In Search of the Perfect Po-boy
A leprechaun was marauding through the crowded streets of the New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival, inadvertently scaring little children and hoisting a sign imploring visitors to visit Mahony’s...
View ArticleAn Ode to Octopus
The first time I ate octopus was in a sun-drenched back alley on the Greek island of Santorini where tourists — mostly young Americans and Brits — go to act stupid. Taverna with Octopi...
View ArticleA Catfish Out of Water
There’s a Texas A&M banner hanging over the door to the restrooms at Lafayette Cajun Seafood Restaurant. It’s only one example of the endearing quirkiness of this Cajun seafood restaurant located...
View ArticleLast of the Summer Crabs at Benno’s
Benno’s on the Beach in Galveston On a recent Saturday afternoon I sat on the patio at Benno’s on the Beach in Galveston eating what seemed like bushels of whole blue crabs. I was with four of my most...
View ArticlePhoto Gallery: Monument Inn
Photos from an October 2010 visit to the Monument Inn Restaurant in La Porte, Texas. A write-up about the visit is here: Fried Shrimp with a Side of Texas History. Click on individual photos to see a...
View ArticleFried Shrimp with a Side of Texas History
Fried Seafood Platter at the Monument Inn Restaurant The substance seeps from every crack and crevice of the ground that surrounds the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou. The air...
View ArticleChinatown Food Exploring: Seafood and Eat it
Steamed Dungeness crab at Hong Kong Food Street I’m always reluctant to order seafood in a restaurant that doesn’t specialize in seafood. I’ve been burned too many times in restaurants where seafood is...
View ArticleReturn to Oak Island
Hurricane Club – Oak Island TX – Fried Shrimp “Let me call the boat and see if they can bring some crabs in,” replied our waiter after I asked her if the restaurant had blue crabs on the lunch menu. …...
View ArticleOcean-to-Table Seafood with Gulf Wild
Red Snapper. Photo: Gulf Wild Can you taste the difference between red snapper and tilapia? For the average diner, probably not. And given the traditionally exotic preparations of some seafood dishes...
View ArticleMy Seafood Shacks Piece in Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly – May 2013 I have a piece in this month’s (May 2013) print issue of Texas Monthly magazine entitled “Southeast Texas Seafood Shacks.” Currently, you can only see it if you have a print...
View ArticleCrab-tastrophe!
Traditional fried crabs at Benno’s “There’s just nothing coming up out of the water,” explained Tracy Deltz, owner of Benno’s in Galveston, when I asked why he’s had trouble keeping crabs on the menu...
View ArticleNew York Trip Report – June 2014
Freedom Tower from Soho A quick visit to NYC for the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party found T. and me sneaking into some old restaurant favorites as well as a few new places. We were staying in the...
View ArticleGranger’s in Sabine Pass
Menu from Granger’s in Sabine Pass ca. 1940s or 50s Reader Bill Gay sent me these great scans of the menu from Granger’s in Sabine Pass after reading my column about barbecue crabs in the Houston...
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