(UPDATE) I just spent a 4 day weekend in New Orleans on an exclusive foodie trip, and dived into…read moresome mom & pop eateries such as Deanies, Salvos, Zydecos And more, of the 7 Restaurants I went to in 4 days, All of them indeed had Sweet Tea. Delicious Southern Sweet Tea at that not what passes for sweet tea in Texas. I was not told to add grainy sugar into unsweetened tea like I was here. my tour guide was a local woman who's lived in the heart of New Orleans for 63 years, and was shocked and appalled when I read to her what the management of Charlie's Creole Kitchen replied to my critique regarding the Sweet Tea, (lack there of, as well as his belief that it isn't commonplace, or borderline essential) she was shocked in disbelief about as well as the astronomical prices we have to pay as their serving sizes in New Orleans are substantially bigger, for either equal or in some cases even cheaper prices. A Bowl of Gumbo in Texas, is a Cup in New Orleans this trends everywhere I visited.
I understand importing certain coastal based ingredients can drive up the cost of the food, got it! that doesn't bother me as much as being gaslighted about things where this establishment does fall short. as a native Floridian, Foodie, and Avid Traveler. I don't really care how long someone's been running a kitchen (one way) constructive criticism should be embraced to increase the quality of an establishment, not gotten defensive over.
Removing one star for having to go all the way to New Orleans to not feel like a crazy person about the Sweet Tea and Prices.
This place is already really good! but could still be better!
(OP) As someone from the Deep South, I have high standards for Southern Dives. First, a warning for my fellow Deep-Southerners: they must get away with this with their native Texan Patrons, but the lack of Sweet-Tea is Blasphemy. Unsweetened only. That's an automatic loss of a star. (that seems unfair over a beverage? no.) because for a lot of us from Louisiana, Bama, Florida, Georgia. That are looking for a little piece of home to dine at, A good sweet tea is the standard of a southern comfort meal. It's the peanut butter to jelly. The milk to cereal, the, Well you get it..
The Standouts:
* Baked Stuffed Flounder (10/10): Hands down the best dish I sampled. The roasted red pepper sauce is incredible, and the cheese grits make it a real southern comfort platter.
* Chicken, Shrimp & Bacon Corn Chowder (10/10): Truly New England-level quality. An absolute explosion of flavor.
* Crab Cakes (10/10): Rich, delicious, and worth every bite.
The Middle Ground:
The Boudin Balls and Seafood Gumbo were solid (7/10), though the gumbo doesn't quite reach the level of a spot like Pappadeaux, it's decent. $11 for 3 decent Boudin Balls is highway robbery at its best.
The Fried Seafood Platter was good, 7.5/10 but at $35, the platter is on the smaller side, especially only given one piece of catfish. The Oysters & Shrimp were good, the Crawfish decent, Catfish was decent, it had a small hint of fishiness, but it was good overall nonetheless.
The side salads (3/10) the after thought of the menu, chopped head of lettuce smothered in ranch (or Italian) with one banana pepper, and one slice of tomato that looks like it was suppose to be on a burger, no toppings at all. Truck stops have better prepared salads. Which wouldn't typically be a problem if this was a budget-friendly eatery, but for its Texas-Sized prices, And New-York sized portions. The oversight of the Sweet-Tea and a decent side salad is for sure a miss.
It might fully please Texans, but it left somethings to be desired from a non-Texan southerner.
That being said! It is absolutely well worth the visit! The food was all above average for the region, the service was friendly, attentive and fast, the food came out quickly and efficiently.
The location isn't great, but not bad. a little tight and congested, the interior is very mom & pop feeling which is nice.
I truly did enjoy my experience, misses and all. And look forward to returning to sample more of the menu!