Walking into Perriteaux’s Cajun Restaurant feels like being transported to one of the seemingly countless fried fish joints scattered across Louisiana, right down to the condiment caddies stocked with Tabasco and Crystal hot sauces. The aroma of simmering gumbo and fried seafood drifting through the dining room seals the illusion.

The owner’s promise of bringing authentic Cajun and Creole cooking back to Colorado Springs has officially arrived.

Perry Sanders and his son, John Michael Sanders, both Louisiana natives, have reunited with chef Jason Miller in the longtime former home of Zorbadillos Heavenly Greek, across from Prospect Lake at Memorial Park. Sanders previously owned Springs Orleans inside The Mining Exchange before the property was sold in 2022, while Miller, who spent more than 17 years cooking in Bayou kitchens, served as the award-winning executive chef there.

About a week after Perriteaux’s opened, the restaurant was already packed with diners, patio guests and a steady stream of takeout orders.

“It’s been like this since we opened,” said shift leader Moe Serato, who has worked in the Springs restaurant industry for years, including some time with Sanders.

The counter-service eatery embraces New Orleans flavor with po’boys, gumbo, étouffée, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, seafood boils and sides such as collard greens, voodoo rice and Creole potato salad. Po’boy options include fried shrimp, crawfish, oysters, catfish and andouille sausage.

A standout detail is the bread. The sandwiches are served on Leidenheimer French bread shipped par-baked from New Orleans.

“We finish the bake here,” Miller said. “It’s what’s used for authentic po’boys in Louisiana. It’s the perfect crunchy crust with a soft middle.”

The bread holds generous fillings of shredded lettuce, tomato, Cajun pickles and house-made remoulade without falling apart.

Save room for beignets or praline bread pudding with rum sauce.
Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Details: 719-698-3012, facebook.com/perriteauxs.

Family-style dining worth the drive

The historic Juniper Valley Ranch has opened for the season, serving its popular family-style fried chicken and baked ham dinners with all the fixings. The ranch also features chicken-fried steak on Fridays and Nashville hot chicken on Sundays.

The $28.50 dinner includes a choice of entrée served with riced potatoes and gravy, homemade biscuits with apple butter, cole slaw, okra casserole and dessert. Hours are 5 p.m. to close Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to close Sundays. Details: 719-576-0741, facebook.com/junipervalleyranch.

Another Sunday Supper option

Top off Father’s Day on June 21 with a visit to Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille. The restaurant is serving its popular three-course Sunday Pork Chop Supper from 4 p.m. to close for $49. The special includes a choice of soup or salad, Perry’s Famous Pork Chop and a dessert trio. The meal is available for dine-in or to-go. Details: 303-792-2571, perryssteakhouse.com.