Broussard's Bayou Grill is reopening in Pensacola this summer. Here's what's different.

Pensacola's Broussard’s Bayou Grill is bringing all the Cajun classics back to 690 E. Heinberg St. this summer when the owners reopen their family's Louisiana-inspired restaurant that closed in 2022.

Rebecca Broussard, wife of long-time Broussard's co-owner Cory Broussard, said that the restaurant will offer a condensed menu and a more fast-casual service format when they welcome customers back in late July or early August.

“We kept the favorites around with more of a limited menu,” Rebecca Broussard said. “Hopefully it will be better than it was before. That’s my goal.”

The recipes date back generations, to what Cory Broussard and his brother, co-owner Carl Broussard, recall their "papa" used to make.

While the new menu may be smaller than what their regulars remember, it comes packed with Louisiana traditions like red beans and rice, savory Natchitoches meat pies, crispy boudin balls, an array of po'boys, gumbos and the famed “Sloppy Broussard” - a crawfish po'boy with crawfish etouffee smothered on top.

Rebecca said while the pandemic caused challenges leading to the restaurant’s initial closure in 2022, reopening was always a hope and part of the plan. They had been operating out of their Heinberg Street location since 2007, but first started as a market in 1996 in a different location where customers would purchase their products and prepare them at home. They have built a long string of loyal regulars along the way.

Related: Goodbye Broussard’s, welcome Andy D’s. New restaurant and Daquiri deck coming to Navarre

The company also had a restaurant in Navarre up until its closure last February, as well as a wholesale food business, Broussard's Bayou Co. and Cajun Specialty Meats, that still has products available in stores such as Joe Patti's, Winn-Dixie, Apple Market and Maria’s Seafood today.

Excitement has been building for the reopening of the Pensacola sit-down-restaurant, with people popping in to ask if they are open yet every day.

“We have always had the support of the community,” Rebecca Broussard said.

Customers may also notice a few changes to the restaurant’s interior, like more of an open counter space where customers can walk up and place their orders. The mossy-green walls will soon be adorned in Louisiana/Mardi Gras inspired décor that is still on the way, she said.

“I’m excited to see the people, the reaction is the exciting part,” said Broussards co-owner Cameron Mulwee. “The brand is reinvented.”

Now, instead of traditional table service, customers will place an order their order at the counter, where they can either stay and dine-in or take their meal to-go.

The restaurant will be open for lunch only, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, with expanded menu items and hours to come later on.

More real-time updates and information can be found on the Broussard’s Bayou Grill- Pensacola Facebook page.

Hungry for more? Stay up to date on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at profile.pnj.com/newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Broussard's Bayou Grill is reopening in Pensacola this summer