Dallas-Fort Worth is about to get a new Cajun restaurant concept with the first location already locked in. The Lost Cajun is a family-friendly restaurant focused on Cajun food and hospitality, and will make its DFW debut in early 2018 in the beautiful city of Mansfield, with more in the wings.
Founded by Louisiana native Raymond "Griff" Griffin, The Lost Cajun serves traditional Cajun fare with a down-home atmosphere and Southern hospitality-style service.
The menu includes a variety of gumbos, from seafood to chicken and sausage to vegetarian. Yay, vegetarian gumbo. There's red beans and rice, crawfish etouffee, lobster bisque, and jambalaya. There are also beignets for dessert.
The "down-home" atmosphere has a hole-in-the-wall vibe, with wooden tables, unique decorations, and a playlist of Zydeco music. The chain features an open kitchen, a reference to the wooden counters in Louisiana's gumbo houses, so that diners can watch the food being cooked.
There's heavy emphasis on the courtesy and respect commonly associated with Cajun culture. Staffers are encouraged to say "please," "thank you," and "you're welcome." Patrons can hear this interaction: Server: "Order in, Chef." "Thank you, Chef." Servers address patrons using "sir" and "ma'am." So much polite.
The Lost Cajun was founded in 2010 and began franchising in 2013. There are a dozen locations in four states, with more in development.
Located at 1530 E. Debbie Ln., the Mansfield location is in the same shopping center at the corner of Matlock Road as Sprouts and Hollywood Feed. It's being opened by husband-and-wife Michael and Nancy Young, who come from the corporate world. Residents of Midlothian, they always wanted to open their own business and were fans of Cajun food when they discovered The Lost Cajun chain.
A company spokesman says that the restaurant will open in early February 2018, and that more DFW branches are soon to follow.
