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First Look: Cajun Experience

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Bayou beautiful in Leesburg.

By Todd Kliman ,   Ann Limpert ,   Kate Nerenberg ,   Rina Rapuano   Published Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Leesburg’s Cajun Experience turns out authentic shrimp po’ boys—served on New Orleans bread—and terrific pecan pie. Photograph by Chris Leaman.

Bryan Crosswhite, an economic consultant with the US Agency for International Development, and wife Melissa were fledgling restaurateurs when they opened the Cajun Experience in Leesburg in April. But if they lacked experience, they didn’t lack know-how. The Crosswhites drew extensively on their southern-Louisiana heritage and five generations of Bryan’s family recipes.

The restaurant occupies the second-oldest house in historic Leesburg, a clapboard-sided building converted into a charming 50-seat restaurant that would be at home in New Orleans. The Mardi Gras beads and feathered carnival masks are fun, but it’s the honest food that speaks to the Crosswhites’ intentions.

The star of the menu is the po’ boy—there are eight varieties at lunchtime—anchored by its delectably floury bread, imported from New Orleans’s Leidenheimer Baking Company. The fried-shrimp version features Gulf Coast shrimp with minimal breading and a sweet-spicy sauce. Crawfish étouffée is also excellent, its cayenne-spiked cream sauce complemented by the sweetness of long-cooked onions. Boudin balls, an appetizer, are tasty rounds of ground pork, rice, and scallions, fried just short of greasy.

Comments

The food is okay. It’s not TERRIBLE - but no GREAT. The service is pretty bad and the decor is as well. They should invest in more comfortable chairs and tables. Our table would shake while we were eating on it. Not exactly worth the 60 dollars I spent for the meal...

Posted by: Amanda L., Feb 16, 2010 10:15:02 PM

My husband and I LOVE Cajun Experience. We have been waiting for years for a decent restaurant to hit downtown Leesburg. Now we have somewhere to go when we have guests visiting from out of town. The boudin balls were tender and succulent. The gumbo was rich and authentic. The beignets were melt in your mouth delicious. I got goosebumps from every new flavor that hit my mouth. If there was one downside to our visit--it was the service. However, it was the kid’s first day. Give him a break! (Besides, we were too busy scraping our plates clean to really mind it.)

Posted by: Leesburg Native, Jan 06, 2010 09:55:24 AM

First, as a New Orleanian who grew up with a Creole Mama,( my dad’s people where from New Iberia) there is no conflict between Cajun and Creole food. We like both in the Big Easy. The gumbo at Cajun E. was great, from one cook to another. There is proof these folks are the real deal and for anyone who knows anything you’ll understand this proof; "Lidenheimer Bread". I’m working my way through the menu and will likely cycle many times through it. One disappointment on the Shrimp Poboy. Shrimp not piled on like overstuffed kind in Nawlins, but then again we are not 40 miles from the Gulf Coast. Just call me a regular becuase I shall return and return and return ....

Posted by: sqlmstr, Dec 30, 2009 08:17:50 AM

John, thanks so much for the post. I was shocked to read some of these reviews. My wife and I are from New Iberia, LA and we have eaten at the Cajun Experience and to tell the truth, the food is great! We are Cajuns and we think this is as authentic as you can get. The Gumbo is not Creole, its Cajun, and the Shrimp MC is to very tasty. I think these people here who are being harsh and I mean very harsh (calling the owner names) is either working for a competitor or they dont know what Cajun food is about. As for me and my family, we think this is the best food in Northern VA. Keep up the good work and will see you soon! I think they are getting their alcohol license soon so I will be back for sure! By the way I am also an LSU Fan and a big SAINTS fan!!!!

Posted by: Matt, Oct 27, 2009 11:10:23 AM

First of all, I like to comment on these so called "Chefs" who say the Cajun Experience is not good. First of all you must all work for Okra and business must be bad. You go on this site to bash this restaurant and to say the food is bad. I have been many times and this is the most constant food I have found outside of Louisiana (not New Orleans). The owners are from Lafayette, where true cajuns are from. They do not pride themselves on New Orleans food, but Cajun Food. So if you want Creole then find a Creole restaurant, but for us Cajun’s we know good food. These guys are very good. By the way, the owner Melissa is not the chef, her husband is and he has many years with this type of cooking. So for those who wanna try something good, I say dont read these bad reviews from their competitors and go try it yourself. And about the decor, these guys must never been to LA and know what these places are like. I guess they can stick to Sweetwater Grill or something with nice decor and bland flood. GEAUX TIGERS!

