Bayou Cajun Seafood, Po’boys & Pho

After our recent move to Pensacola, my husband and I have decided to get out and explore our new surroundings. On this outing, we chose to visit Bayou Cajun Seafood, Po’boys &Pho . . .

With so many take out dining options these days, when we spend money to eat out in a restaurant, it is for the experience. There are many places to spend an evening with a good meal and relaxed conversation whether huddled by a food truck, gathered in a small mom and pop establishment, a franchise, or a high-class restaurant. Eating out for me is about the overall memory created as it is about the food itself. I’m glad to share my visits with you . . . happy dining!

After reading many positive reviews about Bayou Cajun Seafood, Po’boys & Pho in the complex on the corner of Mobile Highway and Pine Forest in Pensacola, we decided to check it out. I was born and bred in Louisiana, so I thought this little eatery might be just what I needed to ease my cravings for home.

Parking was no trouble at all with the large paved lot available.

We were greeted promptly upon entering and took a place in line at the register. We were third in line and looking at the menu.

The young female clerk (who never introduced herself by name to me nor anyone else on my visit) must be used to impatient customers (I was smiling and happily considering the different menu items) when she became overly and unnecessarily apologetic, addressing me as sweetie/honey several times.

I found the seating/service area to be too small for the amount of traffic and inexcusably unkempt.

When business picks up, an owner should meet demand with enough staff to accommodate or risk losing what you have gained.

We sat staring at a dirty table for forty minutes waiting for two lukewarm bowls of pho.

The condensed version without going into any more vivid detail is that I found the water undrinkable and the food inedible.

I debated not doing this review because the experience was so bad in comparison to the great reviews I read online. I thought this must be some out of the ordinary event or chalk it up to a bad day in the kitchen. I considered that perhaps if I had ordered something else . . . the results would have been different. However, another food choice would not have solved the other unsavory things about this visit.

I am normally very forgiving, but with so many other choices I don’t think I will return to this restaurant for a very long time.

I have known hunger in my life and I hate, HATE, to toss away food . . . even yucky food . . . but the trash is where most of this meal went and I left hungry. Luckily for me there was a restaurant nearby that was a polar opposite experience, Jim and I drove home full and smiling.