Evangeline Cafe Reviews

First, I must say I loved Evangeline Cafe. It was the first place I'd eat at when I'd return to Austin and the last place I'd eat at when I would leave. And I always ordered their chicken fried alligator, which was to die for! Last time I visited Austin over the July 4th holiday, they were closed that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Since I was leaving on Wednesday, I dropped by with my wife to have the chicken fried alligator I've been craving since I last left Austin in 2015. and had been bragging on Evangeline Cafe ever since I met her after moving to Colorado in 2015. I placed my order, and my chicken fried alligator was served. It was a bit tougher than I remembered with a different taste but I'd heard from a few of my friends in Austin the place has been taking a downward slide so I wasn't surprised my alligator wasn't as good as I remembered, but I was disappointed. When we got the bill I saw they had billed be for a regular chicken fried steak. I wasn't eating alligator at all! When I pointed this out to the waitress she admitted I'd ordered the alligator and offered to give me one to go. Not being interested in eating a left-over chicken fried alligator steak, I declined and she told me she would take it off my bill. Just after she turned away and began to walk off, a huge rodent, either a small rat or a very large mouse, came scurrying out from under the bandstand, thru some tables, and after I stood up and yelled "There's a rat!", it scampered under the feet of an elderly woman sitting in the corner. The waitress probably thought I was just trying to cause a scene until the elderly lady stomped her feet and it ran back out and began to scurry along under the chairs of the other diners, who were exclaiming "There he is!", and "He's under your again now" when it ran back to the elderly lady. By that time the waitress had grabbed a broom and a dust pan and was trying to catch it but gave up when it ran back under the band stand. The waitress ended up charging me $6 for our meal (how she came up with $6 I have no idea). My wife will NEVER return there and I don't blame her. We both have worked in the food industry and know where there is one rodent, there have to be more. I never did get my chicken fried alligator and I have no idea where there's another restaurant who serves it as I'm sad to say I'm not going back to the Evangeline Cafe

This off the beaten path cafe is delicious. It definitely has a New Orleans flavor---in its atmosphere and flavor. Get there early as it fills up fast. Live entertainment adds to the atmosphere. Efficient, fast service with delicious Cajun food!!

I decided to check this place out based on the great reviews and I was not disappointed. As a 2nd Generation Cajun I'm somewhat familiar of what it should be like and it was very authentic, down to the Abita Beer and the dark roux, and alligator appetizer. The place was busy (Saturday night) and probably could have used another server, as the service was a little slow, but I'm till giving it 5 stars because because the food and atmosphere make up for it. They have live music often and it would be a great get together place for a few friends.

I have lived in Austin all my life and have never heard of this place until now. It is hidden in a shopping center and you will not see it unless you are looking for it. I tried the fish and gumbo and it was fantastic. Go early because it feels up fast since it is a small restaurant. You have to try their deserts too. I was definitely come back.

One the very first places I dined at in Austin and it is stillike on my radar. Good, no outstanding "Po Boys", and great shrimp entrees as well as efficient and steady service. Tucked in a strip mall and parking is a trick. Nevertheless, solid Cajun food that will fill you up. Indoor seating with a few outdoor seats and a full bar.

Driving up I thought there must be some mistake, this was a strip mall, surely it cannot have good food. Yet, the food was most excellent. We had a large group and ordered several different dishes. I sampled four of these and was pleased with them all including the stuffed redfish and porkchops. We finished with the Pecan Pistolette, and were all impressed. The decor and the live music were also enjoyable additions.

Enjoyed the atmosphere of this place. The kids liked trying the gator bites and frog legs. Food wasn't outstanding but enjoyable. Service was great. We would go back for a second round.

I've eaten at a few Cajun places around the country and Evangalines is one I would recommend to anyone. They have lots of great classic Cajun and Arcadian dishes with real ingredients presented in completely authentic platings. From Boudin ito catfish (grilled or fried) over into the Mauk Cho - everything is remarkable, then there's the Pecan Pistolleta dessert. Its so good youl'll wish you could have dinner all over again just to have one of these treats. The rows of photos and memorabilia on the walls commemorating stellar performers who have graced their stage and tables is equally impressive.

This casual cajun restaurant has the real feel of Lousiana in south Austin. Our server recommended dishes that were all great. My drum on rice with a cream sauce was filling and tasty. The Abita beer was cold in chilled small glasses. It was a good choice for an evening when we didn't feel like trendy food.

Traveling to Austin, our local friends there thought we might like this place. They were RIGHT! The decor is so fun to see, and the duet entertainment that night was very enjoyable. As for the food, GREAT CAJUN!

We ordered two orders of gumbo with rice for take out along with some potato salad. After arriving home we realized they'd given us all of 1/2 a small drinking cup of rice, hardly enough for even a child's portion. This is the skimpiest takeout we've ever ordered. We had to go looking for real dinner. Never again.

I try to eat here every time I visit Austin. We can't get food like this at home! The oysters contraband are worth every penny, but I usually stick to the oyster Po Boy or lunch basket unless there are others with whom I can share the rich and delicious appetizer. The interior is a little shabby, but I think that's the way it's supposed to be. Alas, I can't handle very spicy food and last time I tried the gumbo, it was too spicy for me.

Perfect in many ways . Atmosphere is very comforting , colorful and unique. Food was absolutely delicious, one can tell it was made fresh . Jalapeño Boudin and stuffed pistolett was amazing . Mock shoo dish made with catfish and crawfish melted in mouth with each bite . Crawfish bucket was a good portion for lunch and it came with the best cocktail sauce. You must try Pecan Pistolett , even if you are on diet or don’t like sweets . Lastly , service was great , waitress was very friendly and prompt . We loved our find , must come back

The wife and I stopped here to try something new for a Friday lunch, needless to say we will be back! Our server Nina was awesome and very helpful with recommendations. We tried the gator bites, fried oysters, and catfish po boy all were great including the Evangeline sauce. Also, the homemade cocktail sauce had a nice kick, we loved it. We shall return to try additional items, including the avocado po boy next time!

My wife and I were in south Austin so we took the opportunity to try Evangeline Cafe, where I had previously had a po-boy takeout. We arrived about 7:30 on a Thursday evening to a full restaurant, with a small jazz group in the corner. We decided to take one of the tables available outside on the sidewalk (this in the middle of a strip shopping center) since the evening was not too hot and a nice breeze was available. We started with an appetizer portion of boudin which was nice and spicy, and had a nice richness to it. It was quite comparable to the boudin I have had in Baton Rouge, and was a nice start for our meal. For our entree, I had the large chicken fried steak, and my wife had one of the salad offerings, an avocado stuffed with shrimp salad (which she loved - and didn't share!). My CFS was a very large portion, and instead of being topped with white cream gravy, this was topped with the house's Evangeline sauce, which gave the CFS a hint of cajun. Delicious. My serving was so large that I shared several bites with my wife, ate until I was pleasantly full, and still ended up taking almost half of the serving home (for lunch today). From our perspective we could see just how many folks come to the restaurant. Although we were beyond normal 'family time' dining on a school night, there were still a few children in the mix that spanned three generations. Wish they were open on Sunday, but glad we had this opportunity to visit Evangeline Cafe and enjoy the great food.

We make frequent visits to this restaurant; I can't believe I've not reviewed it yet! A local gem, tucked away in a strip center on Brodie Lane, Evangeline is one of our go-to's. We've gotten to know the owner Curtis, and most times we go, he's in there checking on things. Last week we went on Tuesday for our Valentine's Day dinner. We sat at the bar and all-star bartender Rob served us while we waited for our table. We got a great seat right in front of the band. We had a funny lively waitress named Michele. We started with a crawfish pistolette - mmmmm! Hubby had the stuffed porkchop which is his favorite; he suggests to upgrade to dirty rice and it comes with the best okra gumbo you've ever had. I went seafood - stuffed black drum which had a yummy shrimp & crab stuffing & a delicious sauce, served over rice. I was feeling naughty so I got a side of handcut fries :) Ended the wonderful dinner with a pecan pistolette which Michele accurately described as "if a pecan pie and a beignet had a love child." Curtis came by to check on us and explained why he changed fish specials; his supplier had begun to use farm raised fish & that wasn't acceptable so he changed to the black drum which is wild caught. I won't buy farm raised for myself so I appreciate that he feels the same & cares about the quality of his food! After he left Michele brought our bill & Curtis had taken care of our dessert. True class & all-around sweet person! I recommend you go many times and try the dishes we mentioned above and anything else on the menu that looks good! You'll thank me for it.

