• About Texas Travel Talk
  • Travelers – How Can We Help?
  • Contact Us
  • Texas Travel Talk Media Kit
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Texas Travel Talk

Let's Talk Texas Travel!

Adventure & travel are all about forging ahead and trying something new. Let’s Texas!

  • Home
  • North Texas
    • Cleburne
    • Dallas
    • Decatur
    • Fort Worth
    • Frisco
    • Granbury
    • Grapevine
    • Irving (Las Colinas)
    • McKinney
    • Mesquite
    • Plano
    • Weatherford
  • South Texas
    • Castroville
    • Columbus
    • Gonzales
    • San Antonio
    • Seguin
  • Central Texas
    • Austin
    • Bastrop
    • Georgetown
    • Round Top
    • Waco
  • East Texas
    • Athens
    • Conroe
    • Jefferson
    • Lindale
    • Livingston
    • Palestine
  • Gulf Coast
    • Alvin
    • Baytown
    • Beaumont
    • Brazosport
    • Corpus Christi
    • Galveston
    • Houston
    • Pearland
    • Port Aransas
    • Port Arthur
    • Rockport-Fulton
    • South Padre Island
  • Texas Hill Country
    • Blanco
    • Boerne
    • Dripping Springs
    • Fredericksburg
    • Johnson City
    • Kerrville
    • Marble Falls
    • New Braunfels
    • Stonewall
    • Wimberley
  • West Texas
    • Abilene
    • Graham
    • Marathon
    • Mineral Wells
    • San Angelo
  • Texas Festivals And Events
You are here: Home / Texas Destinations / Port Arthur / Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Gulf Coast Port Arthur Recent

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

2 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

It’s Official: This Texas Coast town is the Cajun Capital of Texas!

When you think “Texas Cajun,” what comes to mind? I didn’t realize Port Arthur had so many Cajun restaurants until I had the pleasure of visiting. As of June 2023, Port Arthur became the Official Cajun Capital of Texas! PA has now joined the other Texas towns with a unique title.

Port Arthur is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, captivating every visitor, from its Cajun food, historical landmarks, and welcoming beaches.

Port Arthur is a 4.5-hour drive from San Antonio, 90 miles from Houston, 20 miles south of Beaumont, and 25 minutes from the Louisiana border.

I was hosted by Visit Port Arthur. They provided us with accommodations, meals, and attractions. All opinions are my very own.

Port Arthur Is The Cajun Capital of Texas

Exploring The Traditions And Culture Of Port Arthur – The Cajun Capital Of Texas

From 1927 onward, a wave of Cajuns migrated to Port Arthur, drawn by the opportunities arising from the Great Mississippi Flood, which brought farmers in search of black gold. The presence of substantial refineries in Southeast Texas translated into significant employment opportunities. The region’s picturesque coastline, winding bayous, meandering rivers, and abundant marshlands offered Cajuns the means to support their families. They embraced a bayou-centric way of life reminiscent of their earlier years in southern Louisiana. The Cajun community took root here, carrying their language, music, lifestyle, delectable Cajun cuisine, and a vibrant zest for life.

Join us on our journey to uncover the charm and history that define Port Arthur, Texas, as the Cajun Capital of Texas.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

BBQ Crab At The Reel Cajun

Restaurants In Port Arthur, TX

Port Arthur is Cajun Country, and it certainly shows through their restaurants full of Cajun food choices. We explored six different restaurants that have cajun cuisine on their menu. Check out where we went and our favorite part of each restaurant.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Seafood Balls

Hamilton’s Restaurant & Bar

Hamilton’s Restaurant & Bar is a fun and quirky establishment with impressive crab balls. This was an excellent place for us to start our Cajun Culinary Journey in Port Arthur. Our waiter was terrific and a lot of fun. He had a great personality and was quick with our food and drink refills. We started with some fresh-out-of-the-oven rolls. My husband had a club sandwich, and I had a cup of gumbo and crab balls.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Margarita Flight

Reel Cajun (closed for good)

Home of the BBQ Crab, a must-try if you go to the Reel Cajun. I could have eaten those crabs all night and into the next day. They also offer one of the largest seafood buffets I’ve ever seen and a full menu. For my cocktail, I chose the margarita flight. There were eight different margaritas to choose from, and I chose the strawberry, shark bite, mango, and lime.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Boudain Hut

The Boudain Hut is a great local gathering with live music after 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Very casual, with a full bar and some yummy appetizers like boudain balls and gumbo.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Dylans Restaurant & Grill

​Dylans Restaurant & Grill is the “fun” place to hang out. They offer a full bar with live music inside and an outdoor patio with a stage, swings, and fun things for kids to do. The staff is extremely friendly, and they really love working here. My husband had the cheeseburger, which he said was one of the best burgers he had ever had. I ordered the grilled shrimp and broccoli casserole, which was amazing. We could have stayed here all day and enjoyed every minute of our time.

