TEXARKANA, Texas - Blue Water Bayou Wing Masters and Gumbo has opened downtown.
The owner, who just calls himself TJ, has had his eye on the Texas Boulevard spot - where Mother Kelley's was once located - for some time.
He describes what Blue Water Bayou does as "Creole" cooking. Some may confuse Creole with Cajun, but the two are very different, TJ said.
"For one, Cajun is mostly French Louisianian, mostly, though not entirely a white culture," he said. "Creole is a combination of French and African culture, also a product of Louisiana. Though the two are very different, they both use the 'holy trinity' as their base they start from, those being celery, bell peppers and onions. The differences come in the combinations and what seasonings are used."
TJ himself is Creole, as his family is from Louisiana. However, his first effort in restauranteering was a combination fish place and car wash in California, his home state.
Eventually, he established a base of operations with Blue Water Bayou Bistro at Yarborough Landing at Millwood Lake, near Ashdown, Arkansas. He said his expansion to Texarkana has been driven entirely by customer demand.
"They kept insisting, and eventually, I decided it was time to come here," he said.
His initial opening on Texas Boulevard has been a quiet one.
"My place at Yarborough Landing has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere with a N'Orleans twist," he said. "So that's why I've opted for the quiet opening here, rather than make a big to-do. Just quietly open my doors and let my customers come as they will."