When you find yourself craving a bona fide muffaleta and you're not up for the eight hour drive to Nawlins, you can take some solace in the fact that Evangeline Cafe on Brodie Lane can get you through your "muff jones" surprisingly well. While it might not quite be equal to what you'd get at Central Grocery in N.O., it's pretty darned good and one sandwich is enough for two people to split if each of you add a cup of gumbo or something else to the order. The gumbo is good although a bit mild, at least to my taste. The roux is the traditional blonde color which is fine, but personally, I prefer a dark, spicy roux. I haven't tried the frog legs as they would have to be frozen instead of fresh and that's probably going to be a disappointment. However, the mudbugs (crawfish) are tasty no matter what so dig in! Fried alligator, no matter where you get it, can be a toss-up. If it's sliced thin enough, it will be tender. Beyond a certain thickness - which I suspect has to do with the age of the gator- it starts to get chewy. It still, tastes pretty good, but the texture can be a bit off-putting if one is not prepared for it. So, if you haven't every tried it, give it a shot just to say you have. As a rule, I don't eat oysters no matter what so I can't comment on those. The "gold band" pasta dish is good although I don't typically go to a Cajun restaurant for pasta. If you want an Italian twist to Nawlins cooking, you'd do better to head for the Big Easy itself and pull into Nandina's. They bounced back very well from Katrina (although I kind of liked it better in its former incarnation when it was a little "grungier" -- they freshened up a lot when they rebuilt). BTW, if you haven't been to Evangeline Cafe, know that it's small. There are a lot of regular patrons so be prepared to almost rub shoulders with the other folks who are there. Curtiss, the owner, is usually there, serving and mixing with the customers so you can be sure he keeps an eye on the kitchen. Enjoy!

Not what I expected in a strip center! Quaint “Nawlins” atmosphere that is both adult and family friendly. Boudin and gator bites for appetizers—both were great! Rice and beans (with sausage) were incredible. Fried shrimp were done just right! Expect a crowd on nights and weekends. Not much room for waiting, and what they do have is outside. There is outside seating, but the space is shared with waiting guests!. It’s a little loud inside but, with the kids, that was probably a good thing!

This is a tiny restaurant in a strip mall... the decor is funky with stuff (posters/pennants/other artwork/etc) plastered all over the walls and ceiling, and tables with aluminum chairs and tabletops of grouted bottle caps. We were there at around 2pm in the afternoon and it was still packed. Best frog legs ever, and the etouffee was good too!

On a recent trip to Austin, I visited Evangeline Cafe for lunch with the friend that introduced me to it a fee years ago. Crowded and busy, but service was very friendly and attentive. The food is very tasty and authentic. The boudin could have a little more spice but everything else was delicious. Large menu so plenty to choose from. All their gumbos are great!! Evenings they have live music.

Visiting the area on business and just happened to come across this little gem. The live music was awesome and the food was terrific. A great local place to eat and unwind.

I absolutely love this place. Looks like a hole in the wall but the food is great and they have live music as well. Oddly enough for a Cajun place the chicken fried steak is awesome. Poorboys are great as well.

Popped into Evangeline Cafe yesterday as it's been way too long and once again enjoyed a great lunch. We started with the Gator Bites (Tender bite size morsels of alligator fried with spicy Cajun aioli) and they were tasty but I added more hot sauce to them to kick up the heat a bit. She went with my usual order - Speedy's Catfish with the Crawfish Macque Choux (Pan Saute'ed Catfish served on steamed rice smothered with crawfish macque choux (creole corn chowder) and it was as good as it always is. I changed up and went with the Gold Band Creole (Seven butterflied jumbo Shrimp, rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs, deep fried and served over a bed of fettucine pasta with a spicy creole sauce & our Cajun Aioli and a gold band of Parmesan cheese) and it was very good (I might have a new favorite there!). Shrimp were cooked perfectly as usual and the dish was quite filling. And, of course, we shared a Pistolette for dessert ... always a good meal when stopping in at Evangeline Cafe!

This was my first visit to Evangeline but not the last. This is a hidden gem in a strip mall. When you step inside you're transformed to the bayou. The decor is very Cajun. The staff is friendly. I ordered frog legs for an appetizer and jambalaya with potato salad for my entree. The frog legs were delicious! The jambalaya was delicious and very authentic as I have lived in Louisiana and know the real deal. The potato salad was creamy and delicious. The sweet tea was just about perfect. The portion sizes are large with very reasonable prices. The service was fast and friendly. If you like authentic Cajun food or just want to try it, this is the place to go.

Really good food. I recommend the stuffed redfish. Our waitress was super friendly and the atmosphere was fun. The staff was very friendly. We would definitely eat here again.

My daughter is a South Austin foodie who tries lots of places and this is her favorite restaurant. Went for dinner Saturday evening and it was excellent. There were people outside waiting for tables - no reservations taken - but the turnover is quick and we only waited abt 15 mins for a table. The gumbo was great; a dark, smokey roux with lots of sausage and chicken. I ordered a cup, which was actually a small bowl, plenty for an appetizer. My crawfish etoufee was a large bowl full, lots of crawfish, and was excellent. Good crunchy toasted bread for sopping. I wanted to get bread pudding for desert, but too stuffed. Next time. Julie T our waitress was so sweet and efficient and checked on us several times despite being very busy. Our food came out fast. A great place. I'll be making more trips from North Austin to explore the menu and dine here.

My husband, two friends and I had dinner at Evangeline Café on a Friday evening. We arrived at 6:15 and there were 2 tables available. The restaurant is small, somewhat noisy and crowded. We ordered Gator Bites ($9) for appetizer. That was delicious. My husband and I ordered Seafood Gumbo ($15) and our friends ordered Stuffed Redfish ($17). We loved our meals. Our waiter was very helpful and friendly. This is definitely our favorite Cajun restaurant in Austin.

Seems like the place never changes but the food is always great. Today we had gator bites then I had the Alligator Sauce Piquante and she had the Stuffed Redfish. FInished off the meal with Pecan Praline Pistolettes. Everything was tasty and delicious ... the gator was quite tender and we couldn't have eaten another bite if we tried!

I took my wife here for a little get away from the kids on a Saturday night! We were not disappointed! I had the Hank Williams special which was excellent! The jambalaya it the perfect balance of all the ingredients! The sausage wasn't greasy or overpowering! They have a good choice of beer and the wait staff was spot on! The place is decorated in the swamp sense of old sign and stuff animals but don't let that sway you. A good meal is around the corner!

The food is outstanding, as is the service and ambiance. There is live music on the weekend which is so much fun, but it's loud. Really loud for such a small place. I could eat my way through the menu. The only thing I wouldn't reorder is the pork chop - it was dry and flavorless. When I mentioned this, the server was very understanding and offered to comp and replace it. Class act.

I have eaten here several times, but I had dinner here on 02/20/17 and I must say it was very good. In particular, the service was GREAT. A great big thank you to both staff. Very attentive. I had the chicken fried chicken. Not the best nor worst I've had. It was satisfactory. My girlfriend had shrimp with fettuccine. Better, perhaps, than mine. This place is generally packed, so get there early. Recommended!

This is a fun place especially if you have dinner when they have music. The menu offers lots of food and it is reasonably priced. I wish my food was a bit spicier. I selected the seafood gumbo.

This is my kind off place! A super casual place with great food. I had a cup of the gumbo(it is really a bowl :-)) Fantastic way to start a meal. Its spicy and flavorful. For the main course I had the catfish mocque (sp?) EXCELLENT!!! They have Abita beers to complete the New Orleans type experience. They have music every night they are open except Saturday. The group the night we were there sounded like a New Orleans group. The servers are great. Very attentive.

Dropped in with a party of 8 about an hour after a UT football game on a Saturday night (they don't take reservations). Menus and a wine list were provided immediately, and drinks were served promptly. This is not a "New Orleans Elegant" restaurant; it's a Cajun place in a strip center in laid-back Southwest Austin. Think New Iberia or Abbeville instead. The orders at our table included po'boy sandwiches, alligator piquante, Maw Maw's chicken and sausage gumbo, stuffed redfish, fried oysters, and more. Everyone was complimentary; I can vouch for the oysters. Plenty of crunch and just-right spicy seasoning in the batter, nice-size, fresh-tasting oysters inside. The place was busy, as usual, but service was attentive. Prices are moderate. Not our first trip, and won't be our last.

