We got word this morning that longtime Riverdale restaurant, Cajun’s Wharf, will close after 44 years of service. Initial thought, given the date, was this might be a poorly executed April Fool’s day joke, but sadly we have verified that June 1 will be the last day.
Cajun’s opened in 1975 and has survived multiple rounds of changes both in the Little Rock food scene and in their own ownership. I sat down with owner Mary Beth Ringgold last year and she talked about how the brief sale to large-chain Landry’s nearly took the operation under many years ago. Ringgold was quick to buy the restaurant back and improve quality, but the chain stigma remained for many years.
Sadly a couple of visits last year offered the best version of Cajun’s I’ve personally seen in 20+ years of visiting. Their fresh seafood specials, where they would fly freshly caught fish in, were some of the best available in a landlocked state.
The last day of business will be Saturday, June 1. Until then they will continue to operate as normal with specials and music lineup. The sister restaurants of Capers and Copper grill are unaffected by the close.
Full release below:
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Little Rock landmark Cajun’s Wharf today announced its last day of business will be Saturday, June 1. Until then, the nearly 40-year-old restaurant and entertainment venue will continue its regular operations, including a full musical line-up and “Big Swinging Deck Parties” with views of the Arkansas River.
“We often hear from customers who have experienced some of the most significant events of their lives here—from college graduations to first dates to wedding receptions,” said Cajun’s Wharf owner Mary Beth Ringgold. “Over the next two months, we hope our loyal customers and friends will come soak up the best of Cajun’s and relive that nostalgia with us.”
Now through June 1, Cajun’s will offer daily restaurant specials, as well as fresh crawfish and a $5 “Thursday Throwback” bar menu with signature drinks, wine and beer. It will have live music during happy hour and in the evenings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Cajun’s will be open for lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., as well as dinner Monday-Thursday 5-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5-11 p.m. The bar and deck will be open Monday-Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until close.
Ringgold’s other entities, Capers Restaurant and Market at Capers on Highway 10 in West Little Rock and Copper Grill in 300 Third Tower in downtown Little Rock, will remain unaffected.
