IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THIS: TOP 20 PLACES FOR BOILED CRAWFISH

By Caroline St. Paul

Lent is here, which means that crawfish season is in full swing in New Orleans. You can now look forward to meatless Fridays with fresh and delicious boiled crawfish, which is popping up at places around the city. Here, we've rounded up the 20 best places to get boiled crawfish in New Orleans. These 40 days of fasting and no meat don't have to be miserable with the variety that we've got in the Big Easy. These restaurants and seafood markets are serving up some of the best seafood and boiled crawfish you'll ever have. Consider trying every one of these places out. Enjoy!

Editor’s Note: In light of the current closures of restaurants, with the exception of take-out and delivery service, please call ahead and see what your options are for ordering from these places to-go.

Clesi's Restaurant & Catering

1. Schaefer & Rusich Seafood 1726 Lake Ave., Metairie (504) 833-3973 schaeferseafood.com

Visit Schaefer & Rusich Seafood in Bucktown to satisfy all your seafood cravings. This seafood market sells highquality seafood at reasonable prices for your enjoyment. Schaefer Seafood began in 1969 when the family started selling fresh seafood out of their own garage. The business has continued for four generations now, providing New Orleans with fresh and delicious seafood. Nothing is better than food, family, and experiencing the two together. The Schaefer & Rusich staff is passionate about sharing this tradition with your loved ones through their fantastic food. Make sure to try the boiled crawfish, as it is known to be among the best in town.

2. Deanie's Seafood Restaurant Multiple Locations deanies.com/restaurants

Deanie's has locations in Bucktown, the French Quarter, and the Garden District, so it is easy to experience one of New Orleans's best seafood restaurants wherever you are in town. Since 1961, Deanie's has been serving up quality seafood for all to enjoy. Make sure to order their giant seafood platter to get a taste of all that Deanie's has to offer. Get your fill of fried oysters, catfish, shrimp, crawfish balls, soft-shell crabs, boiled crawfish, and other seafood varieties at any of their locations, and find out what all the talk is about.

3. Captain Sid's 1700 Lake Ave., Metairie 504-831-2840 facebook.com/Captain-SidsSeafood-117163164968378

Specializing in fresh and boiled seafood, including crawfish, Captain Sid's has been a customer favorite since 1979. Seafoodlovers rave about the quality seafood and service that you'll have here. Make sure to take some crawfish pies, stuffed crabs, turtle soup, alligator sausage, and fresh seafood out of the deli case to go. This seafood market takes pride in serving the best seafood with the perfect amount of seasoning. You will not be disappointed in Captain Sid's; many people feel that it's the best seafood in Bucktown. 4. North Broad Seafood 1901 N. Broad St. 504-948-6050 northbroadseafood.com

North Broad Seafood provides its customers with quality seafood at fair and honest prices. Visit this inviting atmosphere hidden on Broad Street for boiled crawfish, red beans, poboys, gumbo, and other boiled seafood varieties. You will be amazed at the clean and secure location that the Nguyen family provides for their customers. Since 2007, when the family took ownership, they have given their customers a safe grab-and-go concept shop where they can find something for all of their seafood needs. This is sure to be the most pleasant crawfish pick-up you will ever have!

5. Galley Seafood 2535 Metairie Rd., Metairie 504-832-0955 thegalleyseafood.net

Do you ever wonder where those fantastic soft-shell crab and catfish filet po-boys served at Jazz Fest come from? This is the place. The Galley has been serving their famous po-boys at the festival since 1977. After having success at other festivals around the U.S., Galley began catering for businesses all over Louisiana. Soon after, the restaurant was born, and the rest is history. Galley Seafood is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, so be sure to get your fill of their famous po-boys and boiled crawfish this season.

6. Clesi's Restaurant & Catering 4323 Bienville St. 504-909-0108 clesicatering.com

Clesi's is a family-run business owned by the Clesi brothers, Carlo and James, and their sister Sonya Dicarlo. Clesi's started out as a catering operation that became popular from its crawfish boils. Eventually, it expanded into a restaurant, which is now located in in Mid-City. They are best known for their crawfish, which are flavored with pepper, clove, and citrus. Try the jambalaya cheese fries, po-boys, and fried seafood baskets. Clesi's is dedicated to providing their customers with excellence in both food and experience.

