FINALLY GOT CRAWDADS !!!
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All right ---- I'm in Lincoln, NE. (Nebraska for those of you who, like me, don't know the different abbreviations for the U.S. States and think Nebraska is "NB").
Well ----- I did it ----- I finally got some "Southern Crustaceans" Yea.... Crawdads --------- in the Nations "
Breadbasket" yet!!
I spent last week, March 4th, driving all over Mississippi - looking for good shell fish - crawdads - crabs, anything please!!!! While I found some good eats - I never did find what I was looking for: Crustaceans!! I found --- Jambolya, catfish and Gumbo, but ----- no Boiled Crawdaddies!!! Today - I got them.
A place called "Crawdaddies" in the West end of Lincoln - 700 "O" Street
402-435-8277
The first thing you see after you drive under a viaduct in the old west side of town, is a low brick building, along the railroad tracks. This is a place where you see tracks in the middle of the asphalt ----- as you drive downtown. On the east coast, like Philadelphia, --- you see them as old 'street car' tracks that are left there for nostalgic purposes. Here --- they are still used for the railroads to deliver and pickup the commerce of the midwest markets.
The restaurant I entered tonight was a former Morrell Meat Warehouse, with two foot thick walls to keep the hanging meat cooled. Sides of beef from the grassy plains, were hung here to await delivery on the railroads to the East Coast markets. Now this building has been turned into a great "eating" place.
These thick stone walls are hung with posters picturing the French Quarter in New Orleans, and Posters showing how to "Suck Head" when eating Crawdads, and the different 'chilies' available when eating "Cajun Food". Types of peppers such as Habaneros, Scotch Bonnets, and many different varieties of peppers are drawn in full color on the walls. There is a cozy 'Cajun/Creole' atmosphere which is evident everywhere from the old hardwood floors and decor to the great service from the staff. My waiter, John, was also the 'main cook' and he never let me go hungry or thirsty.
OK ---- I started with a gumbo that was true to the name and original origin. Shrimp, Crawdads, Andouille Sausage with a touch of Rice on the top. I will say this here and say it again later --- the presentation of all the food was above average and one of the best attractions of this eating place. A great job by the Chef.
The entrée arrived on a large white plate ---- a dozen plus "mud puppies", boiled in a great spicy concoction, and hung hot on a 'sherbet' glass full of a chilled 'cocktail' sauce. A couple pieces of toasted French Bread, buttered and dusted with Cayanne Pepper topped the pyramid of food. A real nice touch was the 'drizzling' of a red sauce and dark green chopped parsily on the edges of the white plate. Again - great presentation.
The mud puppies were fresh - not frozen, and cooked just right. The meat was firm and spicey! I asked John to keep them coming as I ate to my hearts content.
Three, (burp), helpings of mud puppies and that bowl of gumbo, (washed down with four drinks), was $55.00 - including tip. A great deal.
So if yer ever in Lincoln, NE ---- look for "Crawdaddies".
Four and a half claws....a top recomendation - from the Grasshopper.
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