Bourbon Street Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Restaurants come and go in Bangkok like a revolving door, especially places owned and operated by foreigners. Bourbon Street is a notable exception. Owner Doug Harrison, a native of New Orleans, has been operating his remarkable restaurant at the same Washington Square location for over 25 years.

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Although the success of a restaurant is attributable to many things, at Bourbon Street the food and presence of the proprietor are obviously the most important factors. The location is not the best in town; it is in fact a little on the seedy side. The restaurant itself is nice, perhaps ‘homey’ is a better word, but it is nothing to write home about.

The food on the other hand is exceptional. Most of what is served at Bourbon Street comes from the Cajun and Creole cuisines found in Louisiana in the United States. These cuisines have a long and fascinating history and show how delicious the results can be when different cuisines meld and combine over a long period of time.

Acadians, French settlers in Canada, were driven out by the nasty Brits during the French and Indian War. Many settled in Louisiana. Over the years their culture melded with locals and formed a distinct cultural group called ‘Cajun.’ The same happened with Europeans, usually of French or Spanish descent and often of mixed blood, who adapted elements introduced by African slaves to create a ‘Creole’ cuisine. Cajun and Creole cooking with its rich and spicy flavors are what Bourbon Street is really all about.

Signature dishes include Gumbo, either with shrimp and crabmeat (150 baht++) or chicken and Andouille sausage (150 baht++) ; Blackened Red Fish – a creation of Louisiana’s famous chef , Paul Prudhomme (320 baht++); three types of Jambalaya (210-240 baht++); Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage (200 baht++, Monday ‘all you can eat’); and Ettouffé (295 baht++), stewed vegetables sautéed in a light tomato sauce base served over rice. The menu also includes Grilled Steaks, Barbecued Ribs, some Tex/Mex dishes, American-style pizza and an outstanding collection of fresh oysters imported from the United States. The restaurant also has a separate breakfast menu that is available all day. For those who love eggs, there is a 4 Egg Special Bourbon Street breakfast (195 baht++) with a choice of sausage, bacon or ham plus home fries, hash or tomato and toast. All breakfasts include one cup of coffee, tea or juice.

Properly prepared Blackened Redfish is both unique and delicious. This Paul Prudhomme creation requires a red hot cast iron pan and the proper collection of Cajun spices. Bourbon Street has both the skillet and spices and when the fish and spices are quickly seared together, the result is memorable. In addition to the traditional redfish, Bourbon Street also serves ‘blackened’ salmon, chicken and shrimp.

Doug is a live wire who makes a point of being at the restaurant to oversee operations. Many of his customers have been coming to the restaurant for years and consider him a personal friend. Doug always has a variety of promotions in effect. Tuesday night, for example, is ‘Mexican Night’ and features an ‘all you can eat buffet’, including items like tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, refried beans and Mexican fried rice.

During our last visit, Doug had some great news. He will soon be opening a new restaurant on Soi Ekkamai, a short distance from Sukhumvit Road. This will give Bangkokians two opportunities to enjoy the wonders of Cajun and Creole cooking.

Bourbon Street is proof that there is more to American food than hot dogs, hamburgers and McDonald’s. The food served at this restaurant is not only unique and steeped in history; it is also a pleasure to eat. The restaurant is open daily from 7.00-01.00 and is a short walk from the Phrom Phong BTS Station. There is lots of nearby parking.

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