May 2016 - Eat it Charlotte

Location: 501 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205 Gator Bites The other night I relived an old tradition of visiting one of my favorite spots for comfort food in the Queen City: Boudreauxs. Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen not only serves the best Creole/Cajun food in Charlotte, but also the best Hurricanes I have had on the east coast. The food is exceptional in a filling, bosomy/comforting sort of way, where I always leave satisfied and happy. This probably has as much to do with the Tuesday half-price Hurricanes as much as the meal itself. The restaurant is located in the Noda neighborhood of Charlotte, known for its hipster attitude, which in my opinion, is more real (maybe less beardy?) than Plaza Midwood. If you are looking for a Bernie Sanders rally or need some "brownies" this is area you should seek. I strongly believe Boudreaux's Louisiana Kitchen is one of the best and yet most underrated restaurants in Noda. The Good: I never been to Louisiana, but this is how I picture authentic Creole food to taste. I always start with the Gator Bites, which are damn tasty, between the freshness, the heat and the crunch they continue to be a good way to start the meal. The Gumbo (any of the three types offered) is excellent when served fresh; I have had it at the wrong time and while good, it's not the same as when it is freshly made. The grilled Andouille sausage placed carefully across the bowl makes the meal very hearty, and the cornbread also is a nice touch. As much as I like dinner, brunch is exquisite, in a down-home kind of way, and far more crowded. I absolutely love the Shrimp and Tasso Omelets, and I especially adore the make your own Bloody Mary bar, but the STAR of the show are the Beignets, which are steal at $2. The service has always been good for me; I usually go at dinner during the week and while it is almost always empty, they have always been helpful. On our last visit the bartender actually ran two blocks to find us when we forgot our keys at the table. I don't know of many places that offer that kind of service. It is very possible that I am wrong about all of this and the most compelling reason I am so happy and satisfied upon leaving are the Hurricanes. The lengthy list, which is longer than the actual menu, range from category one to five in strength, these drinks pack a punch at full strength, and much like potato chips you just can't have just one. When one combines that with their half-off price on Tuesday, you leave there and have to walk around for an hour just to get your senses back. Boudreaux's may have some of the best drink deals in Charlotte! The Bad: For some reason, it is either 'feast or famine' at this Creole/Cajun restaurant in terms of crowds. During brunch the wait can get quite long, and you may start to wonder about other options, until you see the food coming out on the plates. Dinner is usually a different story, depending on the day/time it can seem like a ghost town with its emptiness, but be prepared to get undivided attention during your service. What is even more of a shame is Cabo Fish Taco (review pending) which is a 2 minute walk away, is always packed. Sometimes I truly don't understand the taste of people...but they keep the Applebee's, Chili's and admittedly, Bell-Curve arguments in place. Parking is always an issue for Noda restaurants and Boudreaux's is no exception; there used to be a lot behind the restaurant, but now it looks like a pay lot, so you may have to hike from a spot along the street. Finally, although they are redecorating, and the atmosphere isn't great (they will restore the paintings and the chalk board); the music is good, but I find some of the chairs to be a bit uncomfortable. That said, it isn't designed to be an upscale restaurant and shouldn't be regarded as such; hell, the bathroom looks like something out of the movie Hostel and there is a bar that is connected through a hallway door. The Ugly: Our service has always been good and all mistakes remedied, but at times I wonder if the cooks haven't been eating some of the brownies that were mentioned earlier. I had a Gumbo once that was missing three of the four proteins that were suppose to be in it (shrimp, chicken and crawfish), as well as being on the receiving end of take-out portions that were way too small, or at times cold. Although it is rare, it has happened, which would explain why some people complain about them on other review sites. In the end, if you bring your issues to the attention of any server/manager, the service delivery/recovery is rebounded like a muther-f'er. The Verdict 7.5 out of 10: I always leave Boudreauxs' in a good mood and that to me is the most important part of my dining experiences. The prices continue to be reasonable, the food is satisfying and the service is on-point. I recommend this restaurant for anyone who likes Creole/Cajun food and needs a place, the calgone of the informed masses, to take away the stress of the day.