Spahr's is one of the great fried catfish houses in the New Orleans area, with the advantage of being located near the self-proclaimed Catfish Capital of the World, Des Allemands. This is about forty miles from downtown New Orleans--about the same distance to Middendorf's, and almost as worthwhile a trip.
Bill Spahr ran an Esso station on the long, straight stretch of US 90 through the wetlands between Des Allemands and the sugar plantations on Bayou Lafourche. He opened a restaurant there in 1968 and began serving the catfish for which Des Allemands was (and is) famous. Maybe the odd conjunction of gas pumps and fried seafood made it memorable, but the food here has always been good. The old place had a fire and closed for a long time in the 2000s, but reopened in 2008. Meanwhile, two other locations (in Thibodaux and Houma) opened. Both those are nicer-looking, but the original, with its bayou outside, seems better.
Although evidence remains that this was once a gas station (you can see where the mechanics worked on cars, and the ancient gas pumps are still in front), the dining rooms are pleasant and comfortable. Windows give a view of the expanse of shallow water that stretches from the horizon almost to the back door. A walk back there provides a classic Louisiana vista, as well as a few jokes concerning the alligators that live in those waters.
Find out what the soup of the day is; you will probably want to get it. The gumbo is also excellent. Stick with the fried seafood for the entree; the other dishes are good, but not as.
| Attitude | 1 |
|---|---|
| Environment | 0 |
| Hipness | 0 |
| Local Color | 3 |
| Service | 1 |
| Value | 1 |
| Wine | 0 |
