your cravin’ for cajun besides the real deal! If you’re in Central Arkansas and have a hankering for some rustic cuisine, you’re in luck - Conway’s got a plethora of options for you to choose from and enjoy. In this feature, we’ll introduce you to 5 incredibly authentic Cajun restaurants right here in Conway, AR! Let’s dig in!
YGFBF KITCHEN
“Your Girlfriend Best Friend Kitchen,” or YGFBF Kitchen, is a cajun restaurant owned and operated by MaryAnn Strange. She serves up all kinds of classic rustic dishes - gumbo, etouffee, black eyed peas, cornbread, and several flavors of beignets! Here are a couple fan-favorites:
CATFISH + CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE
MaryAnn’s take on a long-loved cajun classic. The Catfish at YGFBF Kitchen in USDA Farm Raised, breaded, and fried “till golden.” The fish is perched atop a bed of yellow rice and is smothered in a home-cooked crawfish etouffee!
SHRIMP + SAUSAGE GUMBO
Everything you’d expect to taste, smell, and see in an authentic gumbo dish. Fresh shrimp, spicy sausage, and seasoned veggies all served up with fluffy white rice. And don’t forget your side of cornbread!
Support YGFBF Kitchen by ordering food from them, visiting the restaurant, or following them on social media!
Facebook: YGFBKitchen Restaurant & Catering
AJ’S RAJUN CAJUN
This creole food truck is sure to exceed all your expectations, no matter what dish you order! With many fun takes on classic cajun dishes to choose from, you can’t go wrong with anything on AJ’s menu. AJ and his wife love what they do, and are happy to cook up your next meal with lots of love and cajun spice! Here are a few things we love from AJ’s Rajun Cajun:
SWAMP FRIES
These home fries are drowning in melted pepper jack cheese, cajun dust, and your choice of delicious shrimp or crawfish!
CAJUN CRAWFISH MAC
Pasta shells, melty pepper jack cheese, and seasoned crawfish tails combine for a dish that’s so good you’ll wanna slap yo’ momma!
GUMBO
Enjoy a classic gumbo with chicken, sausage, trinity, rice, and cheese! You can’t go wrong with this cajun comfort food, and AJ’s does it right!
Support AJ’s Rajun Cajun by ordering food from them, visiting the truck, or following them on social media!
Facebook: AJ’s Rajun Cajun
Instagram: @ajsrajuncajun
ALMOST FAMOUS SMOKEHOUSE & GRILL
From pulled pork and ribs to gumbo and catfish, Almost Famous is all about BBQ, Cajun, and Chill. The owners have been serving up your favorite cajun cuisine for more than 30 years - they officially opened the door to Almost Famous back in 2010! Some of their most popular rustic dishes are the boudin ball, crazy cajun bread, boudin egg rolls, crawfish pie, gumbo, crawfish, smoked cajun sausage sandwich, and the “Roughneck” sandwich - smoked cajun sausage and brisket with slaw and fixin’s on Texas Toast!
Support Almost Famous by ordering food from them, visiting the restaurant, or following them on social media!
Facebook: Almost Famous Smoke House & Grill
Instagram: @almostfamousconway
THE CAJUN TROUXTH
This Central Arkansas food truck is doing justice to Cajun food as it travels between Conway, Little Rock, and North Little Rock. Though their menu is usually limited to 5-6 items, they sure do pack a punch! Try some wacky spins on your cajun favorites, like jambalaya egg rolls or the “Down and Dirty” rice with a big piece of fried catfish and hefty serving of shrimp etouffee! Or you can order chicken and sausage gumbo, red beans and rice, and shrimp etouffee on its own. Whatever you get, we know you’ll love it.
Support The Cajun Trouxth by ordering food from them, visiting the food truck, or following them on social media!
Facebook: The Cajun Trouxth
Instagram: @thecajuntrouxth
MIKE’S PLACE
Mike’s Place has been a pillar in Conway’s restaurant scene for decades, and it’s aging like fine wine. The food gets better and better each year! This is the most upscale creole restaurant around. They only serve fresh shrimp and fish from the Gulf of Mexico, and they exclusively train their staff in the art of Deep Southern cooking. Get an authentic taste of New Orleans with any of the following dishes:
- Chesapeake Bay Crab
- Cakes
- Cajun Fish Bites
- Shrimp Brantley
- Mike’s Creole Whitefish
- Crawfish Etouffee
Support Mike’s Place by ordering food from them, visiting the restaurant, or following them on social media!
Facebook: Mike’s Place
So now when you’re cravin’ cajun, you know exactly where to go! Give each of these 5 amazing restaurants and food trucks a try, as they each offer something completely unique and delicious. Know of any other amazing restaurants or food trucks in Central Arkansas that deserve a shout out? Let us know, and we’ll be happy to get them featured on atLocal!
