The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge

The food was subpar, the dirty rice wasn’t dirty enough (meaning that it wasn’t seasoned enough and tasted equivalent to butter rice with no seasoning).
The fried catfish was passable but could use some R&D. Aside from the food the bartender was cheerful enough to appear friendly. I sat a the bar and at the last minute after I paid a roach crawled across the check presenter, I didn’t say anything to the bartender because I’m sure she has seen it before and I doubt that i would have been a surprise to her. Needless to say I won’t be back, I wasn’t missing anything before today and definitely won’t be missing anything after today.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Boudin Balls, Catfish

This is not a "Cajun cafe". This is a straight up bar that happens to serve Cajun food, apparently as an afterthought.

I went there with a work colleague November 5, 2024 around 10:00 PM after a work-related conference at The Westin Downtown Dallas at One Main Building.

Parking is a nightmare. You're either going to go to the paid lot and spend $13+ for two hours, or park on the street. Either way, you're spending that just to get in the door, but wait...

You won't get in the door because there's a cover charge for the band. $10 per person. So $20.

We're up to $33 and we're not even seated at a table to eat yet, which is the only reason we even showed up.

We ordered the Hot Crab Dip, Chicken Sandwich, and Crawfish Pasta. Reasonably priced, right? Around $63. Not too shabby for two entrees and an appetizer.

The Hot Crab Dip is just crab mixed up with Philly cream cheese and some melted cheddar on top, served with some bread. It was totally pasasble and nothing at all to be impressed by.

My friend's chicken sandwich was great though. She gave me a bite. The bread was delicious and soft and warm, the chicken was fried to perfection and had good flavor.

Unfortunately, that bring us to the crawfish pasta. Awful. The sauce was broken like a Ming vase in a house full of five-year olds. Just a ton of visible oil. It had clearly separated and the cook - I refuse to use chef, because no chef would countanace that disaster - had no clue how to fix it.

I probably could have dealt with all that, since the band that night was pretty good. ENTIRELY too loud, though. My friend and I had to yell at each other just to talk, and we mostly gave up and just ate in silence instead. Turn the damn volume down to 50% of whatever you guys have it at. People that want to hear the band will move closer to the tables. People that want to eat won't have to scream at each other, but... and here's the massive BUT:

There's a "minimum gratuity" charge of 20.00%, which YOU CAN'T SEE, because the little portable card reader with display doesn't show that. So I ended up tipping our server 25% of our bill - $15 - ON TOP of the 20% they charge.

And let me clue the management in something. "Gratuity" cannot be a "minimum" nor can it be a "requirement". That's called a "SERVICE CHARGE". A "required" tip isn't a tip, it's a fee.

Couple all that together and you have a miserable experience that I caution everyone to avoid.

The only reason to go here is if you want to listen to music and drink. That's it. Do not go here for food. Do not go here to hang out and talk - you *will not* be doing that at all, because no one will be able to hear you.

If you want actually good Cajun food, get in your car, ride the hour to Boo Ray's of New Orleans. This ain't it, chief.

Parking: Parking is going to run you around $13 per two (2) hours if you go across the street to the lot, cheaper if you park directly on the street using the meter.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Spent my birthday here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Simone was excellent! Enjoyed the music very much!

Nice people, great environment. Very nice waiters. If you want to take your lady to a good place, this is it. Food was also really good. Will be back again. Also the band was really good!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nice. I only had appetizers, and they were good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Boudin Balls

Loved the live music and the food was great!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Boudin Balls

Great band and atmosphere and Sundays! Drinks are a bit pricey, but I would go back

I love this place! This spot is for the music lovers. Great food, great service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cornbread Side, Red Beans and Rice with Sausage, Catfish, Crawfish Etouffee

We were invited to a wedding party event for newlyweds. We really enjoyed ourselves!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

For canjan food it was good but the drinks and entertainment was great

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Usually i go in, order and eat. Therefore i know how much of what im supposed to get. I don’t usually write reviews, so this is a first. After 20mins of simply trying to find a parking spot downtown and walking 3mins to pick up the food, then i didnt get to check until i got home—im given this for my crab dip? Its not even halfway full and the amount given when youre there in person can feed two people. Wth is this..i dont even feel comfortable eating it tbh, makes me feel like i was given leftover crab dip.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Cajun Wings

The music and drinks were great ? ❤️✨

Enjoyed Tuesday nighr with Beaux Dove and

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

Great time! Food was a hit and band was great. Would definitely come back. Enjoyed it all!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5