We had a very rare weekday trip to Peoria on Monday with a stay over night. Tuesday the timing worked out right to put us in front of Ron's Cajun Connection at 10 minutes after noon on Fat Tuesday! There were about 6 tables filled already when we arrived and was very full when we left about 1. There is a limited set menu for today and a complimentary piece of King cake. There is no crayfish availible so I had the shrimp-2-fay (as listed on the the menu) that came with 4 pieces of Bubba shrimp and some fries. My partner had the blackened catfish stuffed with crab. Amy has almost no voice already and Ron sounded about the same, looks like a long day for them! I have pictures but will post later, we just got home.

LikestoEatout wrote:There is no crayfish availible.

There is no such thing as a "crayfish" in Louisiana. They call em crayfish in texas in louisiana they are called crawfish.

Sorry I mispelled, I think those who go to Ron's know what I meant because some were looking forward to a Boil he does several times a year. While we were there today 2 of the tables near us asked it there was crawfish etoufee today but instead Ron is serving what he called Shrimp-2-fay.

Will have too try this place.. thanks

I had the day off today so the Mrs. and I made the trek out to Utica for Ron's crawfish boil. We wanted to beat the rush hour but no luck, even at 2:30 p.m. I-55 was bumper to bumper, stop and go, bad all the way out to Cass. But we got there by 4:30, there was only one other table when we arrived. It filled up quickly. After a couple of beers we got hush puppies (heavenly non-greasy morsels of corn goodness), and gumbo as good as any I've ever had. For my main I had two pounds of crawfish, the Mrs. went for peel-and-eat shrimp. It's been a good while since I've had a mess of mudbugs, the last time was in some shack near Houma god knows how many years ago. These were exquisite, spicy (Ron didn't stint on the heat), an agreeably messy juicy pile of crustaceans. Ron came by in the middle of things and grabbed a napkin and wiped the juice from my face, calling it cajun lipstick. (He was wearing a t-shirt that read "Who's your crawdaddy?") A slice of pecan pie for dessert. The whole bill with tax (before tip) was $46. A recession special. As always a real down home gemuchlicheit time. And only 10% of the distance to Louisiana.

Im glad you made it out to CC and enjoyed your meal.

I am headed out tonight, and am looking forward to some mud bugs.

A great meal @ Cajun Connection last night. I enjoyed glennpans company, and conversation as much as the food. FOr those that didnt know this weekend was oe of Ron's now famous crawfish boils using crawfish he drives down to Louisiana to pick out personally.

I arrived right at 4, and the place filled up quickly after that, I enjoyed a few beers, and some of the gumbo while waiting. The gumbo, as good as always, and the cold beers went down good. Glennpann arrived around 4:45, and there was a line out the door. We quickly ordered crawfish, and alligator appetizer. I went with the 4# of crawfish which came with corn and potato, as well as my second cup of gumbo for the night. The crawfish came out and qas quickly followed by the alligator. The crawfish was steaming hot, and well seasoned, and were the best crawfish I have eaten to date. Perfectly cooked, and juicy.

I cant wait until the next crawfish boil, these are not to be missed for anyone in the Chicagland area.

gumbo:


4# mudbugs:

Jim, thanks for the photos, it brings it all right back! I can hardly wait for the next one.

you can go to their website and get on their mailing list for future events. if not you know I will post them here when I hear about them.

jimswside wrote:you can go to their website and get on their mailing list for future events. if not you know I will post them here when I hear about them.

There's no form or anything, just an email address. Email [email protected] with your request to be added to their list.

I received an email saying the next crawfish boil is tentativeley sceduled for the weekend of May 1st. Ill post again once I receive confirmation.

I cant make it(to much prep to do for the Marseilles in May Event).

I gogtthe confirmation today via email, that there is indeed a crawfish boil @ Cajun Connection this weekend starting Friday night. If past boils are any reference, the crawfish will be awesome, and they are likely to run out before the the weekend is over.

anyone into mudbugs owes it to themselves to head out for some.

If I wasnt busy this weekend on the smoker, etc, I would be there for sure, and am bummed I cant get over there.

slainte.

REB and I used Marseilles in May as an excuse for a short out-of-town weekend. After a night’s rest in scenic Ottawa, IL and a morning hike at Starved Rock, we stopped at Ron’s Cajun Connection for lunch before heading back to Chicago. Fortunately, they are open on Sundays for lunch -- the only day they open before 4pm.

