Three minutes allows the bottom side of the fillet to cook and become firm. Louis Middendorf and his wife Josie opened the restaurant in the tiny fishing village of Manchac on July 4, 1934. It's my go to every time. So, they packed up the linen napkins and switched from fine dining in the city to Thin Fried Catfish in the swamp. Add shallots, garlic, and ginger and saut until soft. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill and firm up. When you place your order, ask for everything you think you might need (more drinks, extra tartar sauce, etc. I travel from TX to eat here Thin fried catfish is the best in the country! If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a rating and comment! The restaurant remained in the hands of family members for more than 70 years. If this really bugs you, throw out the first batch of oil and start over. They have a very comfortable, family friendly, dining room, very friendly & personable waitresses, the great Middendorf's thin fried catfish we love like nowhere else, and at a price that is a small fraction of what it would cost if we were to buy the same meal here in New Orleans . Hope it works. I haven't ever tried a cornmeal batter on cod or flounder, but I don't know why it wouldn't work! A Rich, Buttery, Fruit-Filled Recipe for Filipino Polvoron. Excellent! Although Katrina damaged Middendorf's only moderately, Hurricane Gustav in 2008 devastated the original building. Olive oil is not recommended because it has a low smoke point and burns at high temperatures. Fry, turning as needed, until crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Louis. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Price and stock may change after publish date, and we may make money off The thin fried catfish is a signature dish at Middendorf's Restaurant, which dates to 1934. 2019 was a big year for Middendorfs. Can you use the coating for other fish? Great recipe! There will also be plenty of German Beer, costumes and live . Now! Remove to the prepared wire rack. Weve stood up to city hall with you, cheered the Saints with you, My wife has been diagnosed for over ten years, as Celiac (no contact with Gluten). Although they have not strayed from the recipes and specialities that made Middendorfs famous, this energetic husband-wife team are always looking for fun and exciting things to add to the Middendorfs experience. This is important and key to this recipe. Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! (You should be able to get 4 to 5 pieces from each fillet.). I love to hear from you! CLICK HERE to purchase E-Gfit Cards. They also should be famous for their fantastic desserts here and you definitely don't want to miss those! But through its entire long history, New Orleanians have always considered it to be as essential part of the dining scene, and worth the forty-mile trip to dine there. Thanks. ADVOCATE PHOTO BY J.T. Dip catfish into milk then dip into cornmeal dredge until completely coated. What you're doing. For the Laing:In a saucepan over medium flame, heat coconut oil. After the heat has been reduced, put the skillet back on the burner. It is believed that soaking the fillet in buttermilk reduces the "muddy" flavorthere's a bit of controversy about this, but it is recommended for this recipe. Your email address will not be published. After Gustav, the main building was dramatically remodeled to make it look even older and more remote than it already was, with cypress floors and walls, creating a look that fits the restaurant and its history perfectly. The family decided to build a second restaurant two lots down from the original in 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds. Especially when it comes to fried catfish! The instructions were easy to follow making it easy to be successful. They enhanced the restaurants culinary reputation and made physical changes, including adding a large covered deck for waterfront dining. Were in the Age of Food Talent. Stop. Appropriate to its history in colonial times, Middendorf's marks the farthest outpost of NOMenu's restaurant-rating purview. In 2007, the restaurant was purchased from the family by Horst and Karen Pfeifer. I'm looking for a recipe for Middendorf's Fried Catfish. Chef Pfeifer and his wife were well-known in New Orleans for their beautiful restaurant, Bella Luna, which was located in the French Quarter. After flipping the fillet, let it cook for another 3 minutes again, DON'T TOUCH IT. Then work on your appetite with images of the great raw and broiled oysters, the stuffed crabs, and the soft-shell crabs in their season (warm months). Use a high-heat oil: either canola, vegetable, walnut, grapeseed or peanut. The busy couple also ran the post office in Manchac. An entirely neww building continued on this theme, with a fake oak tree and a bar made from cypress trees that had been at the lake's bottom since before the Civil War. To Assemble and Serve:In a small bowl, toss pea leaves with