Deep Fried Deliciousness

“Batter up” for these golden delicacies on the Northshore

BY KATIE GUASCO

Here in the South, you can’t miss the mouthwatering temptation of our deep-fried fare. From platters to poboys, most dives and fine dining establishments have some sort of crispy creation on their menus. On the Northshore, we are blessed with fresh waterways such as the Abita River, Tchefuncte River, Bogue Falaya River and Lake Pontchartrain, as well as nearby Gulf coastal waters that keep our offerings fresh and exciting. We’ve rounded up a short list of favorites, but the options are truly limitless. Come to the Louisiana Northshore hungry, and don’t miss:

Abita Springs Caf

Take your taste buds on a sweet and savory journey at this Abita landmark with Gulf seafood poboys and beignets. ABITACAFE COM

MANDEVILLE SEAFOOD MARKET & EATERY

Mandeville Seafood has you covered for everything from shipping and traveling to dine-in and event catering. Here, you can have seafood fried by the pound or try the takeout family dinners of shrimp and thin-fried catfish served with fries and a loaf of Leidenheimer French bread. MANDEVILLESEAFOODMARKET COM

MIDDENDORF’S SLIDELL

The original Middendorf’s is a long-standing seafood restaurant in Manchac, Louisiana, best known for its “World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish.” In 2019, its 85th anniversary, the restaurant opened its second location in Slidell featuring the same menu. Catfish is the prized dish, though other sought-after entrées include shrimp served a dozen different ways and soft-shell or stuffed crab.

MIDDENDORFSRESTAURANT.COM

PONTCHARTRAIN PO-BOYS

The claim “overstuffed” gets thrown around a lot by poboy joints, but this one is an authentic treasure. Don’t miss their boudin egg rolls and fried catfish, oyster, soft-shell crab and shrimp poboys, or combine them all on one of their incredible platters.

PONTCHARTRAINPOBOYS COM

PEARL’S SEAFOOD MARKET AND RESTAURANT

Dine in or carry out at Pearl’s Seafood Market and Restaurant for fried seafood delicacies like the Jules’ Shrimp Boat served with 30 tail-on fried shrimp in a buttery bread boat with fried hush puppies. PEARLSSEAFOODMARKET.COM

BEAR’S RESTAURANT

Nothing fussy about this Covington staple—just great food. This counter-serve poboy kitchen is known for their famous roast beef poboy so try their surf and turf for the best of both worlds. LOUISIANANORTHSHORE.COM/LISTING/BEARS-RESTAURANT/369/