What We Sampled: Shrimp Po’ Boy, Red Beans and Rice, Fries
What We Thought: Among unrelenting Arrested Development jokes and a bus ride graced with the conversations of unstable locals, we ventured down to Farragut North to partake in what food truck regulars call “Farragut Friday.” Of the dozen or so options, we settled on Cajunators, a relatively new truck that pumps out southern classics like gumbo, red beans and rice, and a variety of different po’ boys: a traditional submarine style sandwich that originated in Louisiana.
The first thing we noted during out excursion was the truck itself. Decorated in a variety of bright and inviting colors, we agreed that this way all-in-all the most aesthetically appealing truck on the block, and the food was almost as good. Sampling about half of the menu, we found that all of our choices were flavorful and complemented each other well. Following is an item-by-item breakdown.
Shrimp Po’ Boy ($8): Lightly fried, nicely flavored, and abundant, the shrimp used to create this po’ boy were well-received by both tasters. But the thing that really sets this po’ boy apart from just any old sandwich is the remoulade sauce, an extremely tangy and surprisingly spicy mayo-based sauce that adds both heat and flavor.
Seasoned Fries ($2): The fries were a slight disappointment, seeing as they were not only frozen but also slightly over-seasoned. Despite the fact that we ate every last one, the heat of the fries overshadowed the more desirable creole spices. But, for $2, still a pretty good deal.
Red Beans and Rice ($2 small, $6 large): The red beans and rice also fell slightly short of expectations. While I enjoyed the more appropriate spiciness, the beans took on the consistency of a chunky soup, leaving a textural element to be desired. Despite this, considering the price I would definitely order it again.
On the whole, Cajunators met all of our food-truck-aficionado expectations. While the po’ boy turned up the heat, the sides seemed slightly ordinary but ultimately proved valuable as accompaniments to our main dish. Buyer be warned, if you are looking for traditional New Orleans style southern comfort food, this is not your place. But if you’re interested in a little bit of southern spice, Cajunators might be just the thing.
What Went Unsampled: Oyster Po’ boy, Roast Beef Po’ Boy, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Thin Fried Cat Fish
Food Truck Fridays 