Thank you, Jennifer! With the help of a $500.00 loan co-signed by a former Mayor of New Orleans, T. Semmes Walmsley, Louis and Josie opened their cafe in the summer of 1934. Shallow-fry catfish pieces for 2 minutes on each side. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, Bella Luna was closed. It turns out crispy and flavorful everytime! Shop | Middendorf's Restaurant Home of the World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish Shop Middendorf's Gift Cards make great gifts! Cooked catfish like this my whole life. I haven't ever tried a cornmeal batter on cod or flounder, but I don't know why it wouldn't work! Overall this is definitely a good stop on a road trip and I've always had quick and pleasant service.My video review of Middendorf's is here:youtu.be/T7PoiXP4bsQ. But through its entire long history, New Orleanians have always considered it to be as essential part of the dining scene, and worth the forty-mile trip to dine there. Hwy. Here at Middendorfs, we are committed to providing a place for our guests that we would want to visit with our families too. In its essential aspects, it hasn't changed at all. Have fried catfish like this for years. In a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F. This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened on Lake Maurepas at Pass Manchac: Middendorf's, the restaurant best known as the home of thin-cut fried catfish. We're sorry, hotels cannot be booked for more than 30 days. Oktoberfest runs every Wednesday and Thursday for 6 weeks. Remove catfish from oil and let drain on paper towels. I'm a lucky guy. They enhanced the restaurants culinary reputation and made physical changes, including adding a large covered deck for waterfront dining. Our server Terry L was a jewel but the younger hostess was a real sourpuss. Grill pea leaves until charred and tender. Thin fried catfish is the name of the game. The family decided to build a second restaurant two lots down from the original in 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds. Ignore such reports and, on the way out, have the essential debate as to which is the best way to eat Middendorf's famous fried catfish: thin-cut, thick-cut (that gets my vote) or whole fish. Were in the Age of Food Talent. If you can't get to Middendorf's in Louisiana, then this thin fried catfish recipe is the next best thing! The story of Middendorfs Restaurant, how it came to be and its continued success, is one of perseverance and determination. Nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy and flavorful on the inside. If you thought making Southern Fried Catfish was an all-day event, you are wrong! Quick - each fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry Restaurant quality fried catfish fillets that actually have flavor If using frozen catfish, thaw fish first by rinsing in cold water in a colander or allowing to thaw in the refrigerator, Use a thermometer; internal temperature should be 145F. Oktoberfest seems to be as much a part of Middendorf's now as our catfish." Oktoberfest at Middendorf's Slidell will be held every Friday for six weeks, Oktober 4, 2019 - November 8, 2019. Something went wrong. Shallow-fry catfish pieces for 2 minutes on each side. Both of Dick and Helens daughters, Susie and Patti, worked with their parents in the restaurant. Middendorf's: Thin-Fried Catfish is One of Many Delicious Options - See 564 traveler reviews, 220 candid photos, and great deals for Akers, LA, at Tripadvisor. Wrap in foil and store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened on Lake Maurepas at Pass Manchac: Middendorfs, the restaurant best known as the home of thin-cut fried catfish. Great recipe! Hey Jim! Did you know that JavaScript does the following? The Pfeifers are set to open a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the July 4th weekend. Some other structural additions have included a new high and dry kitchen, the Sunset Dining Room (also high and dry), an elevated storage building and new elevated offices. Our goal is to have you leave with a full belly and the memory of a great time. Access Code 70421: Middendorf's, home of the world-famous thin-fried catfish If it sizzles, it's hot enough. Unwrap the catfish and. A trip to Middendorf's is always a special treat! Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In the 1970s, a second dining room with the vibe of a . Last Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by Anecia. I particularly like having the ingredients listed within the instructions. Can single handedly save the world from all its woes. Thank you. Keep an eye on the oil. BLATTY This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened. I don't really like catfish but I do like all of the Middendorf versions of it. In 1967, when the lease was up, Josies son, Richard Smith, took control of the family business. It's hard to find anyplace more consistent, including in its bothersome qualities (the long wait for a table, for example). After more than 40 years of working in the restaurant, with no family to hand the restaurant down to, Susie decided to sell the family business. I will be using this recipe for the catfish from now on. I appreciate your kind wordspretty simple recipe, but it works everytime! After flipping the fillet, let it cook for another 3 minutes again, DON'T TOUCH IT. Well Thank you, Maggie! Hopefully I will get a response soon, if not, I'm double Dippin! We hope that when you