Smhokin Pot Brings Cajun Cuisine with a Southern Twist

I used to chase food trucks across the city. The craze has mostly worn off and the ones remaining are producing solid cuisine without gimmicks. Many of them aspire to earn enough capital to open a brick-and-mortar. The latest one to do it is Chef C’s Smhokin Pot. 

Chef Calvin Alexander hails from Shreveport LA. At an early age, his parents strongly influenced him on learning how to prepare cajun cuisine. His father was an entrepreneur and taught young Alexander the basics of running a business. 

Since that time, Alexander relocated to the LA area and in 2015, opened Smhokin Pot. Back then, it was a catering business. His tag line is “Cajun Cuisine with a Southern Twist”. His Gumbo, Garlic Shrimp, and Taco Pie were a big hit with his customers. This allowed him to expand his business into a food truck.

On April 24, 2021, I attended the Grand Opening of his brick-and-mortar and I was first in line waiting for them to open. Family members and friends decorated the outside of the store and cleaned up in preparation for the opening. A professional photographer shot pictures. It was unfortunate that the Carson Chamber wasn’t there to perform a ribbon-cutting. 

Despite the pandemic, you could feel the electricity in the air, even with everyone wearing a mask. Printed menus were made available to the people in line and you can hear the buzz about what people wanted to order. I heard Whisky Wings and Garlic Shrimp mentioned a number of times.

Garlic Shrimp and Kale Salad are placed on top of a bed of white rice. The sauce from the shrimp nicely seasoned the white rice. While I don’t care for kale, I thought the combination of greens and the vinaigrette worked quite well together. 

I discovered Whisky Wings from his food truck days. Alexander prepares a unique whisky sauce that he applies to the chicken. The chicken is full of flavor and the whisky sauce nicely seasoned the fries beneath it. Because it became so popular, he bottled the sauce and sells it at the restaurant.

I’ve had his gumbo previously and I forgot how complex his roux is. It is dark red with an incredible depth of flavor. The sauce has a nice kick causing sweat along my forehead. The gumbo is loaded with chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, crab legs, and white rice. The gumbo and the rice are packed separately. 

Smhokin Pot is located on the corner of Avalon and Victoria, directly across from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. It is close to exits from the 405, 110, and 91 freeways. If you like cajun cuisine, you should give them a try.

Smhokin Pot, 17944 South Avalon Bl. Carson, CA 90744; 310.283.2029; smhokinpot.com