Tyler has had a number of Cajun restaurants over the years. And while they served excellent food they didn’t last. But Tyler Texas should be fertile ground for an establishment of that nature. We certainly love restaurants. Cajun food and culture are not so far removed; in fact the Texas gulf coast often serves similar cuisine. So why is it that a town like ours, with all kinds of restaurants can’t seem to keep a good Louisiana kitchen open? Well, we have another opportunity with “Fat Catz.” Located at Southeast Crossing Center, 3320 Troup Highway in Tyler, Fat Catz serves authentic Cajun seafood.
While the seating is of course indoor, the openness of the place gives it a sort of Café Du Monde feel. The menu has all the favorites one would expect to find in a New Orleans restaurant just off the River Walk. There are gumbos, jambalayas, and Poboys, as well as hushpuppies, fried pickles, oysters, etc. There are also more local favorites like catfish.
So the question remains, will Fat Catz survive in Tyler. I for one, hope so. It’s a unique departure from the usual Tex-Mex restaurants, (some of which I happen to love by the way), and the Chinese buffets. If variety is the spice of life, Fat Catz will stick around. But it remains to be seen how much spice Tylerites can handle. See also http://www.fatcatzkitchen.com/ .