olive oil. You'll be glad you checked this place out. In a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F. Can single handedly save the world from all its woes. Venture outside, and youll find an open-air porch overlooking an inviting sand/play area for the kids with fountains, palm trees and tiki huts. Soaking fish in buttermilk is a method for minimizing the "fishy" smell. Combine salt with 1 quart water in a large bowl or container to create a brine. I've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans. We explained this to the waitress, and, she acknowledged. If the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down and remove the skillet from the burner for a few minutes. Then work on your appetite with images of the great raw and broiled oysters, the stuffed crabs, and the soft-shell crabs in their season (warm months . Thaw catfish either by rinsing in a colander or strainer under cold water, or in the refrigerator. Oops. In its essential aspects, it hasn't changed at all. I sometimes squeeze a little lemon on top before eating for a little zing. You'll be glad you checked this place out. your help. If it sizzles, it's hot enough. 1 photo. Middendorf's: Amazing Catfish - See 564 traveller reviews, 220 candid photos, and great deals for Akers, LA, at Tripadvisor. I'm a lucky guy. The long drive is an unacceptable complication for a fair number of enthusiasm-challenged people, who will tell you that it's overrated. Thank you so much for your kind words about the fried catfish! Required fields are marked *. Thank you for the fish recipe. For a short time after Louis passed away, a local business woman named Pat Mydland took over running Middendorfs. You can leave it in the package if you're running cold tap water over it in the sink. No need to look any further. Y-u-m. Hangin' with Horst -- Episode 2: Pfeifer Farm If you "double dip" it (back and forth) between the cornmeal and buttermilk, your coating will be thicker. The couple also ran the post office in Manchac. Bode's Catfish Corner. Something went wrong. Yes! Just get a hoagie bun, add a little Louisiana remoulade sauce or tartar sauce, some lettuce and a fried catfish fillet! I'm a big guy with a big appetite and I couldn't finish it.Thin fried not your thing? I particularly like having the ingredients listed within the instructions. A new addition is a large covered deck at the waterfront, which became immediately popular. Thin Fried Catfish, very good but the fettuccine alfredo was so watery it was tasteless. Read More, I've stopped off here for years on trips back and forth to and from New Orleans. Fill a large Dutch oven fitted with a deep-frying thermometer halfway with oil and heat to 360 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels and fit with a wire rack. It's my go to every time. Grill pea leaves until charred and tender. Access Code 70421: Middendorf's, home of the world-famous thin-fried catfish It took me to a road that runs down to Lake Pontchartrain where I saw over 200 cars parked at this restaurant. Can I use a deep fryer if I make catfish nuggets? I havent deep fried for yearsturned out delicious and beautiful regardless. I was disappointed and wish I had gotten the thick one. This is natural. Im glad you enjoyed it! I made this last night, turned out Amazing!!!!! But it was their oldest daughter, Susie, who would eventually carry the business into its second 50 years. How to make New Orleans-style thin-cut fried catfish - YouTube 0:00 / 1:00 How to make New Orleans-style thin-cut fried catfish NOLA.com 94.3K subscribers Subscribe 140 Share 18K views 5. Serve restaurant-quality, thin fried catfish individually or on a platter! The Pfeifers are set to open a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the July 4th weekend. Once both sides are crisp, if you prefer a darker crust, then gently flip the fillet until it is the desired color. The thin fried catfish is a signature dish at Middendorf's Restaurant, which dates to 1934. If you don't have fresh catfish, use frozen. It's always good with "the hubs" likes it:). "Catfish is the reason to eat at Middendorf's. Sliced into a diaphanous strip that is sharply seasoned, lightly breaded, and quickly fried, a thin cat filet crunches loudly when you sink your teeth into its sheer, brittle crust. The couple also ran the post office in Manchac. Try something different. I'm glad you enjoyed your homemade catfish! This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened on Lake Maurepas at Pass Manchac: Middendorfs, the restaurant best known as the home of thin-cut fried catfish. They have some fantastic seafood and they are famous for their thin fried catfish. It's on the northern littoral of Pass Manchac, way out in the marshes between Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain, which in the 1700s was the frontier between the United States and the Spanish Isle of Orleans. Middendorfs Slidell has the same look and feel as the original Middendorfs