Ever since Shari’s shut down its Oregon locations in late 2024, the old building off Pioneer Parkway and Q Street in Springfield has sat quietly empty — a familiar landmark and a reminder of a restaurant chain many Oregonians grew up with.
But now there’s a new sign hanging outside the building that’s getting people talking: “Coming Soon – Cajun Claws Seafood Boil House.”
While details are still scarce and no official opening date has been announced, it appears Springfield could soon be getting a messy, spicy, seafood-filled Cajun dining experience.
And if you love cracking crab legs and peeling shrimp with friends around a table, this could be very good news.
A Taste of Louisiana Heading to Lane County
According to the restaurant’s own description, Cajun Claws Seafood Boil House specializes in bold Louisiana-style seafood boils — the kind served hot in big piles with signature Cajun seasoning. The menu typically features items like shrimp, crab, lobster, crawfish, mussels, and other shellfish tossed in spices and sauces ranging from mild to extra spicy.
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Seafood boil restaurants are all about the experience as much as the food. Think plastic bibs, butcher paper on the table, and big buckets of seafood dumped out in front of you so everyone can dig in. It’s messy, loud, and exactly the kind of meal that’s best shared with a group of friends.
Cajun boils trace their roots back to Louisiana and Gulf Coast cooking traditions, where crawfish, crab, shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage are boiled together in large pots with heavy spices before being served family-style.
If the Springfield location follows the typical Cajun boil format, diners will likely be able to choose their seafood, pick a spice level, and customize the seasoning before the whole thing arrives steaming hot.
Filling the Space Left Behind by Shari’s
The location itself carries a lot of nostalgia.
Shari’s Café and Pies was once a Pacific Northwest institution known for late-night pancakes, coffee, and of course its famous pies. The chain began in 1978 in Hermiston, Oregon and at one point expanded to nearly 100 restaurants across multiple western states.
But after years of financial struggles, the company abruptly shut down all 42 Oregon locations in October 2024, leaving many of its distinctive buildings vacant across the state.
Reports at the time revealed the company had mounting financial problems, including unpaid bills, tax issues, and roughly $900,000 owed to the Oregon Lottery related to video lottery machines in the restaurants.
The sudden closures surprised employees and customers alike, marking the end of an era for many Oregonians who had spent decades grabbing pie and coffee at the familiar hexagon-roof diners.
Since then, communities around the state have been watching closely to see what businesses might move into the empty buildings.
Springfield may now have its answer.
Cajun Seafood Boils Continue to Grow in Popularity
Over the past decade, Cajun seafood boil restaurants have exploded in popularity across the United States. Similar chains such as The Kickin’ Crab and The Boiling Crab have expanded to dozens of locations by serving customizable seafood boils piled high with crab, shrimp, crawfish, and lobster.
The appeal is simple: bold flavors, hands-on eating, and a social atmosphere that feels more like a backyard seafood feast than a traditional restaurant.
For Oregon diners, Cajun food options have historically been fairly limited outside of Portland. A handful of Louisiana-inspired restaurants exist around the state, but seafood boil spots remain relatively rare.
That’s why the arrival of Cajun Claws could be especially exciting for local seafood lovers.
What We Know So Far
Right now, the only confirmed information is the “Coming Soon” sign posted on the building at the former Shari’s location near Pioneer Parkway and Q Street in Springfield.
There’s currently:
• No official opening date
• No confirmed menu details for the Springfield location
• No public announcement about the owners or expansion timeline
But the name alone suggests a Cajun seafood boil concept — and if it’s anything like other restaurants in the genre, Springfield diners could soon be cracking crab legs, dipping shrimp in garlic butter, and leaving the restaurant with that familiar Cajun spice burn.
And honestly? That sounds like a pretty great upgrade from pancakes and pie.
For now, locals will just have to keep an eye on that “Coming Soon” sign and hope the boils start bubbling sooner rather than later.
