The Free Man

I ordered the jambalaya through the favor app but it was absolutely delicious! Full of amazing flavor and piping hot! So great on a cold night!

Some of the best NOLA style cuisine in the Dallas area. I’m from Louisiana and have frequented New Orleans many times so I found most of the restaurants in Dallas that claimed to have this style of cuisine lack in seasoning and flavor that doesn’t even wink at Cajun cuisine. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised by this place! The crawfish étouffée is on point! The Louis is also a a great dish. Try the Boudin balls to start. The drinks are also very tasty! Did I mention they have live swing band music many nights of the week. Perfect place for date night or to hear some great music in a relaxed environment. Check it out!

Terrible lunch service today. Went in with coworkers for a Fat Tuesday lunch. Place was fairly empty when we arrived. Waiter seemed cool, took our orders and we had high hopes. After about a 30 min wait we finally got a bowl of red beans and rice to share. After an hour we asked about our food. Mind you we were on a work lunch. The waiter lied to us and said it would be right out. Another 15 min and he finally admits our orders were not even started, but tried to blame the cook! Reluctantly he comped the bowl of red beans but still tried to charge us for iced tea? A manager was brought over who’s breath reeked of alcohol. At lunch time. Ridiculous that it took so long and the waiter was so incompetent. Walked out after 1 ½ hrs without eating.

I had the jambalaya. It looked pretty, but even better, it tasted amazing! Two random people in the restaurant asked me what I ordered because it looked that good. I would definitely recommend this place if you’re craving Cajun food.

I really enjoy this joint. This place has a feel good vibe. Much cleaner and comfortable than some other dives near by. Good food. Great bar staff. And music as early as 7:00 most days. Most clubs start around 9 or after. That’s alright, I’m a night owl. I’ve seen great bands like Charley Crocket and The Roomsounds here. Last time I was there (Dec.26^th), I came early to watch the Shelly Carrol Quartet. I’m a jazz fan and jazz goes well with great Cajun & Creole. However SCQ was a no show so I stuck around to hear a great Americana band called K Phillips & The Concho Pearls. There really isn’t room to dance at The Freeman, but K Phillips had them dancing anyways. The crowd was on its feed and having a blast but the band stopped at 1:30 and the party ended (too soon for my taste).

Take out.
I’m not happy about how lazy the ingredients to my etuffee were just seasonings, almost pathetic for whoever considers themselves a chef with the load of crap they have. It’s a good thing cornbread is simple because then it would be part of the etuffee order. Wasteful…

Cajuns without going to Nola on a wham… Great dishes from the Fired Shrimp to Voodoo Chicken Sandwiche… My favorite Sweet Potatoes Fries always sweet an on point… House Band (s) makes the environment even more BAD ASS … Get there early for a spot like 6pm to 7pm band plays til 2am… Parking is a wham too but make it work… 2 – 3 hours for the meters

On my quest to find a music/​chill/​food spot to become a regular in, I stumbled across The free man! The promise of fantastic food and music drew me to actually visit. I went with my boyfriend around 10:00 pm one night. Parked on the street right in front. We were met by a few homeless souls that needed some food so we gave what we could. Before entering, I knew we had found some great music, but to my surprise when we were seated (near the back) it became overwhelming. Though the music was great, it was extremely too loud! Like so loud that me yelling to my server what I wanted to drink while she was a few inches away from me wasn’t loud enough. So we resorted to pointing and writing down requests. Me being a live music fanatic still insisted to stay, though my date night would not consist of any conversation. I ordered the voodoo chicken sandwich! It was colossal and fantastic! He ordered a po’boy which he was underwhelmed with, so he ate some of my sandwich. We finished our meals listened to a few songs and left only so I ears could find solace.

I have yet to be able to actually experience a meal at the location, but have ordered delivery several times. Keeping in mind that delivery services these days cannot be a reflection of the restaurant itself, the food delivered is always excellent, good portions and classic cajun flavors that have the perfect amount of seasoning.