This was our first visit to Ron's and we were both impressed. The tiny restaurant is kitchy and cute. This place, although styled somewhat like a miniature, cajun TGI Friday's, is the antithesis to the big chain experience. Ron and his staff were very friendly and welcoming. While we were there, we watched Chef Ron bop around the place like a madman. He was in the kitchen, running the cash register, seating guests, refiling drinks, and visiting each table. It became clear why this place runs such limited hours. It looked exhausting.

On to the food. As others have mentioned, the combo platters allow you to try a good portion of the menu. For first timers like us, this was definitely the way to go.

The overflowing oyster po boy, with lettuce, tomato, and mayo was our favorite -- simple and very well executed. Oysters were perfectly fresh and fried. The roll was soft and a little too bready, but it held the sandwich together well. We appreciated the nice variety of hot sauces on the table. The only thing missing was some slaw.

The gumbo was very good, with the flavor of a nice dark roux and a big chuck of tender chicken thigh floating in it. Best I've had in a restaurant outside of Louisiana.

The fried catfish was greaseless, very fresh, and served with a nice, tangy tartar.

The jambalaya was fantastic and very different to the tomatoey jambalayas one often sees. It was packed with smoked sausage and chunks of smoked pork, and had a unique and delicious smokey sweetness.

The corn-dotted hush puppies were outstanding. Soft, doughy, sweet, crunch-coated pillows.

We also liked, but didn’t love, the crawfish etouffee. The crawfish itself was nice and well-prepared, but the blonde roux based sauce that it was in was underseasoned and bland. Ron seems to be aware of this and suggested we sprinkle on some of his "hot salt" during one of his 3 or 4 visits to our table. This should probably be done in the kitchen.

The only complete misses were the bubba shrimp, which were boring and tasteless compared to the favorites, and the buffalo alligator nuggets, which arrived a bit gummy and only slightly above room temp.

Overall, we really enjoyed the food, the service, and the vibe at RCC. Not sure when we'll find ourselves back in that neck of the woods for a meal (MiM II, perhaps?), but when we are, it will be at the top of our places-to-eat list.

--Rich

Im glad you guys made it over to Rons, and had a good time.


MiM II...?

depending on interest, we are up for hosting another bbq event next year.. However this time it may be Jimswside's in June(JiJ) to gurantee a warmer day with dryer ground..

Cheking out the Cajun Connection website I see they are now open Wednesday-SUnday(Summer Hours).

Also it looks like a crawfish boil starting tomorrow(5/28), and Dungeness Crab the week of June 3rd.

jimswside wrote:Cheking out the Cajun Connection website I see they are now open Wednesday-SUnday(Summer Hours).

Also it looks like a crawfish boil starting tomorrow(5/28), and Dungeness Crab the week of June 3rd.

Hot damn! I'm going on Saturday early, around 4, 4:30, if anyone wants wants to join us.

Last weekend I had a gig in Bettendorf Iowa, and Mrs. Trpt came along, we had a good time. On the way back last Sunday we were on I-80 and stopped off at the Cajun Connection. For the first time we had a decidedly mixed experience. The usually superb hush puppies were awful, under done and liquid in the middle. When we complained they threw them back in the fryer which made them too tough on the outside though done in the center. I ordered the gumbo which was stellar. Then for entrees I had the crawfish etoufee (wonderful) and jambalaya (awful). The Mrs. had the blackened catfish which was stellar, plus the terrific crawfish etoufee. The Bubba shrimp that accompanied both of the entrees was cold and soggy. There was a rumor that Ron had a new guy he was breaking in; whatever it was the fryer was way off.
At least the waitress comped a dessert but I was very disappointed. The inconsistencies were atypical from my experience, but it makes me feel unmotivated to make the huge hike to Utica. Maybe we just have to go to New Orleans for good cajun.

We visited for lunch today, our first visit, and had a pretty good meal:

The charming and gregarious Ron:


Delicious gumbo:


A pretty tasty mixed basket. Highlights were the crawfish and boudin, for me.


Fried catfish, which Beth loved:


My fantastic jambalaya:


Fried gator & frogs legs:


A fine key lime pie:


We had a great time, and we'd happily return. My feeling was that the classic cajun dishes were superior to the fried stuff, but everything was tasty.