I am not a New Orleans foodie expert, but the food we had at Evangeline Cafe sure looked, smelled and tasted just like what we had in New Orleans. Absolutely wonderful! The po boys were generously packed and delicious. It was our first visit to Austin, so we readily accepted a recommendation for this restaurant gem that is off the beaten path. The locals know! Our first lunch was so good that we had to go back a second day. Unfortunately we couldn't get there in the evening for the live music. Service was prompt and friendly; prices are very reasonable. Decor is fun! Evangeline Cafe does not disappoint!

My fond memories of Evangeline Cafe came to an end last night, when I had dinner there with my family after 4 years. While the service there has always been slow, the food was pretty good...until last night. My wife ordered the "special" which was a combo of gumbo, jambalaya and a crawfish pistolette. The dish was so bad, my wife had to switch with me. While the gumbo and jambalaya were mediocre at best, the crawfish pistolette was terrible. It was warm on the outside and cold on the inside. I told the waitress it tasted like bad frozen food. She explained it was one of the few items on the menu that are frozen. The waitress brought me another crawfish pistolette, which tasted even more freezer burned after one bite. We live in Austin, which has some great restaurants that serve freshly prepared food. To serve a bad crawfish frozen pocket and call it a special is just wrong on so many levels. Evangeline can and should remove the item and make it fresh.

Looking for reasonably priced seafood during a trip to Austin. Neat little place and very crowded on a Tuesday night. The food was great, our waitress tried but she was over worked. Live band with Cajun music.

This is a tiny little place that rocks. Abita beer, regular and jalapeno boudin, 3 or 4 kinds of hot sauce that's just to get you warmed up. Etoufee, gumbo, just like you had growing up. They have a pan fried red fish that is to die for. Oh, the fried pork chop, lawd. With a side of okra and tomatoes, awesome okra and tomatoes homemade with bacon drippings. Don't leave without the bread pudding, share that puppy. Love, love, love me some Evangeline's.

If you like Cajun food you should eat here. If you want to eat here you better get there early. We were lucky and arrived before the rush hit. It was my first time to ever have Cajun food. The food was delicious. As an appetizer I recommend having the Stuffed Pistole. I almost cancelled the rest of my order to have more of them. We also had Gator Bites(first time eating gator). Not too bad. I had the Catfish Dinner(I know, not very adventurous) It was served hot and crispy. The tartar sauce and cocktail sauce were great with it. My friend had the Crawfish Evangeline. She said it was fantastic. For dessert we had the Pecan Pistolett. It was divine. I would eat here again.

We went here for lunch and were thrilled with what we received. The red beans and rice were incredible and the fried catfish were seasoned and fried perfectly, being so good they melted in your mouth. The potato salad was also fantastic. This food tasted just like something you would get in Louisiana. You will not be disappointed.

Great experience all around . Nice atmosphere , spot on service and the food was just what I needed. I had the Hank Williams platter and gator bites washed it down with the house red. The wife had a bowl of seafood gumbo and the red fish. House red went well with that as well. As we were killing this crazy pecan desert deal the band started up. At 10:00 on Fridays they go al speak easy and bands play.

Evangeline Cafe has great cajun food an great value. The restaurant has neighborhood feeling. Live music, great food and cold beers. Chef/owner Curtis Clarke made me feel right at home and welcome even though I am an out of town business traveler. I will recommend Evangeline Cafe to anyone visiting or living in the Austin TX area.

Have talked to many that have eaten here before that are from Cajun Country and they say this is really authentic. No small portions, get ready to take some home or share. They do have baskets with smaller portions but why would you want to get less of this great prepared from scratch food. From appetizers to dessert you can't miss and the service is spot on fast and furious. This is the consummate hole in the wall dive, AWESOME in all aspects. Ordered the fried catfish and I have prepared and eaten catfish in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and this is by far the best catfish I have ever eaten

Evangeline Cafe continues to attract locals and tourists alike, especially weekend evenings featuring their signature Cajun specialties and nightly live music. Considering the fact that Austin is a day's drive from Breaux Bridge or Lafayette, the Gumbo is darn pretty good. Red beans and Rice, Jambalaya, Fried Shrimp, Oysters and Catfish, Boudin, Hush Puppies, and all the trimmings will make you almost think you are deep down in Cajun country. This illusion is perpetuated if the band on board features an accordion in the key of C. (The only thing missing is a sawdust dance floor!) Evangeline's is a fairly small bistro with only a couple of dozen tables, so do come early if you want to avoid any wait time. The wait staff is very friendly and easy to talk to. Reservations are unnecessary and they are closed on Sundays. Prices moderate + depending on what you order, and attire is Austin casual. Ahhheeee! Tim High Austin, TX

Evangeline Cafe has a great ambiance and really good Cajun food. I ordered the chicken and sausage jambalaya for lunch from their very reasonably priced lunch menu and the amazing Miranda's Pecan Praline Pistolette for dessert. I forgot to take a picture of the meal but have a picture of the delicious dessert! It appeared that there are a number of regulars at Evangeline. If you are looking for some tasty Cajun, Evangeline is the place and save room for dessert!!

Lovely place, people, food -definetly best Gumbo in Austin- and live music. What els can you ask for?

.Ten of us went there, a few for the first time. I was one of the new ones. I was impressed with the crawfish ettouffe, it was as good as I've had in La.. Everyone in the party was pleased with their meal. The young lady singing was an added bonus. . I would The bill was reasonable. I would go back again if I visit Austin. in La.ew and was very pleased with the cajun/creole menu. The crawfish etouffe was as good as I've had

Small place, and they are busy enough as it is, but must say .... Good food, good people, unique setting, reasonably priced ... one of my favorites, the favorite of my Wife. A setting where "the more you look, the more you see". Everything we've tried is very good to excellent. Even the iced tea stands out! Never had reason to put that in a review before! Recommended.

Ordered fried shrimp/fries. Yum! Good seasoning. There were cajun items, burgers, and sandwiches on the menu. A very lively restaurant. Music at night during the weekend. Atmosphere did have a New Orleans style.

Stopped here the first time while exploring the area around our new neighborhood. What a great find! Located in a nondescript strip mall off Brodie north of Slaughter this small local joint is big on some great food that is not the standard fare of the area (Mexican or BBQ). Since our fist visit we've been back and I am slowly working my way through the varieties of p'boys. I recommend the avocado or grilled catfish with Evangeline sauce with THE BEST homemade potato chips I ever had. Ingredients are very fresh. Hubby really enjoys the Mulfaletto sandwich. They have a limited but good selection of beer. And the environment is casual funky. Staff is friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable. If you are looking for something a little different when in this part of town, I highly recommend checking this place out.

I came here by mistake, punched in the wrong address on Garmin and didn't realize my mistake until after I ordered a glass of wine and looked at the menu. Ha! The place was packed! I felt lucky to get a seat at the counter/bar for 1. Obviously a popular place. Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of Cajan/Creole but I did find a portobello mushroom burger which was tasty. Just a humongous mushroom on a traditional hamburger bun with standard hamburger toppings. Reasonably priced 5.99 for burger and $4.50 for house wine. The service was very friendly and very fast so I'd recommend to anyone looking for Creole food. Fun music playing too. Sometimes live music I think.

Fun little place kind of tucked away in a strip mall. But the food is good, the atmosphere is fun and casual, and the service was VERY good. I had the fried catfish basket with a cup of chicken and sausage gumbo. The catfish was hot, clean tasting, and crunchy (just like I like it). The dirty rice was the best I've ever had. And the gumbo was lip-smacking good. The others in my party had crawfish etouffee which he said was very tasty and the pasta dish which was delicious (yes, I tried it). It was all very good and enjoyable. I will return with the Hubs! This is his kind of food and he will enjoy it.

I'm not sure why it took me so long to find this place? Perhaps because it is tucked in a little strip mall. Inside though the atmosphere is cozy and cajun. We ordered the veggie gumbo and rather enjoyed it. We'll be back to try more.

I had lunch today at Evangeline Cafe, around 12:45pm. The place was busy but servers manage to take the time to explain, and check with me often to make sure that my first visit was a good one. Even though I was helped by more than one person, I must mention Sasha whose patience, and time made this a great experience. I should also mention that food was good. :-)

Small place in a strip mall, very busy but got seatted right away. Service was great. Food was very good. Will return again if in the area.

