Austin Food Bytes - Down Home Cooking at Sambet's

Last week was the Web Team's annual Crawfish Boil, chefed by our own Brent Babin and Leon Fainbuch. Brent is a true Cajun cook, so we all look forward to the Crawfish Boil with great anticipation. Spicy boiled crawfish, corn, potatoes, mushrooms and eggs appear in abundance, becoming progressively spicier as the afternoon goes on.The only problem is it's only once a year! So for those of you that missed out, or are craving fiery foods in the interim, here's another haunt of the International Food Club.

Recently, International Food club ventured to another venue - Sambet's Cajun Store on Spicewood Springs. Sambet's carries all manner of Louisiana favorites, from the hottest sauce you'll ever taste, to chicory coffee and beigniet mix.

The store is rustic, and has long wooden tables for eat-in patrons. The menu includes bayou favorites like crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, boudin, red beans and rice, and poboys. I had the lunch special, I chose a boudin sandwich with crawfish etouffee. Both were delicious, the boudin sausage (a sausage filled with pork and spiced rice) was excellent, the etouffe was peppery and flavorful. They also serve iced tea the traditional southern way, nice and sweet.

Sambet's didn't take credit cards until recently, so if that's scared you off a quick lunch near NI, be sure to give them another try. Just be sure to bring a big appetite!

Sambet's Cajun Store
8650 Spicewood Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78759-4322
(512) 258-6410