Welcome back to IBJ’s new video feature, “Inside Dish: the Business of Running Restaurants.”
Our subject this week is the east-side Cajun hotspot Papa Roux, the bold brainchild of novice restaurateur Art Bouvier and
his wife and co-owner, Colleen. Fed up with his high-pressure corporate IT gig, Art ditched the regular paycheck and benefits
to open an eatery in 2007 based on the cuisine of his native New Orleans.
The first couple of years wouldn't be described as "the big easy." The Bouviers consistently lost money as
they figured out the best combinations of hours, menu items and promotions. Originally hosting take-out only in a small concrete
storefront, they added indoor dining and silverware as money became available. After an early review commented on the drab
atmosphere, they enlisted customers to start doodling on the walls.
At first, the Bouviers were happy with just a few hundred dollars in the till each day. In the video below, Art
describes how Mardi Gras in 2008 and 2009 brought scads of customers who turned into regulars. Business grew by leaps and
bounds, and then exploded when the New Orleans Saints marched to the 2010 Super Bowl. Now lunches bring between $1,000 and
$1,500 per day, and dinner on Fridays (the only night it's offered) can spike the day's take to $3,000. After nearly
three years, the Bouviers have finally passed the break-even point.
Operating with a bare-bones mentality, the Bouviers have become accustomed to creating no-cost marketing ploys, low-budget
decor and do-it-yourself promotions. In the video below, Art shows off the results.
More Dish: Notes from the back of the napkin
Restaurant: Papa Roux
Concept: High turnover lunch spot specializing in mainstream Cajun cuisine, such as po’ boy sandwiches
and creole stews over white rice.
Location: 8950 E. 10th St. (Post Road and 10th Street)
Phone: 317-603-9861
Web site: www.paparouxindy.com
Founded: July 2007
Owner(s): Art and Colleen Bouvier
Start-up costs: $25,000
Annual sales: Total sales in 2009: approx. $110,000; projected sales for 2010: $300,000 based on increase
of business due to improved marketing and promotions, as well as higher visibility during 2010 Mardi Gras and New Orleans
Saints’ NFL championship run.
Daily sales: $1,000 to $1,500, and $2,500 to $3,000 on Fridays with dinner.
Seats: 45 inside, 10 outside
Employees: 4 (not including owners)
Good to know: Papa Roux’s offers dinner on Fridays, and otherwise is a lunch destination open between
10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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As far as the kids running around the restaurant, I love it. It makes it feel like a true family restaurant. The last time we were there, as we were leaving Papaâ??s son was outside and he called out goodbye as we were walking out. It was too cute.
As far as I'm concerned, I have officially converted from a Yats fan to a Papa Roux fan. Itâ??s not to say I wouldnâ??t eat Yats, but itâ??s interesting that since having Papa Roux, I havenâ??t been back there. I am just addicted to those Poâ??Boys! No matter if youâ??re a Yats fan or a Papa Roux fan, we need to support the Cajun culture in general after this oil spill, and Iâ??m happy to do that by stuffing my face with seafood from the gulf.
I just want to add another note that I think itâ??s wonderful that we have this sort of establishment on the east side. Itâ??s places like Papa Roux that make me love being an eastsider.
One thing I love: I can't eat bread or rice, and I still get plenty to eat there! Papa does Naked Po Boys for me (and will for anyone needing gluten-free) and riceless sides! I've found that mixing the etoufee and cole slaw, and dumping that on my po boy is an amazing combination.
For me, it's a constant battle not to eat every single lunch there, because Papa's fun and funny posts on Facebook feed my appetite to go there! The Bouviers really connect with their customers in a way that is missing from many places. If you're a customer at Sam's Gyros, you'll get an inkling of what I mean.
I have been a faithful follower and patron of PaPa Roux since their beginning. I can honestly say that I have NEVER had anything from their menu that I didn`t like. Everything is fresh and yummy. Dine in...who else would dare give you free iced tea and unlimited sides ?? No other restaurant that I know of. Art and Colleen and all the Roux bunch (kids included) are very friendly and after a couple of visits, will learn your name and treat you like family. Too crowded inside at lunch time, sit outside and enjoy your meal. If it is crowded, take time to read some of the graffiti on the walls and enjoy, but the wait is short and I promise you won`t be disappointed when your food is brought to you. This isn`t a fastfood chain, this is good down home cajun cookin`.
