Cajun Queen's on the Auction Block

It's been two years since it closed, but after a perpetual 'for sale' sign posted with no results, the Cajun Queen on Amboy Avenue is up for auction.

The bank-owned property will be sold by Maine-based Tranzon Auction Properties to the highest bidder on Tuesday, July 17, at the Sheraton Hotel at 125 Raritan Center Parkway in Edison. An inspection will be held at the property on Monday, July 9, from 3 to 5 pm.

The Cajun Queen is the last of seemingly a million metamorphoses the property has had over the decades.

First it was the Woodbridge Diner in the 1960s, one of those old fashioned shiny steel greasy spoons so beloved by diner fanatics and truck drivers. Then it upgraded into the "New Woodbridge Diner" after a remodel in 1979 to appeal to a classier clientele.

The remodel featured soft mauve colors, plush booth seating, and faux Tiffany hanging lights, changes that erased most of its chrome-plated past.

The pace of change speeded up in the late 1990s when the entire property was completely refurbished into a Nawlins-style bar with an enormous dark wood bar and smokey atmosphere. The joint flipped through several incarnations: the New Orleans Steak House (closed) and around 2003, Rockerfellas (closed.)

The third and most recent revival has been as the Cajun Queen, another New Orleans-style establishment. This time, though, the menu really was Cajun, with crawfish and other sundries.

It also had an interesting twist in that the owners set it up as a jazz and blues bar. In November, 2009, one reviewer had nothing but praise for the band - Jim Fryer and the Usual Suspects - and a heap of accolades for the Cajun Queen. 

"My sister and I were pleased with the restaurant ambience which was very reminiscent of  early 20th century Atlanta and New Orleans," said Jean Hadley in her review. "The menu offered a wide selection of wine, beer, cocktails and food to satisfy anyone's palette.

"Good luck to both the Cajun Queen and Jim [the owner] for continued success."

The restaurant was shuttered months later.

For more information on the auction, go to tranzon.com, or call John Dobos at 908-642-7984.