Deja Vu Cafe celebrating 10 years in business with a blast from the past

When Brandon Richardson and his family took over the little chicken wing joint on High Street East, they saw potential to make Deja Vu Cafe a Moose Jaw mainstay. 

Ten years later, as Richardson looks around the restaurant and how the business has grown, he feels confident that he’s done exactly that. 

Richardson took on Deja Vu Cafe in 2009, which at the time was located in the Walter Scott Building on High Street. The restaurant was small, but quickly became a popular place for the now-famous wings and strips.   

In 2013, Deja Vu Cafe was featured on the Food Network Canada television show You Gotta Eat Here, and the segment created a huge boom of business for the local restaurant. 

Shortly after, Deja Vu moved across High street to its current location, which is where they were when their second TV spot aired in 2014 as a part of CityTV’s show Prairie Diner.

Moving into the new location created endless possibilities for the business — including a larger, better-equipped kitchen and ventilation system, and a chance to really expand.

Now, Deja Vu Cafe offers more seating and has a space for large parties downstairs, and takes plenty of take-out and delivery orders every day.  

The unique list of available sauces has also expanded to include over 100 flavours, to pair with over 80 flavours of thick, homestyle milkshakes. 

Over the years, Richardson has stayed true to his belief that food is better fresh and house-made. And although the location has been changed, the food sure hasn’t. 

“We make everything fresh, as the orders come in,” said Richardson. “I don't believe in having food sit, so our food is cooked, plated, sauced, and it goes right out. It doesn't linger in the back.”

Richardson’s kitchen still uses the same recipes for all the menu favourites, like the ever-popular deep-fried pickles. 

Deja Vu Cafe uses halal chicken and has an accommodating kitchen for dietary restrictions. The gravy has always been vegetarian and there are separate fryers for fish and gluten-friendly orders. 

What Deja Vu Cafe does isn’t fast food, said Richardson. He really strives to offer a family-friendly space, that has a little something for everyone.

“We try and cater to as many people as we can,” said Richardson. “You can come here as a child and still come here as a senior and have something different, because it's still chicken but there's so many different ways.”

The restaurant has drawn plenty of attention from those passing through the city and those sticking around, including the occasional Saskatchewan Roughrider from time to time.

“We get so many people from out of town, it's awesome. We get emails, messages on Facebook, from people all over,” said Richardson.

Deja Vu Cafe is a unique experience, and Richardson finds that the varied menu often gets people to try new things.

“There's lots of people who come here and say, 'oh, I just want ranch,' and so sometimes it's fun trying to get them to think outside the box,” said Richardson. “Sometimes they actually like what they try.”

Deja Vu Cafe has become a tourism staple for Moose Jaw, but Richardson hopes that the local community knows that their support is equally as appreciated. 

“[We'd like to] thank everyone for supporting us for 10 years, from near and far,” said Richardson. 

To celebrate 10 years in business, Richardson is bringing back some popular throwback specials for the week of Dec. 2-8 only — like 69¢ chicken wings and the 44 Special — to thank his customers for the continued support.