One of my favorite places for lunch - I eat here at least once every couple of weeks. Â Cajun/New Orleans style food is one of my favorite styles and having been to New Orleans several times, the food is authentic. Â The gumbo, red beans and rice along with jambayla are always good and the Po Boys are also excellent. Â Try the BBQ pork with slaw on top for a real treat. Â They have live music a couple of nights a week and I understand that it's a lot of fun. Â Will have the bring the wife for date night sometime. Â Try Papa Mojo's - you won't be disappointed!
Review Source:Ah, Papa Mojo's, I wish I would have found you 6 years ago. I stopped in for lunch for my first time today and ordered one of their lunch specials, the $9 Cochon de Lait. It was described on the menu as "BBQ Pork", so I was quite surprised when the plate arrived and it looked like two ham steaks. Despite the dark color, it did actually appear to be mostly white meat pork, and the BBQ sauce was served on the side.
The meat was incredibly tender and flavorful, perfectly cooked. It tasted good both with and without the spicy BBQ sauce. I thought the coleslaw was a good match for it, and the pickles on the side were a tasty treat too. All that meat was a really filling lunch, but it was all delicious. They also brought out some tiny cornbread muffins drenched in honey. I was pleasantly surprised to find they were spicy too, with little bits of peppers. It was a new combination for me, but I thought it turned out really well.
The service was great too, I've got no complaints. It's in Greenwood Commons if you have trouble seeing it from Hwy. 55.
Stopped in Papa Mojo's for some creole that wasn't too far from my hotel. Â Not knowing what to expect; it very much looks like a "roadhouse" - whatever that is. Â Anyway, I was seated at the bar, because I wasn't there to see the show. Â It seemed like a very local place as many people coming in seemed to know the proprietor.
The waitress was very good. Â She was attentive, helped me select my entree and had me set up with a margarita ($5 on thursdays) and salad fairly quickly. Â I ordered the shrimp and grits creole, and a side of corn bread. My entree arrived before I could finish my salad.
The entree was hot and full of spice. Â The grits were a bit runny, not at the texture I would have preferred. Â And, unfortunately, the meal was nothing to get excited about nor did it make me want to go back.
Based on other reviews, maybe if I ordered a different dish, I'd be more excited about Papa Mojo's and want to go back when I'm in town again. Â Sadly, I don't think I'll give Papa Mojo's that opportunity.
This place is great for that Po'Boy fix. I've had po'boys with blackened shrimp, fried shrimp and blackened catfish all were good. Overall the food is decent. It's not an amazing place but with few Cajun options in the triangle it's worth checking out. They have live music on certain nights and drink specials.
Review Source:Went to see Tom Principato blues guitar player and have dinner with a friend. Very small venue, every seat is close and intimate with the band area. Â We showed up at 7pm two hours before show time so we could have some drinks, dinner, and conversation before the show.
We ordered the Jumbo Shrimp dinner with rice and gravy and side salad, and a Hanger steak dinner. The food was just mediocre nothing to write home about, I will not be coming back for food I will get dinner else where before coming here if I come to see live music in the future.
The service was very good from the lady that served us and kept our drinks full.
Mr. Principato and his band are good, but I would have to say Mr. Principato's guitar playing and song writing gets old after about 3 or 4 songs.  I was getting board when he brought Mel the owner of Pap Mojo's up to play harmonica and sing. Mel was great and saved the set for Tom. Mel is a great singer, and harmonica player and has a lot of charisma. I also felt that Tom was a little full of himself and thought he was better then he was. Another guitar player came on stage, and Tom would not really let him play lead and kept trying to steal the show. I felt the other guitar player was a much better blues guitarist and  I think Tom knew it also. I really enjoyed  the set once Mel and the other guitarist got up and played.
I would give this evening most likely 1 star for the bad food and Mr. Principato, but I'm going to bump it up to 4 stars because of the other guitar player and Mel getting up and playing with Tom. They really turned around the night and my friend and I had a great time with them on stage.
Papa Mojo's is a cool place, but I think it is a bit overpriced. Went in on Saturday night, no wait for a table, as it was fairly early, and we said we were not staying for the show.
Service was fair, but attentive.
Jalapeno Cornbread was a highlight, as well as Abita on tap. Fried Oysters, Shrimp PoBoy, Hangar Steak PoBoy, and Jambalaya were all good, not great. Thought overall bill was a bit much for the food.
