Our Story

Chef Maudie Schmitt and her partner Carla Williams opened Cafe Rue on January 10, 2001. They have been blessed with much success in bringing New Orleans to Northwest Arkansas neighborhoods.

You can’t get more Authentic than New Orleans Heritage

Lead Staff

Maudie Schmitt
Owner and Chef
Jack Nickleson, Head Chef
Tyler Yocum, Sous Chef

Cafe Rue Orleans offers a relaxed, casual atmosphere for family dining with a New Orleans flair. The owners are committed to using authentic New Orleans products combined with the chef’s personal recipes and locally sourced ingredients:

Fresh Louisiana Gulf Shrimp, Crawfish, and Oysters
Bread from Gambino’s
Boscoli Olive Salad
Louisiana Hot Sauce
Fresh Andouille from South Louisiana
Fresh and Local sides made daily

Yes, Miss Maudie and Miss Carla are really Tiger and Razorback fans.

This is the real thing! Not an imitation. Not fast food.

You can’t get more authentic, than New Orleans family heritage and a culinary family background.

Culinary Artistry Runs in the Family

Chef and co-owner, Maudie Schmitt, has an extensive restaurant heritage. Grandparents on both sides of her family were restaurant and bar owners in the greater New Orleans area. Her mother was born on Tchoupitoulas Street in an apartment above the family restaurant in what has been declared by the historic committee as the oldest townhouse in New Orleans. A mirrored window pane from that building hangs in Cafe Rue Orleans and serves as a reminder of Maudie’s restaurant ancestry.

Maudie learned to cook from the many great chef’s in her own lively family. She was always encouraged to be creative in the kitchen and has become a true culinary artist. Some of her favorite memories were made around the family kitchen table, laughing, talking and sharing recipes. Serving good food to people is Maudie’s way of bringing her family history to your table.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Maudie graduated from a local Catholic high school. She attended Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and returned to New Orleans to begin her teaching career. After a few years, she relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana, where she taught special education for 25 years.

Maudie’s partner, co-owner, Carla Williams, also has restaurant family history. Born and raised in Camden, Arkansas, Carla grew up with a similar background. Carla’s grandfather owned a local take out diner. She spent much of her childhood and young adulthood helping out.

But as fate would have it, cooking did not develop into an art form for Carla as it had for Maudie. Carla had much more interest in how the business ran. Carla completed a Masters Degree in Social Work and worked for many years in the mental health profession, but always wanted to own her own business.

Maudie never stopped cooking! She and Carla never stopped dreaming. Maudie catered special events throughout her teaching career. They both finally decided to retire from one career to start another and open a restaurant. They always loved Arkansas and chose to move to Fayetteville for an adventure. And what an adventure it has been!

A PINCH OF SPICE, A DASH OF FUN. SERVING A TASTE OF New Orleans SINCE 2001.

And so, after years of research and months of looking for the right property, Cafe Rue Orleans was born in January of 2001. The location was cozy and a little funky - pure Fayetteville and pure Maudie and Carla. Transforming the 1960’s restaurant into a French Quarter dining experience took love and grit. Capitalizing on the beautiful view provided the charm of a New Orleans porch.

Come in, enjoy what Carla and Maudie and their protégés bring to the table. Laugh, talk, share recipes and delight in an authentic New Orleans dining experience in your neighborhood.

Photography Credit: Thank you to Kent Atkins for many of his pictures!