SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – A popular business in Springfield is celebrating a major milestone this month. The Mamou Restaurant on Worthington Street is officially one year old. But for the restaurant’s owners, this anniversary isn’t just about business — it’s about a promise made to a local legend.
The Mamou Restaurant celebrated its one-year anniversary on Worthington Street. The Cajun-Creole restaurant paid homage to the former Big Mamou restaurant on Liberty Street which served the Springfield community for 25 years before closing its doors in 2022, and its owner chef Wayne Hooker who suddenly passed away last November.
“It’s been quite the experience. Especially bringing back essentially an institution of the city that was brought about over 25 years ago,” said chef and co-owner of the Mamou Ivan Felix, “it’s been well received. The community has been great coming out, being super supportive, and it’s good to see that we’re keeping up the tradition that Chef Wayne laid out for us.”
To commemorate a year in business, the Mamou is hosting a two-day crawfish boil this Friday and Saturday — the way Chef Wayne would’ve liked it, straight Cajun style, “Bringing something new to the people, the community, giving them a piece of Louisiana via the Mamou restaurant here in Springfield. It’s something Wayne always wanted to do. It’s a shame we didn’t get to have him here to do it with us, but we’re doing it, and he’s here with us in spirit,” Felix said.
The man who’ll take the lead in preparing all that crawfish, co-owner and chef Jose G. Correa, also known as “Craw Daddy.”
“The way Wayne would want it, straight butter,” Correa said, “you’re going to get it with a lot of spice. And if you don’t like spice, I’m sorry. This is probably not for you. But come anyways, it’s still going to be a beautiful party and, you know, great food, great cocktails, and great people.”
The celebration will be filled with games, giveaway prizes, live music, and it wouldn’t be a proper Cajun broil without some line dancing. The fun begins at 11 a.m. on Friday and Saturday mornings — and they’re keeping it going until 10 p.m.
So, bring your appetite and your dancing shoes.
Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.