Address: 8601 9th Ave, Port Arthur.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp

When you walk into Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp, you can tell this is a fun local hangout with great food. It is decorated with music and film memorabilia, sports on TVs around the restaurant, and great music on the speakers. I ordered a cup of gumbo, a boudain ball, and the royal oysters covered with lump crabmeat. My husband ordered the spicy beef nachos. The food was great, and my Grapezilla cocktail was perfect. It was a margarita with a bottle of Grape Crush and a shot of 3 Olive Vodka.

Address: 400 Jimmy Johnson Blvd., Port Arthur.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Judice’s In Nederland

Judice’s was a pleasant surprise for our last meal in the Port Arthur area. It is located in Nederland, but its history is tied to Port Arthur. Mama Judice brought her boudain recipe to Port Arthur in 1927.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

What To Do In Port Arthur, TX

The town of Port Arthur hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year. These events often feature live music, local Cajun cuisine, and a vibrant arts scene. The Cajun Heritage Fest (usually held in April) and the Gatorfest are particularly popular and provide a taste of the region’s unique culture.

Who Is The Official Cajun Capital of Texas?

Museum of the Gulf Coast

At the Museum of the Gulf Coast, we were treated to some live music by a wonderful band that played some amazing Cajun zydeco music. The fiddle player, David Varnado, has played the fiddle for some of the best country music artists in the industry, like Loretta Lynn and Glenn Campbell. The other two musicians, Jude Marrow on the rhythm guitar and Jim on the accordion created some amazing zydeco music for us to enjoy.

The Janis Joplin exhibit and the car replica are some of the best things I’ve seen at a museum. It was so colorful and showcased the musicians’ free-spirited personality.

There was also a tribute to The Big Bopper, an American singer, songwriter, and disc jockey from Texas. His best-known song compositions were” Chantilly Lace” and White Lightning.

The American history of the big refineries and the petroleum industry were interesting exhibits for us to check out, mainly because my husband works for one of the refineries in Port Arthur.

There is also a Sports Hall of Fame with such legends as Jimmy Johnson and Bum Phillips, and my husband was pretty excited about this part of the museum.

Port Arthur boardwalk

The Port Arthur Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is located behind City Hall and the Jefferson County Subcourthouse. It goes along the Port Arthur Seawall and is a great place to relax and catch a glimpse of ships passing by.

The Oil Refineries

You’ll drive through some oil refineries on your way to the Sea Rim State Park and Pleasure Island. It was pretty cool for my husband as he works for Valero, one of the largest oil refineries in the county. It’s also great for artsy photography if you catch the clouds just right.

Crabbing in the Texas Coast

Sea Rim State Park

Sea Rim State Park is a 20-minute drive from downtown Port Arthur. Experience beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico while walking along the beach. You can drive and camp on the beach, and every weekend, the park rangers have hands-on crabbing demonstrations and fishing demonstrations. This was one of the most enjoyable things we were able to experience. There is a boardwalk to explore and shell collecting opportunities everywhere. You may even see some critters along the Gambusia Nature Trail.

I recommend getting a state park pass while traveling through Texas so you can visit as many state parks as possible. But if you don’t have one, Sea Rim State Park’s entry fee is only $6 per person.

Dutch Windmill

Dutch Windmill Museum

The Dutch Windmill Museum has a self-guided tour that showcases Tex Ritter, his family, and the history of Nederland. The House of Acadia is located next to the Dutch Windmill and showcases the history and settlement of Nederland. Many French nationals came from Southwestern Louisiana to settle in the area.

Maison Beausoleil Cajun Home

The Maison Beausoleil Cajun home is one of the historic sites in Port Neches by the Neches River that has been closed for renovation but is a must-visit if you are in the area. You may even catch some of the many cat residents that have made the area home.

Sabine Lake

With over 70,000 acres, 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, Sabine Lake is formed where the Sabine and Neches Rivers meet and is best known for fishing for flounder, redfish, and speckled trout. Sabine Pass is a natural outlet from Sabine Lake into the Gulf of Mexico. Many local restaurants serve meals that include the fish out of Sabine Lake and Sabine Pass.

Pleasure Island

Pleasure Island was created from deposits dredged to form the Intracoastal Waterway and is 18 miles long. You can fish from piers, public parks, the jetties, and even launch your boat in the Marina. Bird blinds are set up for epic bird watching, where you may catch a pair of Whooping Cranes flying by. Be careful –  this is Gator country, so you’ll want to watch for them as you hike through the area.

