Beck’s @ 30th Street Featured by Daily Pennsylvanian’s 34th St.

Special thanks to Faryn at University of Pennsylvania for this great review!

Beck’s Cajun Cafe: Cajun (Food) Court

Skip the 28–hour train: Beck’s Cajun Cafe takes you to Louisiana in minutes

By FARYN PEARL

Shayla Cole

It’s strange to get such fine food in a food court. But that’s where the excellent Beck’s Cajun Cafe lies—right between a KFC and a nameless take–out Chinese stand. Of course, most people won’t have the luxury of sitting down and savoring Beck’s Louisiana–style offerings. They’ll be catching a train, grabbing gumbo on the go. That’s right: Beck’s is in the middle of 30th Street Station. While the venue might not scream “some of the best Cajun cooking in Philadelphia,” the food does.

And it’s the food that matters to chef and owner Bill Beck, who owned a Latin restaurant before starting the first Beck’s Cajun in Reading Terminal Market. A chef by trade, he was always attracted to Cajun cooking, an amalgamation of Latin, French and Southern cuisine. In talking to Beck, it was clear that he was passionate about bringing this style of cooking to Philadelphia and about the food he was serving.

So let’s get to the food. Namely, Beck serves alligator, and it is delicious. Honestly, my comrades and I were a little (read: completely) terrified when the Gator Gumbo ($6.95) came out. One bite and we were converts.

Alligator meat is surprisingly lean and flavorful, like chicken but more savory. Add that exotic meat (which, by the way, is authentic— they ship it from Louisiana) to a spicy and richly flavored gumbo stock and you have yourself a meal that’s truly crave–worthy. For favorites, the mini–cornbread loaves ($1.25) were a close second. Golden and crispy on the outside, warm and airy on the inside, they were the kind of pastry you read about in Martha Stewart magazines, but can never seem to recreate on your own. Also of note were the beignets ($3.95), a classic Louisiana–style doughnut smothered with fine confectioner’s powder (which got all over my pants but was otherwise totally worth it), and the Train Wreck Po Boy ($7.95), a hulking mass of steak and pork covered in cheese and sandwiched between crispy French bread—an alternate cheesesteak to rival Pat’s and Geno’s. The only disappointment was the Jambalaya Bowl ($6.95), the quintessential Cajun dish. It just didn’t have the spiciness or ingenuity of the other dishes; even the added kick of Beck’s own 3 Devils Hot Sauce ($6.99, part of their new retail line) couldn’t elevate it to the others’ level.

I know it’s no fun to read a gushingly positive review. But with incredible authentic Cajun cuisine—seriously, alligator—and the friendliest service around, it’s hard to find anything bad to say about Beck’s Cajun Cafe. Next time you need to go to 30th Street Station, give yourself a 30–minute head start and check out Beck’s. It will be worth the trip.

 

Shayla Cole | 34th Street

Beignets and Coffee

It’s 56 F and breezy outside. I’m having a cup of community coffee with beignets to warm up. If you don’t know these little guys, they’re like French donughts with powdered sugar. Once you have them, you’ll be hooked.

Beignets for Breakfast at Beck’s Cajun

Sundays, its beignets for breakfast at Beck’s Cajun Cafe. Try them with a hot cup of rich chicory coffee, courtesy of Community Coffee. It’s an amazing combination!

Traditional Beignets at Beck's Cajun Cafe

If you don’t know, a beignet (pronounced [bε.ɲε], is a traditional New Orleans pastry made from deep-fried dough and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar. Think of it as a kind of French doughnut. It’s also a little similar to an Italian Zeppole or a German spritzkuchen.

Or, if you’re looking for something hearty and filling, try our Brie Omelet topped W/ Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffée. Etoufeé is another Cajun favorite, and literally means “stuffed” or “smothered”. The main ingredient of étouffée is crawfish, shrimp, or crabmeat, seasoned with white pepper, cayenne pepper and garlic.

See you Sunday!