2026 update: Sister Cities Cajun just as good as it was on my first visit, circa 2020/2021?…read more I was on the hunt for Jambalaya that I could order for my Mardi Gras themed birthday party. This night, I only wanted to try the Jambalaya, and eat the ribs, I was in luck! on my last visit, the ribs were sold out. There were every bit as delicious as I remembered them. I asked the server about the Jambalaya, and she mentioned I could get it catered for my party. I did not realize that I could have ordered it cold, to heat up when my party was ready (there is a place on the website to notate that, hopefully this helps someone) I did not mark the correct box and my Jambalaya was hot at 3 pm when my party was at 8 pm. They were so helpful with further cooking directions and my Jambalaya was perfect come party time.

I stopped at Sister Cities Cajun. I had the smothered catfish, and my husband had the shrimp and…read moregrits and of course, I had to taste his too! Nothing was too spicy, everything was seasoned just right, and the flavors were on point. The service was great and attentive, which made the experience even better. The ambiance had smooth music playing that set the perfect vibe for a relaxed meal. And let me talk about that cornbread sweet, fresh, and so good I needed a second piece. I might need that recipe if they're willing to share. Four stars given cause its always room for improvement.

The BF and I visited Who Dat Southern Food Bar & Grill and had a great experience. He'd been prior…read morewith my mom for a lunch date. The food was absolutely delicious--full of flavor and exactly what you'd hope for from a spot serving Southern cuisine. Every dish felt fresh, well-seasoned, and made with care. What really stood out, though, was the exceptional service by the owner, Kyle. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was just right throughout the visit. It created a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere from start to finish. If you're looking for great Southern food paired with top-notch service, this is definitely a place worth checking out.

I had a rare night off and was craving some Cajun or Creole food. Sat alone at the bar and Kyle…read moremade me feel right at home. It's a very laid back, relaxing atmosphere. The other customers were all friendly and made conversation too. Lots of people grabbing a bite to eat here before heading upstairs to the Attic for live music. Now the food! Damn, that was good. I had the special, crawfish and shrimp creole. It had a lot of flavor and just the right kick from the spices. The rice was perfectly fluffy, and I couldn't stop eating the hush puppies. If you're here, grab dat hurricane too. I could sip on that all day, especially in the summer.

Cajun food is delicious at Broadway Oyster Bar! We each ordered a cup of the gumbo that was served…read morewith a small cornbread muffin too. Really good flavor from the andouille sausage and peppers. I ordered Aunt Hattie's crawfish etouffee which was full of crawfish, celery and bell peppers. I really like the spices too. My boyfriend ordered the catfish platter. It was a large portion of fish and tasty except the batter was fried too hard. Our entrees also were served with the small cornbread muffins too. Our server Lauren was very responsive and checked on us several times. Restaurant was not crowded and we were seated immediately upon entering the bar area. Atmosphere is lower lighting and lots of Cajun decorations and some from St. Louis too. Bathrooms are individual stalls decorated with Cajun and Mardi Gras items. They are having a band play tonight on the patio so we didn't sit there and avoided the $12 cover.

Pit stop... I will return but I had a need and they met it…read more Convenient, location and promise to return Caesar's salad & crawfish bisque. A very eclectic menu but I will begin here. Located right off the express way, close to the stadium and Soulard. The menu is vast and the options all look amazing and delicious. The ambiance is honkie tonkie, rustic without western wear. Lots of music memorabilia. Inside dimly lit but outside is a vibe. I shall return. The service was what it was. Nothing missing, nothing broken

We finally decided to check this place out after talking about it for quite a while, and it was the…read moreperfect choice for my wife's birthday. We came for the Sunday Jazz Brunch, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was fantastic, the bottomless mimosas kept flowing, and the beignets were absolutely delicious. I ordered the Pork Chop Slinger, and finding out the pork chop came from Schubert's in Millstadt, IL was an unexpected bonus that made the meal even better. Our server was wonderful--friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The rest of the staff was just as welcoming and helpful. I also can't say enough about the jazz band. The music selection was excellent and created the perfect brunch atmosphere. If you're looking for a great brunch with amazing food, outstanding service, and live music, I highly recommend giving this place a try!

Known for nightly live music from talents all across the area, this is the spot you want to come to…read morefor a date night or even just a gathering of friends and loved ones to listen to music while you dine. Located at the edge of the Central West End, parking is limited to street or a neighboring paid lot. The building has old charm mixed with modern notes. They have a speaker playing the live music for patio guests. I think we've had the same servers each time we have dined so the staff are consistent. Service can be a bit slower on nights where there are many diners or some split between inside and outside so have patience. The drinks are always on point (their Category 5 Hurricane though!) and they have daily specials. While their menu has mostly a New Orleans vibe, there are some other items worth trying such as their succulent hanger steak with bourbon sauce, tacos, and even their salads. Their bourbon bread pudding is probably the best bread pudding I have ever tasted. My boyfriend and I always share it, and it is soft, boozy, and gone in 10 minutes. We will always be customers here!