Authentic New Orleans dishes, from cuisine to Cajun. Boudin, RB&R, po-boys, thread thing onion rings. Make you wanna slap u mama!

Wonderful surprise in a little strip mall. It is delicious! Nice change from all the BBQ we had in this visit. Definitely recommend!

I forgot who recommended Evangeline’s, but God bless you. If you want authentic Cajun food, this is it. We’ve been 4 times and it feels like you are walking into a local’s dive in N’Orleans. Absolutely amazing. Owner has a band and plays zydeco music. The entire menu is killer! Had their chicken fried alligator with cream gravy and white rice. My better-half had crawfish etouffee. You would have thought we were making a porn movie from the sounds coming from our table. If you go, go early. It gets crowded and there’s a wait at 6 pm. 5 STARS!

Great food and service! Very nice little spot with fantastic gumbo. Almost as good as we make at home. (not vey many places get this distinction) From everything that I saw that was delivered to the tables around us, it looked consistently great. Nice find for a place not on the beaten path.

I was in the mood for spicy crispy Cajun. I got the fried spicy chicken I really enjoyed my.It was fried to perfection. I enjoyed my dinner salad with homemade ranch dressing. My husband enjoyed his sea food gumbo. He actually said it was amazing.

This was a great little place to eat. It isn't fancy (not even close) but the food is excellent and the prices are great. We both got étouffée, and it was delicious. The place was packed but we didn't wait too long. Definitely will be returning.

Other than the Cypress Grill, this is one of the very few places in Austin to get really great cajun food. It's a small venue that's always busy most nights. So busy that I think they need to expand if they can. First, order a Abita beer, which is made in Louisiana (hey, why not go for the total experience!). Then, order the redfish, topped with their cajun spices and seafood. Your eyes will pop out when you see this. The service is always very good and prompt, which makes sense for such a small place. If it's packed, don't worry, because the tables turn over very fast.

Good big scrumptious food!!! We had gumbo, crawfish, oysters, and redfish. All delicious and very filling. There was also a band that our son enjoyed!

It's a small tiny little place be prepared to wait but it's worth it. The food is good, the service is decent, I don't think I've ever been there and not seen the owner.

Middle of week birthday dinner so I knew where I wanted to go-Evangeline Cafe. Wonderful selections of cajun food in a cozy atmosphere with live accordion cajun music and wonderful attentive staff - what more could you want. Perfect for that "wanna go somewhere different and good" feeling. Good gumbo, boudin; good everything! And then as a birthday treat they brought out a pecan pistolette-Wow. The only bad thing was I had to share it with my wife. We will be back soon.

My favorite restaurant in Austin! Great food - the Maw Maw's Chicken And Sausage Gumbo is awesome! Service is fantastic! Live music, cold beer, great people. I love this place! Will be back some day.

We started with a delicious boudan appetizer. This was followed by seafood gumbo. The gumbo was made with a great smokey roue. For almost $9 for a small bowl, I expected it to be full of seafood but it wasn't, The fish poorboy was good. The menu said that the French bread was made in house. It was good bread but lacked the crustiness of true French bread . The muffelatta was stuffed with cold cuts and cheese but the oyster and crawfish poorboys were on the skimpy side We were there on a Saturday night and the place was full. We lived in New Orleans for 35 years and I miss the food so I will give Evangeline another try. I stretched to give them a four rating but it was better than a three (maybe 3.5)I

This is one of my favorite places to eat when I lived in Austin. I was visiting in November and decided to go and meet my friend. Yes, it was still the best. I had a shrimp and oyster basket and it tasted excellent. They continue to be the best!

My husband and I went to Austin for a quick anniversary get away. We wanted to find a mom and pop style places to eat and I researched the places and this is what we chose. The Cajun food was the best we had in a long time. My hubby went for the platter and he ate every bite. He told me over and over again the crab cake was out of the this world. I had the gold band. This is suppose to be a hot spicy dish. They did make it mild for me and I thought I could ate another bowl even though I was stuffed to the gills. We highly recommend eating here.

Another location Austinites have fallen victim to in the fad of "hole in the wall" places. The food and atmosphere was terrible. It does not deserve the rating or reputation that it may have deserved years ago.

Great meal! Frog legs and pistolettes for appetizers. So very tasty. Red beans and rice were expertly done. Catfish dinners were grilled to perfection. One was grilled and the other had a corn chowder and crayfish mix on it. Unbelievable taste! Must stop if you like Cajun!!!! Met the owner. Nice guy! Service was excellent and prices are good. Will go again. Thanks!!!

I've been here many, many times for the food, beer, and music. It's laid back, fun, and I've always had great food. The proprietor is from Lake Charles, LA and he does Cajun food right. You're likely to happen upon good music most nights f the week. It's worth the trip down Brodie for a cold Abita and a po'boy ..or jambalaya, étouffée, or any number of other things.

This is my default neighborhood restaurant. The Cajun food is authentic. Other menu items (burgers, chicken fried steak) are also good. Curtis, the owner, is often mingling with customers to ensure everyone's satisfied. If you've been ther more than a few times, he probably remembers your name. I usually get gumbo...seafood or chicken/sausage. Never left hungry.

We were visiting our friends for the weekend & came across this little Cajun place nearby. Totally worth the money for the lunch specials. Great crawfish too!

By name and recommendation from family, expected Cajun café. The café décor and menu was very Cajun. However, the music was country (which I loved) but not Cajun which I expected. The service was very slow. I asked a waitress twice (not ours) to help me and she just ignored me. For the price, we did not get enough food. On the upside, everyone thought the food was very good. I had the sausage & chicken gumbo and this was some of the best I've ever had.

Evangeline is a neighborhood unpretentious delicious place to eat. Traditional Cajun food is on the menu and it is well prepared. The restaurant is small and service efficient. If you are lucky, there will be music that adds to the atmosphere. Gumbo, jambalaya, grilled or broiled shrimp or catfish, all very good. Gator bites are also on the menu. A great place for lunch or dinner!

I recently was in Austin, visiting a friend, who has lived there her whole life. I'm a Yankee from the Eastern part of the USA, who happens to love Cajun/Creole food. There is just no place to get it here. I asked if we could try some spicy Cajun/Creole food during my visit and she took me to Evangeline's. I knew it was going to be good because my friend has never taken me to a bad restaurant anywhere in Austin. I just didn't expect it to be as good as it was. We ordered a mixture of a few things that she wanted me to try: fried pickles; yuck, I thought, but they were delicious, Po-boy; my first one ever and really good, Gumbo; this is what I really wanted to taste, authentic Gumbo! Spicey hot and delicious and lastly, Etuefee; WOW!! Was that a surprise. Never heard of it, but I'm going to try making it myself because we don't get these foods in New England. So, I can't wait to go back to TX and Evangeline's. It doesn't look like much from the outside on this little strip mall, but inside is loaded with character and atmosphere. Wear your boots and your jeans and you'll be happy you did. Enjoy!!

So I grew up in Louisiana and I'm a tough critic for anything Cajun or Creole. Having said that, this place is pretty good. I had the chicken and sausage gumbo (very good), red beans and rice (very good) and a small shrimp po-boy (only ok). The shrimp was cooked and seasoned well and the Evangeline sauce (like a remounted) was excellent, but the bread which is critical to an authentic po-boy was totally off (dense and cornmeal crusted). That makes it a shrimp sandwich, not a po-boy. Several places in Austin have the authentic bread so I would stick with other menu items here. I also got a muffaletta and crawfish étouffée to go, both of which were pretty good. The muffuletta was tasty, although smaller than I would expect. I will say the price was reasonable for the smaller version. All in all I would come here again, but my go-to fix for authentic Louisiana good will still be Cypress Grill. Their gumbo it's a slightly darker roux which I prefer and they do have authentic New Orleans bread (as does the Crawfish Shack in Southpark Meadows and Stuffed Meat Market off Brodie).

Go hungry and early, place fills up fast. Good music, good people, good beer. Try the red beans & rice & etouffe.

This place never disappoints. Great for business lunches. Seafood Gumbo is awesome but if your dining light try the Evangeline's Salad w/ the house dressing.

Evangeline is truly a Cajun rage. We had pistolets and lunch specials. Food was fresh and tasty. Shrimp and fried oysters were excellent. Cafe is in a shopping center but once you get inside it looks like you are in Cajun country.

