A new dining option has arrived in Warren, bringing the flavors of Louisiana-style cooking to a familiar stop while continuing a commitment to giving back to the community.
Crispy Cajun officially opened Wednesday, Nov. 4, inside Alon Food Mart, located at 200 S. Martin St. The new food service is operated by Amit Budwani, who has been serving the Warren community through Alon for approximately 10 years.
The grand opening was about more than introducing a new menu. It also gave Budwani an opportunity to show his appreciation for the community and demonstrate his commitment to listening to the people he serves.
Budwani said he has heard the concerns and suggestions of local customers and has taken steps to make improvements throughout the store. Recent renovations include new flooring and additional convenience store offerings, with the goal of creating a better experience for customers.
Crispy Cajun brings a taste of Creole-inspired cooking to the location. The chicken is marinated in-house and seasoned with Tony Chachere’s famous Creole seasoning blend, giving customers a flavorful option beyond traditional convenience store food.
The menu features fried chicken, chicken tenders, tender sandwiches and farm-raised fish, along with a variety of sides, including french fries, onion rings, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. One unique offering is a cornbread biscuit, which Budwani said is the only one of its kind in the convenience store market.
To celebrate opening day, Budwani welcomed customers with a free chicken tender for everyone who stopped by. He also announced that all profits generated that day throughout the entire store — including fuel, convenience store purchases and Crispy Cajun food sales — would be donated to the Warren Lumberjacks.
For Budwani, supporting the community is not limited to a grand opening celebration.
“We try to donate as much as we can throughout the year to various organizations throughout the city. We want to show the city we are with them,” he said.
That commitment extends beyond Warren. Budwani said his organization operates 11 stores throughout Arkansas, and each year the organization makes donations to the Arkansas Food Bank, an organization that holds particular importance to them. He also shared that helping those facing difficult circumstances is important to him, including providing food to homeless individuals in the area when they are in need.
Although Crispy Cajun is the newest addition, Alon Food Mart offers several other prepared food options, including Hunt Brothers Pizza, cheeseburgers, hot breakfast items and additional menu selections. The business also accepts call-in food orders, making it convenient for customers who want to place an order before arriving.
Alon remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As the business moves into this new chapter, Budwani wants customers to know that their opinions matter. He encouraged residents to share suggestions or bring any concerns about the store to his attention, emphasizing that he wants to continue making improvements based on the needs of the community.
With a refreshed store, expanded food offerings and a continued commitment to supporting local organizations, Budwani hopes Crispy Cajun will become another way to serve Warren residents while giving something meaningful back to the community that has supported his business for nearly a decade.
