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LJ’z Backyard Bayou is a veteran-owned Cajun and Creole restaurant founded by Larry and Wendy Johnson, both proud U.S. Army veterans. What began with simple plate lunches has grown into a beloved weekend dining spot and trusted catering service for Harvest, Madison, and Huntsville, AL. Known for our house-made boudin balls, gumbo, po’boys, and étouffée, every dish is scratch-made with authentic Louisiana flavor. Our mission is to bring the taste of the Bayou to North Alabama, serve with integrity, and create a place where good food and good people come together. We proudly support our community through events, catering for weddings and corporate gatherings, and by honoring our roots with every meal.
Hours
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3155 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Harvest, AL 35749
Phone: (256) 489-0759
Website: https://www.ljbackyardbayou.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Reviews
Brody C
GIRL! The food was SO PHENOMENAL!!!! The Cajun music, the sweet, sweet, personable service, helpful and quick! The food tasted SO GOOD! I got the three sampler with crawfish mac n cheese, cabbage and sausage and red beans and rice. My husband and I shared. My husband also got the boudin bites and we finished off our meal with bread pudding! EVERYTHING was “smack yo’ momma” good!!!! This was our first time being here and it most certainly WILL NOT be our last! I see us eating here REGULARLY now that we know about this wonderful, veteran owned and family operated business! 10/10 I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!
… moreNom Nom Nom
Good good, friendly service. Kitchen can use an efficiency manager. We waited over an hour from ordering to get our first appetizer and another 20 minutes before we got our second.
Plenty of seating if they can get people fed and out the door, as it is generally pretty crowded. Atmosphere on the deck is nice, echos inside so it can get very loud, very fast.
Breading on all items were seasoned well and cooked well. Dirty rice was a little bland but paired well with the red beans (which were delicious and better than the gumbo). Gator bites and Boudin balls were good as well.
Food is good. You may want to block off room in your schedule if you want to get it in person though.
… morePlenty of seating if they can get people fed and out the door, as it is generally pretty crowded. Atmosphere on the deck is nice, echos inside so it can get very loud, very fast.
Breading on all items were seasoned well and cooked well. Dirty rice was a little bland but paired well with the red beans (which were delicious and better than the gumbo). Gator bites and Boudin balls were good as well.
Food is good. You may want to block off room in your schedule if you want to get it in person though.
K. Nicole
This was another journey to try something different. These cajun style dishes definitely brought Lousiana to Alabama. Everything fried was fresh and cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the homestyle red beans and rice. The cabbage and corn were my least favorite. Maybe because I like a little crunch with my cabbage, and this was really soft. The corn was different, too. Not bad, just different. Needless to say, I didn’t eat all my food because they gave a nice portion. The service was top-notch.
… morelogan McMillan
Ive been wanting to try this place for some time and tonight my wife gave me the green light!
The chicken and sausage pasta plate was amazing. My wife and I absolutely loved it.
The boudin balls were outstanding. Flavor like nothing else I’ve had before.
The gumbo was delicious and I cant wait to go back for more especially while its cold out.
The only thing I have ANY gripe about was I REALLY wanted some jambalaya so I ordered some and didn’t realize until I was about 30 mins away that it wasn’t in the bag with the rest of the food, however I’m not gonna hold that against them as when I visited they were busy and super polite and professional to me the entire time!
I’ll be back to try the jambalaya and more very soon! If youre on the fence or just want something different give this place a try, they deserve it and your taste buds will thank you!
… moreThe chicken and sausage pasta plate was amazing. My wife and I absolutely loved it.
The boudin balls were outstanding. Flavor like nothing else I’ve had before.
The gumbo was delicious and I cant wait to go back for more especially while its cold out.
The only thing I have ANY gripe about was I REALLY wanted some jambalaya so I ordered some and didn’t realize until I was about 30 mins away that it wasn’t in the bag with the rest of the food, however I’m not gonna hold that against them as when I visited they were busy and super polite and professional to me the entire time!
I’ll be back to try the jambalaya and more very soon! If youre on the fence or just want something different give this place a try, they deserve it and your taste buds will thank you!
Ivy Gentry
After ordering at 1:05, our appetizer finally came at 2:05. The adults food came at 2:10, and then I had to wait ten more minutes for two kids orders of chicken fingers. So my kids were waiting 1:15 for chicken and fries. When those finally came, they were raw in the middle. The manager told me to “calm down” when I expressed my frustration through tears that my children didn’t have acceptable food after waiting patiently for well over an hour for *chicken fingers*. I’m not an ugly person and I don’t like leaving negative reviews for locally owned restaurants. Maybe they just had a rough day. The food that was cooked was good, the waitresses were empathetic and checked on our food multiple times, and the atmosphere was good. So if you’ve got plenty of time to kill and Cajun Steamer just won’t do it for you, then try for yourself.
