If you have ever wondered why Houston loves Cajun food, the answer is a combination of influence, geography, Southern Cajun hospitality, and heat (from the spice and the weather). Just like Houston itself is a melting pot of influences, so are the reasons that make Cajun food a favorite cuisine.
Since Houston is warm from late spring to early fall, it is not unusual to see families and friends gathering together and celebrating with seafood boils or crawfish dinners. So, in a place that is largely known for its steaks and barbeque, how did Cajun food become a Houston staple? The answer to this question has been a story in the making for hundreds of years.
Geographical Reasons for Houston’s Cajun Food Scene
In the mid-18th century, many Acadians from Nova Scotia were exiled when they refused to pledge their allegiance to the crown. Many of these individuals relocated to what is now the Southern United States and brought their Cajun influence with them. From this point forward, Cajun food became a claim to fame for this region.
Almost a century later in the 1840s, Cajun food finally made its way west to Texas. In fact, it is estimated that more than 360,000 Cajuns live in Texas today, with many of them calling Houston home.
Cajun Transplants Become Houstonians and Share Their Influence
In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina battered the coast of Louisiana. Levee failures resulted in unprecedented flooding of the region. Thousands of people were displaced due to flood waters and lack of electricity, among other key issues.
Following the storm’s wake, those who had a home beyond repair or no home at all to go back to, made their way out of the state with many choosing to relocate to Houston temporarily. Only, for many, what was intended to be temporary became permanent.
When those impacted by Hurricane Katrina made a mass exodus to Houston, they proudly brought their Cajun culture with them. They enriched Houston cuisine with a decidedly Cajun flair, and residents ate it up—both literally and figuratively.
Cajun Food Brings Family and Friends Together
An important time-honored element of the Cajun food tradition is bringing family and friends together to drink, eat, and enjoy each other’s company. This is something Houstonians can really get behind.
For some, these gatherings include cooking authentic Cajun seafood with all the fixings, including hush puppies, Boudin balls, corn, gumbo and more. While the cuisine is delicious, if you plan to host a large group, expect to spend much of the day cooking for your celebration.
If preparing a Cajun feast is not something you want to do (or know how to do), but you still want to host, consider ordering all that deliciousness from a Houston Cajun restaurant such as 7Spices Cajun. This allows you and your guests to enjoy all the shrimp, snow crab, catfish, crawfish, corn on the cob, fried rice, coleslaw, potatoes, bread, and more without any of the preparation work in the kitchen.
Most reputable Cajun restaurants will offer chicken on their menu for those who do not like seafood, and they also offer lightly spiced options for younger taste buds that don’t care for the heat.
Whether you cook or order Cajun take-out in Houston, consider setting up a long table so everyone can dig in to all their favorites while still enjoying each other’s company. Cajun gatherings are known to last for hours and are so much fun for all that they often became an annual tradition.
One of the reasons why Houston loves Cajun food is that residents are always up for some good food eaten side by side with good friends and family.
Houston Is Flavor Central
From barbeque to Tex-Mex, Houstonians are known for their strong love of flavor. You won’t find many bland food lovers in this group. Thanks to Cajun food’s deliciously strong and zesty flavor, it is a natural fit for Houston’s love of food.
Some of the spices typically incorporated into Cajun seasoning include:
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Paprika
- Red Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Celery Seed
- Thyme
When used together, these spices can really give your meal a kick and your mouth something to smile about.
If you live in Houston and have never tried Cajun food before, what are you waiting for? Ordering 7Spice Cajun is the easiest way to enjoy a Cajun seafood feast without spending all day in the kitchen, allowing you to enjoy food, friends and family with minimal effort.