If you really got a jones for Cajun go for it, but otherwise there are better Durham dining options.
Dang... this place is solid!!!!
We tried going on a Monday... Guess what, they are closed on Monday's :(
Decided to give this another shot (on a non-Monday) and it was worth it... Â The place is in the back corner of a strip mall, but as soon as you get in, it doesn't feel like a strip mall restaurant. It's a bit over the top, but very nice... The place is a bit smaller than you would expect, especially for a place that has music.
As for the food... Very TASTY!!!
You start off with a little cornbread muffin top, not the best I have had but good... It is a jalapeno cornbread, which I am very down with... It comes out warm and with something glazed on, no idea what though as it wasn't overpowering, but also had very little taste as a glaze....
We had the Anduille Po' Boy and the Hangar Steak Po'Boy...
Go with the half as the whole LOOKS huge... The bread that they use is very good and the quality of the food is great. The fries (yes I know fries at a Cajun place) were also very good...
Lots of value for your money, and tasty!!!
Yum! Fun ambiance, delicious food and live entertainment makes Papa Mojo's a winning date spot.
I had the crawfish etouffee, and it was absolutely scrumptious. She has the crab and shrimp creole, and it was alive with spices and very, very tasty. The rum cake was a perfect dessert.
Service was stellar. Five stars!
What's not to love about Papa Mojo's? It truly has an ambiance and character that is lacking in many restaurants. You get a little piece of Louisiana in the Triangle. Â
They got everything from Po' boys to gumbo and hurricanes.
The blackened shrimp po'boy is quite phenomenal. I'm not usually big on butter , but the kind they use to toast the sandwich bread was good enough it eat on it's own. The shrimp of course were delicious too. I also love the jalapeno cornbread that they bring out as you wait for our food.
Wednesday open mic night is a great time. The band is always good and the brave souls that get on the mic usually rock it too. The staff are really friendly and the owner can really jam on the harmonica.
I still haven't made it to their brunch, but am excited to try it soon, as I've heard great things.
I went to Papa Mojo's with a group of 10 at lunch. We were very pleased with our experience. With a large group sometimes things can get confusing but if the worst that happens is the runner brings a dish to the wrong side of the table then everything is going well in my opinion.
The inside allows you to escape the old strip mall in which the restaurant is located. They have some decor that brings our the Cajun theme. I thought the tall mantle in the center of the restaurant was very cool and fitting.
My table ordered a variety of items so I think we got to try about everything. I ordered the New Orleans sampler which included red beans, Â jambalaya, and craw fish etouffee. They also bring out complimentary cornbread to each table with refills if your heart desires.
The cornbread was good. It contained pieces of corns and jalapenos. It was glazed with honey but was not overpoweringly sweet. The red beans are vegetarian which was surprising to me because they were so flavorful that I was sure they contained meat. I ate the entire portion of red beans before I finished anything else. The jambalaya is also very good. Some at my table found it to be very spicy but I prefer dishes that way and did not notice the heat as much as I noticed the full flavor. My least favorite part of my meal was the craw fish etouffee. I think I would have preferred it over a bed of rice.
I tried the shrimp po boy. The full size is very large and delicious. I would order this myself next time. The green beans were zesty and garlicky. Very good flavor.
If you are looking for flavorful Cajun food Papa Mojo's is definitely the place to try. They also have live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
While living down the street from Papa Mojo's for - oh- three years, I finally traveled to this gem tucked back in Greenwood Commons off Highway 55. My boyfriend knew the ropes to make reservations, as when it is music night, things are happening after 8pm.
Seating is tight, so you may get to know your neighbors very well. Our server was great - she also performs there on Sundays! Having difficulty choosing food, I opted for the Cajun samplers, which includes gumbo, etouffee, and red beans. The etouffee was out of this world! Incredible chunks of crawfish mixed with a fantastic-flavored broth. I really really enjoyed it! I thought the red beans were well-cooked and seasoned. I wasn't as on board with the gumbo as much as I wanted to be. We also ordered sides of okra and the cornbread. Both were well-cooked and seasoned. The cornbread comes covered in tasso gravy, which was fantastic. The only drawback was that it came out cold. I would say that was the only disappointing element of our meal.
I would definitely recommend checking-it out (do make reservations just in case). The po boys definitely look off the chain, so as they say, y'all come on in!