It's the rare occasion when I get to visit a restaurant that was featured on the TV show "Diners,…read moreDrive-ins and Dives," and it's a true privilege. I don't take it lightly. I spent a lot of time preparing. My mom even made me a special outfit. Remember, in the movie Goodfellas, when Joe Pesci thought he was about to become a made guy? It was kind of like that. Fortunately, I wasn't led into an empty room where I was promptly shot in the back of the head. (Whew!) I was conscious of the potential for violence at Hwy 61 Roadhouse, because its name--and the overall vibe--calls to mind the classic Patrick Swayze movie from the 1980s, which was in fact set in Missouri. I was ready to punch my way out of there, if necessary. The crowd here skews older, and it occurred to me that I may have been able to take out quite a few of them on my own. There was live music, and the band called to mind something you might see in a circa-'97 Christopher Guest movie, or Marty and Bobbi Culp. It gets loud, to the point where you can't hear what the person across the table from you is saying. You might consider bringing a date here, if you'd prefer not having a conversation. A guy from my running group loves this place and spoke highly of the BBQ Spaghetti. Normally, I wouldn't eat anything like that, but this guy seems like he might know ball when it comes to delicious restaurant meals, if you catch my drift. Turns out, he wasn't wrong. It wasn't just good, this might be the way to eat pulled pork. I'd make it at home, except that store-bought barbecue sauce is disgustingly sweet and processed-tasting, and it wouldn't be worth trying to make my own. I toyed with the idea of getting a burger, which is a safe go-to in restaurants in areas where the spice level is often inquired about, but I've eaten so many of them lately. Then I saw that they carry a Shrimp Po Boy. It seemed like the perfect choice. Shrimp Po Boys are never not good, even the one they used to carry at Popeyes during Lent back in the pre-chicken sandwich era, and this place supposedly specializes in Cajun food. It didn't disappoint... for the most part. It was a bit bread-forward for my liking. Some places hollow out the bread a little bit, to make room for the fillings. Hwy 61 doesn't, and they use a weirdly large roll. I love bread, so this wouldn't necessarily be an issue, but there was nothing particularly special about this bread. They load you up on shrimp, which are fried hard, like chicken wings from a hood Chinese place. It makes for a satisfying crunch. The lettuce and tomatoes provided a fresh, healthy-seeming contrast, and the remoulade is just spicy enough to keep things interesting. I'm definitely curious to try some of the other menu items, including some of the more authentic Cajun selections--the etouffees, gumbos and what have you. If only I could get them to bring me a sampling of everything, "on the arm." I'd show up in backwards sunglasses and tell them I'm there filming a TV show, but alas, they've already been featured on a TV show, and I wouldn't want to run the risk of having to actually fight someone.

I got the Pulled Pork Supper. It is shredded pork, served on sourdough bread. I got it with BBQ…read morespaghetti. The pork was a little tough and the portion was a little small for $17. The spaghetti was blander than I remember too. I thought the sauce used to be spicier. We'll have to give them another try. The restaurant is decorated with a fun vibe. We were there on a trivia night, but we were leaving as it was starting. It looked like fun. They also have a lot of live music too.

Came here with a friend for a seafood boil! The inside isn't fancy, just pretty spacious with some…read moredecor, but it's really more about the food than the atmosphere. The waitresses were fast, came right over with menus and took our order quickly, and the food came out fast too. We were a party of two and shared two combos, but I noticed other tables ordering one combo per person which works too depending on how hungry you are. The snow crab was so juicy and the mussels were super fresh. We got the mixed seasoning with no spice, and the potatoes were sooo good to balance out. The corn was amazing, and the shrimp was enormous and so juicy, I'm not sure how they got it that good. The sauce leans pretty salty, and I ended up drinking like three cups of water, but eating it with the potatos balances it out. Price point felt fair and I left stuffed!! Would definitely come back.

My friend and I went here for dinner. We each got the snow and shrimp combo…read more The sauce has plenty of flavor. The service was okay. The shrimps seems smaller in size than a few year ago. The amount of food you get is definitely less than before which probably due to the rise of food cost.

While visiting The Foundry, we decided to try Four Hens Creole Kitchen and ordered their shrimp and…read moregrits. As someone who doesn't get the opportunity to have shrimp and grits very often, it's something I always look forward to ordering when I find it on a menu. We were actually debating whether or not to get it when someone else in line recommended it and told us how delicious it was. I'm glad we listened! The grits were creamy and had a lot of Cajun seasoning, which I thought worked really well. They weren't quite as cheesy as I personally would have liked, but the flavor was still delicious, with just a little bit of smokiness. I also appreciated that despite all the seasoning, the dish wasn't too spicy for me. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, and the overall texture of the dish was spot on. We paired the shrimp and grits with a grilled cheese flight from Steve's Meltdown, another vendor at The Foundry, and the two ended up going surprisingly well together. This wasn't quite the best shrimp and grits I've ever had, but I'd easily put it at number two, which is still pretty high praise. If you're at The Foundry and craving shrimp and grits, Four Hens Creole Kitchen is definitely worth a try.

