The Bayou Will Do Right By You
Food
The Bayou
645 S State Street, Salt Lake City 84111
(801) 961-8400
Tues-Thurs: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat: 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Sun: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
utahbayou.com
Since opening its doors in 2002, The Bayou has become far more than just a Salt Lake City establishment — it’s a full-blown institution, a fellowship of flavor enthusiasts and, dare I say, a culinary phenomenon. This one-of-a-kind beer garden boasts an impressive selection of hundreds of brews, but it’s the Cajun and Creole cuisine that truly sets it apart. While the menu offers everything from burgers to pizzas to pastas, it’s the bold, spicy flavors of the Southern bayou that steal the show. After all, how many places in Salt Lake City — or even the entire state of Utah — can proudly claim to serve authentic Cajun and Creole dishes? The answer is very, very few.
A quick glance at the appetizers section of The Bayou’s menu will indicate you’re in for something special. Leading the lineup is the Alligator Cheesecake ($11) — “a savory cheesecake made with alligator sausage. Baked in a cracker pecan crust and served with roasted red pepper coulis.” That’s a WILD choice to kick things off, and one day I hope to be wild enough to try it. Maybe it’s worth it just for the story, or maybe it’s the kind of dish that surprises you, shaking up your taste buds with flavors you never imagined together…
Anyway, I got the Popcorn Crawfish ($14). Lol.
Crawfish and the bayou go hand in hand like salt and pepper, two of a kind, kindred spirits. You get it. The Popcorn Crawfish is described as “crawfish tail meat, lightly breaded, deep-fried, and served with a side of tomato-chipotle dipping sauce.” It’s a light, flavorful way to kick off a meal at The Bayou. However, I won’t front — some bites packed more of a punch than others, with or without the sauce. That’s likely just a case of uneven seasoning distribution, which happens. GET OFF THEIR BACK. Relax. If you find yourself in the same boat, take the advice I got from a server at a restaurant in New Orleans: “Hit it with the Crystal.” Crystal is a mild hot sauce loaded with flavor, and since it hails from Louisiana, you can bet The Bayou has it ready to go.
For the main course, I went all in on two “Bayou Favorites” — Gumbolaya ($19) and Red Beans & Rice ($18). You can also go for the traditional Jambalaya ($18), described as “a Southern classic. Choose from traditional made with sausage and ham or vegetarian.” That sounds great on its own, but the Gumbolaya? That’s The Bayou’s “famous Jambalaya smothered in Gumbo to ensure full cardiac arrest.” When I read that, I knew — oh hell yeah, challenge accepted. Y’all, the Gumbolaya delivers. It’s everything you crave in a Cajun-Creole dish: rich, smoky, toasty, spicy, cayenne-kissed, garlic-loaded — straight-up tasty AF. Unlike the Popcorn Crawfish, where some bites hit harder than others, every single spoonful of this bayou favorite was packed with bold, perfectly balanced flavor. No misses.
The same goes for the Red Beans & Rice — no frills, no gimmicks, just the real deal. Described as “red beans, ham, sausage, green pepper, onion and celery cooked together and smothered over rice,” it’s as straightforward as it gets. No BS. This dish knows what it is — a Cajun-Creole classic done right. Every bite had that deep, slow-cooked zest and freshness, packed with the amazing flavors you expect. The Andouille sausage already brings plenty of smoky, savory heat, but if you hit it with the Crystal? Game over. This isn’t just food — it’s a warm hug from the bayou, by The Bayou. It’s the kind of meal that sticks with you long after the last bite. You’ll be scraping the bowl to get every last bite you can muster.
The Bayou is a little slice of Louisiana tucked away in Salt Lake City. From the excellent flavors to the welcoming atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that keeps you coming back, whether for the next round of brews, another shot at the Alligator Cheesecake, or just the comfort of a perfectly spiced bowl of Gumbolaya or Red Beans & Rice. It can be rare to find a spot that commits so fully to a regional cuisine, especially one as distinct and vibrant as Cajun and Creole food. The Bayou pulls it off, serving up food that’s as unapologetically flavorful as the culture it represents. So, if you’re craving a taste of the South with a side of good vibes, do yourself a favor — grab some friends, grab a beer and let The Bayou take care of the rest.
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