Ben Mouton: the Creative Force Behind Mouton’s Bistro and Bar in Cedar Park
You gotta love Ben Mouton. In his multifaceted career he’s gone from a theater major at Texas State to matriculating at one of the finer culinary academies in New Orleans. This eventually led him to Leander and ultimately Cedar Park where he’s opened Mouton’s Southern Bistro and most recently Mouton’s Bistro & Bar.
He has core family roots in the NOLA area and the recipes inspired by his grandparents have made their way onto the menus at both Mouton’s locations. His love for and skill at preparing Cajun food along with his theatrical flair are in constant evidence at both restaurants, from his Boudin Balls to his Gumbo and crawfish étouffée, and lest we forget the Angry Pasta and incredible Smoked Meatloaf.
He names dishes after his family members because he genuinely cares about them. From Paw Paw’s Pork Chops named after his grandfather to Gran Jan’s Gumbo (after his mother Janice) to Al’s GF, a marinated grilled chicken breast named after his late father. There are of course dishes named after his kids, too: Cajun Collette, a terrific pasta dish named after his daughter and Cade’s Club after his son.
But in addition to the emotional embrace of his family reflected in the menu, Ben also rolls out dishes that don’t require the salute to a family member. The Catfish Jambalaya is one such entree that knocked me out on the first tastings. This is a blackened catfish filet with chicken and sausage jambalaya covered in a lucious crawfish étouffée sauce.
Then there is the Frenchuletta, Ben’s take on the original Muffuletta. And this sandwich rocks!
Let’s not forget breakfast which is served seven days a week. My new favorite is the Lagniappe (pronounced lan yap) and it stands for just about every friggin’ thing you could conceivably put on a breakfast platter: eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries and of course biscuits and gravy. A good question in NOLA vernacular might be What Dat?. The answer: all you want and it tastes damn good!
So Ben Mouton has brought his family style Cajun fare to North Austin. And you know what? It’s about time.
Mouton’s Southern Bistro
309 N Hwy 183
Leander, TX 78641
(512) 260-6300
Mouton’s Bistro & Bar
1821 S Lakeline Blvd #104
Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 356-9300