Came here solo around 6pm on a Saturday night and was happy to see that it wasn’t yet a full house.
Many of the reviews rave about the service here but it sucked when I came. I saw the sign that said «please seat yourself», and did just that and took a seat near the back. I’m pretty sure the waiter saw me, but he never came over. I finally walked up and requested a menu. Now I was sure he had seen me.
Well, what seems like forever passes by and he never comes by to take my order. So I get up again, and hand him back the menu and tell him I’d like to order. He says he’ll be right over… lies! When he finally comes over I order the catfish basket. It was nearly 7p by the time I ordered and the place was filling up and people were waiting for tables to free up. I would have been almost gone had the waiter tended to me appropriately.
My food took another 30 minutes to come out and I tried not to finish my drink. I was really wanting to just leave, but I had already invested so much of my time and I really wanted to try this place. I don’t think they cared to service me well because they knew that I was alone… that’s horrible.
I ordered the Catfish Basket with Sweet Potato Fries and gratefully, once it arrived, it did not disappoint. The sweet potato fries were actually the best that I’ve ever had! Fried and seasoned to perfection. That’s why I gave 3 stars.
When time to pay, my waiter took long again. Finally, I just walked my check up and gave it to another waiter and she figured out who it was for. I was full, my meal was paid for, and I was so over the waiting game.
The band started playing closer to 7:20p and they were good as well. The service just really sucked. I felt disrespected. I still tipped him though, b/​c my character isn’t contingent upon his, but he certainly didn’t deserve one. I want to come back and try something else but arggh… iono. Maybe after I cool off.

This place was pretty cool!!! The music was amazing!!! New Orleans style cuisine with authentic New Orleans jazz music played by some elderly guys who were SICKKK!!! The keyboardist did a solo so nasty that I emptied my wallet in the tip jar. Not to forget, the gator tails were on point too. Anytime I’m in Dallas I will definitely visit this spot!!!

Food was tasty… however the server was a little «foggy». Drinks were a little weak but for the price I won’t complain. Never received the side of red beans and rice we ordered and had to remind the server. We waited a while and decided to cancel the order when we finished with entrees. Realized that the order was never placed after there was no communication with cook or computer entry. Lol! Ordered shrimp ettoufee but received crawfish ettoufee. We just let it slide… it was still tasty.

This place is like the spotted cat in New Orleans, except you can eat here. Fantastic food, music, and Jacob, my server, was absolutely the best I have ever had anywhere, including a five star!