We stopped at Cajun Connection Sunday on our way back from Burlington, Iowa. I had the Black Cat Acadian - crawfish etouffée over blackened catfish all over rice. All the entrees come with gumbo, which was delicious. I also had some fried gator. Mr. X made his own combo with blackened catfish, jambalaya and bubba shrimp. Another friend made her own combo with fried oysters, frog legs and crawfish creole. We had no issues with the fried food as trpt2345 mentioned above. I thought the etouffée was great and will look forward to eating the catfish and etouffée for lunch today. The gator seemed like a more substantial chicken nugget -- good, but I'd try something else next time. Mr. X's jambalaya seemed darker and sweeter than most jambalayas we've had. Didn't stop him from joining the clean plate club. Our friend dug the fried oysters. Lunch was capped off with bread pudding, key lime pie and some cinnamon ice cream for our friend. Business on Sunday afternoon was brisk with lots of motorcyclists and others enjoying a beautiful afternoon. I look forward to finding another reason to get back to Utica.

gleam wrote:A fine key lime pie:

Ed,

What is that unusual green stuff on top of the pie? Creme de Menthe?

Didn't seem to be minty. It tasted like lime, so I'm thinking maybe a lime syrup, with bits of zest mixed in (the dark green flecks).

gleam wrote:Didn't seem to be minty. It tasted like lime, so I'm thinking maybe a lime syrup, with bits of zest mixed in (the dark green flecks).

I would agree with gleam's diagnosis of the green stuff. I can't say we stopped long enough between bites to analyze it.

I did forget to comment on the bread pudding. It was a fine version, moist and flavorful, soaking in what seemed to be a butter sauce. My arteries clogged just looking at it.

FYI.

THis weekend @ Ron's is Mardi Gras in July... the 23rd - 26th

Email said BBQ ribs(no promise on these), bbq gator(sounds interesting)

dessert: bananas foster
appetizer: stuffed shrooms

if I wasnt firing up the smoker I would take a trip out just for the alligator.

After an afternoon at Starved Rock, sweetie and I took a detour to Cajun Connection. We got there at 3:45, and there were already a handful of cars in the parking lot. Our server got down to business - service is brisk, a little no-nonsense, but good. We ordered the hush puppy & fried corn special appetizer, and I got the gator and crawfish etouffe combo. My veg partner had the red beans & rice without sausage and a baked potato - big enough for a dinner. The hush puppies were delectable sweet puffs of cornmeal. The gator's breading was peppery, not greasy, and a good complement to the sweet meat. The kicker was the pecan pie - the tabasco in it gave a nice little tingle. By 4:45 every table was filled and the line was out the door.

Glad you liked it, we are heading over to Cajun Connection for lunch after grocery shopping today, its been a few months since I have been, and am craving some gumbo, and alligator.

As usual ROn & the folks @ Cajun Connection were on their game today for lunch. I hadn't been in a few months, and really enjoyed my visit today. Arrived @ 12:00, and the line was out the door 15 minutes later. The nice day had all the bikers out, and hitting CC for lunch.

I started with an Abita Tubodog, really nice dark beer with some chocolate hints.




Next up were some really nice boiled shrimp served cold. Nice spice, and flavor:




Moved onto a Abita Golden:



gumbo, love the gumbo here(pork, sausage, ricem and a broth that just has a smokey other level to it), I ate my cup and some of my wifes(which she shared with Shay):







I went with crawfish etouffee, good as always:




& deep fried alligator, one of my favorites:



My wife went with Bubba Shrimp:



& red beans and rice w/sausage:



I had to go home and take a nap after this meal.

Jim,
That all looks great! Look forward to a trip to Cajun Connection soon! Hopefully we can get the families together for this one.

Danny

jhawk1 wrote:Jim,
That all looks great! Look forward to a trip to Cajun Connection soon! Hopefully we can get the families together for this one.

Danny

for sure Danny, I had stayed away from CC to long, and your fine gumbo got me a hankering for a cup+ the next day.

just got an email from Cajun Connection..

First Crawfish Boil of the year this weekend while supplies last(Fri - Sun). I got too much going on this weekend and cant make it but figured Id spread the word. Their boils are one of the better food events in Chicagoland.

change of plans, 99% chance I'll be @ Rons tonight around 5:30, couldnt pass up a chance for some the years first mudbugs.

I think about 4 lbs. will be good.