Louisiana’s best seafood do not always come from fanciful restaurants with tourist crowds. Hidden throughout the state are humble places where the inhabitants line up for incredible flavors of the Gulf coast without the flashy atmosphere. These unpretentious jewels serve as cajun seafood and authentic Creoles that have been perfected during generations. From huts by the road to the counters of grocery stores, these secret places offer the real taste of Louisiana that most visitors never discover.
1. Bozo’s Seafood (Metairie)
Pass in front of this unpretentious counter near New Orleans, and you might think that it is only another fast food articulation. Regulars know better than judging in appearances here.
The fried seafood tray brings together a perfectly crisp catfish, plump shrimps and golden oysters that taste the Gulf. Local families have come here for decades, often commanding the same suffocated crayfish as their grandparents loved.
These famous HushPuppies also deserve their reputation. Made fresh throughout the day, they are crisp on the outside with a center of tender corn flour which soaks up each drop of seafood flavor on your plate.
2. Schaefer seafood (Jeanerette)
Between Lafayette and New Iberia is a small roadside cabin that does not need advertising. Wack of word of mouth holds this jewel of the country cajun occupied with people who know real seafood.
The crab stew here tells the story of generations perfecting a dish. Rich, thick and loaded with sweet crab flesh, it is better appreciated by these altered picnic tables where the Spanish foam filters the afternoon sun.
Fresh boiled shrimps still come to steam, seasoned with this perfect mixture of spices that spray your fingers. Pele them yourself while chatting with neighbors who have come here since childhood for authentic acadian flavors.
3. The hut (corington)
Do not leave the appearance of the service station to be mistaken – this Northshore place serves seafood from the Gulf which compete with any fantasy restaurant. The inhabitants discovered this secret years ago and to return.
During the crayfish season, the massive bubble jars with perfectly spicy mud bridges that attract crowds through Lake Pontchartrain. The Cajun style boiling technique creates layers of flavor that coats each aromatic goodness tail.
These Oyster Po-Boys also deserve a special mention. The fresh oysters of the Gulf get the perfect corn flour coating before frying, then stack the crispy French bread with lettuce, tomatoes and tart -off sauce that flows your wrists.
4. Restaurant Boutte Bayou (Lafayette)
Family revenues transmitted during generations make this institution Lafayette special. What started as grandmother’s cuisine has become a local treasure that tourists rarely find.
The spicy alligator sauce perfectly presents the unique culinary heritage of Louisiana. Tender gator meat is simmering in a rich sauce made from spicy tomato that tells the story of cajun ingenuity and control of flavors.
The crayfish bisque here represents comforting foods at its best. Thick, creamy and filled with crayfish tails, each spoonful offers this distinctive taste of Louisiana which brings families back for Sunday dinners and special celebrations year after year.
5. Middendorf (Akers)
Since 1934, this legendary place has served slim fried fish that residents consider the gold stallion. The journey through the Pays de Marais makes the destination even more special.
Their preparing for signature catfish creates incredibly light and crisp nets that practically melt in your mouth. The thin cutting technique allows maximum seasoning penetration while maintaining this perfect crunch that made this famous place.
Sitting on the bridge overlooking water, you will understand why the generations of families of Louisiana make this pilgrimage. Views of catfish, cold beer and sunset over Bayou create memories that have life in this timeless setting.
6. Bevi Seafood Co. (Mid-City, New Orleans)
Hidden inside a grocery store, this jewel serves seafood that are shame for French tourist traps. The inhabitants buy races and grab the best Gombo in the city simultaneously.
Raw oysters here have the taste for the pure essence of the Gulf Coast – Baundish, fresh and defined by experts who know their profession. Everyone slides smooth with this perfect ocean flavor.
The seafood gumbo deserves its legendary status among residents of New Orleans. Dark Roux forms the foundation of the layers of crab, shrimp and oysters in a bowl that represents authentic Creole cuisine at its best.
7. Cascure Cajun de Hackett (Lafayette)
This restaurant aspect places new visitors with seafood arriving directly from the quays nearby. Regular customers know that humble appearance hides exceptional flavors from the Gulf Coast.
The suffocated crayfish here represents the perfection of cajun cooking – the rich and dark red -handed combined with perfectly seasoned crayfish tails creates comfort in a bowl. Each bite offers this distinctive taste profile of Louisiana.
Shrimp and grains raise comforting southern food to new heights. The creamy stone grains offer the perfect canvas for plump gulf shrimp swimming in an aromatic sauce which makes this dish unforgettable to anyone is lucky to discover it.
8. T&N SEAFOOD (New Orleans East)
Species only and without frills describe this local favorite where serious seafood lovers gather for authentic boils. The tourist guides are missing this place, but residents of the neighborhood consider it essential.
The boiled crabs arrive with hot steam with this perfect spices mixture that peeled your lips. Crack shells with mallets provided while the juice flows in your arms – these are Louisiana seafood to its most authentic.
The spicy crayfish here have serious heat that separates the inhabitants from visitors. Each mud wears layers of seasoning that strengthen the intensity with each tail that you are peeling, creating an addictive experience that brings people back for more.
9. Shucks! Louisiana Seafood House (Abbeville)
By passing in front of this small building on a quiet street in Abbeville, you might think that it is only another old house that needs painting. Local families have been touched here for over thirty years to get the best boiled crayfish in the parish of Vermilion.
The owner Marie Boudreaux always uses the mixture of secret spices of her grandmother who makes each bite perfectly seasoned. The dining room has only six tables covered with yesterday, but no one cares about fantasy decorations when seafood taste.
Regular customers call in advance because Marie often sells crayfish in the early afternoon during the high season.
10. Cajun Claws (red stick)
This service station converted on the Boulevard de Florida does not win any beauty contests, but the inhabitants line up every weekend for the famous crab claws in the garlic to the owner Tommy Thibodaux. Concrete floors and plastic chairs tell you that this place focuses on food, not on the atmosphere of fantasy.
Tommy learned of his recipes working on shrimp boats for twenty years before opening this place without frills. His recipe for secret garlic sauce means that customers lick their fingers and asked them for additional bread to soak up each drop.
Intelligent residents know how to arrive before six o’clock because Tommy ends when it lacks fresh seafood for the day.