Cajun Island — Restaurant in Truro Township

Updated Review: I don't know what the heck happened, but food quality has dropped notably the rice is just.. not good. And that's depressing, as it's kinda important to a decent amount of the food here. For the sake of transparency, I'm leaving my old review below, but I'm pretty checked out of this place. If someone could let me know if they bring the quality back up to standard, I'd be thrilled to give it a shot again, but for now... I'm going to pass.

This review is basically going to have two levels. If you're a southerner or a nerd, go to the next paragraph. If not, just go ahead and give the place a shot. It's tasty food in a very relaxed and quirky atmosphere.

Alright. So I'm not going to make a huge essay here. First off, the owner and proprietor is the first to admit that he wasn't born and raised in Louisiana. Is that appropriative? I'm probably the wrong guy to ask. I will say that Louisiana's ethnic and cultural landscape is an incredibly complicated affair that I don't believe a review of a restaurant in Ohio is really ready to discuss.

The food here is actually a mix of Cajun and Creole. Which is totally fine, in this reviewer's opinion. My only complaint is that it would be cool if the menu conveyed that somehow. For example, the jambalaya last I checked was more Creole style, as it incorporates tomatoes. But if I'm being honest, I'm not sure the owner is entirely aware of the difference, and 99% of his clientele definitely will not be either. Which in some ways, really reflects the spirit of a lot of eateries you can find along I-10 in LA (though the staff along I-10 will probably set you straight).

All in all? That spirit is there. You have an ecclectic range of foods here, and a bit of a spectrum on price point as well. The food is usually pretty damned good, and even when it's not, its flaws are familiar ones. It probably sounds like criticism to say:

"Cajun Island is in many ways what would happen if you were to teleport a tourist trap from the outskirts of New Orleans into the center of Ohio."

But it's not. It actually fits pretty well. The food works and the staff are almost as friendly as you would expect in Louisiana. Honestly, if you're a Louisiana native, you'll find things to nitpick (and be honest, you will at even back in your own neighborhood. Lol). If you're a southerner in general, or just a foodie? You'll be pretty pleased.

Hardmode (Louisiana natives): The spice level here is shifted to a more uh... Gentle pallet. That's not to say that it's gone. In fact, some of it is actually pretty hot for the Midwest. But... If you ask the staff to ramp up the spicy, they definitely are capable of surprising you. They have some sauces that will absolutely light you up. Even if you've stopped tasting spicy below certain thresholds. You have to ask...

This is a Hidden Gem!!! I live right down the street from them and I always wanted to try them, but never did; however, my bestie from Jersey is a faithful customer and she took me. How faithful? She lives 20 mins away and she came cross town to get her food from them...."Now that is faithful and a loyal customer." She pointed me right to the blackened chicken! I've had blackened chicken before and it wasn't all that good. But this blackened chicken, when I say you want to slap your mother👋it will have you all up in her face!( but no disrespect mom🤭😉)I'm talking about one bite that you can cut with your fork and sink your teeth into and get that moist tender flavor of the blackened chicken spice, it was like butter melting in my mouth! And I got the red beans and rice with it and they were flavorful and a nice portion as well. Me and my friend we both had the same thing but she had her blackened chicken over noodles with a cream sauce. So if you want some Cajun with flavor, nice portion, five star🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 hospitable customer service clean restaurant good friendly atmosphere with fantastic and tasty food come check out this diamond in the rough and their 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 service you won't be disappointed, because I was not! 🙋‍♀️I will return, because I got my money's worth and so much more.. their🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and worth you...

I have been getting takeout from Cajun island for years and until now I’ve had good experiences. This time I called my order in and said that it would take about 30 to 35 minutes for preparation. About30 minutes later I arrived and went in to get my order. Though no one was in line, I stood at the counter for five minutes, waiting for someone to serve me. As I heard someone having what was clearly a private conversation somewhere behind the counter, I walked around to find the employee talking on a cell phone. I told the server I was here to get my order to hear the response “I’m sorry I did not hear you come in.” I got my order and could tell it was lukewarm at that time. Clearly, it had been ready for several minutes and getting cold on the counter. I took my order and went home, which is only a mile away, to find it all of the food I had ordered was room temperature. I expect that if an order could’ve been repaired immediately, I would have been told so. As a result, I had to microwave. The dinners are ordered in order to serve them and an acceptable temperature. I recommend that when you call and ask for a takeout order, you’d be very clear as to what time it will be prepared so that you don’t end up with room temperature...