The Bayou — Restaurant in City of Mount Vernon

I live in Yonkers. My wife and I have the usual 2-3 restaurants we habituate. But whenever we get bored with them, we suddenly remember and simultaneously shout out, "The Bayou!"

Bayou is a unique experience. Don't take Mom and Dad, or your first date. You first walk into a tight, rowdy bar. Not long ago, hundreds of bras hanged from the ceiling but someone woke up and that dubious singularity is gone. But the place still rocks in a slow rolling way as regulars feed the digital juke with Louisianan blues.

Take a right into the dining area, which is not very glamorous. Sports sport the several TVs erroneously giving you the impression that any restaurant with a TV can't have very good food. That impression would be wrong.

The food is so good, you find yourself stuffing it down way too fast and, needing a breather, you look up to see Aaron Judge belting one into the cheap seats.

Go hungry. Real hungry. Start with a bowl of gumbo. In fact, if you're with someone else, SPLIT the bowl of gumbo (the waitress generously puts half into two bowls, and it's excessive for an appetizer). Big juicy shrimp and gator bits (Bayou flies the genuine ingredients from jazzland.) fills your soul, doncha know.

A wide assortment of drinks and beers are available and though I'm partial to hard cider, my wife found the wine refreshing.

Before we finished the gumbo, two big bowls of (included) Cajun salad came to douse the fires. And a wedge of corn bread for me, which disassembled itself on my tongue like a delicate arpeggio of flavors.

Then, onto the main course! For her, Southern Fried Chicken, which, to me looked good enough for day-after seconds. So I ordered the Jambalaya. Oh my, darlin'! Big fat, juicy chucks of pork, chicken, andouille and smoked sausage, served in an upside-down parson's hat-shaped bowl where just the shallow part was enough to make me wanna slap my mamma, and throw down the plastic!

Yes, we ate much more than we should have. We waddled out to the conveniently parked car on the bridge over the Cross County (no parking meters) with a large bag of take-homes warm between my knees.

Next evening, a Bayou redux! And I was right about the chicken too.

Don't miss at least one trip to The Bayou. Ask for a wet rag to wipe the table - some things ya just gotta do by yourself. The waitress will thank you with a bit o' extra gumbo I tell ya fo'...

There was a time when I liked the Bayou. My friends and I would go there during happy hr for the bomb. But I've realized that the friendly service has veered off a bit. One thing is that the owner is not that friendly and is very aloof. He talks to who he wants to talk to...which is not good. My friend and I were sitting at the bar for a while...he didn't even acknowledge us. Although he came behind the bar and passed us plenty of times...he refused to make eye contact or even say hello. It wasnt crowded either. As an owner, you want to make sure your guests are enjoying themselves...you asks if everything is okay. As stated...we weren't even acknowledged. Also there was a little boy (probably his son) working behind bar making drinks...he looks around 10 or 12. I guess he feels he's been there for a long time so he doesn't need to show any form of hospitality. Im big on customer service and this place as certainly strayed away from it. There were other things that has happened within the last several months of me going there. However...this last time was the last straw and I refuse to give this establishment my money ever again...since they could care less. I dont like establishments where they act like they're doing you a favor. I'd rather go to Alvin and Friend's in New Rochelle. At least the owner acknowledges and is friendly to ALL of his guests...as an owner should be. Plus he is so nice and accommodating. I'm done...

Anthony took care of us with a smile. Everything he recommended, we ate.

The fried chicken, all dark meat meal with mash potatoes and cornbread was awesome. The catfish was so delicious we saved half to take with us.

The Muffaletta sandwich is one of the best I have ever had. Incredibly flavorful with so much meats, melted cheese, and the bread dipped in their secret sauce.

Red velvet cake and Chocolate mousse cake finished off the meal.

I have over 59 Million views of my reviews.

👉I highly recommend this restaurant for their selection of food. Definitely has a mom-pop Bayou feel.

👉 NOTE TO OWNER: We came around 2pm and the music was blasting so loud that it gave us a headache. Anthony understands customer service and reduced the volume. The bartender kept blasting the music over and over again. The louder the music, the louder customers have to yell to be heard. At 2-3pm there's absolutely no reason to blast music.

Please mind the music in the day time when it's those who just want to have a relaxing meal. Bar goers at night is a whole different set of customers. Let everyone have a chance to enjoy your awesome food.

🎶 On Thursday evenings, they have special activities. Weekends brings live music 🎶

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