Down The Road To Cajun Kitchen

Cajun Kitchen

After posts that featured good BBQ in Hattiesburg I would be remiss if I didn't mention good burger joints in town. So for this blog entry I'm going to introduce you to a little known hamburger restaurant down the road. It is one of Hattiesburg's best kept secrets and it's within walking distance from my house. Yes, I'm that lucky!

Located directly behind the Cloverleaf Mall in a building that years ago was a Hardees, Steelman's Cajun Kitchen is the home of the best home made hamburger in our little city.

Simple Menus on Paper

First let me say I've never seen a Cajun in the joint. In fact it's run by a Korean man and his family. And Cajun food isn't necessarily their main course. They make great burgers and have a good selection of seafood too. Oyster and shrimp PO-boys are a special treat along with their Chinese plates like fried rice.

I think that is what makes this place special, you can get an assortment of different foods and all of it is good. From catfish to burgers their cook has mastered it all. Cajun Kitchen does a lot of lunch business but closes at seven pm so get there early. No fancy back lit menus, most of it is scribbled on paper and posted behind the counter. If they add something to the menu or change a price, look for it there.

Seafood plates, chicken, sandwiches and salads, you can't go hungry in this part of town. Just about anything you want they have it. But burgers is why I go there. They will build it anyway you want. This is not a franchise, you get a huge slab of meat and plenty on your plate.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

It's the kind of burger you need a few napkins for, cause the burger juice will run down your arm and puddle under your elbow as you eat it. Real food made the way you would make it at home. Ketchup, mayo and other sauces are available at the counter where you pick up your meal. Including yummy Cajun spices.

The onion rings at Cajun Kitchen are to die for! Real onions fried and battered in house and served hot. These are huge and you get plenty of them. Plus some of the best Sweet Tea and Cola's you may want to wash it all down with. Or you can choose fries and have them add cheese to the burger. I should also mention their po-boys are superb as well. And you can get a burger on a po-boy bun that's even bigger!

Seafood plates are scrumptious with all the extras. You can even

get real cajun gumbo in a bowl! Walk in or use the drive through to get access to burger greatness. If you dine in, you'll have several tables to choose from. As I said, this place seems to be a well kept secret. I've never seen the joint full and most of the time I spend my dinner hour alone in the eating area.

Around lunch though you will find the place busy. Many of the local's consider this one of the best restaurants to grab quick take out or spend some quality time winding down from half a day's work. However since it is located on a street hidden behind the mall, many people do not know about it.

So, if you are driving around town looking for a good burger don't head out highway 98 west, drive your ride over to central Hattiesburg and drop in on the Cajun Kitchen.

As Andy Griffith from Mayberry would say, "It's Extreee Goood!"
Drop by, have a burger and be sure to get plenty of napkins. ;)