Adams Catfish House . Belle Chasse: 8523 Hwy 23 . 504-394-3819.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris October 16, 2010 23:03 in

2 Fleur
Average check per person $5-$15
 BreakfastNo Breakfast SundayNo Breakfast MondayNo Breakfast TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayNo Breakfast ThursdayNo Breakfast FridayNo Breakfast Saturday
LunchNo Lunch SundayLunch MondayLunch TuesdayLunch WednesdayLunch ThursdayLunch FridayNo Lunch Saturday
DinnerDinner SundayNo Dinner MondayNo Dinner TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayDinner ThursdayDinner FridayNo Dinner Saturday

Adams Catfish House

Belle Chasse: 8523 Hwy 23 . 504-394-3819. Map.
Casual.
MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
Belle Chasse is one of those places around New Orleans (River Ridge and Meraux are others) that really aren't far from downtown, but which seem like terra incognita to all but the people who live there. The growing community of Belle Chasse, fired with the presence of the large Naval Air Station nearby, keep the few restaurants there busy, and Adams Catfish House is one of the busiest. Part of the attraction is the all-you-can-eat whole fried catfish for $20, but the more conventional fillets are worth coming for, too. There's not much more to the menu except a few salads and sandwiches, but that's all good enough.

WHAT'S GOOD
Fried catfish is what you came here for. It's reasonably good, although the crust lacks something in crispness and texture. I think cornmeal is the way to go with catfish; Adams does theirs with a much thinner coating (I think it's corn flour). When it's right out of the fryer (as it usually is), no complaints. Grilled catfish--as it is everywhere--is to be avoided.

BACKSTORY
Brothers Dale and Robert Adams opened the restaurant in 1979, and they and their families still operate it hands-on.

DINING ROOM
The restaurant is divided into medium-size rooms with a utilitarian design. It's family-freindly, but not what you'd call atmospheric. No alcohol is served anywhere within the walls.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Flowering onion
Fried pickles
Onion rings
Fried catfish salad
Fried catfish, fillets or whole
Grilled catfish
Grilled chicken
Catfish poor boy
Grilled chicken poor boy
Hamburger

FOR BEST RESULTS
The whole catfish is absolutely the way to go. There is no need to get the all-you-can-eat; the metered portion is plenty big enough, and the sides and hush puppies eliminate any possibility of leaving hungry.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
More menu possibilities would be welcome. Not even one dessert?

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

  • Dining Environment -1
  • Consistency
  • Service
  • Value +1
  • Attitude +1
  • Wine & Bar
  • Hipness -1
  • Local Color +1

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • Good for business meetings
  • Open Monday lunch
  • Unusually large servings
  • Good for children
  • Easy, nearby parking
  • No reservations