Why: La Oie Cajun is one of the food trucks outside of Brothers Cascadia Brewing. (Pizzeria La Sorrentina, Taste of Saigon, and Papa Joe’s Barbecue provide additional food options.) La Oie Cajun serves up Cajun-style food with a moderately sized menu and has been open for approximately two months.
What I tried: My dining companion and I tried the Shrimp Pistolette, the Boudin Balls and the Beignets for dessert. The shrimp pistolette is a medley of cheese, vegetables and shrimp in a deep fried bread bowl. The deep fried bread bowl was fresh with an appetizing, almost cracker-type exterior from the deep frying. Inside, the medley of cheese tasted similar to nacho cheese sauce with a very spicy kick. The vegetable add-ins looked to be green and red bell peppers, and there were several pieces of tender cooked shrimp in the mix, as well. A delicious, spicy beef and rice mixture is served alongside the bowl to complete the meal.
Boudin balls combine pork and rice into a ball which is then floured and deep fried to a dark, golden crispy exterior. The menu states that there are also vegetables in the mixture, but I only detected some parsley and there was not any visual evidence of any other vegetables. These, too, were spicy. Not quite to the degree as the shrimp dish, but you will likely enjoy this selection if you like spicy hot food.
The beignets come in a portion generous enough to share. They are two-sided rectangular pillows of dough that are deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar. They were not overly sweet and reminded me of a glazed doughnut’s flavor.
Dining out review: La Oie Cajun Cuisine
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. 10 a.m. 9 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is served until 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Telephone: 360-980-7866.
Where: 9811 N.E. 15th Ave., Vancouver. laoiecajuncuisine.com
Health score: La Oie Cajun has received a pre-opening inspection and is scheduled to receive a routine inspection in the near future. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The cabbage rolls sounded delicious. Among the shrimp options is the shrimp on fries, a shrimp po-boy with fries, and the shrimp etouffee over white rice. BBQ riblets are on the menu; and if Cajun is not what you are after, there is a classic cheeseburger with fries. Saturday and Sunday brunch items include a breakfast bowl that combines potatoes, biscuits, cheese and ham topped with gravy and an over-easy egg garnished with parsley; biscuits and gravy; French toast; and a Monte Cristo made with ham and Swiss cheese on white bread, battered in fleming mix and deep fried then dusted with powdered sugar.
Atmosphere: The food truck looks like a little cabin. There are two walk up windows — one for placing orders and the other for pick up. Condiments, napkins and beverage options are arranged on shelves under the windows. Menu items are pictured and numbered for ease of ordering. Diners may order meals to go or sit inside the brewing company at the bar or at tables.
Other observations: The service was friendly. The food arrived promptly, and it was piping hot. The food truck schedule may be viewed at Brothers Casadia Brewing (brotherscascadiabrewing.com).
Cost: Lunch and dinner menu items range from $5.75 to $11.50. Brunch costs $5.50 to $7.95.