Posted by: John, Oct 27, 2009 12:15:22 AM

Service was awful. I was very disappointed. I don’t know if I should go back for the beignets, but I think I will have to pass after getting my bill. Kind of overpriced for the portion, and service.

Posted by: Brian, Oct 19, 2009 09:38:53 PM

I heard about the Cajun Experience from some co-workers (whom by the way gave very mixed reviews), and I thought I would give it a try. I was longing for something to break up the monotony of the day to day meals we usually eat at home with the wife. As we entered the restaurant, I quickly was taken back by the aromas coming from the kitchen. Needless to say, I was very pleasantly surprised with the location and the nice building they chose. But what I found inside was a different story. First the decor, it’s sloppy and not very Cajun at all. By the way, where did they get their furniture? Goodwill? I expected something with a Louisiana twist, but instead I got a dreadful ambiance. I chose to brush the decor off and focus on the food. First let’s begin with the appetizer, the boudin balls. They were alright, I felt like they were missing something. Then I ordered the Shrimp Maque Choux - absolutely dreadful! I am not even going to go into how sick I was from this. Moving on, the beignets. Apparently they bring them in from another restaurant in Louisiana. They are simply divine, but not good enough reason to come back for. I suggest they hire a true Louisiana chef, and maybe while they are at it, take out their homely chef, owner Melissa (whom I read is not classically trained in this kind of fare.) This place was an absolute bust. I am a chef, and I believe that this was not even comparable to some of the better foods that I have had in nameless restaurants in the area. I suggest and agree with Lauren. Try Okra - and don’t get ripped off by this wannabe.

Posted by: Eric , Oct 05, 2009 09:58:22 PM

I have to agree with Stacey, but I also have to admit that the only good parts are the appetizers and the desserts. The meals are overpriced and dull. I don’t see them making it too much longer in this area. If you want really good Cajun Food - try Okra in Manassas.

Posted by: Lauren, Sep 27, 2009 10:02:04 PM

The food is greasy and awful. The gumbo is revolting. I’m from New Orleans, and it doesn’t even compare. I wold not go back there. Save your $$$

Posted by: Stacey, Sep 15, 2009 08:20:52 PM

Looking forward to trying out this restaurant! I am Cajun from the Lafayette area, which is the heart of Cajun Country. Really looking forward to trying the gumbo! Note that, generally speaking, Cajun style gumbo is a little different from what one might find in New Orleans, which is predominantly Creole. You really have to ask the Cajuns and Creoles themselves and they can tell you the difference(which varies) The Cajun gumbo at "The Cajun Experience" might depend on what region and what part of Cajun country the chef (and the recipe) is from. Many Cajuns tend to make their gumbo more like a soup--a thin soup not a thick soup and it is very tasty not too spicy!
I am looking forward to it!

Posted by: Andy, Sep 14, 2009 11:54:21 AM

Cajun Experience is some of the best food I’ve had since I left New Orleans, period. The boudin balls are to die for and the etouffe is sublime. It’s well worth the drive from DC. Keep up the outstanding work!!!

Posted by: DCowern, Sep 03, 2009 02:53:07 PM

The Cajun Experience is one of the best restaurants to hit Leesburg in years. The menu is a true sampling of old New Orleans and porovides a wonderful change from the run-of-the-mill fast food eateries. Melissa and Bryan are to be commended for the way they have fit in to the "old" traditional Leesburg community and for the fine food they have introduced.

Posted by: Tom Lee, Sep 03, 2009 11:29:16 AM

Wish i was there to taste some of those Louisian recipes. I bet they are good, but i am somewhat prejudiced in that the Crosswhites are my niece and nephew. Keep up the good work. Ted

Posted by: Ted Guillot, Sep 02, 2009 09:11:09 PM

I second what ZoBrown75 says regarding the gumgo...real New Orleans gumbo is more like a soup base and not thick!

Posted by: NOLAgirl, Sep 02, 2009 11:52:03 AM

Being a New Orleans Native, I must rise to the defense of the restaurant though I have not been there yet. However, I plan to go real soon, especcially since they have Leidenheimer french bread there. On the matter of the gumbo, these really thick more roux than flavor versions that you get outside of New Orleans is not the authenticc gumbo. Real gumbo is a soup, not a chowder.

Posted by: ZoBrown75, Sep 01, 2009 11:49:22 AM

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