7. Bevi Seafood Co. Multiple locations beviseafoodco.com

Bevi Seafood Co. is a local seafood market and restaurant with locations in Metairie and Mid-City. Depending on what's in season, Bevi's will provide you with nothing but the best boiled crawfish, crab, oysters, or shrimp. At the seafood market, you'll find quality Gulf Coast-sourced seafood available daily. The made-from-scratch poboys and hot plates are also to die for. Try the Peacemaker po-boy, made with fresh, homemade ingredients; a BBQ Gulf shrimp plate; or platters of fresh Louisiana seafood.

8. Cajun Seafood Multiple Locations cajunseafoodnola.com/main

Cajun Seafood opened in 1995 at its original location on South Broad Street and has been called “the best-smelling corner in the city” by locals. The stores are each family-owned and -operated, giving customers great service and amazing food. Find incredible boiled crawfish at one of their four locations around the city. They also serve up stir-fry, yaka mein, marinated crab claws, turkey necks, and pig’s feet. Order take-out to indulge in their flavorful crawfish.

9. Bobby's Seafood 9013 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge 504-738-2104 facebook.com/bobbysseafood70123

Bobby's seafood is a local seafood market and po-boy deli located in Harahan. Visit Bobby's for fresh and boiled seafood and traditional po-boys that cannot be beat. Enjoy the fresh seafood and boiled crawfish delicious meal. Locals cannot get enough of the quality food here.

ai158204078813_WhereYat-3-23 ad.pdf 1 2/18/20 9:46 AM this friendly business has been open every day of the week, serving a wide range of boiled seafood. Today's Ketch Seafood is a retail seafood outlet that wholesales seafood. They also do onsite catered parties and serve po-boys and seafood dinners. This crawfish season, get your boiled crawfish fix at Today's Ketch and check out the other delicious food available. 12. J&J Seafood 632 Franklin Ave., Gretna 504-366-2219 facebook.com/pages/J-JSeafood/111561928884014

J&J's has been open since 1991, serving up food with the same recipes ever since. Why change a good thing? Customers rave about the no-frills food and boiled crawfish. Hurry and get your food, as it has been known to sell out in under an hour. That must mean something good is being cooked here. Try J&J Seafood this crawfish season and expect to be no less than thrilled. 13. Big Fisherman Seafood 3301 Magazine St. 504-897-9907 bigfishermanseafood.com

Big Fisherman Seafood located on Magazine Street is a seafood market open every day but Tuesday and Wednesday, for take-out only. Finish your shopping in the area and stop in to pick up some quality boiled crawfish and seafood for your next gathering. If you visit on Friday, make sure to add some crawfish pies to your order for the perfect New Orleans meal. Check their website for daily and weekly specials, and don't forget the sides.

14. Boil Seafood House 3340 Magazine St. 504-309-4532 boilseafoodhouse.com

Try the "best seafood restaurant on Magazine Street" for a wide selection of flavor profiles. Whether you prefer your seafood to be spicy or mild, you'll enjoy the food here. Savor the boiled crawfish and be prepared to get your fingers dirty. There's

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10. Seither's Seafood 279 Hickory Ave., Harahan 504-738-1116 seithersseafood.com

Seither's Seafood got its name from the boiled, fried, and blackened seafood it serves. Order something traditional, or try one of their creative specials, which change daily. Make sure to try one of their award-winning po-boys. Their roast beef po-boy was named the best po-boy by a seafood restaurant, and their specialty poboys were voted best specialty po-boys at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. Experience culinary creativity at Seither's and try some boiled seafood beyond the ordinary. You will notice the quality ingredients from local farmers. From crawfish to shrimp to fish and crabs, Seither's has it all and then some.