visit, whether its your first time or your weekly fix, you experience the essence that is Middendorfs. Frying fish isn't hard, but requires a little practice and expertise. At times, it has also been home to ducks, geese and even turkeys. If the fish is wrapped in a sealed plastic package, remove it from the package before thawing in the fridge. Ignore such reports and, on the way out, have the essential debate as to which is the best way to eat Middendorf's famous fried catfish: thin-cut, thick-cut (that gets my vote) or whole fish. If you have it in your files could you send it to me please? Been going here for almost 50 years. Spray with Pam olive oil spray or similar margarine or butter-flavored spray. Add chile, hot sauce, and coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes. calendar.gambitweekly.com. Southern Fried Catfish is easy to make and this restaurant-quality recipe won't disappoint! Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. "Best Thin Fried Catfish in Louisiana!" Review of Middendorf's 220 photos Middendorf's 30160 Hwy 51 S., Akers, LA 70421 +1 985-386-6666 Website E-mail Improve this listing Ranked #1 of 2 Restaurants in Akers 564 Reviews Price range: $20 - $35 Cuisines: Seafood More restaurant details RickyH59 Houston, Texas 335 197 To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Even though I usually like thicker catfish, I went for the thin fried catfish that Middendorf's is known for. Become a Gambit member today and help us continue our mission, For more upcoming events visit Diners in Slidell won't have to leave town to dine on Middendorfs famous thin-cut fried catfish after this week. Did the same with chicken but with seasoned flour., Hey Lynda! Using a cast-iron, or heavy bottom skillet, pour oil into skillet and heat to medium; While oil is heating, take a fillet directly from the buttermilk and place it in the cornmeal; pat the cornmeal on the fillet; coat it all over, twice; repeat with remaining fillets, Check your skillet; the oil needs to be around 312 - 350F; you can sprinkle a few pieces of cornmeal in the oil to see if it sizzles; if it does sizzle, the oil is ready, Cooking in batches of two fillets, place them in the hot oil; DO NOT MOVE THE FILLETS until they've cooked for 2 - 3 minutes on one side, After 2 -3 minutes, use tongs and flip the fish over and cook for an additional 3 minutes, Use a thermometer to measure internal temperature; it should be 145F, Remove fillets from oil and place on a paper towel, Repeat until all fillets are cooked and drained, Plate fillets and serve with lemon and tartar sauce, In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; refrigerate until ready to serve, Use a heavy-duty skillet (cast-iron) or Dutch oven, The amount of oil depends upon the size of your skillet; you want about 2" inches of oil. For the Laing:In a saucepan over medium flame, heat coconut oil. And ignore the buzz about how Middendorf's isn't as good as it used to be. (The thin fish is very thin indeed, and not for everybody.) I use a 10"inch cast-iron skillet and cook two fillets at a time. ), The first batch always turns out lighter than the others because the oil is fresh. Remove catfish from oil and let drain on paper towels. Ordered two large thin catfish dinners and a shrimp roumalaud appetizer on this latest visit. Another thing that the kids really enjoy is going to the Louisiana Childrens Discovery Center, located in downtown Hammond, and working or eating at the mini Middendorfs. On top of the Laing, alternate placing grilled pea leaves and pieces of Catfish. You have permission to edit this article. Place cooked fillets on a paper towel to drain, then place them in a 200F oven uncovered. Choose from E-Gift Cards or Traditional/Physical Gift Cards. Bottom line, it was a terrible experience, which endangered my wife's immediate health, in a very serious way. The sign said "Food Exit 15", so I got off. Barbequed Oysters on Half Shell. You just made my day! It is said that this was almost as exciting as when Eli, Peyton and the Manning parents were found dining at the restaurant. You will enjoy it if you like a lot of fried breading with your fish. Josie did all of the cooking using her own personal recipes and Louis found his calling tending bar and chatting with their customers. If you can't get to Middendorf's in Louisiana, then this thin fried catfish recipe is the next best thing! It has ranked in first place for a long time--another issue that gives ammunition to the impatient. So, they packed up the linen napkins and switched from fine dining in the city to Thin Fried Catfish in the swamp. Since,the couple shares a love for animals, they also built a beautiful chicken coop in a fenced area behind the parking lot. Soaking fish in buttermilk is a method for minimizing the "fishy" smell. Thin Fried Catfish, very good but the fettuccine alfredo was so watery it was tasteless. 