… moreJennifer Conklin
First time ordering from LJ’s and they DID NOT disappoint! WOW! I got the Shrimp Po Boy Deluxe (6 inch) with Red Beans and Rice. My son got the Cajun Honey Heat Wing and Fries. The Po Boy was huge and loaded with shrimp, beans and rice were perfect with chunks of sausage. Lawd!!! My son said the wings were the best he has ever had! 10/10 recommend. If you haven’t been to LJ’s yet you better get there because they are on to something!!
… moreKrizten Jackson
Oh. My. Word. I’m so sad it took us this long to find this place. The food is INCREDIBLE. We got a turkey leg, catfish, the chicken pasta, red beans, cabbage, and boudin. Every single one of us enjoyed every bite (well, what we could finish. The portions are huge!) The bread pudding is easily one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life. I can’t wait to try more of the menu. We will absolutely be back!
… moreVonnie H
First thing I said when my friend took me here was “what backyard place you den took me too”
I didn’t even know the name yet and the name fits & I absolutely love it!!
THIS! When I tell people I want a mom & pop shop, a small business to feed my people THIS is exactly what I mean. And when I realized they only serve in to go containers I was like heck yeah! I cook & I swear this has given me even more motivation.
The views. The music. The food. I literally went against my diet for this!
The portion sizes are big. Warmed it up today and still was just as good as yesterday.
If you’re in a rush, don’t come here.
If you have patience and want some real home cooking then know that it takes time but it’s worth it. The older black woman taking our order was sweet & very welcoming.
I hope God continues to pour into this business. Well deserved!
… moreI didn’t even know the name yet and the name fits & I absolutely love it!!
THIS! When I tell people I want a mom & pop shop, a small business to feed my people THIS is exactly what I mean. And when I realized they only serve in to go containers I was like heck yeah! I cook & I swear this has given me even more motivation.
The views. The music. The food. I literally went against my diet for this!
The portion sizes are big. Warmed it up today and still was just as good as yesterday.
If you’re in a rush, don’t come here.
If you have patience and want some real home cooking then know that it takes time but it’s worth it. The older black woman taking our order was sweet & very welcoming.
I hope God continues to pour into this business. Well deserved!
Jamie Johnson
Some of the best food you can find in Huntsville. I had the boudin balls & stuffed potato, and it was amazing. They aren’t lacking in the flavors, everything was perfectly cooked. I think I’m going to throw my leftover seafood gravy on top of some grits in the morning. I left over stuffed. Feels like you’re eating at family’s house with the service and kindness of everyone including other customers. I will come back a thousand times over.
… moreJody Gonzalez
LJ’z Backyard Bayou is serving up the most authentic Cajun cuisine in town, and their GUMBO is nothing short of legendary! I’ve tried gumbo all over, but theirs is truly exceptional – that dark roux creates a depth of flavor that can’t be rushed or faked. Each spoonful is packed with perfectly cooked chicken and sausage in a rich broth that shows years of perfecting their craft.
The rest of the menu doesn’t disappoint either. Their jambalaya and boudin balls are outstanding, but I always find myself ordering extra gumbo to take home because I can’t get enough of it.
What makes LJ’z so special is the genuine love you can taste in every dish. This isn’t some corporate attempt at Cajun food – this is the real deal, cooked with passion and tradition. The warm, welcoming atmosphere feels like you’ve been invited to a Louisiana family gathering.
Places this authentic are increasingly rare these days. If you appreciate food that tells a story and connects you to a rich culinary heritage, you need to experience LJ’z. Come hungry and order the gumbo – trust me, it’s a bowl of southern comfort you won’t forget!
… moreThe rest of the menu doesn’t disappoint either. Their jambalaya and boudin balls are outstanding, but I always find myself ordering extra gumbo to take home because I can’t get enough of it.
What makes LJ’z so special is the genuine love you can taste in every dish. This isn’t some corporate attempt at Cajun food – this is the real deal, cooked with passion and tradition. The warm, welcoming atmosphere feels like you’ve been invited to a Louisiana family gathering.
Places this authentic are increasingly rare these days. If you appreciate food that tells a story and connects you to a rich culinary heritage, you need to experience LJ’z. Come hungry and order the gumbo – trust me, it’s a bowl of southern comfort you won’t forget!