a grand, white building topped with the signature Middendorfs humps and filled with beautiful wood, down-home comfort and a touch of whimsy. This is the most common challenge for homemade fried fish. I use a 10"inch cast-iron skillet and cook two fillets at a time. Keep warm. We travel around the U.S. We will not repeat. Soak catfish in the brine for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 3735 Ulloa St., 304-1471. As tempting as it may be to turn it--don't. There was a problem saving your notification. After more than 40 years of working in the restaurant, with no family to hand the restaurant down to, Susie decided to sell the family business. The German family for which it's named opened the restaurant in 1934, when Illinois Central trains still stopped in Manchac. Add chile, hot sauce, and coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes. (When covered with foil, they get mushy and all your patience is in vain. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, Bella Luna was closed. They have some fantastic seafood and they are famous for Frying fish isn't hard, but requires a little practice and expertise. If you're looking for something a little heartier, make a fried catfish sandwich or fried catfish Po' Boy! The sign said "Food Exit 15", so I got off. Compliments you when you've had a bad day. For the Catfish:Toss catfish with salt and sugar. 30160 Hwy 51 S., Akers (Manchac), LA 70421. This newcomer . In this fun exhibit, the kids can pretend to take orders, serve customers, cook food or be a dining guest. In the 1970s, a second dining room with the vibe of a . Dip catfish into milk then dip into cornmeal dredge until completely coated. Hey Jim! For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. Alternatively, you may use. Keep an eye on the oil. At that time, there was a restaurant called Ship Ahoy located where the middle parking lot is today. Many other items on the menu. Thank you. Unwrap the catfish and. In batches, dredge the fish through the egg mixture and then through the cornmeal mixture, then add to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd. In the process of making this right now, you said to coat twice and I'm Confused, do I dip the fish back into the buttermilk after I coat it with the cornmeal the first time? This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened on Lake Maurepas at Pass Manchac: Middendorfs, the restaurant best known as the home of thin-cut fried catfish. These are great for a quick snack or appetizer! I'm not apprehensive about frying fish anymore. Simple, 3-step recipe that's proven time and time again to work! Make your own! Worth the drive! In Oktober, our Oktoberfest celebration kicks off with authentic German dishes, also prepared by Chef Horst Pfeifer who grew up in Germany. Cooked catfish like this my whole life. Are you a customer or the owner/manager of the business youd like to add? Most of all, we want you to come back and experience it again and again! It is mild-flavored and benefits greatly from a dip in the horseradish hot sauce provided." Bring some vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven. Yes, the old "brown bag" method works just as well! Slidell New Menu Items We have a few new appetizers and entrees on the menu at Middendorf's Slidell Fried Catfish Tacos, Bayou Pasta, Smoked Catfish Dip, Duck Quesadillas, Seared Tuna Salad and Fried Green Tomatoes. In a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F. Read More. Whether you like thin sliced or thick fried catfish, this is the place to stop on I-55 to get it. They have a very comfortable, family friendly, dining room, very friendly & personable waitresses, the great Middendorf's thin fried catfish we love like nowhere else, and at a price that is a small fraction of what it would cost if we were to buy the same meal here in New Orleans . In 1967, when the lease was up, Josies son, Richard Smith, took control of the family business. I asked that, the non-gluten A trip to Middendorf's is always a special treat! Copyright 2018-2022 SmartyPantsKitchen.com, Texas Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy, Shrimp Saganaki (Baked Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta), Catfish frying tips and how to keep the batter from falling off. Our goal is to have you leave with a full belly and the memory of a great time. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Catfish are bottom-feeders, meaning they swim on the bottom of the lake or reservoir floor. The site of Middendorf's has a rich history. 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'Ll be glad you checked this place out soaking fish in buttermilk is a method for the! Dredge until completely coated oil is not recommended because it has a smoke... You leave with a full belly and the memory of a smoke point burns... After the heat has been reduced, put the skillet from the burner for fair.: in a colander or strainer under cold water, or in the.!