Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin

Mmm...you don't know what you've got til it's gone. How true is that! I'm so sad to say Savoy on Figeroa is no more! I hate the saying "Sign of the Times", but what else can I say? It's sad to say goodbye to places like this that make Santa Barbara what it is. Hopefully it's not replaced by another Starbucks. Let's work hard to support our local businesses whenever we can. That is what attracts visitors and newcomers to this amazing town.

Damn! They had some good Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin!

Let's hope things turn around soon! Save our local businesses!

I know...I know...I'm a procrastinator...

Ok, so I said I was going to start this blog, and so dammit I'm gonna start somewhere!

I'm starting off with this little restaurant, mainly because I've given it such a bad rap since the day I moved to Santa Barbara. And honestly...I've never even eaten there until the other day. I'm always skeptical of "Cajun" restaurants in California, because honestly, most of the time they have no idea what Cajun or Creole cuisine is. Its not about just throwing some bellpeppers and sausage, and calling it a day. Its about flavor. And if its Creole, its about LOTS of flavor. And I think alot of places out here lack that.

CAJUN KITCHEN- Carpinteria, CA

Well, lets just say I was having a really bad morning, and just couldn't decide what I wanted to eat. So I took a stroll down Linden Ave. in Carp, not really feeling in the mood for anything. I passed Cajun kitchen twice (rolling my eyes each time). I vowed to never eat there...I'm not really sure why...maybe because it just never struck me as a Cajun style restaurant...But neither myself nor my wallet was in the mood to shell out big bucks on a breakfast, so I decided to take my chances with the ol' Cajun Kitchen.

I gotta say, I kinda felt a home w/ the little New Orleans decor they had on their walls. Everyone working there was very friendly...and though they were mostly Mexican, they had a lil' southern hospitality goin' on! And I like that!

So I ordered the Catfish Benedict...

The moment of truth...Delicious! The Catfish was actually seasoned really well! But of course everything is better with a little Tony's Creole seasoning (which I really appreciate seeing on every table). You can't go wrong when you have Tony's. I say, you can't consider your restaurant Cajun/Creole with no Tony's! And I see that alot unfortunately. In fact...it just pisses me off.

So just for having Louisiana's beloved Tony's Chachere's Creole Seasoning (which you can pretty much find at any grocery store in town) I rate that place a 10! I also appreciate the fact that there was no Mexican Hot Sauce on the table. As much as I love me some Mexican Hot Sauce, there is a time and a place for everything, and that ain't in a Cajun restaurant! (ahem-Popeyes Chicken!) Just salt, pepper, Tony's, and 2variety's of Louisiana's great Tabasco Sauce. God bless America, and God Bless the Cajun Kitchen. And God Bless Tony Chachere.

Little side project.

This little blog is dedicated to all the true Cajuns, Creoles, and fellow countrymen who have left the dirty south, but are in a constant search for: GOOD FOOD!

I've moved from Lake Charles, Louisiana to Santa Barbara, California in 2005. I still find myself struggling to find a flavorful meal. In a land of skinny, organic food crazed men and women, I try to keep it as real as possible. WHERE'S THE SOUL FOOD?!

I created this blog to document my search for some good home cookin', that has flavor, spice, and that same feeling you get when you sit down at Grandma's table. Whether its Creole food, Mexican, or just plain hamburgers & french fries, I wanna try it out! And you'll be the first to know how its rates out (in my eyes...or mouth.)

I'm mainly sticking to the Santa Barbara/LA area...just b/c I ain't got no money to go further than that. But basically I'll be giving ya'll the heads up on some good eatin' in this area! Bon appetit!