We found Parrain's Seafood while searching for authentic Louisiana food and a good po'boy/seafood spot before making our drive back home to Houston. We were in Baton Rouge helping our grandson move into his dorm as an incoming freshman at LSU, and Parrain's kept coming up in our searches and reviews. We decided to give it a try, and I'm SO glad we did! We visited on a Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., and when I tell you EVERYBODY and their family was there... I mean everybody! The parking lot was packed. There is plenty of parking, but there were so many people that we still had to hunt for a spot. Thankfully, we found one under a shade tree because it was HOT! When we walked up, we fully expected a long wait. There is plenty of outdoor seating for people waiting, and I also noticed they have both steps and an accessibility ramp leading to the entrance. My daughter and I sat down while my husband stood in line to put our name on the list. About five minutes later, he was waving for us to come inside! Apparently, many of the people waiting were large groups and families coming from church, but since there were only three of us, they were able to seat us almost immediately. HUGE plus! Once inside, it was BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. It took our server a little while to initially get to us, but considering how packed the restaurant was, it really wasn't bad at all. Our waitress was very nice, and I was actually impressed with how quickly our food came out. Now let's talk about the FOOD!! We first ordered the onion rings for an appetizer... super delicious I ordered the fried shrimp platter, and those shrimp were fried to PERFECTION! Crispy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The meal also came with salad, fries, hush puppies, and a side. The hush puppies were SO GOOD! They are shaped almost like little donut holes... crispy on the outside and soft and savory on the inside. Delicious! For my side, I chose the fresh green beans instead of the dirty rice. Unfortunately, those were the one thing I didn't enjoy. They didn't have much flavor to me and seemed a little undercooked. Next time, I'll definitely choose another side. My husband ordered the fried catfish platter with dirty rice, coleslaw, and fries, and he loved everything. I tasted his coleslaw, and OH MY GOODNESS! Get the coleslaw! It was different from any coleslaw I've had before. It has whole peanuts in it, which sounds unusual, but somehow it WORKS! The peanuts add this wonderful crunch and flavor. It was SO good. And the French fries!! I've never seen fries cut this way before. They're almost shaped like little Scoop Fritos, with a crispy outside and soft potato inside. So unique and really good! My daughter ordered the catfish strips and fries from the kids' menu. These weren't processed little nuggets... they were actual pieces of catfish cut into strips, and she really enjoyed them. She also ordered the crab fingers, and those were another 10/10! They were incredibly well-seasoned with a little spice and tons of flavor. I tasted one and wanted MORE! I'm watching my sodium intake, so I behaved myself, but they were absolutely delicious. Overall, Parrain's was a 10/10 for us. The only thing I wouldn't personally order again would be the green beans. Everything else, from the shrimp and catfish to those amazing hush puppies, unique fries, crab fingers, and especially that coleslaw, was DELICIOUS. Yes, it was crowded and lively, but we still received really good service and didn't have to wait nearly as long as we expected. With our grandson now attending LSU, we'll be making plenty of trips back to Baton Rouge, and Parrain's has officially made our list of places we will be visiting again! read more

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Went for a lunch meeting and had the Catfish Perdu. In my humble opinion, this is one of the most pre-eminent Cajun seafood restaurants in Baton Rouge. They are WELL known for their chargrilled oysters and have a great happy hour. Their Andouille Crusted Fresh Fish is one of the best bites in Baton Rouge hands down. Their parking lot situation is a mess; WAY too small, and the entrance is close to another business' entrance which can be confusing. Great service, little loud though. It's a small complaint, but restaurants that let used drink glasses pile up on the table is a little annoying. read more

