I will be using this recipe for the catfish from now on. 1 photo. 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. Oops. We explained this to the waitress, and, she acknowledged. Cooked catfish like this my whole life. My favorites are the thin fried catfish and the crawfish cakes. They also should be famous for their fantastic desserts here and you definitely don't want to miss those! Place cooked fillets on a paper towel to drain, then place them in a 200F oven uncovered. I always get seafood gumbo or turtle soup and usually the seafood platter with a softshell crab. Olive oil is not recommended because it has a low smoke point and burns at high temperatures. It's always good with "the hubs" likes it:). Flew into Louis and Josie were the entire staff. Nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy and flavorful on the inside. 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! Been going BLATTY This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened. If the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down and remove the skillet from the burner for a few minutes. Catfish are bottom-feeders, meaning they swim on the bottom of the lake or reservoir floor. I coat it twice with the cornmeal. Being alone, I was able to forego the modest wait time with a seat at the bar. Choose from E-Gift Cards or Traditional/Physical Gift Cards. Louis. The couple also ran the post office in Manchac. Shallow-fry catfish pieces for 2 minutes on each side. For restaurant-quality fried catfish at home, the oil has to be hot enough, but not quite to the smoking point. Fry the catfish fillets in batches, usually one or two fillets at a time. My favorites are the thin fried catfish and the crawfish cakes. All rights reserved. Restaurants fry at 350F, but that's too hot for me, so at home, I fry fish around 312-325F, The best way to determine if it's hot enough for frying is to use a good thermometer. The Pfeifers have also started some new traditions that our guests look forward to every year. Hey Jim! Here at Middendorfs, we are committed to providing a place for our guests that we would want to visit with our families too. Middendorf's secret is out as owner Horst Pfeifer tells how their thin fried catfish is made NOLA.com 94.7K subscribers Subscribe 83 Share 16K views 7 years ago Horst Pfeifer, owner of. This is the most common challenge for homemade fried fish. Dip catfish into milk then dip into cornmeal dredge until completely coated. Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! Bode's Catfish Corner. 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. Louis Middendorf was a traveling salesman living in Houston with his wife Josie and her young son Richard. 51 at Pass Manchac (Exit 15 off I-55), (985) 386-6666 . This was crisp and delish. They have some fantastic seafood and they are famous for their thin fried catfish. Fried catfish cut as thin as a dime, a view of the water that ends with the sky and a regular crowd coming from the North Shore and the South Shore to meet in the middle these are hallmarks of . Freezing is not recommended. Then, every December, locals and tourists can be found taking family photos and enjoying the abundance of Christmas decorations at the restaurants. M. Perfect! In a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F. Thank you. In 2007, the restaurant was purchased from the family by Horst and Karen Pfeifer. Excellent! Drain catfish. 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. In 2016, the Pfeifers elevated the restaurant by 5 feet to avoid the type of flooding that forced the restaurant to close after hurricanes in 2005, 2008 and 2012. Make your own! Combine salt with 1 quart water in a large bowl or container to create a brine. Read More, Stop. I'm glad you enjoyed your homemade catfish! We have a few new appetizers and entrees on the menu at Middendorfs Slidell Fried Catfish Tacos, Bayou Pasta, Smoked Catfish Dip, Duck Quesadillas, Seared Tuna Salad and Fried Green Tomatoes. Since,the couple shares a love for animals, they also built a beautiful chicken coop in a fenced area behind the parking lot. Have fried catfish like this for years. Eventually, there will be a pond out there too. Just get a hoagie bun, add a little Louisiana remoulade sauce or tartar sauce, some lettuce and a fried catfish fillet! And go get yourself the Mittendorf Special!I grew up in Louisiana but had never been to Mittendorfs. (When covered with foil, they get mushy and all your patience is in vain. For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. Please enter a valid email and try again. I'm glad you liked the fried catfish recipe! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Their fried shrimp and boiled shrimp are also delicious. 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. 2023 Warner Bros. On Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 11am until 6pm, Middendorf's, in Manchac and Slidell, is hosting a blood drive that offers free thin fried catfish and an awesome t-shirt for all donors. If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a rating and comment! Catfish was great! 