This post is sponsored by Visit Port Arthur. All opinions are my own.
What’s It Like to Be Cajun in Texas?
What’s it like to be Cajun in Texas? Growing up in East Texas in the ’70’s and ’80’s, Cajun culture seemed a world away. We’d tie bacon to a string and catch crawfish, never thinking to cook them, just for the fun of it.
It wasn’t until I worked in a real estate office on Lake Livingston that I met someone with Cajun roots. When a colleague’s wife brought in a boldly seasoned Cajun pot roast, it opened my eyes and taste buds to a whole new world of flavor.
I only thought of Cajuns as being from Louisiana. I didn’t learn about the rich Cajun culture in the Lone Star State until much later. I’ve since learned that the culture, the culinary experiences, and the Gulf coast are major reasons the Cajun culture exists and thrives in Port Arthur, the Cajun Capital of Texas.
The History of Port Arthur’s Cajun Culture
Migration from Louisiana and the Growth of Industry
Port Arthur’s Cajun heritage took root in the 1920s, when a “perfect storm” of natural disaster and industry drew families from Louisiana. Early migrations began with the Spindletop oil boom in 1901. It was this later wave that solidified Port Arthur’s reputation as the Cajun Capital of Texas, consisting of a blend of bayou spirit, Gulf Coast grit, and Texas hospitality.
Dive into Cajun Culture
Museum of the Gulf Coast
To better understand the significance of the Cajun influence on Port Arthur, I recommend a stop at the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Not only does it highlight the history of the community, it also showcases the influence of the Cajun culture.
Legendary Musicians and Instruments
The King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier is featured. He redesigned the traditional washboard, like the ones my grandmother would have used to wash clothes, into the vest frottoir while he lived in Port Arthur while working at one of the refineries. The legendary blues, rock, and soul singer Janis Joplin, a Port Arthur native, was influenced by the Cajun culture when she was growing up in the community. Other notables with a Cajun background in the museum include accordionist Jo-El Sonnier, singer Jivin’ Gene Bourgeois, and fiddle player David Varnado, who I got the chance to meet while I was at the museum. Varnado toured with the likes of Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and Chris LeDoux.
A Unique Port Arthur Landmark
Pompeiian Villa
While not Cajun, the Pompeiian Villa is worth a stop. Built in the early 1900’s by barbed wire tycoon and New York native Isaac Ellwood, it’s a replica of a 74 AD Roman home. It represents the impact of the early industrial times and high society. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to explore the inside of the house, as it is under renovation. It certainly made an impression on me with its pink stucco exterior and large columns. It’s unlike anything else I’ve seen in Texas.
Savor Cajun Culinary Delights
If you’re talking about all things Cajun, you have to put the culinary influences at the top of the conversation. From crawfish and cracklings to etouffee and boudain, no conversation or table would be complete without Cajun food. Since most people eat three times a day, I’ve got a lot to share on the topic, especially in Port Arthur.
The Boudain Hut, A Local Favorite
My culinary adventure began at The Boudain Hut (spelled with an ‘a’ here). Their daily-made boudain, savory sausage with rice, pork, liver, and Cajun spices, paired perfectly with a simple side of mustard and saltines. Crawfish egg rolls were an unexpected treat.
Crawfish and Etouffee at Larry & Rita’s
My second-ever crawfish-in-the-shell experience, at Larry & Rita’s in neighboring Groves, left my shirt splattered but my taste buds happy. I’ll save you the ‘after’ photo. Nobody wants to see that. Pro tip: wear a bib!
While things got messy fast with the crawfish, it didn’t stop me from enjoying their crawfish etoufee and bayou catfish covered in crawfish tails and covered in a cream sauce. I mean, come on.
And that was just day one…
Rao’s Bakery, A Sweet Stop
Rao’s Bakery, established in 1941 in Beaumont, opened a new location in Port Arthur last year. Great coffee and pastries are what they are all about. Of course, during King Cake season, they’ve got you covered, too.
Tracy’s Seafood Deli and Caj-Asian Eats
Tracy’s Seafood Deli blends Cajun and Vietnamese flavors. Fried shrimp has a tempura-style batter, and make sure to order the boudain stuffed with shrimp. You can thank me later.
Ancelet’s Cajun Market and Cracklins
On Wednesdays, you can visit Ancelet’s Cajun Market. Purchase fresh or frozen crawfish, alligator meat, and Cajun seasoning. Don’t leave without cracklins, crispy, seasoned pork belly heaven.
Did you know Port Arthur’s Judice’s French Market, now Judice’s Grocery and Deli, opened in 1927 and was the first to sell live crawfish and hot boudin in Texas, according to Google?
Bonus Bite!
Doughlicious AF for Sweet Treats
Started online in 2020, the same year I launched How Big Is Texas, Doughlicious AF (and fun) is locally-owned. They create stuffed gourmet cookies like Reese’s PB, stuffed with an entire Reese’s peanut butter cup, or Key Lime Pie, complete with key lime frosting and lime zest. It’s a great afternoon pick-me-up you won’t soon forget.
Experience the Cajun Coast
Sea Rim State Park Adventures
Nature is at the heart of Cajun life. At Sea Rim State Park, you can paddle marshes, stroll boardwalks, and spot alligators. And I saw several…
Birding and Wildlife at McFaddin Refuge
Birdwatching at McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge brought sightings of ibis, kites, and snowy egrets. More birding awaits at Sabine Woods. The bird nerd in me went a little crazy.
Sunrises and Recreation on Pleasure Island
Pleasure Island, created by the Army Corps of Engineers, offers sunrise views, fishing, disc golf, and more birding along its 18.5-mile stretch.
Explore Beyond Port Arthur
While Port Arthur is the heart of Cajun culture, nearby communities also offer their own unique charm and history. If you have extra time, be sure to explore Groves, Nederland, and Port Neches for a taste of local traditions and unexpected surprises.
Groves and Their Tribute to the Pecan
In 2025, the small town of Groves, located only 7 miles from Port Arthur, installed a 17′ 9″ fiberglass pecan and squirrel statue as a landmark by their city hall. The meaty sculpture, that reminds me of a papershell pecan, honors the city’s history that includes being built on a pecan grove. The town also hosts an annual Pecan Festival.
Nederland’s Dutch Roots
Nederland, also located by Port Arthur, was founded in 1897 by Dutch settlers. The town was designed as a transplanted Dutch Settlement. It features a quaint downtown and the Dutch Windmill Museum. Nederland actually means ‘lowland’ or ‘low country’ in Dutch, which makes sense given the town’s proximity to the Gulf coast.
Port Neches and La Maison Beausoleil
Port Neches offers a welcoming riverfront vibe and a nod to Cajun history with La Maison Beausoleil, a beautifully restored Acadian home that brings the area’s heritage to life.
Celebrate Cajun Heritage
Annual Cajun Heritage Fest
Celebrate Cajun culture at the annual Cajun Heritage Fest (April 4), or check Visit Port Arthur’s calendar for more events.
Cajun Culture Thrives in Port Arthur, Texas
The Cajun culture thrives in the spicy aromas of crawfish boils and the sounds of the frottoir and the fiddle. From tasty samplings at local diners to stories preserved in the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur proves that Cajun identity isn’t confined to Louisiana. It’s alive and well in Texas, shaped by the culture, the culinary, and the coast.
For additional information on things to see and do in Port Arthur, check out their website.
Until next time from Texas, laissez les bons temps rouler…and safe travels!
