“Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen is about sharing a view and taste of Louisiana with our community,” explained Del’Inkka Beaudion, owner and chef of the Big Easy-style restaurant.
Beaudion first brought the taste of her home state to Sioux Falls in 2014. Her journey began under a canopy, serving various southern dishes at annual summer events like the Southern Peach Festival and the Festival of Cultures.
After purchasing and operating from a food truck, Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen grew beyond the 18-foot trailer to a less than 600-square-foot restaurant space in the Jones 421 Building.
After another move and now occupying a 3,000-square-foot space in the same building, Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen gives customers a deeper look into the Southern state’s cuisine.
“We want our community to experience a piece of Louisiana, from our customer interactions to the flavors in our dishes,” explained Beaudion.
Beaudion adds that her restaurant is a representation of her longtime passion for cooking and the connection it can bring when shared with others.
“I enjoy sharing a piece of my home with my community,” she shared. “It’s my own way of connecting with people through food.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO RECOMMEND TO NEW CUSTOMERS?
The New Orleans Blackened Shrimp is one of our most popular items. It’s our chicken and andouille jambalaya with a Cajun cream sauce topped with blackened shrimp. There’s so much flavor, it’s no shock it’s our number one selling dish.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT CAJUN/CREOLE RECIPE?
Being from Louisiana, I know there’s many interpretations to a dish, like gumbo or jambalaya. Likewise, there are many differences between Cajun and Creole dishes. Creole uses tomatoes, while Cajun tends to uses more spice. At the end of the day, food is an interpretation, and the dishes I serve are my interpretation of home. So what makes a great dish? The love and intentions you put into it.
WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO RESTAURANTS IN SIOUX FALLS
I really enjoy hanging out downtown. We have so many places to choose from when it comes to restaurants. A couple of my favorites include 22Ten Kitchen Cocktails, CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar, and Bin 201.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SWAMP DADDY’S?
We love to have a good time, and we love our customers. When people come into Swamp Daddy’s, we can guarantee we’ll make them smile and have them leave feeling better than when they arrived.
WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’m continuously defining what success is, not what society says my success should be. I’m reminded that the definition of success changes constantly, and that I’m not perfect, nor do I aspire to be. We are challenged daily with different obstacles, so it’s important to stay true and believe in yourself.
