May’s Cajun Kitchen!
Don’t look now, but there’s a creepy figure stalking you. Oh wait. My bad. It’s just those AP Exams lurking around the corner! And you thought you had more time huh. Ooh, I guess now would be a good time to dust off that textbook and start reading. It also would not hurt to pick up your pencil and actually do your homework. Just kidding, West Siders! I know you all have been studying hard for these tests and I thought to myself, what better way to celebrate the end of AP Testing then to go out for a food run? Lately, I’ve been eating at well-established, brand name restaurants around the area so for this issue, I decided to spice it up by picking out a not so well known location. [May’s Cajun Kitchen is located at 215 E. Foothill Blvd. Monrovia… will try to incorporate this more creatively than just the same old GG intro..]
Okay, so a quick little intro to this pretty new (around 8 months) joint. It specializes in shrimp and wings. Although it’s located in Monrovia (this might be offensive? If so, I’ll try to reword), this eatery is newly decorated and has a very homely feeling to it. Unlike most restaurants, May’s has a unique layout: The dining tables are located on this elevated floor with a few steps leading down to the order/pickup counters and bathroom area. As for furniture placement, there is a large flat screen TV in one corner (in case you ever have awkward silences, you can pretend to watch it!), a crimson cushion bench for dual use as a waiting area for the restroom or register counter, and numerous flower arrangements to celebrate the beauty of springtime. But what caught my eye the most was the amount of posters for the food selections available. From the outside to the inside, the walls are plastered with papers, posters, and pictures all showing the various entrees served at May’s. It’s a good thing though. May’s has a large assortment of food choices so all the pictures make it much easier to tell what the dish looks like!
As for the menu, let’s just say, you get the best of many worlds! Their specialty consists of wings (Sesame, Cajun, and Buffalo are a few of the flavors) and shrimp (Louisiana Cajun, Garlic Butter, and Lemon Pepper just to name some), both moderately priced. And appetizers are also a variety of fries, fish n’ chips, sausages, corn, and a personal favorite, the clam chowder soup. Though these items are normally priced, May’s offers some sweet deals with it’s daily special bowls and combos. The Daily Special Bowls (such as Cajun, Teriyaki or Sweet & Sour Chicken) come with a free soda and are priced at $4.49. And the Chef’s Combo lets you choose one dish from a few options (like any wings or shrimp) with an additional choice of rice or fries and then also a free soda all for $6! And the drinks don’t break off from the legacy. Available are a soft drinks (soda), Boba milk tea, ice cappuccino, and smoothies ranging from $1-$3.
I started off with the Fish n’ Chips as an appetizer for a hearty start to my afternoon meal. The fried fish fillet had a crispy outer layer, tender inside, and a slightly salty taste that went well with the sauce provided. The fries were the kind that crunched when you bit into them, but let out a steamy sigh of the potato-y insides. Next up, the clam chowder.. It was a buttery and sprinkled garlic essence that melted through my taste buds into a mouthwatering creamy paradise. The diced potatoes and clams evenly mixed throughout created a divine balance between the soup and ingredients. I also had the pleasure of eating a combo of the Cajun shrimp over spaghetti and vegetables. The Cajun flavor tastes very authentic, a bit spicy and smoky but not to overpowering. The spaghetti was not the normal Italian kind, but basically rounded noodles smeared with cream sauce. The boba milk tea (only $1) was not too sweet and the mini boba made it all the more fun to drink. I also had a sample of the Pango (or Mineapple haha) was very refreshing on a hot day and the owner assured us that it wasn’t made with pure sugar cane sugar. The only complaint I would have about the food is the wait time. It was not horrendously long, but then again, the owners are the ones preparing the food so it is overlookable.
Overall, the personality of the dishes fares differently than most other Asian restaurants. Their Cajun specialty, cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and inexpensive menu all contribute to the originality, which makes May’s an ideal place to grab a meal at. And what is even better is that no MSG is added in the food and the sauces are all homemade. None of that artificial stuffs, no siree. So there you have it. Treat your stomach and reward your hardworking mind to this delectable restaurant!
