Brunet's Cajun Restaurant The Best Cajun Food in Baton Rouge, cher! 135 South Flannery Road Baton Rouge, Louisiana 225-272-6226

The Cajun Tradition

There is an old Cajun saying that Cajuns will eat anything that doesn't bite them first. This is an un-truth. Cajuns will eat anything whether or not it bites them first -- thereby assuring that what they are about to eat is very much alive and fit for the pot.

The Cajun settled among the marshes and bayous of South Louisiana and created his own world. This world may be called Thibodaux, Breaux Bridge, Pierre Part, Grosse Tete, Maringouin, or Dulac. It has different customs, and easily identified language, and a unique point of view. This is the Cajun World -- a world and a people blessed far beyond most others.

He brought to Louisiana the long established tradition and lifestyle of his hardy ancestors from Nova Scotia -- where he was expelled over 200 years ago. As he prospered, he held on to his tradition and lifestyle. Family and friends, a devout spiritual faith, and a strong work ethic are the key ingredients in his life. When his work is done, he enjoys life to it's fullest. He likes to "pass a good time" as he celebrates "Fat Tuesday" parties at the "Blessing of the Fleet", helps at a neighbors "Boucherie", does a two-step at a "Fais-Do-Do", or is an uninvited guest at a "Charivari"

He is a tolerant person who will let the world go it's way if he is allowed to go his. Once, when a Cajun was asked about his state of affairs during the great depression, his reply was -- "What depression? My shrimp nets are full, I've got catfish on my 'line', mink and muskrat are plentiful, and lots of crawfish on the table." He is proud of what he is but will tell stories on himself and his heritage. If outsiders accuse him of talking comical English, he will not deny the charge, and he will tell the story of the Cajun hunter who whispered to his companions, "here comes tree ducks -- two by himself and one in a bunch."

He is a man you want to call friend -- for if he's your friend he will give you the last crawfish in his net and the biggest catfish on his 'line.' But as good a friend as he is, he can be as formidable a foe. All he needs to satisfy a deal is a man's word or his handshake -- but do not go back on either.

He has an uncanny ability to live off the land and doesn't take much to make him happy. Give him a fiddle and an accordion for his music, hot sauce for his gumbo, a good game of "bouree", a place to worship the Lord, and good neighbors to share all this with and he's content.

It just may be that a Cajun is all of these things. There is no doubt that Cajun cooking is unsurpassed, that certainly many Cajuns are able to converse in two languages, and that all are justly proud of their ability to supply a continent with seafood, furs, sugar and petroleum from their bountiful marshland.

The Cajun may be forgiven for being proud, for at one time he was the "poor white" of the swamps. Then he took the land that nobody wanted and turned it into something special: He made it his.

We at Brunet's have tried to exemplify -- through our cooking passed down in our families for generations -- these unique qualities that are Cajun. We hope you will visit us at Brunet's  and will come often to "pass a good time."