Only in Austin, where there is such a plethora of great restaurants, would a place as good as Evangeline not be in the top 20 restaurants on Trip Advisor!!!! We stopped here for a Friday night dinner at 7pm. The place was packed, and we still only waited 10 minutes for a table. As per Trip Advisor reviews, we tried the fried pickles (YUM!), the house made chips (YUM YUM), and then on a whim I ordered the frog legs. They were so moist and tender, piping hot, with a super tasty spicy breading...Wow! I had the stuffed red fish, and my wife had shrimp Étouffée. Both were outstanding. Thanks Trip Advisor for another gem!!!

The soft shell crab poboy, Oysters Contraband, Gumbo, Crawfish Etouffee, Jambalaya....etc., are spectacular!!! One place everyone who likes Cajun/Creole food should visit. Having spent years traveling to New Orleans and Louisiana on business, this place is the real deal!!

The Evangeline Cafe was an unexpected surprise. I searched on Tripadviser for a good family seafood restaurant in south Austin and this one popped up. It is hidden in a strip center, where one normally driving would never see. Even though we had had my daughter's two young children the staff was friendly, the food very good and live music was playing as we left. This is a cozy neighborhood place I will return to.

Great place for New Orleans quality food. Love the Shrimp Po'boy with skinny onion strings! Great Gumbo! and perfect iced tea.

They serve amazing food & service & entertainment. I would go back again. Their dessert is soo yummy!!!

My family and I moved from New Orleans about 4 years ago and could not bring ourselves to try any of the "Louisiana inspired" restaurants in town. Just didn't want to be disappointed. Friends finally talked us into going to Evangeline the other night. My wife had the boudin and I had the crawfish pistolette starters. The boudin was good with the right amount of spice. The pistolette was deep fried with a great outer crunch, but the inside was cool. Nice flavors and a good amount of stuffing, but should not have been that cold. Had an obligatory Abita Amber. Main courses included stuffed redfish, crawfish ?(creamy sauce with crawfish over linguine), alligator sauce piquante, and an oyster po-boy. Creamy crawfish dish was good, like crawfish Monica of Jazz Fest fame. Alligator dish was rich with tomatoes and a deep red color, but just a bit too much Tabasco flavor. The po-boy was good, but my God, I miss Zipp bread. I think that the stuffed redfish was the best dish of the night. Slightly blackened on the bottom with some savory notes. On a down side, it was crowded. It is a tiny space. I asked for a second beer when my entree was served. I never saw that second Abita, but at least I was not charged for it. I was asked if I wanted Jalapeno mayo, regular mayo or Evangeline sauce on the po-boy. I asked for regular mayo with the Evangeline sauce on the side, just so I could taste it. I never got the Evangeline sauce, so can't judge it. I am offended that a true Louisiana joint would offer jalapeno mayo as an option. Sure, we are in Texas, but, be true to your roots if you open a Louisiana restaurant. Would I go back? Sure. Would I ever order anything with jalapeno mayo? Never.

Don't be distracted by the strip mall location ...Evangeline's is a slice of New Orleans once you open the front door. Fantastic cajun music and visually stunning! I felt like I was back in NOLA. The menu is comprehensive featuring both cajun and creole food. Our waitress Molly was fantastic - even introducing us to the owner when she found out we were in Austin for my husband's 50th high school reunion. They reminisced about musicians they both remembered from his formative years in Austin. It was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon - highly recommend!

These are dishes I've tried and so has my hubby. Well, let's just say it. He can't get passed their oyster poboy, because it is that good. I've had their etoufe, gumbo, fried shrimp (best I've ever had!!!) and fried alligator. If we treat the hubby out for a birthday meal or just want to do something for him, we go there. He will have a grin on his face immediately. Outstanding!

The food was surprisingly delicious! Have tried a couple other cajun restaurants in town, but this one was the best. If you don't mind a loud environment, and you enjoy live music while you dine, give this a try...

Love this place. Went with a friend and he says "They cook Macque Choux just like my grandma. I had catfish. Thick and fluffy rather than thin and crispy - this is important. Get the Evangeline sauce with it. You'll be VERY glad you did. I've been here before - one other thing you need to know - These guys know how to deep fat fry an oyster.

Had lunch with friends from work. The oyster contraband was yummy. The sauce on the oysters was delicious. I had the jambalaya - it was kind of dry like it had been microwaved in order to heat it up. The sausage in the jambalaya was dry and hard. The red beans and rice was good.

The service was attentive and we wanted for nothing except for maybe seconds or take-out of our tasty muffulettas and shrimp and soft crab po' boys. Food items that were supposed to be cold like the salads were cold and crisp and the hot items were hot. Imagine that. The breads on the sandwiches was were made in house, a welcomed touch. We topped off our meals with pistolettes, , warm pastries somewhat like beignets,filled with chopped pecans and drizzled with warm caramel sauce and powdered sugar. Very delicious and affordable food in a small typical Cajun type restaurant. You will not be disappointed here. One thing though. I did not appreciate a broom being run over the top of my sandaled foot because they were sweeping the floor while we were eating! I don't think that diners should experience any sweeping going on around them while eating. That is low rent.

I love Evangeline. Great Cajun but be prepared to wait. It's not large so it's quite intimate. Great music too. Its worth the wait.

Just had lunch here and really enjoyed it! It’s quirky and fun. I had the po’boy sandwich and fries. My son loves the stuffed cheese roll. Good prices and great service.

Evangeline Cafe is a cultural experience in Cajun food. The setting is bar like and very small in a strip mall...but don't let that deter you from trying it out. Their food is authentic and just like you would get in Baton Rouge or the Big Easy. I enjoyed the red beans and rice and the favorable cajun fried shrimp. The etoufei (I mis-spelled that) is really, really good. Check it out...you won't be sorry!

We love Evangeline’s! The food is authentic and the service is always excellent. If you’re looking for great Cajun food, as well as a comfortable dining experience, you won’t regret eating here! They have a great lunch special as well.

We stopped for a late lunch at 2:55 pm on a Saturday. Their lunch special runs until 3:00 pm. By the time we perused the menu it was after 3:00. I asked if the lunch special was still available and was told yes. What a pleasant surprise! Most places cut you off the minute the time period expires. There was four of us and we all ordered something different. All the food was fresh and very tasty. I had the fried catfish poboy with redbeans and rice. It was a great bargain for $7.99. The place is very eclectic and casual. The waitstaff was very good.

Stopped into this strip mall location for a late lunch. Cool little spot with very friendly staff, cool enviroment, and excellent food. Had the Crawfish Etoufee, which awesome with acold Abita Beer. Definitely will stop back.

I come here every Wednesday when I visit Austin to see the Peace Makers and grab a bite! The Band is amazing and the staff is super friendly! On top of that the food is great. Having travelled over the south the cajun and creole really holds up well! :) Would definitely recommend!

The outside of this cafe can't begin to match the atmosphere inside and the great food. Don't let the strip mall fool you, these people know how to cook. We went on a week-day lunch time and opened the door to a packed house. It was worth the wait for a table and watching the locals. Will definitely go back.

In all fairness, this was not the kind of food I wanted for dinner. I'd been making some poor food choices the day before and that day, and I wanted to stay away from fried or creamy food. Pretty much everything I saw on the menu seemed to fit that description. We had an order of hot wings for the table. The flavor was good, but, oh man were they spicy. I can handle spicy, and these literally burned my lips. But, again, the flavor was amazing. For my meal, I ordered a salad and red beans and rice. There was nothing wrong with the salad, but nothing was great about it. But, hey, it was crispy and fresh and that was all I was looking for. You know, some vegetables in my life. The red beans and rice were so-so. They were barely lukewarm when I got them, and somehow had spice with little flavor. Not sure how that happens. It was almost like it hadn't gotten to sit long enough or sat too long? Not sure. All I can say is that I wasn't impressed. That said, with the exception of cold meals, everyone else at my table loved their meals. That's why I can't in good conscience give them a bad rating. My Dad said the gumbo was up there with the best he's ever had. And my sister said her fish was perfectly cooked. This is a super popular restaurant, so I'd say to give it a try and see what you think. I know I plan to give it another shot.

The food is great here but I often find myself avoiding it because it is carb heavy and usually fried. I'm trying to eat a little healthier nowadays! When I wasn't going for a healthy lifestyle, the catfish poboy was absolutely delicious! The owners really care about their establishment and it truly shows. However, the best part of this place is the blues scene every Wednesday night! Worth the $5 cover. Some of the best blues you'll hear in Austin.

