Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Trussville

This popped up on my timeline with a request for a rating, probably because I parked near the place while visiting Best Buy in the same shopping center a few days ago. (That’s a close as I will get to the Cajun Steamer these days.). However I did eat there over a year ago and won’t be back.

First let me tell you where I am coming from. I am pure Cajun. I have traced my family tree on both sides all of the way back to Arcadia (presently Nova Scotia) from the 1640’s to 1750 when my ancestors were kicked out by the British. I was born, raised, and went to college in Lafayette, LA, in the heart of Cajun country. I also later spent four years in New Orleans and Houma LA. All that to say that I know Cajun and Creole food.

When you eat at a traditional Cajun restaurant in Lafayette or Houma they don’t serve their food highly seasoned with pepper sauce. Real Cajun’s know it makes little difference whether pepper sauce is applied to food before, during, or after cooking. So normally in restaurants in Lafayette there will be any where from 3 to 12 bottles of different kinds of hot sauce on the table so customer can add it to food to suit their tolerance for the stuff, or not, as the case may be. However, here in the Birmingham area all of the Cajun restaurants serve their food “hot” with pepper sauce. If you ask them why they will tell you, “That’s what our customers expect”. Never mind that most of their customers are basically clueless about Cajun food.

I grew up in a Cajun household where my very Cajun mother didn’t put a lot of hot sauce, if any, in the food she cooked. She learned from her mother and older sisters there are a lot of other spices that can be used to improve the taste of food, except when you need to cover up the actual taste with hot sauce.

When my wife and I visited the Cajun Steamer they brought the concept to “hot” Cajun food to a whole new level. My dish, I don’t remember what it was because I didn’t eat much of it, was too “hot” for me. However, my wife isn’t a “weenie” like me because she grew up in family in Tuscaloosa where her father like to eat jalapeños raw until his face turned red and sweat dropped off of his forehead. She enjoys her food “well seasoned’ and has been known to “spice up” several dishes with hot sauce. It was clear to me that the Chef had overdone the hot sauce when my wife could not eat her shrimp dish and sent it back.

Now, if you really like your food “hot”, this might be just the place for you, but it’s not...

I visited this restaurant tonight and was reminded of how the far we have come as well as how far we've got to go. I ordered a dish that was over cooked and the portion size was significantly less than usual. I politely informed the waitress that I was not happy with the food and didn't want it. Her demeanor was as if we were disgusting to her and if she could set me on fire and get away with it she would. I assured her that I wasn't upset I just didn't feel the meal was worth the $27.98 I was spending. She goes and get her manager who was VERY LOUD and disrespectful to me in front of my teenage boys. After I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of an argument he threatened to call Trussville police on me. I had not eaten from the platter and could not understand the problem, but I had to set an example for my boys. This MANAGER clearly tried to provoke me into rage. Literally degrading my intelligence and hollering at me. I politely asked him to please not make a scene by loud talking me. He was LIVID that I was only willing to pay for what my sons had eaten. He literally stood over me while I was sitting pointing his hands in my face and over our food on the table. I could not believe this was really happening. I told him yeah call Trusville police. He screamed,"not a problem. I will!" So my sons, scared out of their minds, tried to convince me to pay and lets leave. I told them we did nothing wrong and just relax. While waiting for the police to arrive I called my wife to inform her of what was going on. About 15 minutes later he comes back with my bill with the item removed from the bill, acting as if he was a professional. Why he decided to treat me like this I don't know but, I'm willing to bet my skin color had a lot to do with it. It was the look in his eyes and the way he talked down to me. My sons have been scarred they've heard about this on tv but has never experienced this in person, but more importantly I had to be that example for them that they don't have to lose their cool to prove a point. NO worries Trussville Cajun Steamer... I will NEVER step foot in your store again. I'm one less you don't have to bother...

Since moving to the area Cajun Steamer has been one of my go to’s! Most times I door dash it & even a few times when things I’ve paid for have been left out of my order I still patronized the restaurant because I enjoy it. Last month me and my family had an unpleasant experience. We were not offered any napkins with our meal as we noted that every other table with customers had a roll of paper towels. Our waitress Katelyn only came to the table to take our order, bring food, and bring the check never checking to see if we needed anything during our meal. I asked for a bowl of seafood gumbo to go. She brought me a cup. I immediately informed her that I received the wrong item & told her I would prefer she just remove the cup from my ticket. She said okay. Once she brought me my change I noted that the cup of gumbo was still on my ticket and I had been charged for something I informed her that I had not ordered, so I asked her about it. She then told me that since she brought it to me (in a bag that I hadn’t even touched) she could not take it off my ticket. She said all she could do is give me another cup for free. I should’ve asked to speak to a manager but I wasn’t feeling well (this situation triggered my anxiety and I was feeling very overwhelmed). Once she brought the other cup of gumbo out she sat it on the table & walked away. She did not thank us or wish us well. I’m not sure if this is proper protocol when someone does not want and item but I was literally forced to purchase something that I didn’t not ask for. It’s unfortunate because my family owns a business in the Jefferson County area and I’m well aware that this type of treatment Is not professional. I reached out to the owners and was apologized to & promised a gift card for our ordeal which I NEVER RECEIVED. Which I honestly wouldn’t have used at that particular location anyway. I just hope no one is treated that way by this particular waitress ever again. She’s been there for awhile. Hopefully someone spoke with her about...