New Orleans Spotlight: Mulate’s The Original Cajun Restaurant

Mulate’s, often called “The Original Cajun Restaurant,” in New Orleans offers an immersive experience that blends authentic Cajun cuisine with the lively culture of South Louisiana.¹

What Makes It Unique

Mulate’s is distinguished by its commitment to preserving and celebrating Cajun culture, particularly through the combination of:²

• Live Cajun and Zydeco Music & Dancing: The restaurant features live Cajun music nightly, encouraging guests to get up and dance in front of the bandstand.³ This interactive element creates a true “Cajun dance hall” atmosphere.⁴

   

• Authentic Cajun Cuisine: The menu is rooted in the traditional recipes of owner Kerry Boutte’s mother, Ida Boutte, a renowned Cajun cook from Arnaudville.⁵

   

• A “Trip to Cajun Country” Vibe: Located in New Orleans, the restaurant brings the food, music, and joie de vivre (joy of living) of the bayou country to the city.⁶

   

• Artistic Decor: The walls are famously lined with artwork, including an impressive collection of pieces by Louisiana artist George Rodrigue (known for his “Blue Dog” series), with whom the founder grew up.⁷

   

History

The concept for Mulate’s originated with Kerry Boutte, who grew up in the small Cajun town of Arnaudville, Louisiana, appreciating the authentic cooking of his mother.⁸ After traveling and seeing connections between his Cajun culture and the communal food and music traditions of places like Europe, Boutte envisioned a place to share his heritage.⁹

• The Original Location: Boutte first opened Mulate’s in 1980 in a small building in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, not far from his hometown.¹⁰

   

• Music Integration: After initially struggling for customers, Boutte began featuring local Cajun musicians like Zachary Richard.¹¹ The addition of live music, coupled with a space for dancing, was a turning point.¹² Mulate’s is credited with helping to launch a revival of Cajun music and bringing the culture into the international spotlight.¹³

   

• Expansion to New Orleans: Seeing an opportunity with the 1984 World’s Fair planned for New Orleans, Boutte worked to bring Mulate’s to the city, introducing its unique dining and dancing experience to a wider, international audience.¹⁴

   

Highlight Menu Items

Mulate’s menu features classic Cajun and Creole dishes.¹⁵ Highly-rated items include:

• Zydeco Gumbo: A roux-based soup featuring shrimp, sausage, chicken, and okra.¹⁶

   

• Crawfish Étouffée: A traditional Cajun dish of peeled crawfish tails smothered in a stew, served over white rice.¹⁷

   

• Mulate’s Jambalaya: Chicken and sausage smothered with onions and rice.¹⁸

   

• Mulate’s Cajun Catfish: Often served fried or blackened.
• Mulate’s Famous Bread Pudding: A highly-praised dessert, often served with a butter rum sauce.¹⁹

   

• Appetizers: Popular starters include Grilled or Fried Alligator, Lump Crab Beignets, and Zydeco Meat Pies.
• Specialty Drinks: Their signature cocktails include the Hurricane and the Zydeco Tornado (rum punch).²⁰

   

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback often highlights the overall lively atmosphere and the authentic cultural experience.

• Ambiance: Diners frequently rave about the fun and energetic ambiance, particularly when the band is playing, noting it’s a perfect spot for families and friends.²¹

   

• Food: The cuisine is often praised as delicious, well-spiced, and authentic, with many customers appreciating the variety of Cajun classics.²²

   

• Service: The staff is generally described as friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable.²³

   

• Dancing: The opportunity to dance to live music is consistently cited as a major draw and a memorable part of the experience.²⁴

   

Significant Events

While Mulate’s is primarily known for its consistent offering of nightly live music and dancing, the restaurant’s history includes:

• Cajun Music Revival: Its pioneering decision to feature local Cajun musicians consistently is a significant cultural event, helping to popularize and revive the traditional music genre.²⁵

   

• World’s Fair 1984: The strategic decision to open in New Orleans around the time of the 1984 World’s Fair was key to spreading the word about Cajun food and music to a global audience.²⁶

   

• Celebrity Visits: Over the years, the restaurant has attracted numerous visitors, including celebrities, such as a documented visit from Bob Dylan.²⁷

   

• Events Venue: The location includes a separate Party Hall to accommodate large events, often hosting corporate and convention groups looking for a unique New Orleans/Cajun experience.²⁸

   

Restaurant Information