After Louis lost his job in the 1929 stock market crash, he and Josie moved to the tiny fishing village of Manchac where Josies mother and brothers lived. . Can you use the coating for other fish? They have a pretty extensive menu with lots of options and good po boys to round everything out. Thank you! Southern Fried Catfish is easy to make and this restaurant-quality recipe won't disappoint! Hey Jim! For the Laing:In a saucepan over medium flame, heat coconut oil. Bob Temp! Dip catfish into milk then dip into cornmeal dredge until completely coated. danced in the streets with you and cried over our collective loss with 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. The first of these projects was the addition of the large covered deck for waterfront dining in 2008 along with a huge sand area for the kids, equipped with buckets, shovels and toys. They have a very comfortable, family friendly, dining room, very friendly & personable waitresses, the great Middendorf's thin fried catfish we love like nowhere else, and at a price that is a small fraction of what it would cost if we were to buy the same meal here in New Orleans . So, they packed up the linen napkins and switched from fine dining in the city to Thin Fried Catfish in the swamp. (You should be able to get 4 to 5 pieces from each fillet.). If you don't have fresh catfish, use frozen. When ready to cook the catfish, pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Did you know that JavaScript does the following? MIddendorf's is a southeastern Louisiana institution, a favorite of many families in New Orleans for a Friday night drive for fish "out in Pass Manchac" (which from downtown New Orleans, translated to 90 minutes on the Old Hammond Highway or 40 minutes on today's I-10 and I-55). It's hard to find anyplace more consistent, including in its bothersome qualities (the long wait for a table, for example). To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I tried the cornmeal batter, along with the tartar sauce and it came out delicious. Thank you for your comments about the fried catfish! Were in the Age of Food Talent. An entirely neww building continued on this theme, with a fake oak tree and a bar made from cypress trees that had been at the lake's bottom since before the Civil War. In batches, dredge the fish through the egg mixture and then through the cornmeal mixture, then add to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Meanwhile, whisk together the cornmeal, corn flour and Cajun seasoning in a pie plate or casserole dish. I use a 10"inch cast-iron skillet and cook two fillets at a time. How simple is that? 51 at Pass Manchac (Exit 15 off I-55), (985) 386-6666 . Understand, I've been reading about this place for years and years, well before the current owners took the reins, so there is cause for concern about building a pyramid up in one's mind. Since,the couple shares a love for animals, they also built a beautiful chicken coop in a fenced area behind the parking lot. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Read More. 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. 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. Thin Fried Catfish, very good but the fettuccine alfredo was so watery it was tasteless. I always get seafood gumbo or turtle soup and usually the seafood platter with a softshell crab. Note, this catfish batter recipe contains no egg and no flour - just cornmeal and seasonings! In 2016, the Pfeifers elevated the restaurant by 5 feet to avoid the type of flooding that forced the restaurant to close after hurricanes in 2005, 2008 and 2012. Coleslaw always goes well, as does Smothered Okra and Tomatoes, Maple Baked Beans, Pinto Beans and Rice and a heapin' bowl of Southern collard greens! Crispy and flavorful - this recipe has a great flavor and the cornmeal coating turns out crunchy and delicious! 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. To Assemble and Serve:In a small bowl, toss pea leaves with olive oil. On top of the Laing, alternate placing grilled pea leaves and pieces of Catfish. Read More. Another good way to determine if it's is hot enough (or too hot) is to sprinkle a little cornmeal in it. Fry the catfish fillets in batches, usually one or two fillets at a time. 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. Olive oil is not recommended because it has a low smoke point and burns at high temperatures. Followed your instructions to a T. Nothing better than this recipe. And post it to this group of course for other. There's no need to go out to dinner when you can make restaurant-quality fried catfish at home! Thank you very much! In a separate bowl, mix to combine cornmeal and cornstarch. Your email address will not be published. The German family for which it's named opened the restaurant in 1934, when Illinois Central trains still stopped in Manchac. Read More, I've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans. If you can't get to Middendorf's in Louisiana, then this thin fried catfish recipe is the next best thing! Bode's Catfish Corner. You'll love this 3-step recipe and it's ready in less than 20-minutes! Thin Fried Catfish, very good but the fettuccine alfredo was so watery it was tasteless. I'm glad you liked the fried catfish recipe! Shallow-fry catfish pieces for 2 minutes on each side. I'm not apprehensive about frying fish anymore. It will have the same authentic German appetizers, entrees, and desserts as Manchac. If you're looking for something a little heartier, make a fried catfish sandwich or fried catfish Po' Boy! You can do it either way! Middendorf's 87th anniversary is coming up on July 4 which is also our 2nd anniversary in Slidell. I'm a big guy with a big appetite and I couldn't finish it.Thin fried not your thing? All Mind of a Chef Coverage on Eater [-E-], The freshest news from the food world every day. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. 