DEWITT, N.Y. - Creole Soul Cafe, which formerly had locations in downtown Syracuse, North Syracuse and inside Shoppingtown Mall, is returning to DeWitt.
Owner Darren Chavis is opening the restaurant at 5980 Butternut Drive, just off Manlius Center Road east of the village of East Syracuse. The location was previously home to Goodfellas Pizza of DeWitt.
The restaurant will open Thursday, June 27.
“We’re ready to rock 'n roll,” Chavis said.
The menu, filled with Cajun, Creole and southern favorites like jambalaya, gumbo, étouffée, fried seafood and po’ boy sandwiches, will be familiar to Creole Soul fans, as will the nightly dinner specials that range from tacos and pasta to build-your-own macaroni and cheese. The new restaurant will also serve breakfast six days a week.
On weekends, Creole Soul will serve special dinners, including traditional Louisiana seafood boils, where guests can dine on combinations of crawfish, shrimp, oysters, snow crab, clams or scallops, served with sausage, potatoes and corn.
The restaurant is largely takeout-only, though there will be some outdoor seating. Delivery will also be available.
Chavis has been looking for a new location since closing his downtown location at 128 E. Jefferson St.—now home to The Brine Well Eatery—late last year. He was close to relocating to a spot on North Salina Street on the city’s North Side, but said that location would have required too much time and money to turn into a restaurant.
After months of looking, Chavis caught the break he was looking for. A different tenant was under contract to open another pizzeria in the former Goodfellas space, but when that deal fell through, the landlord gave Chavis a call. He took over the spot in late May.
“This location was a diamond in the rough,” Chavis said.
Among the first things Chavis did at the new restaurant was install a large sign on the building’s façade. That alone has drawn many people to stop by and ask when the restaurant will open.
“There’s lots of excitement,” Chavis said. “Our reputation definitely preceded us.”
Creole Soul Cafe will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.
Jacob Pucci finds the best in food, dining and culture across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 282-8611, or by email at jpucci@syracuse.com.
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