PELHAM – The soft opening of a Cajun concept restaurant featuring Louisiana favorites such as gumbo, po’boys and raw oysters took place on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Cajun Boys and Our Po’boys, which is housed in a 1,800 square-foot facility, is owned by Jack and Michelle Donovan who also own Donovan Builders. The restaurant is located at 3120 Shelby County 52 W.

Right now, the restaurant is offering its lunch menu to guests from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Cajun eatery is also offering a soft opening special that consists of half of a po’boy and a cup of gumbo.

Being from New Orleans, Jack Donovan said he wanted to bring authentic Cajun food to Pelham.

After the grand opening on Sept. 7, the restaurant’s full menu will be available. Beginning Sept. 9, beignets and coffee will be served on Saturday mornings.

The completely renovated space features 10 televisions, a bar selling beer and wine, an oyster bar and an outside seating area in the front of the building as well as patio seating on the side of the building.

“We really tried to create a good family atmosphere,” Michelle Donovan said. “We will have the football games going on the weekends and we just want people to come out and enjoy themselves.”

Michelle Donovan said the restaurant is a family effort. The couple’s 12-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter also help out at the restaurant.

“Our son is the beignet cook and our daughter helps run the register,” Michelle said. “My sister-in-law helped a lot with all of the décor. She brought in a lot of pieces from New Orleans.”

She said the restaurant will use her son’s beignet recipe and the menu includes family recipes, such as Grandma Donovan’s Gumbo, and other food items that aren’t common in the area, like fresh chargrilled and raw oysters.

“Customers can expect traditional Louisiana cooking when they come here,” Jack Donovan said.

Michelle Donovan said the restaurant receives fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico every week, and when crawfish season rolls around the restaurant will offer it too.