Go for Pumpkin Pie, Okra, and Po’Boys. Soul flavours of Louisiana in Cork’s Bayou

Go for Pumpkin Pie, Okra, and Po'Boys 

Soul flavours of Louisiana in Cork's Bayou

Jambalaya

Cork finally has a taste of the real America: Bayou, a vibrant new cafe serving up the soul-satisfying flavours of Louisiana, has a mission to give 

the city and its visitors a taste of the real America. Think spicy Gumbo, crispy fried chicken with hot honey, and decadent pecan pie. Here's what we loved about our trip down south without leaving the city!

The American influence is undeniable in Ireland—think Music, Film, TV, Literature—but it rarely extends to our plates. Where's the Jambalaya? The Gumbo? Thankfully, the opening of Bayou in MacCurtain Street fills this void, bringing a taste of Louisiana to Cork. The name says it all—expect jazz, lively Cajun tunes, and more playing in the background, creating a vibrant atmosphere that transports you straight to New Orleans.

You'll find Bayou on the premises that once housed the City Grill. Just up the street, back in the day, you'd have seen the Uptown Grill, the only establishment in the city that could satisfy the taste and appetites of an American relation who, after a few years of semi-starvation, headed back across the Atlantic.

Bayou at night

So Bayou is a beautifully decorated new cafe where you can taste the difference between Jambalaya and Gumbo. Gumbo is a "stew" poured over rice, while rice is integral to Jambalaya (as it is in Paella). Bayou will have their own variations every now and then. At present, you may have either fried potatoes or rice with your Gumbo. I enjoyed my Jambalaya initiation and will return to essay the Gumbo. 

But the star of the show on our visit was undoubtedly the Fried Chicken, Biscuit, Hot Honey, and Watermelon Salad. I begged for and got a decent portion from my colleague and was amazed with it. I couldn't believe the honey could pair so well with the fried chicken and that Watermelon was one of the most flavoursome ever, though my colleague thought the hand that shook in the coriander was a little on the heavy side. Nonetheless, I'm giving it a five-star rating!

The good news is that you can try that chicken all day, at least until their closing time of three-ish. Sometimes, they sell out earlier. On the breakfast menu, you also see dishes such as ham, eggs, biscuits, fried potatoes, ranch, fried okra, eggs, biscuits, fried potatoes, and ranch. All-day counter temptations may include Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Pie. These can be taken out with a cup of coffee.

Fried chicken on the menu at breakfast and lunch

 

Sandwiches available include Po' Boys, a Louisiana favourite. They come with Mayo, Ranch, Rocket, Tomato, Pickle, and Hot Sauce, plus your choice from Fried Chicken, Cajun Chicken, Andouille and Fried Potatoes, Ham, Fried Potatoes or Okra.

Bayou also offers the Muffalletta Classic, a Fat Focaccia Sandwich with Provolone, Coppa, Salami, Mortadella, and Olive Salad (apparently first made by a Sicilian immigrant in New Orleans in the 1900s). I didn't get to try the Bayou version, and so I'm left wondering how it compares with the gem (pictured) that the Ron D food truck used to serve in Ballydehob about three or four years ago!

Muffaleta, by Ron D's Ballydehob

There is plenty yet to discover about American food, and Bayou is the place to do so!

* Visiting Bayou for the first time? Study the menu before you go! It is also on the window and on a board inside. The friendly staff will assist you in making choices. Order and pay at the counter, pick your table and wait for your buzzer to activate. Then collect from the counter. Easy peasy. More info, including opening hours, is on their Instagram here.