How to Offend a True Cajun: The Real Story of Evangeline Bellefontaine

There is nothing more fiercely parochial among true Cajuns than their steadfast belief in the authenticity of Evangeline Bellefontaine. There are dozens of restaurants in and around NOLA that bear her name, including our own Evangeline Café here in Austin on Brodie Lane (who have a terrific étouffée, I might add).

As iconic as she is within that culture, alas, she is fictitious, the creation of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Her story of unrequited love is based on numerous folk legends in Acadia (the French colony from which Acadians migrated to New Orleans).

For all die-hard believers, sorry to rain on your parade. But let’s give Evangeline credit for inspiring an amazing food culture!