We had a very good first visit to T-Doug's Cajun Cuisine in Ragley and were glad we pulled off the highway to check the hours on the door. The parking lot was empty and it didn't look open yet, but we turned out to be the first customers of the day.
Service:
From the start, service set a strong tone. The hostess was friendly, welcoming, and seated us promptly, clearly proud to show off the new, more spacious location with plenty of seating for groups of all sizes. Our server, Jada (who we later learned is a manager), was excellent: sweet, attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and always a step ahead of our needs. She even made a fresh pot of coffee for our dessert order. If T-Doug is putting people like her in leadership, he's doing something right.
Ambiance:
The dining room still has that "new" feel. It's clean, well-lit, and comfortable. The décor is functional and inviting without trying too hard, which fits the place well.
Food & Drink:
The current menu doesn't appear to be updated on the website, but it's easy to find on their Facebook page. There's a lot to choose from, including steaks and higher-end options that would make this a good spot for a special occasion. Overall, the menu suggests broad restaurant experience rather than a one-note concept. I didn't explore the bar much, but it looked well-stocked enough to suit most tastes.
We started with homemade onion rings, which were a pleasant surprise: uniform and skinny, crunchy, well-cooked, and nicely seasoned.
Beverages:
We had waters along with a Rum Punch and T-Doug's Lemonade. Both cocktails were light and refreshing, didn't taste like a dry mix, and were balanced just right. Enough rum and vodka to relax, not enough to make you lose your religion.
Entrées:
Solid all around. The fried combo dinner featured hand-battered fish and shrimp with crispy fries and hushpuppies. Everything was cooked properly and satisfying. The Cajun club came on Texas toast, quartered and stacked high on a thick wooden skewer that would come in handy if the parking lot got rough. Roast beef cold cuts, American cheese (something a little less processed might have elevated it), lettuce, tomato, crispy bacon, and turkey or chicken (not sure which one and don't remember the menu description). The bread was nicely toasted without being over-buttered, and thankfully the kitchen believes in restraint. No "swimming in mayo" here.
Dessert:
Beignets: bite-sized, crisp on the outside, soft inside, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, and not greasy or overly sweet. Perfect with hot black coffee served in proper mugs.
Value:
For the quality and quantity we received, prices felt very fair for this area. Kudos to the kitchen and chef.
Having moved back to DeRidder from the Baton Rouge metro, we've decided that dining out should offer something we can't easily do at home. We both enjoy cooking, and T-Doug's clears that bar. We'll definitely be back, especially when the grill is (hopefully) running earlier in the day so we can try the steak selection. read more