Erika G.
Yelp
One of the true Edmonton and Old Strathcona institutions, DaDeO has been around for nearly 30 years. It would be difficult to picture Whyte Ave without them. Not only have they been serving up awesome Cajun cooking all of these years but they've been doing it in an amazing 50s-style diner that is brimming with a rockabilly vibe. Edmonton Journal named DaDeO the Best Cajun/Creole Restaurant 2020 and after many years away, it was time for me to make a glorious return. The location is quite small from the outside, indicative of the long and narrow restaurant on the inside. However, you will instantly recognize them by their purple neon lettering. The outdoor signage also advertises oysters and gumbos, both of which are readily available once you pass through the doors. One of the most interesting things to note is that DaDeO is an adult-only restaurant. Kids are not allowed even during daytime hours. I'm not sure that I can think of any other restaurant that implements the same policy. However, if you're looking for a night away from the kids, this is the right place! The space is very interesting and exciting, boasting an atmosphere that goes full-on into a clear theme. There's a blue checkerboard floor, tiny jukeboxes on every table, and kitsch as far as the eye can see. A combination of booths, tables, and bar seating, the space is incredibly cozy. It feels like a restaurant that has truly settled into their space. They've been around forever and they aren't going anywhere. Music is an important element and a slightly raucous environment can always be expected at DaDeO. The best part? Amidst the strong identity of the restaurant itself, the food is also wonderful. I visited on a Saturday evening and spilled myself into our assigned booth. In the mood for fun, I quickly ordered a Hurricane (The drink of New Orleans! White and dark rum with passion fruit juice - $8.00 for 1oz) off of the Louisiana Libations menu. I found this cocktail to be a pleasant surprise. I was expecting that it would be really strong and boozy, however to the contrary, it was sweet and enjoyable to drink. The balance was ideal. The tart sweetness from the passion fruit evened out the booziness from the rum really well. These might be a little dangerous because you could easily drink several of them. Given that it had been many years since my last visit, I had forgotten about the lovely little extras that DaDeO includes. Little biscuits served with jalapeno jelly are delivered to your table every time and I was so happy to see them once again. Perfect little biscuit cylinders that break apart easily, allowing for liberal use of the neon green jelly. This is the stuff of legend, in fact I think that they sell it in jars. Sweet and spicy, it's just the happiest beginning to any meal. On this visit my intention was to dig into all of my very favourite dishes. Time for all of the greatest hits! This meant starting with Fritters (Four deep-fried dumplings with DaDeO's dippin' sauce - $12.00) as an appetizer. The fritters come in four different flavours; Andouille Sausage, Jalapeno & Cheddar, Crab & Parmesan, or Corn. You can order a "Four-tune" which gets you one of each. This is clearly the way to go! I had forgotten how magical these things are. Golden and perfectly crispy on the outside, yet pillowy-soft and warm on the inside. The texture of these fritters is insane - to the point where I've been dreaming of them. I love the punchy dipping sauce that compliments each type of fritter very well. Each different flavour was wonderful in it's own way, however I may say that the corn was my favourite! (Surprising, because it seemed like the most "basic" of the four.) Something about the sweet corn just created a perfect overall fritter in my opinion. However, each one was excellent and I think that having the variety is key. I was so excited about my entrée because I have been ordering the exact same thing at DaDeO for years. Maybe it's time to branch out? I love the Combo Ya-Ya (Fried oysters, blackened shrimp and scallops, veggie jambalaya and coleslaw - $24.00) so much that I doubt I'll ever stray. However, the menu boasts TONS of options; from jambalayas, to fried chicken, to ribs, and of course to a wide selection of their famous po'boy sandwiches. This combo wins my heart because it includes the perfect selection of everything that I'd want to eat. You get seafood in there but also a jambalaya (which you definitely want). I also really like that oysters are included since they're one of the restaurant's signature items. Honestly, this combo has it all! I dove in, excited to discover if everything was as good as I remembered it. First, the veggie jambalaya, which is a long grain rice simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce along with the Cajun holy trinity: bell peppers, celery and onions. The veggie version is packed with fresh chunks of sweet peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, tomato, spinach and fried eggplant. My favourite part is the cre