While making our way through the crowds of party-goers enjoying Mardi Gras in this festive city, we became hungry and went in search for a place to eat. We didn’t have to walk long on Bourbon Street, before we found what we were looking for. The Cajun Cabin, located in the heart of the French Quarter, on Bourbon Street, looked like the ideal place to enjoy some great Cajun cuisine. The Cajun Cabin claims to be the only authentic Cajun restaurant in the French Quarter. The restaurant has an open air atmosphere that allowed us to eat dinner while at the same time enjoying watching the crowds move up and down Bourbon Street.

The restaurant menu had a wide variety of choices to satisfy anyone’s taste buds. Since I came to a Cajun restaurant, I wasn’t leaving until I had my fill of authentic Cajun food. For an appetizer, I tried some of their world-famous crawfish with a hint of Cajun seasoning. With an abundance of alligators in and around the Bayou, why wouldn’t there be some of the area’s large lizard friends on the menu. The alligator sandwich was an excellent way to sample this region’s delicacy. The Cajun Cabin also has an oyster bar for those who likes to shuck and jive for the dinner.

The Cajun Cabin has live Cajun music every night. The music is derived from the Cajun and Zydeco style, which combines folk music with the upbeat tempo of Cajun. The instruments used in the two styles are very much different. Cajun music employs the fiddle and handheld triangle while Zydeco uses the saxophone, piano accordions, and electric guitars. The most unusual instrument used in this form of music is the vest frottoir or commonly known as a rubboard. This instrument resembles a metal vest that is worn on the body and is played on the chest. This instrument was designed specifically for this genre of music.

A visit to the Cajun Cabin is more than just to eat dinner; it is for the experience that goes along with the food. The music, the staff, and the people make this a truly remarkable way to enjoy dinner in the heart of the French Quarter.

Visit their website – www.cajuncabin.com

Location is excellent; centrally located on Bourbon Street. Restaurant offers a balcony overlooking Bourban Street. We ate on the balcony, but we would not recommend this restaurant. It was our only meal in New Orleans that was below our expectations. The service was slow, and the food was overpriced for the quality. The food was served warm and a 15% tip was automatically added to the bill. There was also an additional charge for alcohol served on the balcony. You are definitely paying for the atmosphere and not the quality of food. We had much better food at other restaurants in the French Quarter.

Patout''s Cajun Bistro is located in the Heart of the French Quarter. This place was just plain fun. If you like Cajun cuisine then you will like this place. We sat downstairs at an open-air table. There was someone performing live Cajun music, and it was just laid-back and relaxing.

We shared gator bits ($6.95) and a cup of jambalaya $4.95). We also had a shrimp po'' boy ($9.95) and a grilled chicken po'' boy ($9.95) for our main meal. They were really good. Mmmm!! They don''t just serve sandwiches though -- they also serve steak, chicken and seafood dishes.

This is a great place to just relax and take it all in. They have Happy Hour specials every day from 3-6pm. Be adventurous and try the gator bits if you have never had alligator before. Enjoy!!

We had not eaten since breakfast and were walking up Bourbon Street, in the evening, loving the crowds, music and general joy of life present ( check what we were in the middle of! ), when we realized that we were hungry! Most of the places are geared to adult entertainment and consuming alcohol along with listening to great music. While I would have been welcome in any of the establishments, my daughter is only 16 and not allowed in most of the places at that time of night on Bourbon Street. We checked a couple of posted menus and then ended up liking the choices at the Patout's Cajun Bistro , so I asked the gentleman at the door if there was any problem with us eating dinner there and he invited us right in.

We were escorted back to a small raised area in the back corner, and were seated at a table. We decided to move forward, within the raised area, to a table closer to the front edge, overlooking the bar area and the band. This did not make a difference in the noise level, for there was not a chance to do anything but enjoy the vibrancy and life of the music anywhere in mile radius! Our waitress was experienced in pointing, nodding and leaning close enough to hear projected voices! I ordered a "Cajun Margarita" and my daughter ordered a coke. The decision about what we wanted to eat was not nearly as easy, as everything on the menu looked so good. We finally made our decisions, gave them to the waitress, and enjoyed the music and show, for all the musicians have to be performers to succeed in such a demanding atmosphere as Bourbon Street!

When the food arrived at our table the music was forgotten in our delight at the taste sensations that engulfed us! Each bite was a treat, even for untrained palates! After our initial hunger was satisfied, and our palates had adjusted to the wonderful subtle melding of flavors we were unfamiliar with, but they rejoiced in exploring, we began to allow the band to engulf us again. They had moved on to playing the washboard. That was such a show and a laugh! They used a thin bid style and played it with spoons. They even offer the washboards they play for sale – not to mention the cds that are offered during their break. I took my last drink out, into the street with me with no objection.

This is a neat place to stop at when you are spending your night on Bourbon Street! The music, the food, the atmosphere and the service are great! Do not overlook this place among the many choices you have!

I am not sure of the address but its easy to find. Listen for the music. The place looks like a cajun cabin with lights and decorations up. They usually have a cajun or zydego band playing.

The food is typical cajun. Gumbo, etouffee etc. This place is a nice place to come if you want to listen to good music and not spend a fortune.