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Using locally sourced ingredients is a worthwhile approach for a restaurant, but certain things just can't be found in Philly, like oysters, alligators, and water, although we do have plenty of wooder. Leaning on the Big Easy for eats instead, Beck's Cajun Cafe.

Opening today in the Reading Terminal Market, Beck's is a red, green, and yellow stand with dedicated seating for 12, serving authentic 'Nawlins fare made from near-daily shipments of ingredients from Big Easy vendors like Crescent City Meats, providing andouille, tasso, & alligator sausage, as well as country ham from Chisesi's Pride and chicory roast from Community Coffee, surely funded by Community Chest. Leading the Cajun charge is traditional jambalaya (seasoned andouille, chicken & shrimp served over rice), followed by rice gumbos like chicken & andouille, corn & okra, and gator, as well as Creole corn chicken chowder and black-eyed pea soup, guaranteed to sell out. On the sandwich side, Beck's muffaletta's available on a half (feeds two) or whole (feeds four) loaf of Italian bread packed with salami, ham, mortadella & olive salad, while po boys're served up on French bread slathered w/ Creole mayo and stuffed w/ a choice of traditional fillings like cornmeal crusted catfish, blackened chicken, fried oyster/shrimp; there's also house specialty 'boys like alligator sausage w/ caramelized onions and the andouille/steak/salami/cheese Train Wreck, which firmly proves Hasselhoff is far more delicious than his talent-judging would suggest.

Because sometimes you need your Cajun in the AM, Beck's also serves up Big Easy breakfasts like the eggs over easy/cheese/tasso/andouille or bacon po boy, as well as traditional beignets: hot French fritters sprinkled in confectioner's sugar -- a far better topping than jimmies, as few enjoy eating condoms.

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Click here to check out the entire menu of Cajun delights from Beck's