Everyone is always trying to tell me that i can find everything I need at Wal-Mart. A Target girl to the core, I never believed them. But I suppose I can give the theory some value based on what I found in the superstore’s parking lot on Monday night.
There were warm, crusty French rolls accompanied by iced lumps of garlic butter, deliciously seasoned Cajun dishes served piping hot and a list of scrumptiously imaginative desserts.
Oh yes, all within a 60-second walk to Wal-Mart.
Mama Roux, a Cajun restaurant in the small shopping center off of Parmer Lane and I-35, is Michael and Yoli Amr’s second offering to the city of Austin. Based on the satisfied customer following of Gumbo’s — their first chain of restaurants that have since been sold — and the well made dishes we enjoyed earlier this week, the couple seems to know what they’re doing.
Cajun spices scented the air as we walked inside. Large food-service windows immediately gave us an intimate view into the kitchen. The dining area, decorated with a simple palette of black and white, was made cozy by a chest-high brick wall that kept the bustle of the wait staff out of sight.
After we were informed that Mama Roux was out of po’ boys for the night, we decided on the red beans and rice with andouille sausage ($7.50) and the Catfish Mona ($13.95). I can see the red beans and rice becoming a winter favorite of mine, especially when served with a crowning mound of sliced andouille sausage.
But Mona easily stole the show. Two tender catfish filets were blackened by a house rub and topped with a pile of crawfish in a creamy Creole tomato sauce. A scoop of roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a perfect blend of caramelized cauliflower and cabbage stewed with tomatoes finished off the dish. Both servings were exceptionally large, and I had enough catfish leftover for lunch the next day.
By the time we were presented with the dessert menu, I was down for the count. But we agreed to split the bananas foster bread pudding ($3.95). The warm bread pudding was composed of croissants and flavorful Italian raisins sitting in a pool of caramel rum butter sauce. Slightly under ripe banana slices cut through the sugar, making room for the topping of vanilla ice cream. I don’t have a particular love for bananas or bread pudding, but this beautiful dessert was far better than any higher-priced dessert I’ve enjoyed in town.
As long as Mama Roux is around, I guess I can find everything I need at, or at least next to, Wal-Mart after all.
Mama Roux New Orleans Style Cafe
13000 N I-35 #600
512.490.1304
Tues. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tues. – Sat. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
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