This is a family run, family oriented business. Art and Colleen...we got your back !!
My boyfriend and I get take-out from Papa now every week. We love the atmosphere, the staff, and of course the food. The etouffee over rice topped with crab cakes is truly one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life.
Honestly I laughed at the ridiculous implication that Art would ever NEED to masquerade as his own audience. People who say hurtful and malicious things publicly often have an agenda. I'm sure this instance is no exception.
Rock on Papa Roux!
And no, I am not now, nor have I ever been an employee there. Just one of the faithful sheep under the delicious spell of Papa Roux.
The food is all Cajun with a Bouvier twist. The Po'Boys are are delicious with the cole slaw and the etouffee is awesome.
Equally as important as the food is the atmosphere of Papa Roux. The building and interior are classic New Orleans with the customer influence (grafitti), the unlimited sides with dine-ins, and our ability to customize the dishes. Art has truly brought a piece of New Orleans to the east side of Indy.
What I and my wife love about Papa Roux is that they involve the local community in their food and their lives. We feel a real connection with Art, Colleen, their family, and staff. Is it upscale Cajun like the Commander's Palace in New Orleans? No, but that's not what Papa is going for. Papa Roux is perfect the way it is.
Yats isn't nearly as fresh or good, darn sure doesn't have unlimited sides. Seems more like a yuppy/cajun place, Papa's is much better, even with the long drive.
I simply wish to set the record straight on a few things, since you seem to have made some unfounded assumptions.
First: this is my first post to an IBJ article, ever. I do not post comments to my own articles. I have no need to do so. Papa Roux has a faithful following of hundreds of customers who know us quite personally, all as a result of the type of establishment we run. It's personal. I'm sorry if you didn't catch that. A little homework would have showed you that fact. Catch us on Facebook sometime. It's literally impossible for "The owners" to fake the level of personal interaction we have there.
Second: My son was absolutely at Papa Roux on Friday. He's 13, and works their at times, bussing tables or running drinks. He is fully trained on our sanitation procedures. Again, a little homework would have helped here. I'm quite a stickler on sanitation. Board of Health records will show you this, as will a conversation with any employee (it's a sore point with them at times, as I show little mercy) and most customers (those that know us on a personal level do know this fact about me).
At times you'll see my other children there as well. It's a FAMILY restaurant. My wife and I run it, and we have four children. Sometimes they are with us. We try to make it the exception rather than the rule, but hey, things happen. I'm sorry if it frightened you. Rest assured we have very strict controls over the establishment, over them, AND over your food. If the presence of children causes you to make wild assumptions about the cleanliness of a restaurant, I am sorry. Not sorry about the presence of the children, but sorry that it causes you to make wild assumptions. Again, rest assured that the Board of Health has got your back. You're safe. AND... if you worry further that maybe that's not good enough, I have a question for you: where DO you eat? Believe me, brother, I can tell you some stories you would not believe. I mean FAR more unbelievable than "Papa Roux's customers know him personally."
Yat's is your preference? Fine by us, dude. Everybody's got an opinion, right? Enjoy wherever you shop, and don't shop where you don't enjoy is all I'm saying. Posting nasty comments about a place just because you don't prefer it, well... it's just not becoming.
Lastly, about the graffiti on the walls. It's personal. It's down home. It's very "dive", and the entire place is very New Orleans. I grew up there. I kinda know how this works.
Again, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.
I've asked the authors of the 9 previous comments to get on here and defend their reputations. When and if they do, I assure you it's them, and not me.
Thank you!
Art Bouvier
Papa Roux
603-9861
Call me sometime if you want to talk.
Of course, my personal favorite is the "Sausage Po' Boy"... however you need to tell Art to make it for you "Fury Style" (which means to add red beans on top of the coleslaw). Yes, it's messy, however eaten "open faced" style, it's a taste that you just won't believe! Trust me... it's GOOD!!!!
BTW.. I concur with the previous poster on having more than one dinner day. Keep your fingers crossed... and maybe Papa Art will make it happen. And don't forget... "GIVE 'ER THE BEANS!!!!". :D