Hold onto your Mardi Gras beads, Montana - a taste of the Bayou is right here in the Treasure State! Authentic French-Louisiana Cajun food in Montana may seem like a bit of a contradiction here in our slice of the West, but you'd be surprised. Much like Big Sky country is chock full of unexpectedly vibrant and delicious seafood restaurants, so too is our state home to a hidden gem that knows how to dish up exceptionally flavorful Cajun, a cuisine widely known for its own unique take on seafood. Cajun Phatty's in Billings is an incredible Louisiana Cajun family-owned restaurant that knows fresh seafood inside and out, and serves it up alongside a phenomenal menu of down-home dishes. For some out-of-this-world good seafood, skip the fancy raw bars and check out Cajun Phatty's:

From the moment you walk through the door of Cajun Phatty's, you'll be won over by the friendly service and quirky, cozy décor. Shortly after, it'll be love at first bite!

But first things first: if your Montana roots run deep and the spirit of wild game courses through your veins, the thought of a crawfish boil or hot bowl of Seafood Jambalaya might seem a little intimidating. So let's dive into what Cajun food is, shall we?

Cajun cuisine is as unique as the culture itself, but finding authentic Cajun eats in New Orleans proper is a rarity (in fact, you can go ahead and toss those aforementioned Mardi Gras beads after all). Instead, you'll find Cajun food scattered all around the rest of Louisiana, particularly around Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, and farther south - that's where the real stuff is!

But first-timers, never fear - Cajun cuisine is full of dishes that even the pickiest eaters will devour. At its core, Cajun cuisine is just slow-braised, stick-to-your-ribs soul food, made with love and local ingredients.

At Cajun Phatty's in Billings, all of these attributes plus tried-and-true family recipes add up to a phenomenal (and authentic) Cajun experience in the heart of Montana.

As Cajun transplants from New Iberia, Louisiana, the Robichaux family knows how to serve up the real deal when it comes to this flavorful fare.

The menu at Cajun Phatty's is full of staples like boudin balls, amazing homemade grits, and incredibly filling red beans and rice.

However, the diverse seafood options might just be the highlight. From mouth-watering Shrimp Po'Boy sandwiches and tender crab cakes to the finest grilled red snapper, seafood chimis, and comforting crab and shrimp linguine, there's always something new and creative to try!

Pictured above: Soul-warming seafood bisque with shrimp, crawfish, and crab served in a sourdough bread bowl.

You're going to want to pour their top-secret fish sauce on absolutely everything. It's that good!

Feeling adventurous? Try the Gator Bites or the Gator Mac and Cheese.

The frog legs are pretty hoppin' with flavor too!

Or stick with Cajun twists on familiar favorites, like the Bayou Bang Bang Shrimp, Baja Fish Tacos, or Blackened Rib Eye topped with Crab Etouffée

You never know what creative options you'll find here!

But of course, crawfish (in all of its many forms) is a given. This is Louisiana cooking, after all!

Crawfish Pie... Crawfish Etouffée... Crawfish Tostadas... Crawfish Nachos... Boiled Crawfish... Crawfish Ceviche... need we say more?

Diners rave about the incredibly authentic flavors here, which capture the bold, slow-cooked goodness that the deep South is known for - and we wholeheartedly agree! But seafood isn't the only type of Cajun eats this local favorite serves up.

If you're not feeling the call of the Gulf on your visit, that's okay too. There are plenty of options for every taste and craving! Pictured above: Southern-fried pork chops with red beans and rice.

No matter what you choose, every dish at Cajun Phatty's is carefully crafted in-house with the utmost care, which means every detail matters when it comes to ingredients. The freshest, finest seafood is flown in from Louisiana, while everything else is sourced locally - right here in Montana - for superb flavor.

You'll definitely want to visit time and time again to try every dish!

Authentic Cajun right here in Montana? AND some of the best seafood in Montana? Ca c'est bon! Stay on top of hours, see current specials, and ogle some serious food inspiration on the Cajun Phatty's Facebook page. We know you'll love this hidden gem as much as we do!

Speaking of hidden gems, most people haven't heard of this unique International Peace Park in Montana, but it's definitely worth a visit!