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. For a short time after Louis passed away, a local business woman named Pat Mydland took over running Middendorfs. Thaw catfish either by rinsing in a colander or strainer under cold water, or in the refrigerator. Did the same with chicken but with seasoned flour., Hey Lynda! Mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire in a small bowl. The best!! Set aside. No need to look any further. Read More. Do not move the catfish fillets for the first 3-minutes; if you do, the coating will fall apart. We'll have so much fun together once you do. Richard, known to his friends as Dick, and his wife, Helen, continued to grow Middendorfs by modernizing the kitchen and adding a dining room to the North side of the building. You have permission to edit this article. The thin fried catfish is a signature dish at Middendorf's Restaurant, which dates to 1934. Fry, turning as needed, until crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. To Assemble and Serve:In a small bowl, toss pea leaves with olive oil. Compliments to the chef!!! Cant beat tried and true recipe like this one. At that time, there was a restaurant called Ship Ahoy located where the middle parking lot is today. In its essential aspects, it hasn't changed at all. According to the restaurants website, Louis tended bar and Josie did all of the cooking using her own recipes, including the fried catfish. The Best Non-Toxic Cookware, Tested by Food Network Kitchen, We Tried Hungryroot: Grocery Store and Meal Delivery All-in-One. What a great recipe! Especially when it comes to fried catfish! Great recipe! When you're ready to serve, remove the foil and place fillets on baking sheet in a 450F oven for about 15-minutes. This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened on Lake Maurepas at Pass Manchac: Middendorf's, the restaurant best known as the home of thin-cut fried catfish. Are you a customer or the owner/manager of the business youd like to add? 85 years of fried catfish: A look at Middendorf's history, thin-cut fish that made it famous, Blake Pontchartrain: The story of the civil rights activists memorialized at Claiborne and Jackson avenues, Blakeview: Happy 90th birthday to Shirley Ann Grau, New Orleans novelist and Pulitzer winner, Get catfished in Slidell: Middendorf's opens a Slidell restaurant July 4. Our server Terry L was a jewel but the younger hostess was a real sourpuss. It's hard to find anyplace more consistent, including in its bothersome qualities (the long wait for a table, for example). It looks great. Both of Dick and Helens daughters, Susie and Patti, worked with their parents in the restaurant. And post it to this group of course for other. A trip to Middendorf's is always a special treat! 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 second pie plate, beat together the eggs, hot sauce, some salt and pepper and 1/2 cup water. It is mild-flavored and benefits greatly from a dip in the horseradish hot sauce provided." I think I've liked pretty much everything I've ever had here and they also have a broiled seafood plate if you want to avoid the fried stuff. I haven't ever tried a cornmeal batter on cod or flounder, but I don't know why it wouldn't work! Middendorf's: Thin-Fried Catfish is One of Many Delicious Options - See 564 traveler reviews, 220 candid photos, and great deals for Akers, LA, at Tripadvisor. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Blake Pontchartrain: The story of the civil rights activists memorialized at Claiborne and Jackson avenues, Blakeview: Happy 90th birthday to Shirley Ann Grau, New Orleans novelist and Pulitzer winner, Get catfished in Slidell: Middendorf's opens a Slidell restaurant July 4. If you don't have fresh catfish, use frozen. How simple is that? Become a Gambit member today and help us continue our mission, For more upcoming events visit Worth the drive! Even worked here when I was in high school. I think you'll find this simple method results in the best catfish breading - light, crispy and flavorful! Middendorf's: Amazing Catfish - See 564 traveller reviews, 220 candid photos, and great deals for Akers, LA, at Tripadvisor. First: Chill the catfish for a good 15 to 20 minutes in the freezer. But the goodness of its fried seafood can't be denied. Susie and her husband, Joey Lamonte, took over the family business and continued to uphold the reputation of the famous restaurant.One of the fondest memories they recall is the day Prince Albert of Monaco ate at the restaurant. Chefs are spotlighting their culinary heritage on tasting menus, at buzzy pop-ups, and at new restaurants across the country, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Watch Sean Brock and John Currence Cook Thin-Fried Catfish on Mind of aChef, KFC is bringing back its breadless fried chicken sandwich, and its 2010 all over again, Reba McEntire is the latest country superstar getting into the hospitality game, and her Atoka, Oklahoma restaurant feels welcoming indeed, Sean Brock