Tout ko mwen cho! Â That's Creole for "My whole body is HOT!" Â And it is...it's hot for Papa Mojo's.
Papa Mojo's rocks me in my f*in' plumbs. Â They have the BEST brunch in all of Durham. Â Go get yourself a spicy bloody Mary, some benyas (Fried donuts of Cajun crack love) and a crawdad omelet. Â
Mwengendjare! Â That's "I have diarrhea!" in Creole. Â I don't...but I'm just saying...you could get it, but TOTALLY WORTH IT! Â I'd take a week of diarrhea just to have another one of their bloody Mary's. Â Just to be clear, they don't give you diarrhea. Â They give you a fantastic buzz though.
Papa Mojo's always has great live music, fantastic service with a smile, great beer selection and their food is to die for...not from... Ou gen SIDA! Â That's Creole for "You have AIDS" Â ...get that checked out. Â
Seriously.
We tried to go there for dinner last night and was greeted by a very nasty hostess that asked us if we had a reservation (for a strip mall restaurant?).
We didn't so she threw us out on some portable table in front of the restaurant on the strip mall sidewalk and said she would "try" to get someone to wait on us. Â Not a great experience....
Wouldn't recommend just from the attitude of the hostess....
When Mama's Happy, Everybody's Happy! Â So they say...
I took my bride here on a Friday afternoon to get myself out of the office and away from my desk for a late lunch. Â Didn't know what to expect being that it was my first time. Â
When you first walk in, you look around and it has a "barn" or even a "warehouse" feel to it. Â Horizontal light colored wood siding on one side, vertical sheet metal siding on the other. Â There is some acoustic tile hanging from the ceiling but that really doesn't absorb much of the sound that bounces around between the walls (meaning - it's loud in there).
Atmosphere aside, I may have found a new "one of my favorites" lunch place near my office! Â The shrimp & crab dish was pretty durn good and I watched my bride wolf down her steak po-boy like she hadn't eaten in days. Â Her portions were huge, mine were more like - just right for lunch. Â
Our server brought us a couple biscuits before our meals arrived but had a little trouble making sure our drinks stayed filled at first. Â She seemed like she was all about customer service but maybe a little absent minded, like she would forget as soon as she left our table that she was going to bring us refills, but then get back to our table to remind herself what she went to get. Â I do have to say, the lunch rush was already on the verge of being over when we arrived. Â Regardless, our server was still pleasant as could be and very personable. Â The absent mindedness can be forgiven rather easily.
So, this is what a cajun/creole place is like? Â Cool! Can't wait to go back and try something new (as long as it's not red beans and rice).
Delicious fried catfish po'boy. I only order a half and it is PLENTY, probably a 5 or 6 inch sandwich.
Based on the Yelp reviews you don't need me to tell you much of anything, but I will share one piece of advice: On weekends, make reservations. Seriously. The closer you get to showtime the more important it is that you have a reservation, even if you aren't staying for the music. The place gets packed, and they will tell you (nicely) that there is no room for you. Then they will tell you to always make a reservation. So, make reservations and enjoy.
Phenomenal Cajun food. If you like spicy start with the alligator bites! mmm
Our party shared a few items off the menu. The trio sampler of jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and rice was FANTASTIC. The red beans and rice stood out as the winner among the three. My mother who is from New Orleans even said it was the BEST she had ever tasted.
My favorite entree was the shrimp and grits. OMG buttery heaven.
The fried catfish was cooked perfectly. It literally fell apart in your mouth.
The drinks were really sugary and the food was so filling I couldn't quite stomach the idea of a beer.
Our first waiter was awesome. He was a big bear of a man with the friendliest disposition. The kind of waiter you wished could just sit down and eat a hunk of catfish with you while swapping good 'ol stories. He is normally the day time bartender there. We were staying for the band and he had to close out. So then we got our second waiter(waitress actually). She was not attentive, not friendly and in general didn't seem happy to be there.
The band, however, was awesome. It was a bluesy honky tonk mix of original songs as well as swing standards. While the music was great, the 10$ per person charge for admission was worth the people watching here. The band had a "groupie" ...maybe one of the members' wives? It seemed like she was into two of the band mates though...which lead me to believe she was married to one but sleeping with the other. Though maybe they have some sort of special arrangement going on? She was dancing alone in the center of the restuarant for a good portion of the evening in her red kimono like top and TEVAS. Yes, I said tevas. She was Asian themed on top and camping near a river on the bottom. And as the wine flowed so did her dance moves.
