For the record, this post has been a back log for a month already! Whoa. What this implies is that I’m totally not excited to report my review on this restaurant β Cajun Red Rock, in particular. The food simply failed to rock my world.
If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you probably know by now that I’m not a fan of pasta and all the more, meaty dishes. So when pasta and meat are combined together, I’m like 95% sure that disaster would be gushing right through my door. But since Louie is fond of eating these food, I thought it was okay to give them a try.
Review of Cajun Red Rock (SM Megamall Megastrip B, Mandaluyong)
Ambiance: β β β ββ
The first branch of Cajun Red Rock was only a burger joint in Glorietta built in 2000. After receiving positive responses and warm accolade from customers, the owners were inspired to open a restaurant in SM MegaMall from a garage in Retiro.
Cajun Red Rock is a family restaurant with a New Orleans setup. The walls are decorated with pictures and stuff related to New Orleans. The place seemed casual but what I didn’t like was that everyone can see you eating inside or outside and there’s no sense of privacy.
The interior design is kept simple β not anything special or unusual, not breathtaking. Itβs a restaurant theme that’s not bold but one that you won’t get tired of. Itβs not the kind that takes your breath away but one that makes you breathe.
Service: β β β ββ
Because the restaurant’s interior area is shaped like an L with the counter and most of the servers positioned at the “|” side and not both the “|” and “_” sides, calling servers’ attention was hard for diners like us who were seated at the “_” side. Some waiters were also attending and serving requests of those outside. So it was too tempting to just stand up and walk to them instead of raising a hand till the cows come home. Overall, service was mediocre in this branch.
Food: β β βββ
Louie ordered Cajun Bourbon Ribs (PHp 360) and Creole Chicken Pasta (PHp 250) for us. I can’t remember how he made me say yes to these two.
While waiting for our orders, we were given a small bowl of popcorn to munch on. The popcorn was bland and it needed pinches of salt badly. It was not a fun starter. I also thought it was not fresh as some flattened between my teeth into a stale, impenetrable pancake.
Onto our actual orders, first up was the Cajun Bourbon Ribs. Presentation-wise, this signature dish was noteworthy. We saw other customers having the same on their tables. The food was meticulously prepared and done, even reaching to a point where it assuaged some remorse over getting this “carnivorous” plate. Taste-wise, I felt the remorse back. π
Much force and effort was required to slice through even a small portion of this age-old house tradition grilled back ribs. I didn’t think that it was tender or juicy. The bourbon sauce, on the other hand, was strong and unique. It gave life to the slow simmered ribs that were, to me, not well formed. The saffron rice and the sweet potato mojos tasted fine. They were neither overwhelming nor getting lost in the other flavor.
Next came Cajun’s Creole Chicken Pasta which was full of tomatoes and red and green bell peppers. Served with crisp chicken strips, this other signature dish had a lick of heavy cream on it. The pasta provided a chewy texture against the smooth sauce with a hit of cheese amid it all. It was not better than any pasta I’ve tried but it was okay.
Price for Value: β β βββ
I hate to say this but honestly I didn’t enjoy eating at Cajun’s Red Rock, as mentioned in the intro. The food was not likeable but maybe I’m really not the best to rate this restaurant or their food after all because my taste buds are pretty different from the majority of people who are used to eating meat.
Cajun Red Rock was packed with diners that day, and this showed how their food are much appreciated. We’ll see about that in another time when I get to sample their seafood entrees on the menu. For now at least, I give 2/5 stars for what our cash had been worth.
Other branches:
Level 4, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
Contact number: (02) 4709961, +63922 8791315
108, N.S. Amoranto Street, Santo Domingo, Quezon City
Contact number:Β (02) 4152605
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Wanting to try the Cajun Bourbon Ribs. I t iwll be my first time in Cajun if in case. π
It was also my first time to know see Cajun. But until now, I don’t know exactly what it is. OK, a quick search via Wikipedia reveals that “Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles.” Ask me how it connects with the food here and my answer is I don’t know. Haha.