I had really been looking forward to trying Parrain's Seafood, but unfortunately my experience was disappointing. Our waitress, Kate M., didn't have the best customer service. She came across as short, unfriendly, and overall not very pleasant. I first ordered a Banana Foster's Martini, but she came back and said they didn't have the ingredients. No problem--I asked for an Espresso Martini instead. A few minutes later, after bringing everyone else's drinks, she returned and simply said they couldn't make that either and asked if I wanted something else. At that point, I just declined. When it was time to order, our table had nine people. She took my husband's order, then went around the table taking everyone else's order. By the time she got back to me, she said, "Okay, is that it?" I had to remind her that she hadn't taken my order yet. I ordered the crab and corn bisque, a salad, and the stuffed catfish with creamed spinach. The salad came out quickly and was very good. Then everyone else at the table received their meals while I only received my bisque. After waiting, I was told my stuffed catfish "didn't come out right" and had to be remade. At that point, I honestly wondered if it was a joke. It wasn't. By the time my entrée arrived, everyone else was nearly finished eating. To the restaurant's credit, they did remove the stuffed catfish from my bill, and I appreciated that. However, the entire experience left me feeling overlooked from start to finish. My biggest suggestion would be for our waitress to work on her customer service. A smile goes a long way. Saying things like "Give me that plate," slamming cups onto the table, and appearing annoyed throughout the meal doesn't create a welcoming dining experience. Hospitality is just as important as the food, and I hope this feedback is taken constructively. read more

Although it was a chain, its still very filling. Our first time here, and our server what's super helpful and offered us various different sauces to try before we ordered our food. Ordered the pasta and the hubs ordered a bowl of gumbo. read more

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They're really cutting corners. I get it, times are rough. The Pontchartrain used to be worth the $33 price tag but now that is served with only a few slivers of crabmeat and they took the away the stuffed potato side, it's a $28 meal at best. Go look at my pictures on this site and you can see the same dish only a few years apart. It's a dramatic change that came with a higher price. They took away the part that justified the price. My suggestion is to just take it off the menu until things get better. I heard some other people rumbling about changes that have been made, but I still have hope. read more

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Yep. Trust the reviews. This was delicious!!! Our family enjoyed the food and service! Our server was wonderful, very friendly & attentive. Boudin eggrolls were so tasty! Love the laid back atmosphere and local flavor. Definitely a great spot for both out of towners! read more

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Heading into the Baton Rouge area and looking for a good seafood spot? Here's your place. There's a little bit of everything, and honestly, this is the best spot for fresh raw oysters I've found. Their fresh fish items are among my favorites, but if you want to try fried things, they don't over do the fry like some places. They don't give out a menu for those with allergy sensitivities, but they have at least one very knowledgeable manager who will come out to your table and discuss the various options and ingredients in many of their items. That was helpful as we had some in our group who could be adversely affected. While I don't personally frequent Parrain's, I've always had good experiencing. We recently met up with a friend who was in town craving seafood, so we met up here. Our server was super friendly, but drinks were extremely slow to come out. I was hoping for a predinner drink and then other to pair with my selections, but my first ended up coming after the raw oysters I ordered. Everyone left very satisfied. Some of the suggest sides of our group include the cauliflower and green beans. The gumbo was good - could have used more spice, and i don't care for Tony's or Tobasco, so I didn't get the flavor i wanted. The tuna was a hit, perfectly seared. And the sauteed crab claws were well received. Everyone seemed to have a good experience. read more

Stopped by here on our way home from NOLA and this place is amazing. We were quickly seated in the dining room area, but you can choose to eat at the bar or patio as well. The staff actually turned the air down because I was so cold, upon my initial arrival, which I appreciated immensely. I looked at all the pics before we came, so I knew right away what I wanted to try. We ordered: Sautéed Crab Fingers/ Fried Green Tomatoes/stuffed Mushrooms I can't really single anything as a best bite because they were all great. The only thing we were upset about, was we don't know about this place sooner. That way we could've ate here coming and going back to Houston. Enter freely, they've been approved read more

Parrain's Seafood - Sautéed crab fingers, stuffed mushrooms, Fried Green Tomatoes (L-R) - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