If you are looking for some spicy, fried deliciousness and some hoppin' swing / blues tunes this is the place.
Note: It can be a little tricky to find off the main road because it is tucked into the back of a shopping center. (hint: use the photo on Yelp to recognize the font of the shopping center and that will help you know which one to turn into :D)
Next time I visit my little brother at Duke, I will make sure to come here again!
I'd rather give this place 3.5 stars. Â I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but hey, I'm feeling generous today.
I went here for dinner with a group of friends based off of the other Yelp reviews. Â I'll admit that I was skeptical because 1) I rarely travel south of 54 for food and 2) the restaurant was located in a run-down strip mall with a neon gator in the front. Â Come on, people, get rid of the gator!
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find a clean, laid-back atmosphere inside. Â It's a typical bar scene, nothing fancy. Â Our waiter was friendly and the manager even stopped by to stay hello. Â We didn't stay for much of the live blues music to avoid the $3 cover charge, but what I heard sounded great.
We started out with two pitchers at $18 each -- can't go wrong with Abita! Â Then, I ordered an andouille sausage poboy. Â Let me tell you, the poboys are HUGE. Â My "half" poboy was the size of a "large" sub from Quizno's. Â And, I usually find that anything with andouille in it tastes good. Â My friend's Shrimp and Crab Creole was unmemorable, though...wish they added more spice! Â There's a good selection of bottled hot sauces, though, so you can fire away if you find the food too mild for your tastes.
Why the 3.5 stars, then? Â Well, I guess I'm biased because I have family in New Orleans, so the food doesn't really compare. Â Also, I wanted everything to be spicier. Â But, for Durham, this isn't a bad hangout spot and I'll definitely be coming back in the future.
So I gave Brit the option for her B-Day lunch on our drive from Brier Creek - Korean BBQ or Cajun. Â I'd never been to either place I had in mind so I had no dog in the fight and left the entire decision making process in her lap.
Her decision was quick and succinct - Cajun!
So off to Papa Mojo's Roadhouse we went. Â Papa Mojo's is in the same complex as Sarah's Empanada's, Â Tandoor Indian, Thai Lanna, two staffing agencies and an NC licence plate agency.
A few tables were situated outside, and enticed the average citizen to think "Hey, I gotta check this place out." Â A rustic interior, well decorated with a very comfortable feel was what we experienced upon entering.
Brooke was our waitress and was not only very prompt, but knowledgeable and courteous. Â I ordered an Abita root beer, a whole skillet fried oyster po'boy with a side of fried okra. Â For some reason I thought the people who were in the dining room were all eating whole po'boys. Â Boy was I mistaken. Â The 8 inch po'boys being inhaled around the room were the HALFS! Â My plate showed up and I felt my stomach sigh as it received my eyeballs condolences. Â The skillet fried oysters were lighly breaded and fried in a garlicky mixture. Â Talk about melt in your mouth goodness. Â Freshly sliced, battered and fried okra was piled on my plate, great flavor and texture. Â
Brit's blackened catfish half po'boy was excellent. Â The blackened fish was spicy, tender and flaky. Â Her side of garlic green beans were crisp, fresh and packed with garlic. Â
For a quick lunch ~45 minutes. Â We had great food, great service and overall an unbelievably great time. Â
I do want to get back for some crawfish...soon!
My first dinner experience here was impressive. I was astounded at the flavours of the macque choux and buttermilk pie (which I'd never had before) and also enjoyed the crawfish étouffée and beans and rice. The dishes have pretty authentic Cajun and Creole flavours, in my humble opinion, and the atmosphere really does lend itself to a 'roadhouse' with the live bands playing.
Subsequent lunch visits were pretty good, but not as mind-blowing; I'm not sure if they changed the recipes or if they were just having 'off' days. The catfish po'boy is consistently satisfying and quite filling for a lunch-size portion. I've heard the brunch is scrumptious, so I'll reserve my last star for those melt-in-your-mouth beignets.