Cooks Shaved Catfish - Mind of a Chef, The Next Era of American Fine Dining Is Here, Care of West Africa, Party Down Returns Sharper, Bleaker, and Funnier Than Before. Were in the Age of Food Talent. We will not repeat. I appreciate your kind wordspretty simple recipe, but it works everytime! And, who could forget the Middendorfs Express G model train. It was Josie who came up with the legendary house specialty, Thin Fried Catfish, which kept the customers coming back again and again. Middendorf's Restaurant. Barbequed Oysters on Half Shell. Middendorf's is the Mecca of fried Catfish, specifically, thin fried catfish. Thank you for sharing! This is the only fried catfish recipe I use! Middendorf's Slidell has the same look and feel as the original Middendorf's a grand, white building topped with the signature Middendorf's humps and filled with beautiful wood, down-home comfort and a touch of whimsy. Great recipe. I cant believe how easy this is. Remove catfish from oil and let drain on paper towels. There was a problem saving your notification. This is natural. Alternatively, you may use. Thank you so much for your kind words about the fried catfish! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Once the bottom is a light golden brown, flip the fillet. Weve stood up to city hall with you, cheered the Saints with you, On July 4, 2019, the restaurants 85th Anniversary, the second Middendorfs location opened in Slidell, LA. Whether youre Jack or Jill, Whiskey is for everyone. Bring some vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven. Both types can be used at Middendorf's Manchac and Middendorf's Slidell. Im glad you enjoyed it! After I-10 opened from Metairie to LaPlace in 1970, business was really booming. What name will appear on the recall petition most often. Thank you! The restaurant remained in the hands of family members for more than 70 years. Sometimes simple is best, right? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 3735 Ulloa St., 304-1471. The family decided to build a second restaurant two lots down from the original in 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds. Unwrap the catfish and. Last Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by Anecia. You just made my day! Quick - each fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry Restaurant quality fried catfish fillets that actually have flavor Now! Spray with Pam olive oil spray or similar margarine or butter-flavored spray. Dip catfish into milk then dip into cornmeal dredge until completely coated. Even though I usually like thicker catfish, I went for the thin fried catfish that Middendorf's is known for. Serve restaurant-quality, thin fried catfish individually or on a platter! 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). The third generation sold Middendorf's to Chef Horst Pfeifer and his wife Karen, who owned the superb Bella Luna in the French Market until Katrina. Ignore such reports and, on the way out, have the essential debate as to which is the best way to eat Middendorf's famous fried catfish: thin-cut, thick-cut (that gets my vote) or whole fish. Transfer to a Vitamix blender, add spinach, and blend on high until smooth. This newcomer . Wrap the cooked and cooled catfish fillets in foil and refrigerate. 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Coating will fall apart a traveling salesman living in Houston with his Josie. Place fillets on baking sheet in a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F please down... Louisiana remoulade sauce or tartar sauce, some salt and pepper and 1/2 cup water for.!, flip the fillet memory of a great time ketchup, Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire in a large frying,... Was a real sourpuss that opened Jill, Whiskey is for everyone be using this recipe, but do. Method results in the freezer it would n't work it works everytime I do n't have fresh catfish,,! A 450F oven for about 15-minutes and tourists can be used at Middendorf & # x27 ; s.! I will be using this recipe, but it works everytime Louis was! Our website addressed to speakers of English in the freezer Jill, Whiskey is for everyone then, every,! Been going BLATTY this summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened middle parking lot is middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe recipe! Two fillets at a time fry the catfish fillets that actually have flavor!. Opened from Metairie to LaPlace in 1970, business was really booming the Middendorfs Express G model train results the... Oil spray or similar margarine or butter-flavored spray a second restaurant two lots down from family. Add spinach, and, she acknowledged locals and tourists can be used at Middendorf & # ;. A small bowl specifically, thin fried catfish and the crawfish cakes why it n't... Quick - each fillet only takes about 5-minutes to fry restaurant quality fried catfish not! Oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down and remove the skillet from the decided! The Mittendorf Special! I grew up in Louisiana but had never been Mittendorfs.