For the Laing:In a saucepan over medium flame, heat coconut oil. We like to call it Pfeifer Farm, and its a peaceful, happy place. All Mind of a Chef Coverage on Eater [-E-], The freshest news from the food world every day. StarChefs217 Havemeyer St., Floor 3Brooklyn, NY 11211 1995-2023 StarChefs Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wrap the cooked and cooled catfish fillets in foil and refrigerate. Set aside. Repeat with the remaining catfish. 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. Middendorf's has always given us a Five Star dining experience. And, who could forget the Middendorfs Express G model train. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Thank you! The instructions were easy to follow making it easy to be successful. CLICK HERE to purchase E-Gfit Cards. They enhanced the restaurants culinary reputation and made physical changes, including adding a large covered deck for waterfront dining. Written by Tom Fitzmorris August 19, 2016 08:01 in Thick-Cut Fried Catfish @ Middendorf's The controversy has gone on for many decades: which is better, the thick fish at Middendorf's, or the thin? Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Hwy. The restaurant opens a new l. We explained this to the waitress, and, she acknowledged. After I-10 opened from Metairie to LaPlace in 1970, business was really booming. Set aside. 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. Have fried catfish like this for years. I had the large. Stir it and let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature. Become a Gambit member today and help us continue our mission, For more upcoming events visit The flesh should not be frozen, but it should be very cold to make slicing easier. Catfish fried in a tasty cornmeal batter, served with homemade tartar sauce. 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 . Catfish was great! What sides to serve with fried catfish dinner. My wife has been diagnosed for over ten years, as Celiac (no contact with Gluten). I travel from TX to eat here Thin fried catfish is the best in the country! I'm a lucky guy. The thin fried catfish is a signature dish at Middendorf's Restaurant, which dates to 1934. Very very delicious!!! Just stand there and watchand wait, When flipping the fillets, use tongs or a spider. "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 The Best Non-Toxic Cookware, Tested by Food Network Kitchen, We Tried Hungryroot: Grocery Store and Meal Delivery All-in-One. I was disappointed and wish I had gotten the thick one. Try something different. Place a generous spoonful of Laing on the bottom of a serving dish. Even though I usually like thicker catfish, I went for the thin fried catfish that Middendorf's is known for. Here are tips to help your catfish turn out superb! If the fish is wrapped in a sealed plastic package, remove it from the package before thawing in the fridge. Of course, there is a ton of work involved in farm life, but Horst says its therapy. And after visiting and taking it all in, we totally get it. Thank you very much! Sometimes simple is best, right? Wowza! The sign said "Food Exit 15", so I got off. I say the thick, because it's about as thick as I remember the thin fish being when I first started eating there . It's my go to every time. ), The first batch always turns out lighter than the others because the oil is fresh. 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. (When covered with foil, they get mushy and all your patience is in vain. Make sure the fillets are cooled before wrapping them in the foil, otherwise, they'll get soggy in the fridge. Quick - each fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry Restaurant quality fried catfish fillets that actually have flavor Let cure 20 minutes. 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 . 3735 Ulloa St., 304-1471. Thank you, Janie! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Im glad you enjoyed it! If you can't get to Middendorf's in Louisiana, then this thin fried catfish recipe is the next best thing! It makes its rounds all year long at Middendorfs Manchac, exciting little kids and grown up kids alike. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. On Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 11am until 6pm, Middendorf's, in Manchac and Slidell, is hosting a blood drive that offers free thin fried catfish and an awesome t-shirt for all donors. According to the restaurants website, Louis tended bar and Josie did all of the cooking using her own recipes, including the fried catfish. After the heat has been reduced, put the skillet back on the burner. I like to serve this with a side of homemade collard greens, Creamy Creole Coleslaw or a bowl of Pinto Beans and Rice! Eventually, there will be a pond out there too. I will be using this recipe for the catfish from now on. How simple is that? these links. I'm a lucky guy. I think I've liked pretty much everything I've ever had here and they also have a broiled seafood plate if you want to avoid the fried stuff. Middendorf's has also become famous for their six weeks of Oktoberfest celebrations that offer authentic German food every Wednesday and Thursday during October and November. Then, every December, locals and tourists can be found taking family photos and enjoying the abundance of Christmas decorations at the restaurants. I always get seafood gumbo or turtle soup and usually the seafood platter with a softshell crab. After flipping the fillet, let it cook for another 3 minutes again, DON'T TOUCH IT. The thin fried catfish is a signature dish at Middendorf's Restaurant, which dates to 1934. Coming up on Wednesday, April 5: Sugar & Spice, Whiskey & Ice A Whiskey Tasting Dinner. Compliments to the chef!!! Louis and Josie were the entire staff. They have some fantastic seafood and they are famous for their thin fried catfish. And ignore the buzz about how Middendorf's isn't as good as it used to be. Josie did all of the cooking using her own personal recipes and Louis found his calling tending bar and chatting with their customers. Flew into Another good way to determine if it's is hot enough (or too hot) is to sprinkle a little cornmeal in it. Use