This place is fun. Â I hadn't been to a place that sells Cajun food before, but I went for breakfast with an open mind. Â I ate something that google explains is pig butt and crawdads. Â Top notch stuff. Â The pig is sweet and the crawdads, yeah those crawdads, are kind of buttery and spicy. Â The dish came with cheddar grits which were as good as cheddar grits are going to get; they were moist and umm...cheddary. Â
The beignets, which are super light and flaky pastries covered in powdered sugar, are something to try. Â
The inside of the restaurant was decorated in a really cool and unique way. Â I went the day after Halloween so I can't say how much of the new orleans voodoo feel was due to that and how much is standard.
They have an impressive looking bar and on a Sunday morning, the maitre'd was crazy hungover, which all makes me think this is a great party spot. Â The breakfast boozes sounded impressive if you can stomach the idea of bloody mary's and "Louisiana Screwdrivers" and "New Orleans Milk Punch". Â On the tables, there were ads for what must be almost nightly live zydeco music events.
All in all, I liked this place and thought it was a neat place to see.
So while I may not be the biggest gumbo fan, turns out, I absolutely am an adorer of bayou-style brunch. So much so that it's really shocking I've only come here twice for my fave meal of the week given my stone's throw proximity to the restaurant.
On second visit for brunch, it was just as good as I'd remembered from our UYE. I ordered the same thing (sorry to not be adventurous, readers; but I'd gone 6mos in between visits and really wanted to experience the amazing poached eggs and mornaise again!). Those eggs -- poached perfection! Perched atop a dense buttery biscuit and paired with tomato and bacon. Stop drooling on your keyboard. Beignets are also a win.
The brunch food is five stars; but the service on last visit was a little lacking. Took about 10 minutes to get our drink order taken; and then another 15 for someone to come by and take our food order down (when there were only two other tables in the restaurant). I'm not really picky about service, and I was catching up with a friend so not a big deal. But it was 2pm -- and we were pretty hungry!
Fresh cajun in my neck of the woods?? Â Why did I not try this place out sooner? Â How did this slip under my radar?? Â Can there be worse news for my wallet (or my boyfriend's)??
Questions galore, but I was happily impressed by my late lunch at Papa Mojo. Â The circumstances surrounding this meal were not ideal - I was supposed to be splishing and splashing at Wet 'n Wild, but somebody got sick - so it was a second-best kind of situation. Â We came around 3pm and were offered a short menu. Â He got a bowl of the jambalaya and I got the fried crawfish. Â
Jambalaya - it's been TOO long since I had such a flavorful jambalaya stew that wasn't dehydrating in an overabundance of salt. Â The bowl was a good size and carried in it big chunks of dark meat and andouille sausage. Â Awesome.
Fried crawfish - the platter came with tartar and cocktail sauces, but they weren't necessary because the crawfish was really that fresh. Â At most places, I have to use the tartar sauce to lie to myself that the seafood is in tiptop condition, but didn't have that problem here. Â They later told us that they flew their ingredients from Louisiana, and I believed them.
I got a mint julep to drown away my sorrow at the dashed PTO plans. Â It was way too strong. Â Tasted like a straight up shot with bits of mint. Â I know some people would be really happy about this, but I had afternoon plans so had to have the drink readjusted to my level. Â Our server/bartender obliged and came back with a concoction that I downed in two gulps. Â Mm..mm.. good!
Minus one star for the price. Â But it's not enough to keep me from being a fan!
After over a month of dreaming about my first experience in this brunch heaven, I returned. The second visit might have been better than the first!
-The beignets this time around were lighter but yet crispier and overall tastier.
-The Bloody Mary was perfect in both texture and flavor.
-The grilled vegetables atop a perfectly southern griddled biscuit with goat cheese is astounding!
-Three words: AMAZING poached eggs!!!!
-The side of fruit is also very fresh and a generous portion.
I can't wait to go back, maybe for lunch or dinner, but definitely for brunch!
I've only eaten here for brunch, and once a long time ago for take out, but they didn't lose any points there either.
I was skeptical. I admit it. This place is so well put together, branding, restaurant design, website. I thought it was a chain. It's not. It's local and they deserve some attention.
Located in the crappiest little shopping center with a few other gems, they are serving some delicious brunch.
The pancakes are absolute perfection. Any egg dish is perfectly seasoned and arguably better than I can cook at home; the shrimp and grits are delicious. Their beignets are powdery goodness and absolutely not to be missed, just don't eat more than one or you'll have no room for your food.
