Deja Vu

Déjà Vu

936 Florida St.
Memphis, TN 38106
901-942-1400
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 11:00 a.m-3:00 p.m.
Thursday & Friday: 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

We finally made the journey from our eastern abode to one of the more unique downtown hideaways.  Certainly located off the beaten path, Déjà vu is fantastic Cajun cookery.  We thought a rainy spring Saturday would be the perfect time to try their sausage po boy.  Once I got the menu in my hands I nearly diverted from my mission.  So many items, so little time. 

We kicked our excursion off with 6 hot wings and fried plantains.  Expecting the wings to come out blazing hot, I was pleasantly surprised when the heat and flavor had a very good balance that complimented one another.  The plantains were an ideal side with their mellow flavor and light texture.  It’s so easy to fry a light item and erase all of the flavor leaving a dish that tastes like little more than a deep fryer, but that was not the case today.  The spice of the wings and the light sweetness of the fried plantains delivered a wonderful dish.

One of the most impressive aspects of our visit was our server.  She was beyond hospitable and more than helpful.  I was unaware, prior to our arrival, that there is more than one sausage po boy at Déjà vu.  I had to pick between smoked sausage, hot sausage and gator sausage.  Our server, without hesitation, recommended the gator sausage with a side of red beans and rice.  We also ordered shrimp creole, grilled cabbage and smothered okra. 

I’ve had gator before, but only in gumbo or as a fried bits similar to popcorn shrimp.  This was a totally new way to eat it and it is easily my favorite form to date.  In my prior experiences with alligator meat there hasn’t been a ton of flavor.  It either gets left in the fryer or lost in the roux.  This sandwich was full of flavor.  I found the sausage to have a slightly gamy taste that was refreshingly unique.  I have nothing else to compare it to, but it was almost like a surf and turf dish wrapped neatly in a convenient case. Red beans and rice made this perfect Cajun concoction. 

The shrimp creole tasted like a dish straight out of New Orleans, and even the smaller order was a generous portion.  My wife ended up adding the okra to the creole, and it couldn’t have tasted more perfect together.  The cabbage (one of her favorite veggies) was also delicious, cooked perfectly with a smooth buttery flavor. 

In summary, don’t pass this one up because of its slightly random location and odd kitchen hours.  This one is worth the trip, and we’ll undoubtedly be back.

 

 

 

 

Gator Sausage Po’ Boy – 4.5/5 stars (him), 3.5/5 stars (her – not a gator gal)
Déjà Vu – 4.5/5 (him), 5/5 (her)