Catfish Parlour

 
We rolled into Catfish Parlour on 11910 Research the other night hungry as all get out and armed for bear. We left stuffed to the gills and pretty much satisfied that we had dined on some pretty decent fare. The service was first rate and cordial and you got the sense that they were genuinely delighted to see each customer that walked in the door. It’s probably that kind of attitude that has kept the seats full at Catfish Parlour for these past 30 years.

Like I said, we were hungry. And they brought out these Hush Puppies. Now, as a rule, I never eat hush puppies. They’re usually big old balls of dough that are often cold in the middle. But catfish parlour makes them long and slender, like little boutique cigars. I had one, dipped in their regular and in their jalapeno tartar sauce and I couldn’t stop eating them. And then we tried the Spicy Fried Oysters. Nice dish. They use a rub with a little salt, white pepper and garlic powder and it just kicks this dish up on the taste front. And the sweet Corn Fritters were comfort food at its very best. A boatload of carbs, but worth the indulgence. Great flavor. Then we tried the Soon to be Famous File Gumbo. It lacked that flavorful roux with that dense, delicious base that I’m so used to. So I’m not sure it how long it will take to become famous but I wouldn’t bet the farm just yet.

They brought us out a boatload of food for the entrees. I tried the Large Combo Plate with both regular and spicy catfish and three golden brown fried shrimp. The catfish was quite tasty with an engaging batter. I liked the regular and the spicy equally well. My only regret was that I didn’t order mine a little extra crispy as I like a firmer texture. They will accommodate whatever manner of preparation you prefer for the catfish and that’s a good thing to know. Marge tried the Fried Shrimp plate and they were crisp, full of that great first-bite flavor, and not at all greasy. Highly recommended. Jennifer tried the Popcorn Shrimp and they were also excellent. Succulent little devils. For an extra two dollars you can order the all-you-can-eat version of this plate and I’d suggest it. They go down fast and easily.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the French Fries. They came out crisp and stayed that way through our meal. And the cole slaw is another family recipe at Catfish Parlor. It’s tart and tangy, without mayonnaise, and goes beautifully with the entrees.

For those who don’t savor the fried side of things, you can get your catfish grilled or blackened. And I may well try the blackened on my next visit. But on this particular night, I was craving fried. And Catfish Parlour delivered. Not a lot of pretense here, just a fun restaurant with damn good food, and owners who obviously care a great deal about the dining experience. Works for me. See you this weekend at Catfish Parlour, at 11910 Research.