Cajun seafood cuisine has made its way to Monterey Street in the form of Crawdaddy’s. The restaurant has been open for four weeks, but a grand opening has yet to be set.
Hannah Croft
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“Comfortable, affordable, fun and yummy.”
That’s how owner Jon Kim describes Crawdaddy’s, the new cajun seafood restaurant.
Crawdaddy’s has been open for four weeks, Kim said, and they’re currently working with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce to schedule a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening.
Until then, the restaurant, located in the building that once was Vallarta’s Mexican restaurant, is working to get its sea legs.
“We’re trying to work out as many kinks as possible before the grand opening,” Kim said.
Kim attended culinary school and had been working as a sushi chef in Templeton and Paso Robles until he sold his sushi restaurant in 2013, with the intention of opening a Cajun seafood venue in San Luis Obispo.
Larger cities have Cajun seafood restaurants, but San Luis Obispo County was lacking in a place like Kim’s until now.
“I like Cajun seafood, but I don’t want to drive two hours to eat it,” he said. “So I thought a place like this would do well in San Luis Obispo.”
The restaurant caters to all ages, Kim said. Large groups are also easily accommodated. He described the atmosphere as casual and comfortable, with a nautical, Mardi Gras theme.
But Kim does stray from the traditional Cajun spices sometimes, he said. As a sushi chef, he fuses some Asian spices and flavors into his Cajun cooking.
“It’s not like it’s Chinese food or anything,” he said. “But there’s definitely some Asian influence.”
Crawdaddy’s does maintain the traditional family-style eating of Cajun dining.
“In the South, you dump a bunch of seafood on a table covered in butcher paper and you go to town,” Kim said. “Everyone gets all dirty and messy. It’s part of the experience, and it’s really fun.”
Crawdaddy’s promises a fun and affordable dining experience, Kim said.
The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. and will continue their soft opening until their grand opening date is set.
“You know it’s gonna be a party when you get here,” Kim said. “You’re going to have a good time.”