Ate here quite awhile ago and did not send in review. Had been told how good it was by friend from Louisiana and would concur in spades. Restaurant is in small strip center and can be easily missed unless you are looking for it as it is set back from the street. Don’t judge a book by its cover. It is smallish and a bit cramped but well worth everything about it. The food is fantastic. Wished we lived closer. If you like Cajun, you will love Evangeline Cafe.

Obviously a popular place to go in south Austin. Went there w/ another couple on a busy Thursday night. Got there right at 6:00 and got a table. Couple had po boys and we had redfish special and shrimp dinner. Bill averaged only ~$16/person. Live music was performed. Good food and reasonable prices, but you'll wait for a table if you arrive after 6:30.

On a very cold night we brought guests from New England to this small, cozy restaurant. Live music, a common occurrence in Austin, added to the ambiance. We started the meal with gator bites and stuffed pistolette for the table. I found the gator bites a tad chewy but then I had never tastes gator. Though chewy, they were good. The pistolette was delicious, this is basically a roll stuffed with shrimp and crawfish in a cheese sauce. Our party had broiled catfish, Crawfish Evangeline, Jambalaya, gumbo and Etoufée. Each dish had it's specific spices which brought out unique flavors. Desserts were amazing and the beer selection worthy of a fancy downtown restaurant.

I have been looking for a restaurant that had good Cajun food and just found it. I enjoy my crawdads(mudbugs) and to my surprise this restaurant offers them several ways. Along with fried pickles hmm. My wife had the muffalato and my son had the fried shrimp. All were good, the batter was just right and not too greasy. Beware the servings are huge. Take your appetite.

The place is small and sometimes may have a little bit of a wait, but it is ALWAYS worth it!!! Love the red beans and rice and the crawfish etouffe!! They have a nice selection of cajun hot sauces to top of your dish. My son likes the gator. The french bread pistolettes are always yummy.

Evangeline's was a great little restaurant in a strip mall outside of downtown Austin. The Cajun flavor was strong in the decor, the music and the food! I couldn't help but observe great management - all the staff moved fast and filled in for each other. Nothing here was fancy, but the food was very tasty, served timely and hot, and the beer was cold. The live music was the reason we came and was very good. The whole vibe was fun and lively - no regrets about spending an evening here.

If your looking for authentic Cajun style cooking in the Austin , Tx. Area, head south of downtown to Evangeline's for everything from poor boy sandwiches to crawfish étouffée. They pack a crowd at lunch and dinner and offer live music in the evening as well. I went all the way and had the seafood dinner and it was fantastic. The wait staff is friendly and although they had a packed house the food came out quickly and hot and tasty. I would definitely go back, if only to try their seafood gumbo.

Evangeline's was recommended to my 17-year old daughter and I when we said we wanted gritty Austin not mainstream Austin. When Google maps directed us to a strip mall we almost balked and went looking for something else. Soooo glad we didn't! You feel like you walked into a hole-in-the-wall music bar and the food makes you believe you'll step back out onto Chartres Street. We had a refillable sweet tea, a glass of wine, crawfish-stuffed pistolettes, avocado stuffed with crawfish salad, étoufée AND bread pudding for $38. Live music starts at 7pm most nights. Servers made us feel like we were their favorite customers.

Their crafts pistolettes are delicious and addictive. If you like sweets, the Praline pistolette has a warm caramel drizzle and dusting of powdered sugar. The bar is tiny, the hospitality is unparalleled. Most likely you will meet the owner Curtis. He is the real deal, a Cajun from Lake Charles. You will see photos of many famous people on the walls. If you go for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday there will be a live band playing music. This is one of my favorite places in Austin.

We were not looking for a fun, rowdy restaurant with live music. We were looking for a real New Orleans/Cajun restaurant to satisfy our craving. Coming from Louisiana and New Orleans, regularly cooking our Cajun dishes at home and recently having some of the best Canjun dishes at The Real New Orleans Style Restaurant (TRNOSR) in Marble Fall, we came to Evangeline Cafe in full gear and loaded with highest expectation due to the glorious review on Tripadvisor and Yelp. The outcomes were so opposite (consistency? Bad day in the kitchen? Not my type of Cajun food?) that we had to pick up our pieces and went back to TRNOSR the next day. The restaurant is located in a small shopping center with somewhat limited parking spaces before 6:00pm (more reserved parking for other businesses during their operating hours). It is small, crowded and definitely wouldn't be a good choice for group more than 6. The service was not as attentive as we would like since everyone was tending to our table (also means that no one was tending). We often had to wait for request or raised hands for attention. We ordered the following dishes: Crawfish Etouffee: Grade 2.5/5. Very few small crawfish, very little sauce, too much rice. The sauce was bland, creamy with not much seasoning and crawfish flavor. Portion was small. A cup of seafood gumbo ($8.99): Grade 1/5. Almost not eatable. 2 shrimp. Some tiny pieces of crab. Few small pieces of chicken. Tasted like if someone had a happy hand with the rouge and accidentally put to much in the gumbo. Bitter. Sour. Gator bites: Grade 3/5. Very average. Lack the seasoning but not dry. Fried crawfish: Grade 2.5/5. Tiny crawfishes wrapped in a thick coat of flour. Not much seasoning. Not crunchy. Alligator Sauce Piquante: Grade 3/5. The sauce is reasonable. Very few pieces of alligator meats. Just Sauce over rice. Portion is small and the 2 people in our group who ordered this were still hungry after their meal:-). Jambalaya: Grade 2/5. Mushy rice. Not visually delighted. Chicken and sausage were difficult to be located. Speedy's Catfish with crafish macque choux: I modified my order and changed the macque choux to etouffee (surcharge). My review is based on the etouffee and not macque choux. Grade: 3/5. Catfish was ok. Lack of seasoning for my taste and the etouffee was as reviewed above. Kids meal: kids meal was cheap. $3.99 with a drink. My kids had the sausage links and they they didn't rave about it as they did with the sausage I bought at Costco. They were slightly spicy for their taste. Bread Pudding: Grade 1/5. Where do we start? 2 huge pieces of pudding for $3.99. Dirt cheap. But it tasted like thick, solid piece of over bearing bread and sweet. We like our pudding soggy and moist in rum and buttery taste with some raisin (like TRNOSR). This was probably the second biggest disappointment. There were people waiting and we felt like we we rushed to leave. Unsatisfied. We went back to TRNOSR the next day. We did, however, enjoyed the live music at the restaurant.

I knew nothing of this place but my cousin, a Austin resident did. The food was great and They had live authentic Cajun music to boot. Service was excellent. Leave your tuxedo at home this is a jeans place. They have outdoor tables if you are so inclined. This place is the real deal......Cajun cooking and music.

Evangeline Cafe is the closest thing to real cajun in Austin. It's run by a guy from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and local cajuns occasionally work there. It's been there for years and keeps getting better. The chicken and sausage gumbo never tires the tongue, and the poboys are also excellent, as they bake their own bread. On regularly scheduled days, they have good local music, and there's occasionally a cajun band that performs, but even the local country music is good.

First of all, get there before 7:00PM to get a quick seat, but staff were very nice in getting four of us seated relatively quickly. The food was excellent, particularly my seafood gumbo. Just spicy enough for my wimpy self. Redd Volkaert and Floyd Domino we’re doing an early duet set. In my opinion two of the best Country musicians in the country. Staff were very friendly and parking was fine. This place is on the South side of Austin, so it’s about a 20 minute drive from downtown. But, well worth it. This is a place that musicians frequent so there’s no telling who you may run into there.

Don't let the exterior fool you--the food here is really good. The pistolette with crawfish was amazing! We really enjoyed our meal. If you're into bread pudding, be sure to try it for dessert.

Second time eating at Evangeline Cafe. My visits were 2 yrs. apart as I no longer live in Austin, but if I still lived here, I would have visited more often. The food is awesome. Waitstaff is great and on the spot with drink refills, just all around great service. My review would be 5 stars, but the new "gender neutral" bathrooms leave much to be desired and smelled strongly of urine. I think we may be dealing with this unpleasantry more and more given the gender neutrality designation. The fact is...men's restrooms always smell horrible. Now, they all will. Please go back to "his" and "hers". Thanks! (Or you might consider devising a schematic to print out and hang in the restrooms showing the proper way to use the toilet so the urine doesn't splash everywhere.)