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. In a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F. Keep each filet chilled until you are ready. Middendorf's Restaurant. Great recipe! Keep warm. You just made my day! After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, Bella Luna was closed. Being alone, I was able to forego the modest wait time with a seat at the bar. Middendorf's Slidell has the same look and feel as the original Middendorf's a grand, white building topped with the signature Middendorf's humps and filled with beautiful wood, down-home comfort and a touch of whimsy. calendar.gambitweekly.com. Once the fillet is placed in the pan DON'T TOUCH IT for at least 3 minutes. Thin fried catfish is the name of the game. Stir it and let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature. 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. Here are tips to help your catfish turn out superb! For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. Copyright 2018-2022 SmartyPantsKitchen.com, Texas Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy, Shrimp Saganaki (Baked Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta), Catfish frying tips and how to keep the batter from falling off. The restaurant remained in the hands of family members for more than 70 years. Came here with my sweetie and had some of the best thin cut catfish I ever had out on the deck, a little live music and an awesome time! In medium size bowl combine the catfish fillets and buttermilk. My wife has been diagnosed for over ten years, as Celiac (no contact with Gluten). 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. The long drive is an unacceptable complication for a fair number of enthusiasm-challenged people, who will tell you that it's overrated. Have fried catfish like this for years. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Recipes; About; The Food Show; . Do not move the catfish fillets for the first 3-minutes; if you do, the coating will fall apart. Are you a customer or the owner/manager of the business youd like to add? Yes! I had the large. 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. After flipping the fillet, let it cook for another 3 minutes again, DON'T TOUCH IT. Try something different. Appropriate to its history in colonial times, Middendorf's marks the farthest outpost of NOMenu's restaurant-rating purview. Josie did all of the cooking using her own personal recipes and Louis found his calling tending bar and chatting with their customers. Serve fried catfish with any of these delicious dishes! Middendorf's is the Mecca of fried Catfish, specifically, thin fried catfish. Then, every December, locals and tourists can be found taking family photos and enjoying the abundance of Christmas decorations at the restaurants. Post New; Save to Recipe Box; Print; Title: ISO: Middendorf's Fried Catfish: From: Terry Pogue Potomac, MD, 02-22-2005: Board: Copycat Recipe Requests at Recipelink.com: Msg ID . Grill pea leaves until charred and tender. Serve the catfish with the Spillway Sauce on the side. It was delicious! I travel from TX to eat here Thin fried catfish is the best in the country! Compliments to the chef!!! Required fields are marked *. The restaurant remained in the hands of family members for more than 70 years. you. Grill pea leaves until charred and tender. Both of Dick and Helens daughters, Susie and Patti, worked with their parents in the restaurant. I appreciate your kind comments and taking time to reply:). Stop. 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. Add shallots, garlic, and ginger and saut until soft. I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. Top with kimchi and sprinkle with pork floss and gochugaru. Venture outside, and youll find an open-air porch overlooking an inviting sand/play area for the kids with fountains, palm trees and tiki huts. According to the restaurants website, Louis tended bar and Josie did all of the cooking using her own recipes, including the fried catfish. Say the word "catfish," and most avid New Orleans eaters (as well as those between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and as far away as Jackson, Mississippi) think of this funny German name. Fried Catfish topped with Crawfish Au Gratin Hushpuppy-Battered Catfish Nuggets with Spicy Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Spicy Cream Sauce Catfish with Crispy Kale and Cajun Sauce Recipe. I use 1 tablespoon fresh lemon per 1 cup of milk. Thanks. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Did the same with chicken but with seasoned flour., Hey Lynda! In 2007, the restaurant was purchased by restaurateurs Horst and Karen Pfeifer. Although Katrina damaged Middendorf's only moderately, Hurricane Gustav in 2008 devastated the original building. But the goodness of its fried seafood can't be denied. Place cooked fillets on a paper towel to drain, then place them in a 200F oven uncovered. It's my go to every time. Use a high-heat oil: either canola, vegetable, walnut, grapeseed or peanut. 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For New Orleans and no flour - just cornmeal and seasonings recipe contains egg... Paper towel to drain, then place middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe in a 200F oven uncovered,... 3-Step recipe and it 's is hot enough ( or too hot ) is to sprinkle a little,... Mix to combine cornmeal and seasonings meanwhile, whisk together the cornmeal corn. Fried not your thing which it 's is hot enough ( or too hot is! Fry the catfish fillets and buttermilk moderately, Hurricane Gustav in 2008 devastated the original building the fillet is in. Serve the catfish with any of these delicious dishes middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe catfish into milk then dip into dredge... The game with pork floss and gochugaru with the tartar sauce and it out! Get 4 to 5 pieces from each fillet. ) 3 minutes heat coconut oil with a softshell.., mix to combine cornmeal and cornstarch and desserts as Manchac, coconut... Of Manchac on July 4, 1934 restaurant remained in the hands of family members for more 70...