I always tell visitors to Baton Rouge that if they only have one evening in town, they should eat at Parrain's Seafood! It is so infused with South Louisiana culture and cuisine that it is a local landmark. The exterior resembles a Cajun cabin, with unpainted wood and tin. It even has cypress trees growing out front. There's a large porch with rocking chairs, you can wait here for the rest of your party to arrive, or you can do so on an indoor bench, or even the bar. Eventually, you'll be seated, and the magic begins! Maybe you want an appetizer? Or a few oysters if they are in season? These are good choices! The Bacon Wrapped Shrimp or Fried Green Tomatoes are two of my favorites. The latter is pretty spicy! Then comes the main course. There are so many great choices it's hard to decide. It is a seafood restaurant, so maybe you will go there? My favorites include the amazing Whole Fried Catfish which always has more flavor than fillets; the BBQ Drum is also great, grilled with the skin side down; and then there are so many ways to have fillets. All are righteous! Not feeling fish today? Not a problem, as they have a Turf menu with luscious Lamb Chops, and other delicious options. Maybe you want a Po-Boy? That's always a great choice. Almost all entrees come with a choice of side, so you can customize the dinner to your tastes. Most also come with a salad, which is always refreshing. There's also soups, gumbo, and whole meal salads. It should be noted that this is a popular place! Sometimes one must park out back under the Interstate and walk up to the front. Don't let this discourage you, as the interior is spacious and divided into many small dining areas that make you feel cozy. The staff is courteous and efficient, so you'll be taken care of. While it's not fast food, the kitchen manages to fill orders in a very reasonable time frame, even while they are serving a large number of customers. read more

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Really enjoyed lunch here. The place was packed and Jamie our server and the other wait staff were excellent. The salad was fresh with homemade ranch. I had the crawfish ettouffe and fried crawfish. The boudin egg rolls were really taste The vermillion was also very good. read more

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We stopped here for some good ole Cajun food and was not disappointed. From crab claws to boudin balls, seafood platters and even seafood and chicken and sausage gumbo. Everything was hitting on point. Friendly fast stuff and vibes that make you feel like you're out at the camp. You must spot by if you're around Baton Rouge read more

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Excellent menu. You can't go wrong. Business associates coming to town always ask to eat there. They are hooked and we all cover all of North America with a loose expense account, so these guy's eat in the best restaurants throughout Canada and US. They know god food and ask for it every time. read more

Was recommended by hotel staff, glad they told us as this was one of the best food experiences we have had on our roadtrip. Parking Lot was packed (parked next door at a closed business). Was worried that wait would be long, nope, friendly Hostess seated us right away. The dining areas are spacious & clean Met our waitress, super nice & helpful with menu. Sweet Tea was good, our sides of salad & coleslaw were good. Our appetizer of stuffed mushrooms were AMAZING, wife does not like mushrooms & loved these (too much in my opinion- LOL). I will always remember these !!! Our main dishes was some of the best food we have had (EVER). I was in crawfish & seafood heaven - Each bite was a slice of it here on Earth. No joke. Even the bread was amazing !!! We will go out of our way to come again if a roadtrip brings us anywhere near Baton Rouge. read more

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This place is what you'd exactly expect for a restaurant in the south. The place is rustic with a small town inviting vibe. The staff are all super nice. The food and drinks were just great. Went here a few times while in town for work. read more

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I had the seafood pasta which is usually pretty good! Well this time my crabmeat was spoiled and it was so loud once i removed the lid that everyone in my household could smell it! Nothing else had that odor but i wasn't going to eat it after the bad crabmeat was on top of it. I did call and after being on hold for 19:22 a manager Ms Rebecca apologized and refunded my money and stated on my next visit she would take care of it read more

I had a lovely experience, eating here for a birthday celebration. Every course of the meal felt like it was better than the last it was awesome. The waitress was extremely pleasant and made for a great experience. read more

We've been here many times, but last night's food was severely underpar. We got the shrimp fried platter and the ultimate platter. Everything was very bland and all the fry battering was falling off. My partner got the seafood gumbo and he told it tasted off so I tried it and it tasted like vomit. I'm not sure if it was old or not. We love coming here, but next time we're craving seafood we will look for another place. We also noticed some of the menu items changed as well as the menu not sure if this affected the taste. Portion size is good and filling just very very bland. Not what you would expect from this restaurant. read more

