They're not deaus guys: Exploring 'Boudreau and Thibodeau's Cajun Cookin' '

May 17, 2016 at 4:43AM
A restaurant in Houma, La. ó about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans ó called ìBoudreau and Thibodeauís Cajun Cookiní.î
In Houma, La., a restaurant is named after two popular characters from Cajun history — not after two longtime pro coaches. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

I promise I'm not making this up because I'm not sure how I would have begun to make it up. I also gladly tell you that I did not discover this — and that it was discovered for my benefit quite by accident.

Columnist Chip Scoggins was working on a piece about local coaches. He typed "Boudreau and Thibodeau" into a Google search to double-check that he was properly spelling the names of the two newly hired Minnesota coaches — Bruce Boudreau of the Wild, Tom Thibodeau of the Timberwolves. The search gave him the spellings … and it has given us all so much more.

For in that search, he came across a restaurant in Houma, La. — about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans — called "Boudreau and Thibodeau's Cajun Cookin'." Chip thought of me, bless his heart, and on Monday I had the occasion to speak with Audra, a bookkeeper at the restaurant, to find out a little more about his serendipity.

• Though Audra didn't know specifically why the name was chosen for the restaurant, Boudreau and Thibodeau are two popular characters from Cajun history. She asked me if I'd ever been to Louisiana, and when I answered that regrettably I had not, she made sure I knew that Boudreau and Thibodeau are very popular last names in the region.

• They are such popular characters that there is an entire line of Boudreau and Thibodeau jokes, Audra said. She told me I could "go online and just search for Boudreau and Thibodeau jokes. Usually it's written in a Cajun tone — not quite proper English. That's part of the humor in it."

This is absolutely true. They are basically the Cajun equivalent of Ole and Lena, Sven and Ole or Eino and Toivo jokes up here, depending on how you prefer your Scandinavian humor delivered.

In most cases both of the names have an "x" at the end of them, but they are there for the world to see. There is even a "joke of the day" submission button on the restaurant website.

This is an amusing side note right now, but this information could be good to file away should both coaches wind up as spectacular successes or failures here.

• Boudreau and Thibodeau's Cajun Cookin' has been around since 1998, serving lunch and dinner — and specializing in Cajun seafood such as boiled crab and crawfish as well as po boys. Audra asked if I knew what a po boy was, and I think I won her over a bit when I told her I did.

Other menu specialties include the Boudreau Burger — a "10-ounce fresh ground beef burger [that] will make ya wanna go home an' take a nap," according to the menu. Or you could try Thibodeau's catch: "Fresh fish breaded an' pan fried, topped wit' crabmeat an' sauteed in garlic butter."

Are you hungry, or are you starving? (Whoops, wrong coach.)

Audra made sure I knew Boudreau and Thibodeau's is not a chain or a franchise. It's one of a kind.

It certainly is.


A restaurant in Houma, La. ó about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans ó called ìBoudreau and Thibodeauís Cajun Cookiní.î
“Boudreau and Thibodeau’s Cajun Cookin’ ” has been open for nearly 20 years. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
FILE - In this April 8, 2015 file photo, Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau coaches his team during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, in Anaheim, Calif. The Anaheim Ducks have fired coach Bruce Boudreau after their first-round exit from the playoffs. Ducks general manager Bob Murray announced the decision Friday, April 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Boudreau (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, owner Glen Taylor and General Manager Scott Layden posed for a photo at the end of a press conference at Target Center. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - April 26, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, Target Center, NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves Press conference to announce Tom Thibodeau as coach General Manager Scott Layden President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor
Thibodeau (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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