Voodoo Brothers To Bring Cajun Back To Former Okra's Space In Manassas

MANASSAS, VA — A taste of Cajun and Creole cuisine and the atmosphere of Bourbon Street will be returning to downtown Manassas in the former Okra's Cajun Creole space. Previous plans for two new concepts from the Zandra's Taqueria owner are no longer happening in the space.

Voodoo Brothers Cajun Creole will open at 9112 Center Street, the City of Manassas said in an economic development newsletter. The concept comes from Luke Tamer and Antonio Escamilla, who worked together at Okra's Cajun Creole. An opening date has not yet been announced.

The new owners hope to bring back a taste of New Orleans and memories of Okra's, which closed in 2021. The team has hired a chef with experience in New Orleans and Southern cuisine.

"We want to source as much as we can from Louisiana and locally to provide the highest quality and freshest ingredients," said Tamer via the city newsletter. "We will be keeping signature New Orleans dishes throughout every season, but will be changing out others with the season changes."

On top of that, the restaurant plans to bring "Bourbon Street" to downtown Manassas during First Fridays. During the block parties, Voodoo Brothers will have crawfish boils and an outdoor bar at the corner of Center and Battle Streets.

The 9110 and 9112 Center Street location was originally planned to host Zengo's and Gadfly Gastro Pub, two concepts from the owner of Zandra's Taqueria next door. Great Eats Hospitality owner Miguel Pires announced earlier in March that the projects would be postponed due to "construction delays and changes in circumstances."

Instead, Voodoo Brothers will take up the 9110 Center Street space, while Asian Korean restaurant Lume Asian Fusion will open at 9112 Center Street. The Asian fusion spot will be a collaboration between restaurateurs Chris Sellers and James Shoemaker.

In a social media announcement, Pires said he would turn the focus to expanding existing locations. That includes rooftop improvements at the Zandra's location in Manassas, an outdoor patio addition with a full service bar at the Haymarket location. A New Zandra's is opening in Culpeper as well.

Pires, who owns the 9110 and 9112 Center Street building, is supportive of the two new restaurants coming to the space.

"These new endeavors in our building represent our continuous effort to innovate and provide the Manassas area with diverse and quality dining options," Pires shared in the social media post. "The journey of Great Eats Hospitality is far from over; we remain committed to exploring new concepts and bringing creative culinary experiences to our community."

To follow the opening status of Voodoo Brothers, visit voodoobroscajun.com. The city plans to announce the opening date and ribbon cutting.