After spending the last three months as a human repository for boiled mudbugs, Brett Anderson has just released his list of the top 10 spots for crawfish in New Orleans. Granted he means greater New Orleans, as the list covers areas from Harahan to the North Shore. No real shockers here, as he's basically been writing about every place on the list for the past couple months. It also provides a wealth of options for both sit down dining (People eat crawfish indoors?) and take-out. Three of his top ten recently appeared on Eater's map of 10 spots for crawfish that critics keep crushing on, so make sure to check that out if you haven't already. Here now are Anderson's top 10 in alphabetical order.
1.) Metairie: Bevi Seafood
Where: 4701 Airline Drive
Phone: (504) 885-5003
Anderson says: "The attention paid to ingredient sourcing and care is particularly evident in the crawfish."
About: Market/restaurant, order at counter; Open Mon/Wed/Thurs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
[Photo: Yelp]
2.) Mid City: Cajun Brothers Seafood & Po' Boys (formerly KJean)
Where: 236 N. Carrollton Ave
Phone: (504) 488-7503
Anderson says: "The crawfish are as reliable as they have been in years' past. The takeout-only business is conveniently located near a variety of terrific spots for enjoying your purchase in the great urban outdoors."
About: Take-out only; call for hours.
[Photo: Urbanspoon]
3.) Various Locations: Cajun Seafood
Where: 479 N. Claiborne Ave, 1901 Almonaster Ave, 7020 Read Blvd,
Phone: (504) 948-6000 (7th Ward location)
Anderson says: "The scent wafting from these boiling houses is potent enough to penetrate the closed doors of passing automobiles. The spices in the Nguyen family's crawfish boil are like that: In your face."
About: Seafood market/some seating available; Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
[Photo: Yelp]
4.) Uptown: Frankie & Johnny's
Where: 321 Arabella St
Phone: (504) 899-9146
Anderson says: "If you're on the east bank of New Orleans and you're in the mood to enjoy crawfish and cold beer in a bar-restaurant setting, Frankie & Johnny's should top your list."
About: Full service restaurant; Open Mon-Thu 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri/Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, Sun 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
[Photo: Facebook]
5.) Metairie: The Galley
Where: 2535 Metairie Road
Phone: (504) 832-0955
Anderson says:"On both of my visits this year, the crawfish were the same: hot to the touch and of a quality consistent with what's found on the rest of the seafood-focused menu."
About: Full service restaurant; Open Tues-Fri 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat noon to 8:30 p.m.
[Photo: Yelp]
6.) Kenner: Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar
Where: 3203 Williams Blvd
Phone: (504) 443-6454
Anderson says: "Harbor Seafood opened 26 years ago next door to Fishermen's Cove, a retail seafood market that opened 10 years before that. The businesses are under the same ownership, and the synergies between them means the seafood is some of the freshest around."
About: Full service restaurant; Mon-Sun 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
[Photo: Facebook]
7.) Gretna: J & J Seafood
Where: 632 Franklin Ave.
Phone: (504) 366-2219
Anderson says: "Their crawfish are fresh, amply sized, clean, juicy and spicy enough to numb your lips."
About: Take-out only; Mon-Sat noon to 7 p.m. Sat noon to 6 p.m., best to call first
[Photo: Urbanspoon]
8.) Madisonville: Morton's Seafood
Where: 702 Water St.
Phone: (985) 845-4970
Anderson says: "There should be a law requiring all boiled crawfish sellers to have a sign like Morton's: It reads 'Hot Boiled Seafood,' and it flashes when those words are true."
About: Restaurant/outdoor seating available; Open Mon-Thurs 11 .a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri-Satu 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Tues/Wed.
[Photo: Official Website]
9.) Harahan: Seither's Seafood
Where: 279 Hickory Ave.
Phone: (504) 738-1116
Anderson says: "Straight-ahead boiled crawfish remain the restaurant's calling card."
About: Seafood market/restaurant; open Mon-Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
[Photo: Official Website]
10.) Chalmette: Today's Ketch
Where: 2110 E. Judge Perez Drive
Phone: (504) 279-6639
Anderson says: "They're spicy, but you'll detect layers beneath the cayenne and salt: clove, mustard seed and especially lemon."
About: Retail market with dining room, open Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, Fri 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
[Photo: Official Website]
· Top 10 Places For Crawfish in New Orleans [NOLA.com]
· All Crawfish Coverage [-ENOLA-]