Does not make Cajun. We really looked forward to trying this place. And walking in, we were encouraged by the quirky clientele, the good service, the roadhouse feel- Unfortunately we then ordered food. Big old froglegs- tough. Flavorless. Stuffed Pistole- stuffed with no flavor. Chicken fried chicken smother in a white substance that hadn't even a shake of salt or pepper { the chef should wander off to Whip In to find out what a flavorful white sauce tastes like }, and stuffed redfish, which I was assured by a customer at the next table was one of their finest offerings. Again, a very bland and disappointing item. I should have brought my bottle of McCormick's cajun seasoning with me, but who would have thought?

We went here to try a local place when we were visiting in the area. My wife and I both ordered fried shrimp with a couple of sides each. The server repeated the order back as "one catfish and one shrimp" and my wife corrected her that we BOTH wanted shrimp and she then repeated the order back correctly. When the food arrived, we both took a couple of bites of our heavily cornmeal-battered shrimp and were thinking "this is really strange shrimp" when my wife said, "this is CATFISH!" We called our server over and she looked at us like we were crazy and she didn't believe that we had really ORDERED shrimp. She offered to bring new shrimp plates. My wife decided to keep hers since she likes catfish. My shrimp came in a few minutes. The server was friendly... just seemed not to be able to keep a simply order straight. The food was average or below in my opinion. Nothing special about the shrimp or catfish.

Great Cajun food! Very authentic. Red beans and rice very good! Husband tried the gator bites and liked! He also had the shrimp po boy which he said was very good. Great service!

and the best cajun food in town. great spot for a beer and some good live music while you chow down - try the roast beef poboy and thank me later.

This is neat little place our daughter introduced us to in South Austin. Having lived in New Orleans for a few years, I really love the Louisiana cooking and Evangeline's does it right. Cold beer and hot food makes for a good time.

Been hear twice this mounth !!! I have found a great Cajun food . In my 2 vist heat I have gumbo twice alligator bites were very good with white sauce , hank William platter was very good with jambalaya crawfish pie and Fili gumbo who what a hit.well be back!!!!!

Dined in on a wednesday around 8pm. There was live music and the restaurant was at capacity. Food was good. Service was friendly. Definitely has a French Quarter NOLA feel with the band playing. The restaurant is kinda noisy, making it difficult to have a normal conversation, and since the restaurant is small, having a live band adds to the noise factor. I liked the band, wish the restaurant was a bit larger to accommodate the band and a few more tables for additional diners! ;) We ordered Poboys all around the table. They were pretty good. One thing, the wait-staff hovered around our table and were very quick to clear our plates, while still chewing our last bite, they were clearing our plates, making us feel a bit rushed to eat. I actually had to ask them to leave the plate as I was still finishing my dinner with 2 bites left, everyone else had just finished their meals. But I'm a bit of a slower eater I guess! LOL

It is really odd, but this Cajun place has the BEST chicken fried steak! The batter is crunchy and really good. It even stays crunchy overnight. Fries are tasty as well. They are in a small strip center and are often times really crowded but they have live music on certain nights. I definitely recommend.

hidden treasure around brodie ln...outside, you won't even expect that it is a restaurant with band setup on it. i do love new orleans' dish and i can say their version of creole paired with abita was the best! thumbs up as recommended by a good friend.

Stop in for lunch with my daughter. She had the salad with cray fish and I had a burger combo. Price was good, food was spot on and the service was great as always. Thanks for a great lunch experience.

This little hidden gem is tucked into a strip mall, but don't let that fool you! When I walked in on a Thursday afternoon, it was packed! (always a good sign) I ordered the fried oyster po-boy and a cup of gumbo. The food was wonderful and the price was excellent! Lunch specials offer up true Cajun and Creole cravings for a reasonable price. I'll definitely be hitting this place up again! A+

Nice casual atmosphere, friendly service and live music. Some reasonably tasty food helps too! Good fried pickles, jambalaya, stuffed pork chop all got good feedback from our group. Fair prices. Would return.

Super fun, crowded little joint. Good cajun food. A bit tough to find but worth the trip. Was quite busy and music started pretty early. Just like being in New Orleans.

We had a cup of gumbo (chicken and sausage) and a fried shrimp Po Boy for lunch. The Po Boy was good, but not great. However, the gumbo was the real deal. The best roux outside of Louisiana. This small restaurant is located in a strip mall, and is not fancy, but the food is great. The service was fast and friendly. It also had quite a variety of beers, although we did not try any. I highly recommend seeking out this restaurant if you like Cajun food.

My wife and I ate the frog legs, boudin, and a crawfish pasta dish. Overall the food was good, out of these the frog legs were my clear favorite. The pasta was bland and the boudin was primarily rice, we get boudin direct from Louisiana so I may be a little spoiled. For cajun food there wasn't as much spice/flavor as I am accustomed to. Our server and the other employees were all very friendly and attentive. It's pretty cramped inside but there are some tables outside when the weather is nice which would be more pleasant. Neat little place and I have a feeling we didn't pick their best dishes, next time I will ask the server for recommendations if we return.

I love it all. The boudin, gumbo, red beans and rice, redfish, pistolettes...seriously it's all good. The waitstaff is always friendly and the Abita always goes down cold. The owner is from Lake Charles and the food tastes like it. This is the most genuine cajun food in the whole city. I can't be more clear about this...Evangeline is my favorite restaurant.

Meet my son for lunch to check out this restaurant and found the place to relaxing and with a Cajun atmosphere. The service was prompt and friendly. I ordered with catfish poorboy and the bread had a nice crunch and the catfish was season just right with excellent taste. The jambalaya was spicy delicious the red beans and rice reminded me of good Louisiana cooking. Overall it was an excellent meal and service.

The chaos of New Orleans and the weirdness of Austin with good solid Cajun cooking. What's not to like? The only downside is that it is located in an unlikely spot in a strip mall. Eat inside and get over it.

It’s close to Mardi Gras and getting that early feeling for Cajun food. This place one of the best sources for Cajun cuisine. It lunchtime and get here around 11:30 AM to find a huge crowd for Friday. However was able to be seated near the bar. This place is not big but when the weather is good you can be seated outside. I ordered a Abita Turbodog beer and Speedy’s Catfish w/Crawfish Macque Choux (mock-shoo) from the menu, and a half order of O-Rings as an appetizer. The atmosphere is like entering a portal to the deep parts of Louisiana. Soon my beer and o-rings show up. The onion rings are thin and fried in a tasty crispy batter. A special sauce is served for dipping it into. It is also very good and has a unique flavor. A half order is enough for two people to eat from and it just delicious. Not too long my food arrived and my catfish was a decent size covered with a Cajun sauce. I had this before and after one bite tasted as good from the last time I was there. The fish was soft and had lots of flavor to it. The sauce was similar to gumbo was extremely good. I enjoyed all of it. The staff makes you feel welcomed and if you enjoy excellent Louisiana food then this place is for you! They also have music here too so check their website for a schedule.

We ate here on the referral of a friend. I was skeptical of a cajun restaurant in a strip mall. Looks can be deceiving. It was great! The food was excellent and the service was, too. The desserts.....all were so good I dream of them to this day. With all the food choices in Austin, this one could be easily overlooked given the location and the placement on the review boards. However, it is a hidden gem. I look forward to my next trip.

The foid was good but the server seemed to act like I was bothering her. It was somewhat crowded, as it is a favorite neighborhood hangout. However, it took a while to get the "Po Boy" and drink. Parking is a trick since it is located in a strip mall.

The food is excellent, service was very good. One of our friends Johnny Moeller was playing there with a band so he advised us don't miss the good food here. He was so right and the waitress is so friendly and came back to ask us if we needed anything else. Someone would fill the water or tea glass without being asked. If we are ever in Austin again I'm going back to order the shrimp. If you order a sandwich you can get home made chips and they are extremely good with a special sauce served on the side. It taste a little like thousand island but not that either. If you go to hear live music at 10pm there is a reasonable cover but the food is worth the trip whether you go for music or not.

Came in a group of 7. Small place with not a lot of tables but definitely worth the wait. We ordered the boudin as an appetizer and we all loved it. Best I've had in a long while. Kids meals are not too big. The lunch portions are just right. I had fried shrimp in a basket and it came with 6 and fries. The cocktail sauce was great. The others in my party had the gumbo and they loved it as well. There is supposed to be live music at night which might get a little loud in such a small place. Overall, great place and food!

