Vudu Café & Lounge

By Leah Skye

            For the past fifteen years, the eclectic, Creole-themed Vudu Café and Lounge (formerly the High Street Café) has dominated and helped develop the downtown West Chester culinary scene.

            Do you Vudu? Whether it’s the carnival masks, dangling Mardi Gras beads, delectable cuisine, or soulful jazz emanating through the room, this restaurant has patrons feeling as if they’ve been transported from suburban Pennsylvania to thriving Bourbon Street within seconds of arriving.

            With pictures of jazz icons and unique Louisiana-themed artifacts plastering the walls, the Vudu Lounge has turned a small space into an intimate yet spacious dining haven. The seating area located along the wall is elevated for extra depth and the dim lighting is just enough to relax the mood while still allowing visibility of their extensive menu.

            in 1996, owner Donnie Syracuse teamed up with executive chef Jay Wenner and the duo concocted an establishment that was a fusion of rock and Cajun cuisine that helped put West Chester on the map as a great culinary destination in the Philadelphia area. Wenner was working as a sauté chef at the New Orleans Café in Ridley at the time, which Syracuse said helped inspire their booming restaurant that has been doing consistently well since.

            “There was nothing here when we started” Syracuse said. “It was just us, Amore Pizzeria, and another place that was on its way out. I’d like to think we helped build the popular food scene in West Chester. Now we’re doing better than ever.” West Chester is now a hot spot for restaurant connoisseurs of all shapes and sizes and the Vudu Lounge has become a must-see destination for many passing through.

            They have recently remodeled and changed names, but the food and atmosphere remain consistent and restaurant goers can’t seem to get enough of it. Syracuse prides himself on the large number of returning customers, but also makes strides to acquire new demographics. They have added a 14 seat granite bar and extended their hours of operation to accommodate crowds of all types.

            The Vudu Lounge’s success has not gone unrecognized. They won “Best of Philly” in 1999 and were selected as “Best of the Main Line for Cajun & Creole” for the past 10 years. They have also been recognized by the Zagat review posting, consistently receiving 27 out of 30 points annually.  

            Upon entry, one is welcomed by a warm and funky deep purple Henrix-esque décor.  Whether in search of an exotic meal like blackened alligator, ostrich, and kangaroo or a finely crafted beer or martini, the Vudu Lounge welcomes all. The intimate space can accommodate up to 200 people in an evening. They have also added railings and retractable awnings along Dean St. for additional outdoor seating during the warmer seasons.

            Syracuse spent his youth touring in a rock band, opening for Bon Jovi with his band Arcade (Cinderella and Ratt). He described this period as ‘the best time of his life’ and said he couldn’t think of a better way to have spent his 20’s. This helped inspire the rock and roll vibe, and also is why artists such as Poison, G Love and Special Sauce, and The Black Crowes have been known to stop by when they’re in town.

They offer a menu unlike any other in town featuring exotic, Creole/Cajun style dishes. Whether you fancy jambalaya, coconut shrimp, crawfish, or a good ol’ po’boy, the Vudu Lounge has something to satisfy many palates. Syracuse said “The thing that sets us apart is the flavor of our dishes. Anyone can cook a piece of meat or fish, but it’s the sauces that are the hard part. It’s knowing how to mix and the French influence which makes everything we have different. The food speaks for itself.”

They are best known for their spices, but the menu also includes multiple dishes for those who are not fans of intense heat. Anyone who wants to take the Vudu Lounge's flavors to their own kitchen can purchase some of Chef Wenner’s famous spice mixes either online or on location.

The staff prides themselves on a personal and attentive manner when dealing with customers. The team consists of knowledgeable and friendly West Chester University students and veteran servers alike who say they are happy to answer any questions or recommend a dish or drink.

If you’re in the mood for a cold beer, Vudu Lounge proves itself as a compelling choice. On tap, they offer six local craft beers including Victory Lager, Stoudt’s “Fat Dog Stout Reserve, Racer 5, Twin Lakes IPA, Stevens Point Einbach, and Starpoint (Brooklyn) IPA. They also have 50 types of beer by the bottle including Abita, Guinness, Yardís, Flying Fish, Stella Artois, and many others. Cocktails leave nothing to be desired, with an extensive list of creative martinis and mixed drinks. You could go for the  Panty Dropper, which consists of Grey Goose Vodka, Canella Prosecco and a splash of Chambord , or the Desperate Housewife, which is Stoli O Vodka, champagne and passion fruit, to name a few.

They also have a variety of finger foods served until 1 a.m. and craft take-out beer to satisfy the late-night cravings and bring in a younger college crowd. They have recently begun a pick-your-own beer six pack being served up until 2 a.m. that will allow customers to take home the divine taste of local and international brews without ever hitting a liquor store.

The music adds an entirely new element of fun and diversity to the already booming atmosphere. You’re likely to come across some of the area’s best Cuban jazz, blues, and piano playing musicians performing live from Wednesday to Sunday, including Mr. Syracuse himself, to set the mood and serenade diners. The restaurant’s website (http://www.highstreetcaffe.com/) offers a full list of performers weekly so patrons can plan their outings around who they want to come see. Even during times when there is no live performing, one is likely to hear the timeless music of Dizzy Gillespie or Stevie Ray Vaughan blasting through the stereo to continue the legacy.

When asked to describe the Vudu Lounge in one word, Syracuse chose “exquisite.” He said “I was going to choose eclectic, but that’s too cliché” and the Vudu lounge is far from cliché. They have been doing so well that Syracuse has plans to expand if the opportunity presents itself. “I can’t build up or I would. Now it’s just an issue of buying the adjacent properties, so we’ll see” he said.

To summarize, they offer more than just a fine menu and list of drinks; they give diners a glimpse of the eclectic culture of Louisianans fused with a rock and roll vibe. Everyone who stops in has the opportunity to become part of the Vudu Lounge family.