Don’t look now, but there’s a creepy figure stalking you. Oh wait. My bad. It’s just those AP Exams lurking around the corner! And you thought you had more time huh. Ooh, I guess now would be a good time to dust off that textbook and start reading. It also would not hurt to pick up your pencil and actually do your homework. Just kidding, West Siders! I know you all have been studying hard for these tests and I thought to myself, what better way to celebrate the end of AP Testing then to go out for a food run? Lately, I’ve been eating at well-established, brand name restaurants around the area so for this issue, I decided to spice it up by picking out a not so well known location. [May’s Cajun Kitchen is located at 215 E. Foothill Blvd. Monrovia… will try to incorporate this more creatively than just the same old GG intro..]
Okay, so a quick little intro to this pretty new (around 8 months) joint. It specializes in shrimp and wings. Although it’s located in Monrovia (this might be offensive? If so, I’ll try to reword), this eatery is newly decorated and has a very homely feeling to it. Unlike most restaurants, May’s has a unique layout: The dining tables are located on this elevated floor with a few steps leading down to the order/pickup counters and bathroom area. As for furniture placement, there is a large flat screen TV in one corner (in case you ever have awkward silences, you can pretend to watch it!), a crimson cushion bench for dual use as a waiting area for the restroom or register counter, and numerous flower arrangements to celebrate the beauty of springtime. But what caught my eye the most was the amount of posters for the food selections available. From the outside to the inside, the walls are plastered with papers, posters, and pictures all showing the various entrees served at May’s. It’s a good thing though. May’s has a large assortment of food choices so all the pictures make it much easier to tell what the dish looks like!
As for the menu, let’s just say, you get the best of many worlds! Their specialty consists of wings (Sesame, Cajun, and Buffalo are a few of the flavors) and shrimp (Louisiana Cajun, Garlic Butter, and Lemon Pepper just to name some), both moderately priced. And appetizers are also a variety of fries, fish n’ chips, sausages, corn, and a personal favorite, the clam chowder soup. Though these items are normally priced, May’s offers some sweet deals with it’s daily special bowls and combos. The Daily Special Bowls (such as Cajun, Teriyaki or Sweet & Sour Chicken) come with a free soda and are priced at $4.49. And the Chef’s Combo lets you choose one dish from a few options (like any wings or shrimp) with an additional choice of rice or fries and then also a free soda all for $6! And the drinks don’t break off from the legacy. Available are a soft drinks (soda), Boba milk tea, ice cappuccino, and smoothies ranging from $1-$3.
I started off with the Fish n’ Chips as an appetizer for a hearty start to my afternoon meal. The fried fish fillet had a crispy outer layer, tender inside, and a slightly salty taste that went well with the sauce provided. The fries were the kind that crunched when you bit into them, but let out a steamy sigh of the potato-y insides. Next up, the clam chowder.. It was a buttery and sprinkled garlic essence that melted through my taste buds into a mouthwatering creamy paradise. The diced potatoes and clams evenly mixed throughout created a divine balance between the soup and ingredients. I also had the pleasure of eating a combo of the Cajun shrimp over spaghetti and vegetables. The Cajun flavor tastes very authentic, a bit spicy and smoky but not to overpowering. The spaghetti was not the normal Italian kind, but basically rounded noodles smeared with cream sauce. The boba milk tea (only $1) was not too sweet and the mini boba made it all the more fun to drink. I also had a sample of the Pango (or Mineapple haha) was very refreshing on a hot day and the owner assured us that it wasn’t made with pure sugar cane sugar. The only complaint I would have about the food is the wait time. It was not horrendously long, but then again, the owners are the ones preparing the food so it is overlookable.
Overall, the personality of the dishes fares differently than most other Asian restaurants. Their Cajun specialty, cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and inexpensive menu all contribute to the originality, which makes May’s an ideal place to grab a meal at. And what is even better is that no MSG is added in the food and the sauces are all homemade. None of that artificial stuffs, no siree. So there you have it. Treat your stomach and reward your hardworking mind to this delectable restaurant!