My son took me to Meo Mio’s. I had heard a lot about them. I remember watching that ol’ Cajun chef Justin Wilson from years ago. I loved how he would say, “Its wondermos, I gar-on-tee”. I don’t like boiled or stewed okra so I never really ate Cajon (thinking that Cajon meant gumbo) but I do like spicy.

When we walked in it was mid-day and very hard to adjust to the lighting. They keep it very dark in there. The first thing I spied was a large statue of an old favorite -! Louie Armstrong.

I saw a stage where they must have bands that play. I saw a bar and also loft seating upstairs. This seemed to be a ‘happening place’ if you are there in the evening, I am sure.

The ceiling fans did not have blades. They looked like white wall tires spinning around on the ceilings. I guess the fan part was encased – I like that idea, a much cleaner style fan to have in a restaurant hovering over your food.

My son saw that they had gator tails. He had never had them. I told him we had to get some for an appetizer! They were $8.49. I wanted the “Kiss My Shrimp and Grits” but instead I ordered the Crawfish Julie over Tilapia – mainly because I saw grape tomatoes on the side as a garnish in the picture. It was $16.99 that would be dinner and lunch for me since it was in the middle of the afternoon. My son ordered a sandwich from the lunch menu - the Buffalo Shrimp Po’ Boy for $7.99

The gator tails came and it took me back to my Florida trips when I had first tried gator tails. They were tender and succulent! I asked my son what he thought and he said, “Taste like chicken”. He liked them.

When my meal arrived, I was a little disappointed to not see the grape tomatoes and greenery garnished on the side as it showed on the menu. But the rest of the meal looked very caloric! Rich and smothered in sauce.

My po’ son tried to man-handle his Po’ Boy, but the shrimp kept falling out. He was having a time trying to keep it all intact. He said it would be more enjoyable and easier to eat if they scooped out a place in the bread for the shrimp or if they left one side of the hoagie closed. Chicken or other meat fit on a hoagie nicely, but shrimp do not! He thought he was going to have to eat it with a fork. His fries looked good; very potato-y and not greasy.

My meal was a bit bland. Under the rich sauce were the tilapia and a bed of rice. There was nothing special about the rice and there were no extra spices or kick. It was good, I just expected different coming from a Cajun spicy place.

Then I looked up at my son and his eyes were wide as he was trying to blink away tears of heat! Bless his heart. I could tell he was trying not to sniff, but that the spicy Po’ Boy was getting to him. It must have been the buffalo sauce. He was making such a big deal over how spicy it was that I had to try a bite. He let me have a piece on my plate to try. That was what I should have ordered!

Now that was spicy! I believe it even fogged up my glasses when I breathed out. I think I liked the gator tails and that bite of the Po’ Boy more than my meal. I just expected more kick and less froo-froo with all that creamy sauce smothering the flavor of the food. There were no distinct flavors that popped out in that meal. I’m no critic; this is just Willie Mae’s opinion. If you want spice – order a Po’ Boy when you try out this restaurant.

As I watched my son fighting the tears I couldn’t help but to think “Po’ Boy”.