Sip & Savor

By Kimberly A. Suta

Crawfish, also known as crayfish, crawdaddies, freshwater lobsters and even mudbugs or yabbies are freshwater crustaceans that indeed resemble tiny lobsters. When in season, they are a popular Southern delicacy, sought after for its sweet meat. They are so succulent that crawfish lovers do not hesitate to suck the juices out of the heads as well. If you dare, here are our top recommendations on where to chow down on some mudbugs this month:

MA HARPER’S CREOLE KITCHEN

Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen is a legend in San Antonio for her Creole cooking. This 93-year-old chef, known as Ma Harper, has been cooking up a storm for 81 years and continues to push out some of the most delicious classic New Orleans-style fare. In fact, she was raised in NOLA and chose cooking as her chore of choice, over laundering, and it has earned her numerous accolades, including a feature on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

If you are lucky enough to visit when crawfish is in season, Ma Harper whips up a heavenly Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffee that is rich and buttery, served over either rice or pasta. Ma Harper prefers it over pasta. Currently, only open for lunch. Make sure to try out some of her other staples, such as the Shrimp Po’ Boy, made with a stupendously flavorful seasoning you will not soon forget.

SOUTHERLEIGH FINE FOOD AND BREWING

Located near the northern reach section of the River Walk, Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewing is a popular choice at the Historic Pearl inside the stunning Hotel Emma. Southerleigh artfully highlights coastal and Southern cuisine, inspired by Chef Balfour’s upbringing in Galveston, including fun options like Frog Legs and Snapper Throats, as well as craft beer that they brew in-house.

Although seasonal, they currently offer a decadent Texas Crawfish Roll made with fresh, mouth-watering crawfish, celery, shredded lettuce and Creole butter on a soft roll and served with French fries.

On the northside, stop in at their sister restaurant, Southerleigh Haute South, for some peel and eat gulf shrimp, Haute South Chicken and Seafood Gumbo, Galveston Bay Shrimp Boil and a variety of finger-lickin’good Gulf Fry Baskets, such as fried Texas Catfish Filets in a cornmeal crust and served with hot vinegar, remoulade and one side of choice.

SA SEAFOOD

For a good ole’ fashioned crawfish boil, SA Seafood, located on the northside on De Zavala Road, has blown up on social media, thanks to their scrumptious classic seafood boils, which include crawfish (of course), as well as shrimp and snow crab. The boils are served by the pound and can include corn on the cob, potato, sausage and a boiled egg.

Do not forget to ask for some of their Cajun butter sauce, which tastes fantastic on just about anything you slather it on. While I was there, a gentleman told me that he thought their boils were the best he has had since New Orleans and that is saying something!

PINCH BOIL HOUSE

If you are staying downtown, do not fret, as Pinch Boil House is located a bit closer, just north of downtown in Alamo Heights, and offers equally delicious boils. However, these boils come with an incredible Southeast Asian twist.

They make a Viet-Cajun style crawfish boil that blends traditional Cajun techniques and Vietnamese flavors and sauces. Even better, all of their crawfish is sourced directly from Louisiana and you can bet it is always fresh, not frozen. They also make boils with mussels, snow crab, shrimp or mixed options like the Shell Shock Combo, which also comes with sausage, corn and potato, as we all love.

THREE STAR BAR

Next up, one of the hottest new “dad bars” to grace the scene is Three Star Bar, located on Grayson Street in the Government Hill district just

When life gives you lemons, boil some crawfish!

Pinch Boil House

Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewing SA Seafood

Ma Harper's Creole Kitchen

Signature

north of downtown. This food-forward bar features an array of fun and tasty treats, including whiskey and maple-glazed meatballs, burrata, borracho bean hummus and a variety of burgers and sammies.

They are currently offering monthly boils with seasonal ingredients, including the highly sought-after crawfish boil, for which they recently won an accolade for in the Battle of the Boil. Make sure to track them on social media to find out when you can catch this dish.

SIGNATURE

Lastly, I could not do an article on crustaceans, without mentioning one of my favorite lobster rolls. For a fine dining extravaganza, visit Signature, the awardwinning restaurant at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Their Petite Lobster Roll, which is a popular happy hour accompaniment, is a lovely contrast of luscious lobster and crispy, freshly-baked brioche, along with house-made aioli, crème fraiche, chives, tarragon, Old Bay seasoning and citrus zest. Get ready for a knock out flavor bomb!

WRITER’S BIO

Kimberly A. Suta of Sutapants Productions is a local and national food writer, awardwinning filmmaker and publicist for the culinary industry. She is also the co-creator of Homegrown Chef, a culinary series and catering and events company, featuring our city’s best chefs and delicious eats. Kimberly also hosts River Walk Culinary Adventure Tours, walking food tours that highlight the fantastic offerings along the River Walk for both ticketed events and private groups. Go to HomegrownCheftv. com/culinary-tours for details.

Three Star Bar

Three Star Bar

SA Seafood

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Cray! Cray!

MA HARPER’S CREOLE KITCHEN

www.Facebook.com/ maharperscreolekitchen

PINCH BOIL HOUSE

www.PinchBoilHouse.com

SA SEAFOOD

www.SASeafoodTx.com

SIGNATURE

www.SignatureRestaurant.com

SOUTHERLEIGH

www.Southerleigh.com

THREE STAR BAR

www.OkayestBar.com