Parrain's Seafood - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The food was divine! Half & half crawfish etoufee with fried crawfish tails were incredible. Server Angela is the best, she could tell I was overwhelmed with all the amazing menu choices and helped me pick dinner! Atmosphere is very family friendly and I loved the LA decor in the dining room. I will definitely be back! read more

Parrain's Seafood - Fried crawfish tails and crawfish etoufee - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Amazing! The seafood platter was enough for my husband & I both since it was HUGE and we even had food to go! The fried shrimp, onion rings, hush puppies & crawfish were good & the gumbo was full of shrimp. The corn chowder was creamy! I wish it would've had a tad more rice in it but definitely delicious. The parking was tricky since we had to park in the gravel which was muddy because the lot was full but other than that it was an excellent experience. The service was friendly and the place was clean. I do feel the place could use an update but overall it was a delicious experience! Yes, I recommend this place! Cheers! read more

Parrain's Seafood - Tossed Salad - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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We purposely wanted to stay in Baton Rouge off of I 10 at a hotel and try whatever we could Louisiana style. We did a search in this restaurant came up as number one. The hotel recommended it, and the Uber driver recommended it. When I tell you, it was so good - we are so full. Everything was perfectly seasoned, it was hot, the waiter was nice. The ambience is nice. I could not have asked for a better dinner. So much to choose from and they'll even let you sample. read more

It's okay if you really love that same old BR Cajun food that I'm kind of tired of. But yeah, yummy BR Standard Seafood Restaurant fare, with occasional flair. Great outdoor space with fans and heaters. Good location. Parking can be rough. It gets very crowded, but that's because the food is pretty good and the vibe is pretty good so....The food is a little boring for me, but that's just me so that's the only reason for the four stars instead of five. read more

The service & food were amazing. The chef was extra helpful in my menu selection since I have a shellfish allergy. read more

Parrain's Seafood - white chocolate bread pudding - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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excellent food , just a we bit noisy when crowded , prefer the porch on cool days ! I have not eaten one bad thing there , the stuffed shrimp are especially delicious!! Service is good , friendly ! your plate is loaded with food . Dirty rice exceptional , salads fresh ! Go early or after 1:00 for lunch for less crowded ...less noise !! read more

Recommended by Claude AI, passing through from TN to Houston. It was busy, we sat on patio, food was very good, waitress was friendly and responsive. read more

Always delicious!! Kinda noisy , but that's because it's always so crowded! Service is good and prices aren't bad. read more

Rolling though Baton Rouge I immediately thought seafood. In this case Gulf of Mexico fish. I once lived in Baton Rouge for a short stint so I was familiar with good fresh fish Cajun style. Let me say Parrain's has GREAT fresh fish. The drive up is telling of the incredible history of the restaurant and the region. The building old school wood built reminds you of an old southern bayou fish house. The friendly staff is evident upon entering. Everyone said hello and welcome. There was no doubt of Parrain's popularity as it was bustling with locals at the early dinner hour. The decor is simple, natural and cool, southern LA style. Ive never considered LA a 'southern' state in the traditional sense as it possesses a style unique and unto its own. You have to experience it and feel it to know it. The natural wood and wooden tables and basic decor governor a homey feel. We started with fried green tomatoes appetizer wow! Topped with crawfish too. I included a picture of an empty plate only because we attacked it when it hit the table. Incredible fried green tomatoes. Next up I stared with a half dozen super fresh oysters with all the accompaniments, fresh horse radish, cocktail sauce, and tobacco. My friend had a cup of gumbo. More on that later. For the next up my friend had the Atchafalaya fish with dirty rice. I don't get a taste but it looked like some damn good Cajun fish fillet. I went with a bowl of gumbo. Freshest I've ever had filled with shrimp, okra, and much more. Incredible gumbo. Both came with a fresh warm long roll. Our server was really great. Full of personality and on point with descriptions, ingredients and making sure to inquire of any food allergies. She knew her menu and business. I just wish I remembered her name as she definitely deserves a huge shout out from the two boys from Chicago who are also in the business. Everyone there was truly excellent staff and the patrons were all smiling laughing and enjoying. What's beats going local for Cajun Baton Rouge fish? Nothing. When you're in the neighborhood stop in and see these folks. read more

