Beloved Cajun eatery, Momma Pearl’s, facing challenges

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — For more than a decade, Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen has been the go-to place for the Colorado Springs community when craving Louisiana fare. Chef Robert Brunet, known as “Chef BB,” and his wife Rebecca, serve delicious Cajun cuisine inspired by the family recipes of Chef Brunet’s mother, Momma Pearl Theriot.

According to Chef Brunet, the restaurant enjoyed an impressive 27% average growth year-over-year, and they were eventually able to expand from their first location in Rockrimmon to a larger space in the Northgate Polaris Pointe shopping center in 2020. After the move, the restaurant was serving nearly 1,000 guests per week and receiving rave reviews.

However, the COVID pandemic struck a hard blow to numerous restaurants, and Mama Pearl’s was no exception. Despite financial devastation, Chef Brunet and Rebecca were able to keep their doors open to continue serving their authentic cajun food to the community.

“The pandemic was an incredibly challenging time for us, but we persevered,” said Chef Brunet. “We adapted and kept pushing forward because we believe in what we do and the community we serve.”

Despite surviving the pandemic, the restaurant was hit with further financial blows with rising food and labor costs and a substantial increase in their building lease. According to Chef Brunet, “The lease hike alone added nearly $1,000 to their monthly expenses.”

“We have no control over these factors, yet we still have to meet our obligations,” Chef Brunet explained. “We’ve had to adjust our prices multiple times just to keep up with the rising costs. It’s heartbreaking to think that so many beloved restaurants might simply disappear because of circumstances beyond their control.”

Momma Pearl’s remains dedicated to serving the best Cajun cuisine in the city, even with these obstacles. The restaurant has consistently been voted the “Best of” Cajun restaurant in the area.

“Our business is on the verge of collapse, but we’ll keep going as long as we can,” Chef Brunet asserted. “We urge the food lovers of Colorado Springs to support their favorite local restaurants. Regular visits are essential for our survival. Cash flow is key, and without guests, we simply can’t continue.”

Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen is just south of Northgate Boulevard, near the Bass Pro Shops in the Polaris Pointe Mall. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (719) 964-0234 or visit www.MommaPearls.com.

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