If I was a rich girl,
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na…
See I’d have all the money in the world and be a Free Man Regulaaarrrr…
Think what that money could bring
I’d buy Étouffée
That cost $ 15.95
With a square of cooorrrnnn bread
While I love all Cajun Food
I’m penurious
Just an old cranky soul
That would rather make food right here at hoooommeee
All the riches baby,
but I’ve got noootthhhiinnngg
All the riches baby,
but I’m right here at ALDI
All the riches baby,
but I’ve got noootthhhiinnngg
I’d love me some Étouffée
while though it’s good I can’t afford it, I know :(
~~~~~~~~~
Ok seriously, if I was a rich girl… na na na na… STOP!
Yeah, I’d come here and get some thick and delicious étouffée, but, I’m not a rich girl. The Free Man doesn’t even have a lunch portion of étouffée or jambalaya either so I can never get it reasonably priced. There are only three lunch items and they are more Cajun/​Creole inspired instead of the wonderful classic dishes.
They have live music at night and a wonderfully pleasant staff. While I’d love to love you, the food isn’t THAT good for me to pay $ 15.95
…because…I’m a cheap jerk.

I don’t know why it took me so long to check out this place. It’s a very relaxed & casual atmosphere. I had a great time with my friends & the Mr. for my Mom’s birthday. We went here last minute since we went to an event at Klyde Warren and we weren’t ready to end the night just yet. They had several live bands in the restaurant. We got there kinda late and they were only serving the fried «bar» food. I wanted to try their highly recommended jambalaya… but since we got there right at the cut off for full menu. Our waitress worked her magic and got the kitchen to make me a jambalaya! It was amazing, the best I’ve tried. The serving is huge and definitely worth the $ 16 since me and my boyfriend shared it and we had enough for left overs! I highly recommend this place if you’re ever in deep ellum area and craving some Cajun food!

Went on a Saturday night and my group had the Jambalaya, chicken po boy and an entrée called the Louis. The spicy chicken wings as an appetizer (so good we order a second). All the food was rich with Cajun flavor. The cornbread and sweet potatoe fries are delicious. Drinks were full of liquor. Both bands put you atmosphere of New Orleans. It’s my new favorite spot.

Closest thing we have in Big D to a Nola-​esque music club & bar! Wonderful bartenders, and great bands every night of the week. I’ve only eaten a handful of items on the menu, but every one of them was delicious. After 7 pm, the place fills up quickly, and the bar is the best place in the house to catch the shows. Whether it’s qypsy jazz, New Orleans brass, or cajun swamp rock, there is always someone playing that’ll make you want to come back night after night.

Cool: a friendly waitress takes my drink order, brings it to me, and while I’m still looking over the menu, she gets on stage with the band and sings Etta James’ «At Last.». Did it some serious justice too. Then she finished and took the rest of my order.
A dive with divas!
Oh, Etouille of crawfish was great too.

This place is is everything that you want in a dive restaurant. It is grungy, raw, dirty and cool. The minute you open the door you feel like your walking to someplace you know. It is amazing how the staff jumps up and immediately engage you and treat you like you eat there everyday. I was thinking of how I could give a five star Unilocal review and I had just sat down.
The menu is Cajun. Everything you would want on a Cajun menu is there. Red Beans, Chicken, rice, sausage, shrimp, and catfish. I got the vodoo chicken. it had just the right amount of hot taste. The fried sweet potatoes were the best I have ever had. Everyone in my group of 4 thought there food was good.
Again waiter treated us like family. My tea glass stayed full, the food was delivered hot and quickly. On my next visit I will be back! This place is the gem in Dallas. It was close to downtown and easy parking. You need to add this to your list.

I haven’t been in this area in a while and since I work fairly close to it… my wife and I decided to meet for dinner. I pulled up and LAWD it took me back to my driver’s education days when I had to parallel park… LOL
I arrived before her, so I decided to cop a squat at the bar and have an adult beverage. The bartender was very friendly and heavy handed :-) I ordered the Free Man hurricane… score! LOL
The environment is kind of old and stale like… but the friendliness of the staff make you forget about that.
My wife arrived and we moved to a booth. We browsed over the menus and made our selections. I went with the hot crab dip and she ordered the blackened shrimp w/​dirty rice. The food was definitely cooked to order because it came out piping hot. The bread served with the hot crab dip was burnt (side eye) and the fact that the cook let it leave the kitchen like that and the waitress felt it was ok to serve… NOT!!! I politely asked for some better bread. My wife’s shrimp came with about 7 – 8 shrimp that looked like salad shrimp for the prices they charge… I really would have expected larger shrimp. Once they brought me some better bread, the crab dip was actually pretty good… nice flavor. She stated her food could use a little more seasoning but wasn’t too bad. If we’re in the area… we’ll give it another try. but definitely won’t be making an out of the way trip to come back.

What to say about the Free Man. When I first arrived I thought — I’m only giving this place 3 stars max! I wasn’t impressed by the interior. It felt more like a dive bar to me, but hell — maybe that’s there thing. We only stopped in for a drink while waiting for our show at the comedy club across the street. And I wasn’t overly impressed with their drink options or wine, but they were decent enough to consume. The staff was working cohesively together and our wines were never empty (pretty good poor too).

As we were there a bit longer the Jazz band was setting up. A band of 4 well seasoned men and 1 lady. They intrigued me enough to stay for a bit longer. So glad we did — they were really great! Told they play there a lot too! We enjoyed them so much we came back after our comedy show to finish their set.
We decided to try some food too. My man loves Cajun food and he was really worried about what we’d get. We ordered the Boudin balls and gumbo. He was shocked and so was I — they were both really tasty! I’m glad we stopped in here and I’d come back if ever in town again! Super relaxed, casual place to hang and listen to some good live music!
They even called us a cab when we were ready to go. During the rush to get out the door and grab that cab, I left my cell phone on the table. I called as soon as we got to our hotel and they were so great — grabbed it and let me come in early the next day to pick it up.

I love Cajun food and the man I love is Cajun. This means nothing other than I like saying Cajun.
The Free Man offers up Cajun favorites in a divey atmosphere with a live music soundtrack. My favorite.
I can’t say this is my favorite place for my favorite Cajun fare but I will say the 6-​piece ragtime band more than made up for it. Rumor has it they’re regulars on Thursday night and they start at 7pm, which works into this old lady’s bedtime schedule.
The music alone will bring me back.

Bartenders are very nice, especially Chris who is also very knowledgeable about all sorts of cool & useful stuff.
Good well drinks & beer on happy hour special. The food is «just OK.» I’d stay away from the fried platters.
Chris guided our party to the gumbo and that was a tasty choice.
The music is awesome, whether Chris is pulling double duty as a DJ, or there’s a live band!
We’ll definitely return for another happy hour.