In addition to Texas and Louisiana sharing a border and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, they also have a connection via the history and influence of New Orleans cuisine in Houston. Louisiana is known for its Cajun and Creole delicacies, but it is actually estimated that Houstonians consume more crawfish during a year’s time than the entire population of Louisiana.
There are several reasons why there has become a more established Louisiana influence in Texas, but many point to the resurgence being rooted in the relocation of residents of the Pelican State amidst Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With this influx of individuals from Texas’ next-door neighbor came a surge in a deep-rooted love for New Orleans cuisine.
Notable Chefs Who Brought New Orleans to Houston
One woman who contributed to the movement of New Orleans cuisine to Houston is Ella Brennan. She started with humble beginnings working in her brother’s bar in the early 1940s when she eventually worked her way up to the opening of Brennan’s in the French Quarter in the mid-1950s. Ella eventually established a restaurant with her sister, Commander’s Palace, in the late 1960s. She and her family went on to eventually play a role in the Brennan’s location in Houston.
The late Ella Brennan had a vision that made her restaurant ventures wildly successful, and she worked with high caliber individuals such as Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme to bring New Orleans cuisine beyond the city limits.
The late Paul Prudhomme once worked for Ella Brennan at the Commander’s Palace, proving Ella had a knack for finding elite Cajun chefs to execute her culinary visions. Eventually, Prudhomme left to make his own way in Cajun cuisine by opening K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in the early 1980s. Paul traveled often and made several visits to Houston over the years, and with each visit he converted a steak and potatoes loving Texan to craving the fresh and uniquely Cajun dishes he was famous for creating, with blackened catfish being one of his specialties.
Ella was also responsible for bringing the top Cajun chef Emeril Lagasse to the Commander’s Palace after Prudhomme left to go out on his own. It didn’t take long for Lagasse to become famous in his own right, and he eventually opened a string of restaurants in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Miramar Beach.
While Emeril does not currently have a restaurant in Houston, Emeril’s restaurant in New Orleans opened a pop-up at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston in April of 2024. Limited seatings offered an opportunity to taste Chef Patron E.J. Lagasse’s elegant Cajun delights while enjoying some soothing jazz music.
While these are three of the greats that played a significant role in bringing Cajun delicacies beyond the Louisiana border, because of their contributions, many others continue to carry on the Cajun tradition in Houston.
Finding Cajun Seafood Cuisine in Houston
Thanks to the creative efforts of Ella Brennan and the culinary skills of Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse, Cajun cuisine is not just alive and well in Greater Houston, it is thriving.
As part of the tradition of enjoying a fine Cajun meal is gathering around the dinner table to enjoy fine food with friends and family, some restaurants like 7Spice Cajun primarily offer takeout options which allow people to enjoy an authentic Cajun meal in the comfort of their home with those that they love.
Some of the top Cajun entrees to consider ordering the next time you host a meal include:
- Easy Peel Shrimp
- Catfish Tenders
- Crawfish
- Etouffee
- Red Beans and Rice (with or without sausage)
- Sausage
- Snow Crab
- Tilapia Tenders
Don’t forget some savory sides for your guests including:
- Boudin Balls
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the Cob
- Garlic Toast
- Hush Puppies
- Red Skin Potatoes
- Rice and Fried Rice
- Sweet Potato Fries
And while it technically does not count as a side, don’t forget the Remoulade sauce, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce to add an extra kick to your meal. If you have kids eating with you who do not appreciate these sauces, Ranch can be a great option to include as well. To accommodate family and friends who do not enjoy seafood, Cajun chicken tenders are a great option.
The history and influence of New Orleans cuisine in Houston is a colorful one, just like the array of spices used in Cajun dishes. Texas takes pride in doing many things bigger and better than anywhere else, and authentic Cajun cuisine is another item to add to the list.