Creole Soul — Restaurant in Des Moines

We did take-out because of this heatwave that just hit last week. Good thing because there wasn’t any AC in there. Their online ordering was a bit jenky. There were things on the regular menu that weren’t in it. Turns out they have a rotating menu of seasonal offerings, which is a bonus good thing in my mind. There was jambalaya (which would’ve been heavenly, if I had gotten it—it was missing from the order when I finally got home), but no potato soup or bread pudding that night.

Even though the atmosphere felt like it was 80% humidity on top of the 88° heat, the vibe in there was so chill, I stopped for a drink. I knew my catfish was getting soggier by the second, but I was investigating. The owner was in tonight and did the cooking himself. What a character! Seriously funny guy. Sharp, but busy with trying to sweet talk his joint into a couple of new bartenders—good help is hard to find these and harder to keep. But another local wandered in and sat down at the bar with a few other younger ones outside in the shed out front. It would’ve been my kind of place if it hadn’t been that hot that afternoon.

For all the disbelievers out there, “spicy” does not need to hurt. There’s probably plenty of Tabasco or Crystal around for folks who like to punish themselves on a hot afternoon. But the food didn’t need it. It was really flavorful—I could taste the garlic, sweet paprika, black and cayenne peppers and a dash of cumin in the cornmeal flour of the jalapeño hushpuppies. My husband ripped through the chicken and shrimp gumbo, which he gave me a taste of—and there was real sassafras filé in that. Truly the real deal like I had when I lived in Louisiana.

Couple of things that would’ve made things nicer—other than getting chicken and andouille jambalaya—the online ordering needs a place for SAUCES with the frieds—I was disappointed when I couldn’t see if they had genuine creole cocktail sauce. But there’s no way to add it to the order. No place to add a comment or anything. The owner asked me if I saw the 20% off coupon on the site (NOPE). Like I said, jenky. (Yes I shoulda asked for the sauce when I was there, but it was 85° inside and I just had Elijah Craig—not 2 things I associate with thinking clearly.) The phone interface could’ve been much friendlier here in Seattle techland, but it wasn’t.

But hey, it’s 3 blocks from my house. I’m sure I’ll get another shot at it—and the jambalaya—soon enough. I saw beignets and bottomless Prosecco mimosas on the Sunday brunch menu. And if the bread puddin’ has a good bourbon sauce, I may have finally found my new spot since Burk’s...

My wife and I followed their food truck for a couple miles leaving Enumclaw this evening. The driver was 10 to 15 miles under the speed limit and swerving constantly. That is, until I passed him on Hwy 164 and kept an eye on him in my rear view. Approaching the White river amphitheater, about a quarter mile east of gate 3, the driver of their food truck ran over Tanzie, even though I had pulled over and turned on hazards upon seeing her, which should have encouraged them to slow. He hit her with both sets of tires and did not bother to slow to see if she was alive or dead but sped away instead. I exited my vehicle and fetched the pup from the road. Brought her to the shoulder where my wife and I met the owner only moments later. Could be they have great food. Could also be that our friend in question may have had reason to fear stopping. Could also be that he just didn't care who or what he hit. Quality of person dictates that my wife and I will not be frequenting his establishment, nor supporting any who does business with them. Advertising...

Ordered take out for myself and a group of coworkers. First off, place is extremely over priced. Second off, after placing the order and waiting 40 minutes to receive it, we were given the entirely wrong order. Ordered 3 gumbos and only received one. Gumbo looked more like watery soup, no real substance or depth to it. Was given 2 catfish and shrimp meals although we didn't order this. Catfish was bad, very salty. The shrimp wasn't that much better and the fries were cold and soggy. Lastly one of us wanted to try the alligator. After trying it, it went straight into the trash. Was not edible at all. When we tried using the phone number given to notify them of the incorrect order, the phone number was not in service. Do not go here unless you really wanna overpay for...