Okay. Just okay. I ordered the crawfish and grits to go, which was onthe runny and bland side. The…read morefood is seasoned, but it lacked depth. And you're not going to City Foundry's food hall for a cheap meal, but $20 for the portion size, plus an undisclosed 10% service charge just to include a lid seemed a bit much. Anyway, 4 Hens Creole was something between underwhelming and disappointing. The service was more or less fine though. And they were unfortunately out of bread pudding.

Gumbo 2 Geaux is the perfect place to dine on Friday during Lent. I went for one of my favorites,…read moreClam Strips, but they were sold out. Since there were no clams, I went for the Catfish Basket. The Catfish Basket had multiple catfish fritters, steak fries and two hush puppies. They also provided a cup full of sliced onions and pickles. Plus, a small serving of Remoulade. I enjoyed the cajun breading on the catfish, it had a flavorful spicy kick. The steak fries were cut fat and thick and I liked the seasoning. For me, they could have been crispier. The Hush Puppies were good, but I was disappointed when I saw a box of Classic Hush Puppies being delivered by their supplier. Homemade Hush Puppies are so much more flavorful. They've been promoting, Barq's Creme Soda on FB and Creme Soda was a favorite when I was growing up, so I couldn't resit ordering one. It was cool, refreshing and brought back flashes of memories. Oh, it was also a great accompaniment beverage to my Lent dinner. Customer Service is good, because chances are you will be waited on by one of the owners. They are true hands on owners and big supporters of the Alton community.

Excellent, excellent Cajun food and great service oh my goodness! The seafood gumbo over rice was…read moreloaded with protein, and you can tell they make their roux from scratch. The shrimp po'boy had very thinly sliced pickles to cut through the remoulade (solid condiment by the way), with crisp, well-seasoned shrimp on a crisp, fluffy, grilled roll. The red beans and rice came with smoke and a gentle kick, and the cornbread was a pleasant surprise - a complex fore flavor with a lingering buttery sweetness. I would dine here again!

Great food & great customer service ,The gator bites were delicious crispy and tender . The salad…read morewas as tasty as it looked.

I've eaten here literally a million times, going back to when it was Joey's. I'd suggest that there…read moreshould be a life-size statue of me at the door along with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, but it might have a negative impact on sales, due to my haters, and I'd hate for this place to have to go out of business. Already, there are signs that things have taken a turn for the worse. They're playing music via an ad-supported Spotify account, complete with Rocket Mortgage ads, and the tables are covered with ads for vinyl siding companies that probably prey on the elderly. The latter is an especially sensitive issue for me as I get on in years. Just because I look dumb doesn't mean that I can easily be taken advantage of. No but really, as many times as I've been here, I don't know that I've had anything other than the (pejorative-sounding) Rajun Cajun, the Seaside Combo and the Fish Tacos. I used to get the Rajun Cajun, but I gradually shifted to the Seaside Combo, which seems oddly generous, given that it comes with six shrimp. It's not exactly inexpensive, but it doesn't seem so unreasonable, at a time when you have to sign up for Klarna just to eat at McDonald's. The shrimp they use are surprisingly decent quality. They're probably not quite jumbo, otherwise they'd describe them as such on the menu (why waste the opportunity?), but they're not far off. The cod planks, on the other hand, are a tad skimpy, somewhere in between the fish stick you'd get at a good elementary school and the ones they serve at Long John Silver's. You get two with the Seaside Combo, and with an order of Fish & Chips. I wonder if they have separate, larger planks that they use for the Fish & Chips. The list of sides is longer than you might think. Some of them carry an upcharge, and it's not always clear why that's the case. Spinach, for example, costs extra, as does corn on the cob. Who'd pay extra just to eat spinach, Popeye? I've only ever gone with the fries and coleslaw, neither of which is regarded as premium, though I'd argue that they're the two best things you can get with fried fish and shrimp. It's hard to mess up food that you're just tossing into a deep fryer, but credit where credit is due: my fish, shrimp and fries were amazing (as was the coleslaw). They were generously battered (by hand, supposedly) and cooked until perfectly crisp. They must be making use of the timers on those deep fryers. They may have purposely cranked the volume on the ad-supported Spotify so we wouldn't hear them going off. If they did, that was smart of them. Pro Tip: Sprinkle Slap Yo Mama on everything, including the coleslaw. Don't sweat the sodium content. The world is obviously coming to an end sooner rather than later anyway. But don't bother with the signature spicy-and-sweet hot sauce, which is gross. I appreciated the way the fish and shrimp were artfully arranged on the plate. But they buried the lemon wedge, and I didn't notice until I'd already eaten one of the shrimp. So that was definitely a missed opportunity. I'd suggest that they invest in slightly larger plates, but I shudder to think what they might have to do to finance that.

Service was great. Food was even better. They kept the place clean. Shame they had to close…read more Most good places always close.

Authentic creole spot at the grove and warm hospitality!…read more It's my first time trying this restaurant, and I had a great experience. The food was absolutely delicious. The spices are well combined and just on point. Highly recommended.