Replating

After a tornado put the Krazy Cajun Cafe out of commission for the last couple of months, owners Don and Judy Secia re-opened Monday, July 20, for eager customers who missed not only the food but the company, too. The cafe looks much the same, but a new ceiling and fans, a new coat of paint, and a renewed spirit bring Mamou’s only sit-down restaurant back to life.
Krazy Cajun has been opened for five years as of June. Don was there since day one. Around eight months later, Don and Judy took over as silent partners, eventually buying out the original owners. They’ve owned the restaurant for about four years. “When Don was a little boy he loved going to the coffee shop with his dad,” said Judy. “Other little boys would say they wanted to be a doctor or a fireman. Don said he wanted to own a coffee shop.”
May 8th a tornado struck the cafe as well as Da Camp bar connected to it. Owner of Da Camp, Eugene Manuel, is in the process of restoring his bar, but the Secias finally were able to jump back into the business Monday after two-and-a-half months of sweat and determination.
Right after the tornado, Don said it rained for 10 straight days, and they would have to squeegee out the water. “Ceiling tiles would come down. We would pick them up and get the water out, and next day get more water out and pick up more ceiling tiles,” said Don.
The next step was to spray the walls with bleach and mildew spray. They lost several tables, and almost everything in the kitchen had to be replaced, but Don said he was happy with the new stove. In all, they used about 20 gallons of paint. Judy proudly showed off the new ceiling which is now beadboard instead of celotex. “It’s has that at-home feel now,” she said.”
Don said the hardest part was getting everything finalized with the last couple of weeks dragging as they began to run out of steam. Even with all the hard work, they never wanted to throw in the towel.
Their first day back open kept them busy with loyal and new customers. Some customers even came from Breaux Bridge. Regular customer Annona Balfa missed her favorite hang-out spot. “They were closed for a couple of months and I didn’t know what’s going on with everybody,” she joked, saying that’s where she gets all her news about what’s going on in the town. Judy added, “This is the only sit-down place in Mamou. People come here and gather and we gossip and we hear all the local news. You find out everything right here.”
Don and Judy feel the Krazy Cajun is better than it used to be and the tornado may have even been a blessing in disguise. Judy said, “Everybody is so relieved. ‘It’s about time y’all opened,’ they said. Everybody’s so happy. Our whole crew has been working our tails off getting this place ready, and we’re just so happy to see our regulars. Two-and-a-half months of worrying and some people doubting us, saying we’re going to close. We told them no, this is our living. Don loves cooking. We’re just so happy to be open again and having our regulars welcome us back.”