We've been to brunch there twice now and the service has been fantastically consistent. If you haven't had the chance to brunch here, do put them on your list!
Somebody stole my MOJO!
And Austin Powers, I know exactly where it is: out on Route 55 in Durham at Papa Mojo's Roadhouse...  Papa Mojo's is one of the few creole/cajun type resto's in the area that I know of (Big Easy, Zydeco) and a good one at that!  The Yelp brunch posse stopped on by today for their usual Sunday eating binge.  We started off with some fantastic beignets for the table: large, sugar powder coated beauties, a great deal for $7.  I ordered the andouille sausage hash with a side of  cheese grit souffle.  The hash was wonderfully spicy and came with a poached egg on top and mornaise sauce!  One thing you have got to realize is that Cajun food is not for the calorie-conscious.  Most of it has a ton of butter but that's why it's so good.
Service was decent at Papa Mojo's and the live music at brunch is a definite bonus. Â Kudos to the bartender for making an obscenely interesting bloody mary for our own Mari J (see pics!). Â Outside of the bland, strip mall location, Papa Mojo's delivers some real spiciness to the Triangle food scene. Â Make an effort to find the place if you're looking for a relaxing brunch on your Sunday...
It has taken me a while to get around to reviewing PM's, but I can sum it up in two words: Â EPIC Brunch!
They did it all right IMHO. Â I went with a big group of yelper's and the waiter never missed a beat. Â Not sure how one guy handled it all so smoothly. Â My bride and I both ordered bloody mary's, which were perfect executed and the best I have had in the area. Â It was obvious from the gritty texture that they were housemade. Â For the meal, I went with the sweet potato andouille hash with poached eggs & mornaise (cheesy goodness sauce). Â I am a sucker for sweet potato anything and the hash didn't let me down. Â It was incredibly flavorful which was boosted by the great sear on the sausage. Â I am not a poached eggs person, but I enjoyed these as they were made perfectly. Â
All my wife and I can talk about on the weekends is when we can get back to brunch here again. Â It will be soon.....
Follow up:
A week after my first trip to Sunday Bayou Brunch at Papa Mojo's, I went back for more. Â Went a little later than last time---1:40ish---with just the hubby and I and after we'd just run seven miles apiece (on the American Tobacco Trail, natch). Â We were seated at my same table as last week's UYE: the only table near the window on the first day of spring. Â I had the poached eggs with grilled veggies and goat cheese and Al had the bananas foster pancakes (based on my glowing recommendation). Â We had the same server from last week, too, and he remembered me and was super-sweet and efficient. Â They also have Abita Amber (and Purple Haze and Turbodog) on tap and have seasonals in bottles. Â This day it was Strawberry Harvest Lager, which I have been drooling about for weeks (I'm a fan of Abita on facebook and they recently announced 2010's first batch) and it was so very delicious.
The food was so good, at least the same, if not better, than last time. The buttery, flaky biscuit that comes under the poached eggs is one of the most perfect biscuits I have ever tasted.  And you MUST try the cheese grits soufflé.  I just, you know.  Words can't do it justice.
And for three beignets, two entrées, and two Abitas, we got out of Papa Mojo's for under $25.
Playing music this week was a folk singer---just her and her acoustic guitar---singing in a rich and soulful voice. Â Reminded me a lot of Tracy Chapman.
Near the end of this visit, our server said, "we're open other days of the week, too, you know," and I just know it. Â Papa Mojo's, near the ABC store near the intersection of 54 and 55, is not far at all from my house. Â I will definitely return for dinner, and perhaps some late-night Abitas.
I can't get enough of this place. Â Set in the corner of a strip mall it can be easy to miss, but for those that find it, it's like finding the pearl in an oyster.
I've been to Papa Mojo's several times over the last couple of years. Â Post work beers (Great selection of Abita on draft and bottles), lunch, dinner, brunch and live music...I've done it all.
The food never disappoints and if you can, definitely come for the all you can eat catfish on Wednesday nights, it's by far the best I've ever eaten. You bite through a perfectly crisp crust into a perfectly moist and flavorful fish. I'm also a big fan of the mix grill,(6oz hanger steak, 3 jumbo shrimp, 3 andouille slices, jezebel & Papa's BBQ sauce), shrimp & andouille bites and of course the jambalaya. Â I also love their house salad served with spiced roasted pecans and the bbq bleu cheese dressing and the green beans.