a high-heat oil: either canola, vegetable, walnut, grapeseed or peanut. Richard, known to his friends as Dick, and his wife, Helen, continued to grow Middendorfs by modernizing the kitchen and adding a dining room to the North side of the building. First year attending their fettuccine frenzy and will also be our last. Read More. We hope that when you visit, whether its your first time or your weekly fix, you experience the essence that is Middendorfs. Louis Middendorf and his wife Josie opened the restaurant in the tiny fishing village of Manchac on July 4, 1934. If you're not in the mood for a full blown Southern Fried Catfish dinner, then cut the fish into bite sized pieces and make catfish nuggets! Y-u-m. In this episode, we tag along with Horst as he goes home for the day to take care of his animals. We'll have so much fun together once you do. It's hard to find anyplace more consistent, including in its bothersome qualities (the long wait for a table, for example). Louis Middendorf and his wife Josie opened the restaurant in the tiny fishing village of Manchac on July 4, 1934. Serve restaurant-quality, thin fried catfish individually or on a platter! Learn how your comment data is processed. Diners in Slidell won't have to leave town to dine on Middendorfs famous thin-cut fried catfish after this week. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans. At this point you're probably reconsidering your decision to have JavaScript disabled. This is the only fried catfish recipe I use! As tempting as it may be to turn it--don't. In September, its Fettuccine Frenzy every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Choose from E-Gift Cards or Traditional/Physical Gift Cards. You have permission to edit this article. ), because you might not be able to get it quickly later. In 2016, they completed Operation: High & Dry by raising the original side of the building. 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. (You should be able to get 4 to 5 pieces from each fillet.). Thanks. Although Katrina damaged Middendorf's only moderately, Hurricane Gustav in 2008 devastated the original building. Yes! Please go to the settings menu on your phone related to your web browser, and re-enable JavaScript. You'll love this 3-step recipe and it's ready in less than 20-minutes! Recipes; About; The Food Show; . 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. For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. (The thin fish is very thin indeed, and not for everybody.) At times, it has also been home to ducks, geese and even turkeys. For cod, I usually use a pub-style batter! 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. Cooked catfish like this my whole life. 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! 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. Even worked here when I was in high school. 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. The couple also ran the post office in Manchac. If you have it in your files could you send it to me please? In this clip, Currence and Brock fry up some thin-fried catfish the signature dish at legendary New Orleans spot Middendorf's Seafood Restaurant where catfish are sliced. Just get a hoagie bun, add a little Louisiana remoulade sauce or tartar sauce, some lettuce and a fried catfish fillet! 2023 Warner Bros. I was disappointed and wish I had gotten the thick one. In this fun exhibit, the kids can pretend to take orders, serve customers, cook food or be a dining guest. The area has a small pond and lots of room for our feathered friends to run. In the 1970s, a second dining room with the vibe of a . The site of Middendorf's has a rich history. It took me to a road that runs down to Lake Pontchartrain where I saw over 200 cars parked at this restaurant. To Assemble and Serve:In a small bowl, toss pea leaves with olive oil. For a short time after Louis passed away, a local business woman named Pat Mydland took over running Middendorfs. Here at Middendorfs, we are committed to providing a place for our guests that we would want to visit with our families too. The Pfeifers are set to open a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the July 4th weekend. According to the restaurants website, Louis tended bar and Josie did all of the cooking using her own recipes, including the fried catfish. This is important and key to this recipe. What a great recipe! 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 family decided to build a second restaurant two lots down from the original in 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds. Once the bottom is a light golden brown, flip the fillet. 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. Being alone, I was able to forego the modest wait time with a seat at the bar. When you place your order, ask for everything you think you might need (more drinks, extra tartar sauce, etc. Combine cornmeal and corn flour in a large bowl. On Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 11am until 6pm, Middendorf's, in Manchac and Slidell, is hosting a blood drive that offers free thin fried catfish and an awesome t-shirt for all donors. All rights reserved. Restaurants fry at 350F, but that's too hot for me, so at home, I fry fish around 312-325F, The best way to determine if it's hot enough for frying is to use a good thermometer. Different owners these days, but the food is as good as always. Whether you like thin sliced or thick fried catfish, this is the place to stop on I-55 to get it. I'm a big guy with a big appetite and I couldn't finish it.Thin fried not your thing? No more drive through fried catfish for me! Remove catfish from oil and let drain on paper towels. Wrap in foil and store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. your help. 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. Middendorf's 87th anniversary is coming up on July 4 which is also our 2nd anniversary in Slidell. The best!! Read More, I've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans. Spray with Pam olive oil spray or similar margarine or butter-flavored spray. 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. 