Walk into The Free Man on a Tuesday night and you might not immediately understand what you are looking at. There is a band in one room and a different band in the other room. Someone is eating crawfish at the bar. The owner is probably behind a drum kit somewhere. The gumbo smells like it has been going since this morning, because it has. This is Deep Ellum, but it is also kind of New Orleans, and that is entirely on purpose.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
In Deep Ellum—a neighborhood long defined by amplified guitars, brass sections, and late-night movement—The Free Man Cajun Café & Lounge has operated since 2011 as both restaurant and working music room. Its model is deliberate: Gulf Coast cooking executed with technical discipline, paired with a nightly performance schedule that rarely leaves the stage dark.
The culinary identity is firmly Cajun and Creole, grounded in classic technique rather than novelty. The kitchen builds depth the right way—through roux development, layered aromatics, and calibrated heat. Gumbo arrives dark and structured, its body signaling time and attention rather than thickening shortcuts. Jambalaya carries a smoky backbone, the rice properly infused instead of superficially seasoned. Crawfish Étouffée leans into butter and spice, while Red Beans and Rice delivers the slow-cooked comfort that defines the genre.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Checking in to the local music scene find some great entertainment coming to North Texas:
Catch Otherwise, the hard rock Las Vegas band at Gas Monkey Bar and Grill tonight, July 5. They have released two full-length albums on the independent label Century Media Records, titled True Love Never Dies (2012) and Peace At All Costs(2014). Previous to signing their record deal with Century Media, as an unsigned band they released one self-titled full-length album “Otherwise” (2006) and one EP titled “Some Kind of Alchemy” (2009). Continue reading
Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle
The Free Man celebrates its third anniversary tonight in grand style. The notorious house band, the Freeloaders will play from 7 to 10pm, followed by Roomsounds from 10pm until 2am. John Jay Myers just updated his menu a bit adding some interesting plays on his usual family Cajun recipes.
Standouts on the new menu items include several extremely tasty pasta dishes with one very exceptional vegetarian version, a sandwich with slow cooked brisket and a surprise fried egg center, and these amazing brisket sliders set atop the very best cornbread you will ever taste. Then there is the new dessert. Cheesecake can seem a bit boring, but not at the Free Man where it is homemade, creamy and light, and given the bacon and caramel treatment for one kicked up happy ending. If you try nothing else, go to Free Man for the cheesecake. And those sliders. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
We are at a slow start for crawfish season with the untimely cold snaps that are hitting the haunts where the mudbugs hang out. The little critters aren’t wanting to come out of their roost and onto our plates, bu that just means they are getting bigger and tastier. For now we will suffer through extremely medium crawfish, and that is OK for now. We have already been scoping out the latest hot spots for the 2014 season, and we have plenty to share. Notice a few newcomers on the list this year that will excite your palates with their rendition of the spicy crustaceans.
May we present our 2014 favorites: Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Jennifer Reynolds
It’s been a year since John Jay Myers took over what was once known as Sol’s Taco Lounge at located at 2626 Commerce St in Deep Ellum. The Free Man is celebrating its one year anniversary by providing all party enthusiasts with the perfect spot to rock out to The Room Sounds with Sugarfoote & Co. You will have a great time and want to keep the partying going all night long. Continue reading
Filed under restaurant news
by Steven Doyle
Tonight is Singer/ Songwriter night at The Free Man located at 2626 Commerce in Deep Ellum. If you or a friend are a frustrated talent and want to show the world your chops, stop by at 10pm where host JT Dale will feature you on the stage. This should be a fun and interesting night. Continue reading
Filed under Dallas, Deep Ellum, Jazz, John Jay Myers, Party!, restaurant news, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
You might have met John Jay Myers, he is the guy who owns the Deep Ellum lounge with the Cajun twist The Free Man. He also runs a screen printing company called ClearSky24 and manages several of his own properties. In addition to all this you might often catch him on a Sunday evening sitting in on a few sets with his drum kit and cigar in tow. John is a busy and seemingly content family man. Continue reading
Filed under beer, chefs, Crave, Dallas, Deep Ellum, Steven Doyle