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AMAZING food!! I had Boudin Balls and Crawfish Etouffe (HUGE serving!!!) Simply awesome! Rest of the fam had shrimp po boys and fried catfish w red batter. Everyone LOVED it all! And you have to try the cole slaw with peanuts, super great take on that dish! Staff is super friendly, waiter was so helpful! Thanks Jared!! We sat on back patio and atmosphere was perfect. read more

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A great example of a Cajun/Louisiana restaurant!! Very delicious food Starting with decor, it's simple yet filled with local art. The service was also fantastic! Food and drinks came out with perfect timing, and our server was super kind! Those mango drinks were very I would definitely order again. I absolutely LOVED the oysters here. You can't go wrong with either option really: one is more filling while the other is more seasoned and classic. The mozzarella actually surprised me! The combination of marinara and pesto was very nice and good cheese pulls for a picture And by the time entrees came out, we were pretty full, but even the entrees were very delicious. They don't skimp here and is definitely worth the experience if you're craving classic seafood dishes from Louisiana. Some of the best I've had. Bummer they don't do anything for birthdays or celebrations but everything else was amazing read more

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A friend insisted I check out Parrain's during my visit to Baton Rouge, and spoiler alert--they were absolutely right. So right, in fact, that I went twice! This family-style, barn-inspired restaurant is a true Louisiana gem. Despite the place being packed with families and guests clearly there for a good meal, I was pleasantly surprised to be seated right away. From the moment I sat down, the service was attentive and friendly. I needed a moment to browse the menu, so I started with a bowl of seafood gumbo. It was rich, flavorful, and generously packed with a variety of seafood. The warm bread served alongside was the perfect touch. For my entrée, I chose the seafood pasta paired with a side of coleslaw. The portion size? Very generous! I had dinner plans later that evening, so I had to stop myself from finishing every bite--which meant I had to return the next day. Round two included a taste of their chargrilled oysters, boudin rolls, and the seafood platter, which came with a sweet and creamy sweet potato mash that stole the show. Again, the portions were large, especially for the price. The atmosphere is warm, lively, and family-friendly, and the Southern hospitality shines from the staff to the food. Whether you're a local or just passing through Baton Rouge, do yourself a favor and dine at Parrain's. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Highly recommended. Every single thing was delicious. We had oysters, stuffed mushrooms, soup, mahi, salmon and amazing drinks. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was spot on. We were only in town for 2 nights, next time we visit Baton Rouge we will be back!!!! Give em a try, you will not be disappointed. read more

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A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity of meeting a friend for a few days in Baton Rouge, LA. The area was very different than New Orleans everything was kinda spread out, but the area had excellent food. I didn't get a chance to visit LSU campus like I wanted to ran out of time, but I ate at the most delicious restaurant called Parrain's Seafood Restaurant and ordered the "Whole Shebang Platter" with fried catfish, fried crawfish, fried shrimp and stuffed shrimp. The platter came with seafood gumbo and ordered a loaded potato for my side. It came with a fresh garden salad and ordered the house spicy jelly vinaigrette. This platter was a 5/5 stars especially, the spicy jelly vinaigrette dressing. I also ordered a side of half grilled oysters and were also delicious. The seafood tasted very fresh and the service was excellent. I enjoyed sitting in the bar section. If you're in the area, I recommend stopping at Parrain's. Happy Yelping :) read more

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Stopped in finally for lunch. Been wanting to try. It was good food. Son has pasta dish and I had the catfish with étouffée. Breadsticks were top notch. Good service. Friendly staff. Laid back spot. Parking is tight. We ended up parking in a gravel lot under the overpass. Odd since inside did not look so crowded. read more

