I first tasted catfish when I lived in Dallas. There were these two shack-style restaurants on a corner near where I lived. They both served fried chicken and fried catfish. One had great chicken, the other great catfish. It was in Dallas that I acquired a taste for catfish.
This is surprising coming from me because I’m very particular about fish. I usually avoid it because I don’t like the fishy taste. But, my oh my, that catfish was yummy.
Later, when I lived in Maryland, I had the opportunity to have catfish at a swanky restaurant. It was horrible! I had to send it back. And I usually just suffer in silence!
So, imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw fried Louisiana catfish available at the Long Beach Bayou & Blues Festival this past weekend! And, after hearing that Peter Tork (yes, the former Monkee) had really liked it, really needed to give it a try.
First, the portion was generous. The picture above was for a Catfish lunch … only three pieces. I’m thinking they either don’t know how to count, or their definition of pieces is different than mine! (Note: I had already eaten a piece before I took this picture.)
Second, the catfish was divine. It was soft and buttery. No fishy taste at all. Just the right amount of meaty-ness. And the batter wasn’t oily at all. I snarfed it down amid mmmmm’s and ahhhhh’s. I felt like my tastebuds had gone to heaven!
So, if you ever have the opportunity to try Ben King’s Louisiana Catfish … take it! Their prices are very reasonable (I paid only $7 for all that fish, two hush puppies and a stack of fries … in Dallas it was $5 for two pieces of catfish only). The fish is prepared to perfection. They are worth going out of your way for.
