Eats

Suck the heads, pinch the tails

by Kari Walker

Is there really such a thing as too much crawfish?

Stock photo

South Louisiana lives to eat - and this time of year, most folks are finding an excuse to need to indulge in a few pounds of everyone's favorite crustacean: crawfish.

Sure, the Lenten season is a time of sacrifice, but there are few who will deny when it comes to crawfish, there's little sacrifice made unless it's a batch that's not seasoned to perfection or the little guys are on the small side.

I must confess that while a mudbug is not my top choice of all things Cajun, I get it. I see why people love to gather around a giant pot of boiling water wafting peppered air that could make the hardest of hearts shed a tear. Into the pot goes the soon-to-be feast and in less than no time all are gathered around mixing the perfect dipping sauce, looking for the corn and potatoes, catching up on life and no doubt sipping on an ice-cold beer.

There's even a world championship of crawfish eating hosted by Rouses this weekend in New Orleans as part of French Quarter Festival. If you don't believe me, I suggest you make your way to the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint to see for yourself.

Maybe some are born with spice in their DNA, maybe it's tradition, or maybe it's family. No matter what, it's a cuisine uniquely part of Cajun Country. Carry on, crawfish lovers. I'll be there to lend my clean hands and pass the roll of paper towels.

Now that I have you salivating all over your mobile device, you might be in search of a spot to pop in and grab three - ok, five - pounds of perfection and carry on the age old debate of what to do with "the straight ones." Here's a few places around Acadiana to try:

Cajun Claws
1928 Charity St., Abbeville
983-9437

Dwight's
4800 Johnston St., Lafayette
984-3706

Louisiana Crawfish Time
2019 Verot School Road, Lafayette
988-2645

R&M's Boiling Point
7413 West Highway 90, New Iberia
365-7596

For more information on local eateries, view the online INDEats Dining Guide.