Bayou Box opens on Wornall in time for Mardis Gras

By Joyce Smith

From crawfish étouffée and po’boys to red beans and rice, Bayou Box brings a taste of New Orleans to south Kansas City. 

The restaurant opened at 8940 Wornall Rd. on Feb. 17: just in time to celebrate Mardi Gras with Cajun and Creole favorites.

The menu also includes jambalaya, jalapeño crawfish cornbread, fried okra, fried catfish, flame-broiled burgers, Ragin’ Cajun mac salad, Cajun fries, hush puppies, grits, muffuletta, Southern coleslaw, beignets and bread pudding. 

What’s more: fried shrimp and grits balls are set to debut at the end of February.

“Our jambalaya is very authentic. You won’t find another like it–very hearty, very delicious if I do say so myself,” said Jared Kelly, who handles day-to-day operations with his friend and New Orleans native Dustin Seeser. Kelly’s wife, Faye, owns the business.

Bayou Box’s first location at 105 E. Battlefield Road, Suite B, in Lone Jack, Missouri, opened in late 2025. 

All the restaurant’s breads are from New Orleans: a frequent travel spot for the Kellys, where they dine at Cajun restaurants for more research.

The restaurant also offers specials such as the recent pastalaya, a variation of jambalaya with pasta instead of rice.

Bayou Box took over Big Belly’s Kitchen & Catering space, changed the decor and put in a small arcade. Game Day Chicken Wings, Burgers & Fish; Burger State; and Flo’s Poke-A-Dot Lounge are among its neighbors.

Hours are tentatively set at 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 

The Kellys are looking at spots in Belton for their next restaurant location.