I had yet to check out the Bayou Brunch (Sundays 11am-3pm) until a great group of us Yelpers went this past Sunday. We were seated promptly and brought waters immediately without asking.  Our waiter Ben was quiet, polite, knowledgeable and left us not needing to ask for anything. Perfect! Everyone's plate of food arrived at the same time so no one sat waiting.  The food was both attractive and delicious.  I ordered the Carpetbagger Steak  (same as Phil. G) - certified angus beef grilled or blackened - topped with fried oysters & mornaise w/ a side of andouille.  I too thought it would have been nice to have a side of fruit or potatoes to round out all the meat, but who can pass on a link of sausage...I can't!
Around me, the other Yelpers were devouring Pain Perdue (french toast-I had a bit and it was ooooohhhh so good), omelets (fluffy, filled beauties), shrimp and grits (Dan must have enjoyed them because there was nothing left on his plate =)), pancakes (past the test per other review) and bananas foster (really did look divine).
Food is amazing!
Live music here is one of the best in the Triangle and the website does a great job updating the calendar. Â For sure you need to check out the open mic night on Wednesdays. Â Unbelievable how much talent we have amongst our locals. Â It packs the place weekly. Â DO come on a night when the owner's band Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojo's plays. Â You are in for a night of lively Cajun Zydeco music including the washer board, and harmonica. Â Guests dance the night away in the small clearing in front of the band. Â Many a night I have broken a sweat while kicking up my heals. What fun!!
Ok, I'm finished here, I could go on and on and on, but I think my point has been made. Â Get your butt to Papa Mojo's Roadhouse and find out for yourself what all the hype is about. Y'all come on in!!
I came for Cajun brunch and fresh conversation. Â Papa Mojo's and a big group of yelpers totally delivered.
They're clearly doing something right because the strip mall location makes it a destination-only spot. Â You'll never just stumble upon this joint yet it was packed at 1pm on a Sunday. Â
The vibe is festive, chatty, even intimate. Â My first impression was it felt like a mini version of the House of Blues' gospel brunch. Â The live music was just the right temperature. Â And the service was like good umpiring in baseball - you didn't really notice because nothing was ever wrong.
Finally, the food. Â I went off-menu: Â Jambalaya Patties, fried and topped with poached egg and a Cajun sauce of some sort. Â It was spicy, dense, flavorful and quite unlike anything I've ever had before. Â I would not have shared if asked - it was superb. Â The beignets were great as well.
I should also mention the generous pour on both the bloody mary and mimosa. Â I had both. Â What - it was after Noon and my homework was done.
I am not a morning person. I enjoy sleeping in far too much to bother with starting my weekends before noon. Being forced to get up before I'm ready is usually a recipe for disaster. So, when invited to Brunch, anywhere, I am loathe to accept. It's like agreeing to be punched in the face. I arrive tired and bleary-eyed, ready to snap at waiters and fall asleep in my eggs. It's not a pretty sight. Papa Mojo's had their work cut out.
I arrived with my wife who, along with several other people, had been working to get a regular Durham 'Yelper Brunch' thingy going every weekend. We would descend upon an unsuspecting establishment like a swarm of biblical locusts and devour the menu with critical tongues. Enough of us showed up to keep my mind off my bed - a scant two or three miles away - likely still warm enough to crawl back into and doze off.
For someone so shamelessly against mornings, I have a special place in my heart for breakfast foods. At one time or another, I've had pancakes at every hour a clock can be at - morning, noon or night. Pancakes are a great litmus test for any restaurant that serves them. They are one of those magical foods that are relatively simple in composition, but difficult as all hell to execute properly. It's sad how many establishments have them on the menu and don't pay them the attention needed to make them great. Instead, you frequently end up with a short stack, soaked in corn syrup, butter and fruit - with any resemblance to pancakes being strictly coincidental. There's nothing I hate more than trying to choke down something with the consistency of a sickly-sweet, soaking-wet gym sock, covered in margarine and bananas. Ugh.
So when I ordered them at Papa Mojo's, I got a few odd looks. We're at a Cajun restaurant, right? Shouldn't I be ordering Cajun food? Nay, sir (or madam), say I. Always attack an enemy at their weakest point - and because it wasn't my bed - Papa Mojo's was definitely my enemy. I was determined to see how badly they could produce my simple morning treat. I am a curmudgeon.
