That Time Cajun Oysters Were Bigger Than My Appetite

On a Sunday night, a group of friends and I swung over to the Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge located in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX. It was advertised that there would be live entertainment and even a talent show. Since I’ve been to this lounge before I knew to expect comfy, laid back vibes. We arrive before 8pm (to avoid the cover charge of course) and seat ourselves near the stage. Shortly after being seated, our waiter arrives with menus and water.

Photo by Corey Collins on Unsplash

The menu items selected among the group were Cajun Blackened Catfish ($21.95), the Gumbo Bowl ($15.95), Cheesecake ($9.95), and I ordered the Po’ Boy ($17.95). Let’s get into Cajun cuisine!

Oyster Po’ Boy and Side Salad

1. Cajun Blackened Catfish (Blackened catfish filet served over rice): I didn’t order this for myself, I only tried a sample (for research purposes obviously). The Blackened Catfish was full of flavor, and had a perfect sear to almost make it crispy in texture. The bite was buttery and melted in your mouth. I could have easily “sampled” more.
2. Gumbo Bowl (Chicken, sausage and shrimp stew, served with a side of cornbread): This dish is also offered as a cup size if you are looking for a smaller portion size or just want an appetizer. My friend ate every bite of the thick gravy topped with rice. I didn’t try this dish but I will when I return for sure. The only downside I saw here was the entree only came with three shrimp on top. The cornbread was a traditional square piece of sweet, fluffy cornbread.
3. Po’ Boy (Your choice of shrimp, catfish, oyster, chicken, alligator, or spinach (vegetarian) with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and our special sauce): This sandwich came with fries but I opted for the healthier side salad instead (good luck finding my waistline). I ordered the oyster Po’ Boy because of my love of fried oysters and never having seen it offered on a Po’ Boy before. This sandwich was nothing like I’d had before. The bread was a traditional sub roll topped with shredded lettuce stacked high, tomato slices, oysters, and signature sauce. It is safe to say these were the biggest oysters I had ever eaten. I felt compelled to confirm with the waiter that they were oysters instead of catfish because the slices were so big. They took over the bread and made it impossible to fold the sandwich in half. I had to awkwardly cut into the crispy breading of the oysters and the sub roll (and try not to shake the table). I appreciate a decent portion size but this was out of my depth. The sandwich was delicious, but it would have been a much easier experience if I was able to eat it like a traditional Po’ Boy. By the time I was able to get through the oysters, I was stuffed, and no longer interested in all the bread sitting at the bottom of my plate.
4. Side Salad: There is no description for this item on the menu but it came with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, red onions, and croutons. Full disclosure, I cannot stand the taste of raw onions. I immediately kicked myself when I smelled all the onions on top of that salad and tasted the spicy, bitterness. I figured I could pick through the onions but that was no bueno. It felt like the onions completely took over the salad and they were very strong, and impossible to avoid.
5. Cheesecake (Creamy cheesecake topped with caramel or strawberries): This cheesecake slice was huge and could put the Cheesecake Factory to shame. We ordered the strawberry topping and all shared the rich, chilled, refreshing dessert. There was so much cheesecake that we couldn’t even finish one slice between the group of us and it was delicious.

Strawberry Cheesecake

The live music was the cherry on top of the large portion sizes of the Cajun cooking. There were real instruments used, the bands were interactive with the crowd and the vibes were immaculate from the performers to the waitstaff. There was an obvious southern hospitality to this establishment. I recommend this spot to anyone looking for a laidback, casual atmosphere, delicious food, and welcoming music.

Final Thoughts:

Would I come back?

Absolutely! The food was delicious with decent portion sizes, the people were friendly, and the vibes were great!

Was the experience worth the money?

Yes! I believe the menu prices are fair, but if I can make a suggestion, I would add more descriptions to the menu so people are more aware of what comes with certain menu items. Also, the bathrooms were… typical club bathrooms (IYKYK).

Disclaimer:

All reviews I share reflect my personal experiences and opinions. They are not intended to make definitive claims about any business, product, service, or individual. Experiences vary, and readers should consider my perspective as one among many. My aim is simply to offer honest impressions, not to cause harm or discourage others from forming their own views.