Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Bar is serving customers for the last time on Wednesday, planning to close after dinner service following more than a decade in Bethesda.
The Cajun-Creole restaurant arrived in December 2008, an extension of the Louisiana Express Co. that closed in March 2008 after 20 years on Bethesda Avenue.
When owner Peter Finkhauser died, the Louisiana-themed tradition was passed to longtime employees Carlos Arana and Jose Blanco, who opened Louisiana Kitchen at 4907 Cordell Ave.
Arana said they enjoyed their time in the area, but they are tired and ready to move on.
“We’re happy with the whole run,” Arana said. “We’re going to miss Bethesda.”
The space will be taken by Cubano’s, a Cuban restaurant, Arana said.
A manager at Cubano’s in Silver Spring confirmed it would be opening in Bethesda in one or two months. The restaurant is expected to be the same concept as the Silver Spring location, which will remain open.
The Louisiana Kitchen owners don’t have any plans for future concepts, but Arana didn’t rule out a new venture.
Louisiana Kitchen served breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with brunch on the weekends, all featuring New Orleans-inspired menu items. The restaurant was a frequent participant in the annual Taste of Bethesda celebration.
Arana said his fondest memory will be interacting with customers and watching their children go off to college.
“I’m going to miss all the customers,” Arana said. “I’ve seen many kids grow up, all the families.”