30160 Hwy 51 S., Akers (Manchac), LA 70421. I'm glad you liked the fried catfish recipe! In medium size bowl combine the catfish fillets and buttermilk. How to make New Orleans-style thin-cut fried catfish - YouTube 0:00 / 1:00 How to make New Orleans-style thin-cut fried catfish NOLA.com 94.3K subscribers Subscribe 140 Share 18K views 5. To do that, we need After the heat has been reduced, put the skillet back on the burner. The German family for which it's named opened the restaurant in 1934, when Illinois Central trains still stopped in Manchac. She never offered to engage the management, and, from that point, became very unfriendly. Remove to the prepared wire rack. vegetable, canola or peanut (you may need more or less; depends on how deep your skillet is) See Recipe Notes, , (dill or sweet); squeezed in a paper towel, Place fish in a large baking dish or plastic storage bag, pour in buttermilk; coat well; allow to sit for 10-minutes in refrigerator, Meanwhile, make tartar sauce; After the tartar sauce is made, coat and cook the fish, In a large bowl, add cornmeal, salt, pepper and cayenne; stir with fork till blended. For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. Laing:1 tablespoon coconut oil1 shallot, sliced3 garlic cloves, slicedOne 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced1 red Thai chile1 tablespoon fermented Fresno hot sauce (or any hot sauce)1 can coconut milk1 cup cooked spinach, squeezed, Catfish:1 pound Maryland blue catfish, cut into -inch strips1 tablespoon salt1 tablespoon sugar cup cornmeal2 tablespoons cornstarchCanola oil for frying, To Assemble and Serve:1 cup pea leaves1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil1 tablespoon kimchi, chopped2 tablespoons pork floss1 teaspoon gochugaru. After the food was served to our table, we both discovered hush puppies under the fried Catfish, which, our waitress had stated, we could not have, as, it contained Gluten. Serve the catfish with the Spillway Sauce on the side. They enhanced the restaurants culinary reputation and made physical changes, including adding a large covered deck for waterfront dining. I'm glad you enjoyed your homemade catfish! Here are tips to help your catfish turn out superb! (When covered with foil, they get mushy and all your patience is in vain. You can make buttermilk by adding fresh lemon juice to plain milk. They have some fantastic seafood and they are famous for It became immediately popular with guests of all ages. It is mild-flavored and benefits greatly from a dip in the horseradish hot sauce provided." Combine cornmeal and corn flour in a large bowl. I made this last night, turned out Amazing!!!!! The family operated and expanded the place as its fame grew. Simple, 3-step recipe that's proven time and time again to work! Read More, I've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans. Then work on your appetite with images of the great raw and broiled oysters, the stuffed crabs, and the soft-shell crabs in their season (warm months). For cod, I usually use a pub-style batter! This is the only fried catfish recipe I use! Three 6-ounce boneless, skinless catfish fillets, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, Spillway Sauce, recipe follows, for serving, Sign up for the Food Network Shopping Newsletter Privacy Policy, The Key Food Moments You May Have Missed in The Last of Us, Peeps-Flavored Pepsi Makes Its Adorable Return, McDonalds Announces Its Next Celebrity Collab: Cardi B & Offsets Meal for Two, KitchenAids 2023 Color of the Year Is Hibiscus, Subway Will Now Be Slicing Meat Fresh at Each of Its Locations, 6 Best Whiskeys, According to a Spirits Expert, These Cord Organizers Save Your Kitchen From Clutter, 6 Best Food Dehydrators, Tested by Food Network Kitchen, 5 Best Cookie Sheets and Sheet Pans, Tested by Food Network Kitchen, 6 Best Air Fryer Toaster Ovens, Tested by Food Network Kitchen, Enter Daily for Your Chance to Win $10,000. Middendorf's has always given us a Five Star dining experience. You can do it either way! Good sign. They also should be famous for their fantastic desserts here and you definitely don't want to miss those! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! Make your own! In a separate bowl, mix to combine cornmeal and cornstarch. On July 4, 2019, the restaurants 85th Anniversary, the second Middendorfs location opened in Slidell, LA. I say the thick, because it's about as thick as I remember the thin fish being when I first started eating there . I'm looking for a recipe for Middendorf's Fried Catfish. Followed your instructions to a T. Nothing better than this recipe. In 2007, the restaurant was purchased by restaurateurs Horst and Karen Pfeifer. When you place your order, ask for everything you think you might need (more drinks, extra tartar sauce, etc. In Oktober, our Oktoberfest celebration kicks off with authentic German dishes, also prepared by Chef Horst Pfeifer who grew up in Germany. A little lemon always adds a nice finishing touch! Thank you for sharing! Slidell New Menu Items We have a few new appetizers and entrees on the menu at Middendorf's Slidell Fried Catfish Tacos, Bayou Pasta, Smoked Catfish Dip, Duck Quesadillas, Seared Tuna Salad and Fried Green Tomatoes. 85 years of fried catfish: A look at Middendorf's history, thin-cut fish that made it famous, Blake Pontchartrain: The story of the civil rights activists memorialized at Claiborne and Jackson avenues, Blakeview: Happy 90th birthday to Shirley Ann Grau, New Orleans novelist and Pulitzer winner, Get catfished in Slidell: Middendorf's opens a Slidell restaurant July 4. Covered with foil, they packed up middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe linen napkins and switched from dining... Trips back and forth to and from New Orleans but it works everytime Eli, Peyton and Manning! Shallow-Fry catfish pieces for 2 minutes on each side a trip to Middendorf 's is n't,! The city to thin fried catfish, I went for the Laing in! 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