If you're staying in Austin and want a rowdy, fun, casual restaurant with great food, this will definitely satisfy you. It's about a 20 minute drive from downtown. Always seems to be crowded with families, couples, and other groups. I had a delicious cup of gumbo and a spicy soft shell crab po' boy and enjoyed every bite. Others in the party had smoked pork chops with pecan pesto, crawfish etouffee, the red fish special, and lots more gumbo. Everyone was full and happy. The music was loud but excellent and added to the overall atmosphere of a rocking Cajun spot. We were prepared to wait but were seated within 10 minutes.

Told by hotel staff a great 'hole in the wall'. May give that impression; it doesn't appear to be in a great location or super nice but it has great appeal with great food and music. Food was mildly spiced even when menu said 'spicy'. Would definitely return if back in the area.

My husband and I had the oysters on chips appetizer and the Boudin. We both loved them. We carried our dessert Pistolettes out. Really good. They had a Cajun band tonight

If you are in the usual tourist locations, then you are far away from Evangeline Cafe. This strip mall Cajun restaurant is not located anywhere famous, but it sure is delicious. In our recent visit, I had the Hank Williams platter and my wife had the fried shrimp with dirty rice. Both were excellent. Good live music is frequently on hand, so check the website. An Austin original. Great food.

GATOR BITES.. you need to try them! This is tucked away in a strip mall...but is a real gem. I admit I am not an expert in southern cooking, but the items I tasted were delicious. Red beans, rice, po boy sandwiches... All were delicious. Service was very very good. Inside is noisy, so if that's a problem ask for an outdoor table. Prices reasonable.

Terrific local stop with a great menu and wonderful food. Friendly service, too. Owner is from Louisiana and brought his cajun creativity to this Austin cafe. Best beef poboy sandwich I've ever had. My friend had the shrimp poboy and loved it too. Lots of other Louisiana choices on the menu. Its a little bit off the beaten track from the heart of Austin, but well worth a little drive. Live music offered, too!

Nice, comfortable atmosphere and pleasant staff. The pistolette was awesome! Great etouffee and fried crawfish as well. I can't want to go back and explore more of their menu.

Food was amazing! Server was so polite and answered all of our questions. We all shared our meals and they brought out extra plates without us asking. They were very attentive. Fried catfish was the absolute best!

We tried the Shrimp and Crawfish Étouffée and it was really good. Fried pickles for the appetizer were also great. We went on a very busy night...Friday night before Valentine's Day, and were seated in about 20 min. We will be back! We have been eating out in Austin for years and just found this place. Wish we had found it a long time ago. All of the wait staff were very friendly and helpful.

Great food and service. This place runs like a fine tuned machine. Don't expect fine dining rather a great Cajun meal.

Curtis knows Cajun food, and Evangeline Cafe delivers it in a small, authentically decorated space. Free, live music most evenings. Staples include Boudin, Gumbo, Etouffee, fresh seafood and more. Blackboard specials. Beer & wine. Get there early or wait for a table.

Small place in a strip center. They have some combos that allow you to try portions of several items (gumbo, crawfish pie (empanada) or ettoufee. I'm not a hardcore cajun but it was good to me. Reasonably priced also. Great wait staff.

Neighborhood restaurant with personality. We had the shrimp creole and crawfish etouffée. It was good but not remarkable.

A great place for music, food and drinks. LOVE the jambalaya. The food is great, the staff attentive and friendly, the beer is cold and they serve Community coffee with the desserts. I love heading over here for food and a couple of beers. Acoustic and electric bands and solo artists.

Good Cajun food. Po boy's are various and taste great. The jambalaya is fantastic. The staff is hard working and polite. Nice indoor seating with a few places outside. Beer is cold. Really like this place.

Based on other reviews we tried this place for the first time when we brought our nephew from Michigan here for a Saturday lunch. The guys ordered shrimp, jambalaya, chicken, and gumbo. I went the chicken fried steak route. None of us were disappointed. Our waitress was very friendly and we got our food fast. My husband and I shared the pecan pistolette dessert and loved it. We will definitely go back.

A restaurant in a strip shopping center away from downtown Austin? You bet! Great Cajun food. Authentic Cajun atmosphere. Even live Cajun music on certain nights. It is a great place to experience the true " Keep Austin Weird" scene.

I've heard about this place for years. It is highly recommended by people who like good Cajun food. Having had experience elsewhere (see my review of De Happy Cajun) as well as a former fiancée who was purebred Cajun, I feel I have a good sense of Cajun. This place comes closer than the wannabees who just serve one or two Cajun style dishes that I have tried. On my first visit I stayed in the appetizer column, because there were several I wanted to try. The chicken and sausage gumbo was passable. The gator bites were excellent. And for only the second time in my 50 some years, I tried frog legs. My vague memory of the first time was it tasted like muddy chicken. This time was much much better. A bit too much fried chicken coating, but still a very pleasant taste. Gotta go back soon to sample the entrees.

This is an interesting spot with great atmosphere, a real neighborhood joint. Folks will spill out onto the patio dining, and there's live music. The food was good; family chose the catfish, po' boy and the jambalaya, which was a little disappointing. The service was great, and I think we'll be back!

This place is a roller coaster. The gumbo, mediocre at best. The signature dish, crawfish with cream and pasta... Outstanding! Frog legs, some of the best I've ever had! Alligator nuggets... Excellent! Shrimp po boy... Average Alligator sauce picant...very good Pickle chips... Very good If order well... You eat well... 4 stars

Been driving by this place for years, and because it was cajun, and I don't particularly like blackened or cajun spices, I wrote it off as a local place to eat. Now, four years later, I'm sorry I wasted so much time before trying it. Good lunch specials! Decent prices and a surprising Louisiana atmosphere in a tiny strip center. It's a hidden gem in South Austin. You feel like you are in a totally different place once you walk through the doors. It's small, intimate and usually bustling. I've seen the parking lot full most days and evenings and always wondered why. Now I know. I ordered the chicken fried steak and rice with gravy. Good flavor, generous portion. My Love ordered the cheeseburger with cajun fries. Juicy, flavorful, home-cooked taste. The bread tasted a little old, but once the grease saturated the bun, it was fine. They have breaded shrimp, oysters, po-boys, and other cajun fair. It was still almost full at 2pm, and it looked like everyone ordered different things, so no big favorite was noticeable. The poorboys didn't look as good as the other dishes coming out of the kitchen, but most of the plates were eaten clean. Waitresses were happy and friendly. My boyfriend has been coming there for awhile and so when we walked in the door, they brought over his tea and asked if he wanted his "usual." Nice touch. Makes you feel all Mr. Roger's neighborhood friendly, in a cajun-friendly kind of way, of course. : )

My husband and I frequently eat here, and always leave happy. The atmosphere is fun, the service is friendly, and then the food! I usually go for lunch and get the shrimp po' boy with a side salad. My husband rotates which po' boy he gets, but never leaves without eating a link of boudin, which he says is outstanding. I have also gone for dinner and had some delicious entrees. When the bill comes at the end of the meal I am always blown away by how reasonable the food is. High quality food at outrageously reasonable prices, Evangeline Cafe is not to be missed!

Walk in and think...."There's gotta be a back room....." - how can such a small place pack such a bang?! The food is unforgettable, the atmosphere takes you on a road trip to the bayou, the music confirms you're in Austin, & the overall friendliness of this little cafe in a strip mall in south Austin makes this place GREAT. Owner/chef Curtis is an old friend BUT if this review wasn't true, I just wouldn't have posted anything! Do yourself a favor and go. I had the oysters, but friends ordered all over the menu. They loved it all. I wanted to eat off of everyone's plate! You can also tell Curtis treats his staff well - the ones I spoke with had been with him for years - not a common occurrence in the food service business. Way to go, Curtis. You did it. Thanks for a great evening.

When you come upon a restaurant in an unassuming shopping center, expectations tend to be low. If you're heading to Evangeline Café, start raising those expectations right now. Upon entering, you're in a Cajun wonderland. With the decorations and music you feel like you've entered a roadside café somewhere between Lafayette and New Orleans. The menu is full of Cajun favorites. You can't go wrong with the boudin or gator bites for an appetizer, and make sure you get a cup of their authentic gumbo. If you're in the mood for a sandwich, grab a Po-Boy. For something a little more involved, scroll through their extensive Cajun and Creole menu. I love the Alligator Sauce Piquante. Look for a night when there's a live music!