Thanks to Pinoy Bloggers I discovered your blog. I love eating, so reviews like this are very much appreciated!
Thanks for dropping by here. Explore my other posts and enjoy!
How I wish I had read this before I ate their myself. Far too overpriced and really not that great.
It’s an experience you have to see and taste to judge for yourself and then share to others.
first time to hear about it.. seems okay.. but their pasta kind of looks horrible.. not really appetizing.. π
Hehe. If you’re a pasta lover though, I think you would like it. Donβt let appearances deceive you. The food more than makes up for whatever it lacks in aesthetics. That’s according to my boyfriend.
Not a rock-solid experience in the red rock. I’m not comfortable with Megamall anyway as I feel it’s too congested.
Actually, SM Megamall is not short of restaurants to get a nice meal, but we’ve all had that moment when we’re standing on one corner wondering where to go — that is, if we’re trying to find one we have not been to before.
My first time to hear that food place. Great to read that you have a pretty good experience with them. For the foods, they look really delicious :).
The place was okay. The food was okay for most people but not me. Hehe. The ribs came out hot, lacquered with a barbecue sauce that was tasty. However, one bite was all I needed to say that it was a turn-down. π
So honest mo naman to say na you didn’t enjoy your eating experience in the said establishment. But if ever I drop by the place then I’ll try to have a Creole Chicken Pasta. Seems yummy naman.
Hihi oo I am always honest with my reviews. π Sure, try their dishes and maybe you can share your thoughts, too.
I think its because you didnt like the food they serve, it went on to include the interiors and glass walls or dislike of open spaces.
Better to experience and judge by myself instead..
I love pasta and meaty dishes, I’d be floored if they can serve a good Pasta Arabiata or Tuna Pesto perhaps.
Reading thorugh your comment about the open space, I think its understandable,
knowing that this is inside a mall and really the little space is rented.
They need the illusion of big and wide space, while the wall decor needs an overhaul and requires a better imagination behind it.
American food has a fun, colorful allure but I just don’t have the capacity to like it. Despite this, I still find some restaurants to try that can maybe change my perception.
Haha they do not serve the pasta dishes you mentioned. Available on the menu are: Bacon Caesar Spaghetti, Cheesy Mini Meatball Spaghetti, Roasted Garlic Shrimp Pasta and the one we had: Chicken Creole Pasta.
About the space, yup, you made a good point by stating that they are inside the mall and they have to maximize the space for its cost. However, I think that they can arrange their furniture and restaurant layout much better. Mirrors do a lot in giving illusions for larger or wider space. Now that’s a trend they can ape.
Being that you’re a vegetarian (hope I read the signs right) I guess your palate is indifferent to the taste and feel of the ribs that you ordered. Then again, the ingredients and even the smell should also help complement any dish, regardless if it’s all-veggies or all-meat. Anyway, the service that you experienced would’ve turned me off as well.
Correct. I just thought that Cajun Red Rock was one of the last of the highly acclaimed spots I hadn’t visited in SM Megamall. So on a Sunday evening, it was the chance to dine in there with my boyfriend who’s fond of meat and see what it had to add to the great debate: pass or fail.
The Cajun Bourbon Ribs looks savory, but the pasta looks a bit dry or is it just me? π
The pasta was not dry but it was not swimming in the sauce either.
I haven’t tried this restaurant yet though I always see this in Megamall. Been meaning to try it because of the pasta and I love pasta. Though I was not attracted to the food that you presented here. Maybe I will try it someday though not soon. Thanks for sharing this though π
Of course, you’re welcome! I’ve been to Megamall more than ten times and it was only this time when I saw this, like literally my two eyes acknowledging its presence… because I don’t normally “see” those restaurants that tend to fall on the “carnivorous” side of the spectrum. Then again, they also have seafood entrees so I guess I have to try them next time. π
Oh well, we will have different reactions to food tastes especially when we already have some pre-existing views about things such as eating meat and the like. Hopefully, it would be much better when you get the chance to sample their seafood entrees. They should seriously be considering your comments about the service though.