The failure was mine. I got a taste that they weren't fooling around when the beignets arrived. Tasty, fried pastries buried in powdered sugar - the flavor managed to be full and interesting, instead of just overwhelmingly sweet. My pancakes were even better.
Whoever cooked them landed on the sweet spot with the grace of an Olympic athlete. They were cooked all the way through (but not overcooked!) - no moist graininess. The syrup (while questionably Maple), arrived in a side-dish, preventing the plate from turning into a post-pancake sugar-swamp. Crisp, delicious bacon framed the plate wonderfully. Add to that a crisp, fresh morning Mojito (don't judge), Brunch ended up being something spectacular for me. Within a few minutes, my cooling bed was forgotten, and I was reveling in a tasty breakfast and chatter with new friends.
While I can't speak to the Cajun-ness of the establishment, I can tell you they're not screwing around. If you're not a breakfast place, and can still make a good pancake, you gotta be doing something right.
Thanks Papa Mojo's. Maybe mornings aren't so bad.
I came to Papa Mojo's for brunch with a large group of people. Not just any people -- 15 yelpers. The excessive eaters and food critics among us were no match for the service and chefs at Papa Mojo's. Despite the odds, Papa Mojo's treated us to a wonderful meal with attentive service. Did I also mention they have live music? Not the annoying music either. I think the instruments were acoustic and there was no extreme amplification (which allowed me to still have a conversation with others at the table).
So, as I like to tell people, I haven't always been the biggest fan of brunch. Mainly because brunch food is focused on the sacred egg and at lunch time (which is typically when I get up for brunch) I'm ready for some thing a little more hardy. The brunch menu served my tastes quite well. I ordered the Carpetbagger Steak with mornaise sauce and fried oysters. I also had a side of Andouille Sausage. In retrospect I think I should have ordered a side of fruit or vegetables because a plate of all meat is a little odd. Despite the lack of veggies, the meal was wonderful. The steak was cooked perfectly. I also ordered some Beignets which had a plentiful dusting of powdered sugar -- these were quite good and it was like having dessert before the main course.
I'll have to come back for lunch or dinner and try some of the other cajun food.
The energy and eclectic vibe in this place makes it a hit.
I've been here for brunch on several occasions. Including celebrating a friend's birthday and towing my out-of-town relatives here to show them some cajun goodness.
Some of my favorite dishes:
Open face w/andouille hash and cheddar cheese $10
Grilled vegetables & goat cheese $8
Roadhouse Poached Eggs with bacon, grilled tomatoes & mornaise $8
I'm not a huge fan of beignets, but a couple of friends couldn't get enough of them.
I have an eclectic taste in music and for me, the live music is definitely a draw. So far, each of the times that I've been here, there's been a different performer. Good food and entertainment, that's what I call an excellent brunch!
Overall: The service is excellent and personable; the food is great. I love coming here because its a kick-back environment with a diverse crowd. The live music during brunch is an enjoyable bonus.
Wow. Just wow. Amazingly great Cajun food. Apparently a favorite of my client's office team, they are here at least once a month and I can completely understand why.
Just me and my contact for lunch, we were pleasantly greeted when we arrived at 11:15 and brought to a table. At the time, we were the only ones there, but the place was slowly filling up by the time we left an hour later.
After we placed our order, a plate of very moist cornbread was set down. I was a little surprised by the buried Jalapeno pepper, which was quenched by the sweet tea.
Our meals arrived shortly thereafter. I had the "Wednesday special," which was a large bowl of absolutely excellent Jambalaya. Lots of rice, but a good handful of shrimp, some shredded chicken, a few big hunks of sausage and another piece of that cornbread on the side. I could only eat half of it. Absolutely excellent, and at $9.25 plus drink and tip, a great value. My colleague had the jumbo shrimp, which were a dozen or so medium to large blackened shrimp, served with potato salad and a bowl of red beans and rice. Looked great.
Would I return? Sho 'nuf!
Fun atmosphere and good food. Â I've gone there with people from Louisiana and they say it is the real deal. Â Love the Po' Boys and Etoufee. Â Portion sizes - there is a reason they call it the BIG Easy! Â Can get quite crowded but is great for a group gather. Â Will definitely be taking people back there.
They have lots of live music at night but I have not been there for that.
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