11. Today's Ketch Seafood 2110 E Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette 504-279-6339 todaysketchseafood.com

Find fresh boiled seafood daily at Today's Ketch Seafood in Chalmette. For 18 years,

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something for everyone because Boil Seafood House offers a variety of unique seafood dishes. Your meal is customizable. Pick out the seafood you want, then choose your own flavors and spices to create the perfect dish. This experience makes for an exciting one, even for the pickiest of eaters. You are sure to find something to please your taste buds at Boil Seafood House.

15. Salvo's Seafood 7742 Highway 23, Belle Chasse 504-393-7303 salvosseafood.com

Since 1984, Salvo's Seafood has been committed to providing its customers with quality seafood at low prices. When you take a look at their menu, you'll find that they offer a wide variety of items, including boiled and fried seafood, as well as ribs and steaks. Salvo's is also able to provide the perfect boiled crawfish or seafood variety for an event at any location you like. You can also purchase their award-winning blend of secret boil seasoning to perfectly season your own seafood at home. Salvo's was voted one of the 12 best restaurants to get boiled seafood in the state of Louisiana, so it is definitely not to be missed. If you're a seafood-lover, Castnet Seafood is the place to visit for fresh and delicious seafood varieties. This casual place serves lunch and dinner in New Orleans East. The city raves about the boiled crawfish, which have been dubbed some of the best. They're cooked not too spicy and not too bland, for that perfect Goldilocks middle ground. See what we're talking about by making a stop at Castnet Seafood for all of your fresh seafood needs this spring.

19. Bayou Beer Garden/Bayou Wine Garden 326 N Jefferson Davis Pkwy. 504-302-9357 bayoubeergarden.com

Drink and eat at this quaint cottageturned-sports-bar with 45 beers to choose from on tap, pub fare and seafood, a front porch, back patio, and plenty of TVs to enjoy sports in any season. Bayou Beer and Wine Garden is located in Mid-City and opens at 11 a.m. every day. Stay and relax until 12 a.m. daily, or until 1 a.m. on weekends. Enjoy fresh, boiled crawfish Thursday and Friday, beginning at 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. Bring the gang and stay a while, and enjoy the variety of options at Bayou Beer and Wine Garden. Whatever you're up to here, you're sure to have a great time! 20. Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar 2604 Magazine St. 504-897-5413 traceysnola.com

When crawfish are in season, the place to get take-out is Tracey's Original Irish Channel Bar on Magazine Street. Select Crawfish Company serves big-flavor boils all weekend; make sure to call before you go, though, as they run out quickly. Opened since 1949, Tracey's is doing something right in the neighborhood. Enjoy a cold beer and kick back and watch some TV in this cool, air-conditioned, old-fashioned place. The staff, food, and drinks are fantastic, meaning this is your go-to this crawfish season.

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16. Big Al's Seafood 1377 W. Tunnel Blvd., Houma 985-876-4030 bigalsseafood.com

Although Big Al's is located in Houma, the seafood is well worth the drive. Once located in New Orleans, the popular restaurant is known for its appetizers, boiled seafood, and desserts brought to customers with friendly service. Charbroiled oysters, boiled crawfish, shrimp, and catfish are some of the popular menu items that have helped to give Big Al's its name. There's something for everyone on Big Al's large menu, so no one will leave Houma hungry.

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17. Zimmer's Seafood 4915 St. Anthony Ave. 504-282-7150 facebook.com/ZimmersSeafood

Get some seafood take-out for lunch or dinner at Zimmer's Seafood, located in Gentilly. This place has a good reputation for boiled crawfish and other delicious seafood. Open for almost 40 years, Zimmer's Seafood is a classic New Orleans seafood restaurant serving up tasty seafood dishes Tuesday through Saturday. Try the fresh crabs and boiled shrimp or the highly recommended po-boys of many varieties. Taste classic New Orleans flavor at Zimmer's while enjoying some boiled crawfish this season.

18. Castnet Seafood 10826 Hayne Blvd. 504-244-8446 neworleans.com/listing/castnetseafood/32893

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