Yup. But as I said, the restaurant was packed and long lines could tell another side of the story. Their back ribs, jambalaya pasta, buffalo wings, and burgers may be life-changing for some people. I have some friends who are on the same side as them. Hehe. Little did I know that Cajun Red Rock has a cult following. They come hungry and leave happy.
2/5 rating for this restaurant is not so good. However if the manager reads your review ad accepts their flaws this will help them to improve their service. By the way did you pay on your own? I’m just curious. ^_^
Service was slow but the environment seemed to be quite energetic with so many customers flowing in and out. The place could get noisy also because it was cramped. But admirers still swear that the food is a steal.
Yes, we did. Not all my food reviews are sponsored. π And even if it is, I would have to be honest all the same.
the interior and the food are so awesome that i really want to visit the store asap!
Hehe yeah theirs are worth a try. π
The place looks so spacious despite of a lot of people eating in the resto. Too bad you didn’t enjoy your time there. Might not try this haha. I really consider bloggers’ views when it comes to restos.
On the other hand, you might want to try also lah haha — prove me wrong? π
We once ate at Cajun, it’s a cool place. My office mates and I love the Chicken Creole Pasta so much.
These are two of the most ordered dishes… I would say they are considered as the “best sellers” here present in about 7-8 out of 10 tables.
thanks for sharing this! your image is getting me hungry and really want to taste this Cajun Bourbon Ribs!
My boyfriend loved particularly the ribs. You may take his judgment to consideration. π
i love pasta too! and other noodle foods since i dont white rice but more of brown rice now since I am trying to gain weight this meat and pasta together sounds perfect for me too!
White rice is usually full of unnatural fortifications and additives that brown rice doesn’t have. So yup, brown rice is healthier than white rice. If you want to gain weight, you need to build an appetite; and while this might be a tad non-traditional, you can rely on wine as a hunger stimulant. A small glass of wine before your evening meal will help you appreciate your food a whole lot more. π
I think the Cajunβs Creole Chicken Pasta will satisfy my craving for tomato-loaded pastas! =)
Sometimes, nothing beats the comfort of enjoying a good and simple tomato-loaded pasta. I like that one more than creamy and milky pastas that are in white sauce.
what an honest post, sis.. ^^ i havent tried cajun yet so I cant really agree or disagree to anything. hehehe
Hehe of course, I am not asking readers to agree or disagree here. All I do is to share my personal take on the food and overall restaurant. You have to try it yourself. π
It makes me sad that Cajun Red Rock didn’t get much rainbows to your tastebuds. It has been always in my dine-when-you-dont-know-where-to list, being a sucker for buffalo wings, back ribs, and burgers. But at least we all have something to look forward to, your seafood entree! π And truth to tell, i haven’t tried em seafood menu list. π
Then we’ll both go next time. Hihi ^_^
Hi, Roch!
I don’t remember what we ordered here at Cajun’s; it’s not noteworthy that’s why. We don’t have plans on trying it once more. I bet we didn’t exactly appreciate the food. But yeah, it’s weird that a lot of people still eat there. Maybe it’s just my tastebuds too but I had with me 2 foodies (steak and seafood eaters at that) during our visit… so I don’t know.
Haha yeah I think that’s just normal for us to have our own take on tastes. It can be our cultural upbringing and a lot of other things that shape our personal tastes. Who knows, maybe it’s also our mood. π
Kawawa ka naman miss rochkirstin. ang sawap sawap po diyan sa cajun. YAMMY kung tawagin.
Kain kain kung may time.
Louie Balouie
Hindi masarap mga napili eh. Next time try ibang dishes. π
[…] not familiar with Cajun food and the only previous encounter I had with this cuisine was with Cajun Red Rock which I gave a poor rating, by the way. In contrast, I liked the entrees we sampled at […]