Where To Stay In Port Arthur, TX

There are many choices for hotels in Port Arthur. We stayed in a king suite at the Hampton Inn, a Hilton brand hotel. It was very clean and nicely decorated, with beautiful art features. The spacious suite offered a mini kitchen, a living room area, and a large bedroom with a king-sized bed. The bathroom area was also extremely large. The Hampton Inn offers complimentary breakfast, which has the best bacon ever. I even made a furry friend named Chase, as this hotel is pet-friendly.

We Can’t Wait To Go Back To The Cajun Capital Of Texas!

We had such a great time exploring the Cajun Capital. It’s a great weekend getaway for great food, fun, and exploring. Our hotel suite was roomy and allowed us to relax between restaurant visits and excursions. Our favorite part of the trip was listening to the Zydaco music at the Museum of the Gulf Coast and strolling along the beach at the Sea Rim State Park. We will definitely be back for a visit because there were still so many more great restaurants to check out and more places to visit.

Be sure to check out the Port Arthur Visitor Center’s website often, as some great events are coming up in 2024. So, when are you going to visit the Cajun Capital of Texas?

PIN IT!

2 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email


4 Comments

About Adeina Anderson

For over a decade, lifestyle, and travel expert Adeina Anderson has been a nationally trusted source of information for millions of television viewers and newspaper, magazine, and web readers. She shares ideas on creating easy and fun home décor projects, road trip safety tips, party planning ideas, and the best places to travel with your family and pets.

« 22+ Fun Things to Do in New Braunfels
The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio Review »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hello! I'm Kim Croisant, native Texan, owner and girl boss of this site. We share first-hand experiences in Texas for travelers and their families. Texas destinations, festivals & events are our specialties. Please contact me at [email protected] with questions, entries ...anything!

Gaylord Texan Resort Presents the All-New Universe Of Light DC Lantern Show

Top Shared Posts

7 Best Scenic Drives In East Texas

Journey through the Piney Woods of East Texas. Who doesn't love beautiful views while taking a leisurely drive? Embark on these stunning scenic drives in East Texas. Bonus if you're

Shares: 218

26 Amazing Things To Do In Fredericksburg, TX

From wineries to German history to shopping in Fredericksburg, you may want to take a long weekend to see it all! There are so many amazing things to do in

Shares: 593

Top Things To Do In Houston

If you've ever been to Houston, you know there is much to do and see ...and now with 5 Michelin Restaurants! Houston is Big! I thought Dallas was big until

Shares: 581

Top Scenic Train Rides In Texas

Book a seat on one of these scenic train rides through Texas. There is something special about scenic train rides. You never know what you'll see as the train takes

Shares: 190

13 Lesser-Known Places In Texas To Visit

These 13 lesser-known places to visit in Texas may be your best vacation yet! Lesser-known places in Texas sometimes make the best vacations. You stumble upon something unexpected and deem

Shares: 406

Emu checks out tourists in New Braunfels

New Braunfels For Families

Discover hidden gems in New Braunfels that go well beyond the ordinary! From river adventures to historic fun, this town has it all!

Shares: 1674

Lastest Articles

  • 14 Reasons To Spend A Weekend in Lindale, TX
  • All-New Gaylord Texan Universe of Light Coupon
  • Historic Landmarks & Attractions In Giddings, TX
  • Top Sites & Attractions In La Grange, TX
  • 25 Best Things To Do In Wimberley Texas

Tags

Austin Beaches Birding Camping & Glamping Central Texas East Texas Fall Travel family travel Festivals in Texas girls trips Gulf Coast Hidden Gems Hiking Holidays Lakes Mother-Daughter Trip North Texas Pet Friendly Travel Resort Small Town Solo Travel South Texas Spring Break Spring Travel Summer Texas Bluebonnets Texas Foodie TX Hill Country Waterparks West Texas Wineries

More Articles From Our Texas Writers

Festivals & Events in South Texas 2025

The South brings you and your family fabulous outdoor fun! With roughly 5 million

Top Things To Do In Dallas In One Day

If your time in the city is short, we suggest choosing a few things to do in Dallas

21 Best Family Reunion Venues In Texas

Before you book that family reunion, read our recommendations. Are you looking for

Things To Do In Stonewall, Texas

Check out everything to do in Stonewall, Texas, including wineries. If you've ever

The Perfect Austin Vacation Ideas

The perfect Austin vacation takes some planning and can be fun! Austin, the Texas

Staycation At Gaylord Texan Resort

Conroe Is A Family Destination

Ideas For Texas Travel In 2025 By Month

17 Top Attractions In Dallas Texas

East Texas Lakes With Cabins To Rent

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Kim Croisant, Owner, DFW, TX. Contact me at [email protected].

· © COPYRIGHT 2022-CURRENT Texas Travel Talk · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2025 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version