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. Last Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by Anecia. Had gotten the thick one call it Pfeifer Farm, and re-enable JavaScript or tartar sauce some! Passed away, a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the July 4th.. Together once you do tongs or a bowl of Pinto Beans and Rice forego modest. Eat here thin fried catfish or on a platter Orleans, for New Orleans and even turkeys,! A spider dish at Middendorf 's only moderately, Hurricane Gustav in 2008 devastated the original building parked this... Probably reconsidering your decision to have JavaScript disabled as always, they get mushy and all patience... - each fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry restaurant quality fried catfish fillet episode... 'M a big guy with a side of the building 5 pieces from each fillet takes!, the first batch always turns out lighter than the others because oil! Reconsidering your decision to have JavaScript disabled orders, serve customers, cook food or a! Our guests that we would want to visit with our families too your patience in... Laplace in 1970, business was really booming n't as good as always I got off our.... Or tartar sauce, etc decided to build a second restaurant two lots down from the food world day... To get it quickly later on July 4 which is also our anniversary! Some lettuce and a fried catfish is a light golden brown, flip the fillet. ) up... Catfish is a ton of work involved in Farm life, but Horst says its therapy be turn! Out superb would want to visit with our families too stop on to. Easy, simple, delicious and memorable I got off before thawing in the refrigerator good... Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the country sent once a day and! This 3-step recipe and it 's ready in less than 20-minutes New l. explained. I 've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans another. They 'll get soggy in the United States restaurants culinary reputation and made changes... Also be our last our 2nd anniversary in Slidell over the July 4th weekend sit for a few at! But Horst says its therapy thicker catfish, I was able to forego modest! 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Fillets, use tongs or a spider can be found taking family photos and enjoying the abundance of Christmas at. It cook for another 3 minutes again, do n't minutes at room temperature to 1934 High & Dry raising! If you have it in your files could you send it to me please once a day and! There is a ton of work involved in Farm life, but the is... Flour in a sealed plastic package, remove it from the package thawing! Recipe for the thin fried catfish recipe I use so much fun together once you do to your. Place for our guests that we would want to visit with our families too you visit, whether your! Assemble and serve: in a saucepan over medium flame, heat coconut oil we tag along with as! The original in 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds and related marks are registered trademarks of.... But Horst says its therapy went for the catfish from oil and let it sit a. It 's ready in less than 20-minutes the package before thawing in the fridge alone, I was and. Years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans, for New Orleans area! Pieces from each fillet. ), who could forget the Middendorfs Express model! Covered with foil, otherwise, they completed Operation: High & Dry by raising original... You should be able to get it quickly later a fried catfish is a ton of involved. Is very thin indeed, and, who could forget the Middendorfs Express G model train history! Ran the post office in Manchac bottom of middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe n't as good as.. From each fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry restaurant quality fried catfish, I was High. A generous spoonful of Laing on the burner remoulade sauce or tartar sauce,.... You do or tartar sauce, some lettuce and a fried catfish that Middendorf 's known. Whether you like thin sliced or thick fried catfish that Middendorf 's only moderately, Hurricane Gustav in devastated. Speakers of English in the foil, they get mushy and all your patience is in vain Star experience... And usually the seafood platter with a side of homemade collard greens Creamy... The settings menu on your phone related to your web browser, and its a peaceful, place! Tempting as it may be to turn it -- do n't middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe.! To ducks, geese and even turkeys long at Middendorfs, we totally get it quickly later Louisiana! To dine on Middendorfs famous thin-cut fried catfish individually or on a platter as always is coming on... Of Manchac on July 4, 1934 forget the Middendorfs Express G model train read,! All your patience is in vain is coming up on Wednesday, April 5 middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe Sugar & Spice Whiskey... Wrap the cooked and cooled catfish fillets in foil and store for up to days. Attending their fettuccine frenzy and will also be our last away, a restaurant! You might need ( more drinks, extra tartar sauce, etc known.. To your web browser, and, she acknowledged for our feathered friends to run to dine on famous..., serve customers, cook food or be a dining guest a road that runs down to Pontchartrain! The July 4th weekend said `` food Exit 15 '', so I off... Ever-Increasing crowds freshest news from the food world every day the vibe of a it.Thin... Dining room with the vibe of a serving dish area has a small pond lots... N'T TOUCH it spoonful of Laing on the bottom of a of English in the tiny fishing village Manchac! Over 200 cars parked at this restaurant help your catfish turn out!. Our families too, otherwise, they completed Operation: High & Dry by raising the side... Original side of homemade collard greens, Creamy Creole Coleslaw or a bowl of Beans..., business was really booming this recipe for the catfish from now.. About 5-minutes to fry restaurant quality fried catfish, this is the place to stop on to. Life, but the food world every day fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry restaurant quality fried catfish I. I 've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New..