A new Cajun and Creole restaurant is set to open Saturday in downtown Tuscaloosa, marking the third local concept from restaurateur Pete Zimmer.
Cajian, a counter-service eatery inspired by Indianapolis-based Cajun chain Yats, according to the Tuscaloosa Thread, comes from the team behind Ajian Sushi, a popular downtown restaurant co-owned by former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron.
For his newest location, Zimmer collaborated with Paige Blankley, a New Orleans-born Cajun food truck operator, according to social media.
Cajian will open for business at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on 2008 University Boulevard, Suite A in Tuscaloosa, according to a Facebook announcement.
Zimmer, a Culinary Institute of America graduate with 42 years in the industry, operates Ajian, which celebrates its ninth anniversary next week, and Daq Shack, which turned two Wednesday.
Efforts to reach Zimmer for comment were not immediately successful.
Like Yats, Cajian will utilize a quick-casual model where customers order at the counter, receive a number and sit down while their food is brought to them.
The menu features four different étouffées made from scratch in house.
Two gumbos are available: a Creole-style chicken and sausage with tomato and okra served daily, and a dark-roux Cajun seafood gumbo offered as a weekend special.
Po’boys and debris fries round out the core offerings.
Rotating specialty nights will feature jambalayas, crawfish and shrimp boils, fried gator and other dishes.
The restaurant also offers vegetarian and low-carb options, plus loaded teas from a Louisiana company available in 20 varieties to take home.
Alcoholic beverages will be added once the state liquor license is finalized, according to Cajian’s Facebook page.
The drink menu will include three flavored daiquiris, a ‘Lil’ Boozie’ King Cake spiked milkshake, beer and wine.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on Aug. 10 to add a link and citation to an article by Tuscaloosa Thread that was used as a source in this article.
Dining and Cooking