I called my hotel to find something to eat late night. They suggested this place. It didn't disappoint. I ordered the raw oysters with a small étouffée and the bbq shrimp. It was the bbq I'd had it was Cajun with a rich brown roux. It came with buttered mini rolls I tried the roux and roll first after finishing the large gulf oysters. The oyster came with fresh horseradish and it didn't disappoint. The roux was so good i finished a whole roll just dipping it in before I touched the shrimp. The shrimp was great with about a dozen all smothered in the roux. The étouffée was also great I had a small order that made me want more. I'll look forward to returning here. read more

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Wait is too long! Food is not consistent but we keep going back. And management hides from guests - you should be on the floor

My co-workers told me this place was one of the bests They were absolutely right! I've never been in a restaurant where everything - from the salad to the appetizer and main meals were excellent. The mozzarella, fried green tomatoes, ousters, hush puppies, , the .... Everything .. was delicious .. and the staff were funny and out up with our laughs and The Cornish hen-- is to life for .. the oysters ... you need to try them If you visit Baton Rouge .. this is the place read more

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Ended up here because another area location had an unpublished "private event" you only knew about when you walked to the front door. And boy am I thankful! Folks here on staff were attentive and friendly. The fried crabfingers and traditional chargrilled oysters were second to none. Different in a superb way. Easy going, nice interior. read more

Parrain's Seafood - Trad'l chargrilled lots of cheese - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Best solo dinner date I've had. The hotel staff suggested this restaurant and it didn't disappoint me at all! read more

Parrain's Seafood - Southern Near Me - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Was down at LSU for move in day, congrats to my niece Gabby future Dr!! I looked up some places this spot had great reviews and when we pulled up To the parking lot it was packed, i said this food has to be good and they didn't disappoint. They said it would be 30-40min wair but tuened out to onky be 10, which i was thankful because ppl were wairing inside outside-- slight hack there is seating at the bar and a whole secrionnof tables that are first come First serve along with TV's to watch sports. We got a shrimp Po Boy and some crawfish etoufee and Neither dish disappointed- it made me want to try some other dishes too! Everything wa ls seasoned well and shrimp cooked to perfection. Our server was nice, attentive and food came out quick. I look forward to coming back when back in the Bayou! read more

I had a pretty good time here. They tried to screw it up, but I persevered. I tried to sit at the bar with the grill roasting the oysters for full effect. Although there were multiple empty seats abound, no one would clear the old dishes from either the bar or the bar tables around it. This was strange as employees were pretty much every where. After standing in multiple locations trying to wait for them to clean a spot for me to sit I grew tired of trying to sit here and walked away shamefully. Then it hit me... I had completely forgotten that I was wearing my invisibility cloak and they could not see me. I should have been more aware when using that kind of tech in Louisiana. It was strange because the hostess could still see me when I got back there. I ask for a table in the dining room and I am promptly sat. My server was cool. A bit forgetful. She pulled it off eventually though. You go girl. Proud of you Marijen! Music is like rough if you are over 23. It was loud, unfamiliar, and in some cases unsettling. I guess I am now old. Servers were singing as they walked by, so that's good. Food was great. I loved the traditional char grilled oysters a lot. Only gripe is a few were as big as my hand and I had to slice them up. Tasted great though for sure! I don't eat salad. Not sure my she brought it. Told her not to. I had the fried crawfish etoufee. It was fantastic. I loved the mix of the fried tails with the etoufee. Hit it with some hot sauce and holy dang my goooooooodness!!! I ate all of my food like a fat pig. I'd come back in a heartbeat. '25 - 31/111 read more

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We tried the Cornish hen, gumbo and a seafood platter with stuffed shrimp. Sides of dirty rice, scallop potatoes, hush puppies and green beans. My least favorite was the stuffed shrimp but overall everything was delicious. Our server was a young man with longish light brown hair and he was kind and helpful. Loved the experience looking forward to coming back soon. read more