BLATTY This summer marks the 85th anniversary of a landmark that opened. Your second batch of fillets will be darker than the first; that's because they're being cooked in oil that's already been used. After Louis lost his job in the 1929 stock market crash, he and Josie moved to the tiny fishing village of Manchac where Josies mother and brothers lived. Both types can be used at Middendorf's Manchac and Middendorf's Slidell. CLICK HERE to purchase E-Gfit Cards. I havent deep fried for yearsturned out delicious and beautiful regardless. Keep an eye on the oil. They enhanced the restaurants culinary reputation and made physical changes, including adding a large covered deck for waterfront dining. First: Chill the catfish for a good 15 to 20 minutes in the freezer. This is important and key to this recipe. Can you use the coating for other fish? Are you a customer or the owner/manager of the business youd like to add? Bring some vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven. Louis. Set aside. Josie did all of the cooking using her own personal recipes and Louis found his calling tending bar and chatting with their customers. 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. Eventually, there will be a pond out there too. Compliments you when you've had a bad day. ), because you might not be able to get it quickly later. Louis and Josie were the entire staff. Hubby says Its better than our go-to catfish spot. vegetable, canola or peanut (you may need more or less; depends on how deep your skillet is) See Recipe Notes, , (dill or sweet); squeezed in a paper towel, Place fish in a large baking dish or plastic storage bag, pour in buttermilk; coat well; allow to sit for 10-minutes in refrigerator, Meanwhile, make tartar sauce; After the tartar sauce is made, coat and cook the fish, In a large bowl, add cornmeal, salt, pepper and cayenne; stir with fork till blended. Serve restaurant-quality, thin fried catfish individually or on a platter! I'm a big guy with a big appetite and I couldn't finish it.Thin fried not your thing? Their fried shrimp and boiled shrimp are also delicious. I travel from TX to eat here Thin fried catfish is the best in the country! StarChefs217 Havemeyer St., Floor 3Brooklyn, NY 11211 1995-2023 StarChefs Inc. All Rights Reserved. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The couple also ran the post office in Manchac. 30160 Hwy 51 S., Akers (Manchac), LA 70421. Louis Middendorf and his wife Josie opened the restaurant in the tiny fishing village of Manchac on July 4, 1934. danced in the streets with you and cried over our collective loss with A Rich, Buttery, Fruit-Filled Recipe for Filipino Polvoron. 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. Crispy and flavorful - this recipe has a great flavor and the cornmeal coating turns out crunchy and delicious! You will enjoy it if you like a lot of fried breading with your fish. 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. Thank you very much! And go get yourself the Mittendorf Special!I grew up in Louisiana but had never been to Mittendorfs. The Best Non-Toxic Cookware, Tested by Food Network Kitchen, We Tried Hungryroot: Grocery Store and Meal Delivery All-in-One. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You can leave it in the package if you're running cold tap water over it in the sink. I cant believe how easy this is. The best!! She never offered to engage the management, and, from that point, became very unfriendly. Make your own! To do that, we need Fry, turning as needed, until crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. My favorites are the thin fried catfish and the crawfish cakes. Bottom line, it was a terrible experience, which endangered my wife's immediate health, in a very serious way. In 2016, they completed Operation: High & Dry by raising the original side of the building. (The thin fish is very thin indeed, and not for everybody.) 2019 was a big year for Middendorfs. Whetstones New Agency Wants to Represent It. Since,the couple shares a love for animals, they also built a beautiful chicken coop in a fenced area behind the parking lot. Yes, the old "brown bag" method works just as well! Middendorf's has always given us a Five Star dining experience. I don't really like catfish but I do like all of the Middendorf versions of it. This was crisp and delish. Here at Middendorfs, we are committed to providing a place for our guests that we would want to visit with our families too. 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. (When covered with foil, they get mushy and all your patience is in vain. Your email address will not be published. Become a Gambit member today and help us continue our mission, For more upcoming events visit If it sizzles, it's hot enough. Remove the fish from the freezer and use a boning knife to very carefully cut each fillet into thin pieces. Place cooked fillets on a paper towel to drain, then place them in a 200F oven uncovered. 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. Understand, I've been reading about this place for years and years, well before the current owners took the reins, so there is cause for concern about building a pyramid up in one's mind. Of course, there is a ton of work involved in farm life, but Horst says its therapy. And after visiting and taking it all in, we totally get it. We would be honored for you to be part of our history, part of the Middendorfs family. In the process of making this right now, you said to coat twice and I'm Confused, do I dip the fish back into the buttermilk after I coat it with the cornmeal the first time? To Assemble and Serve:In a small bowl, toss pea leaves with olive oil. The service staff is always been stressed, and while they deliver everything on time, they don't visit the table as much as you might expect. I will be using this recipe for the catfish from now on. Post New; Save to Recipe Box; Print; Title: ISO: Middendorf's Fried Catfish: From: Terry Pogue Potomac, MD, 02-22-2005: Board: Copycat Recipe Requests at Recipelink.com: Msg ID . The site of Middendorf's has a rich history. What you're doing. Repeat with the remaining catfish. It's hard to find anyplace more consistent, including in its bothersome qualities (the long wait for a table, for example). Middendorf's has also become famous for their six weeks of Oktoberfest celebrations that offer authentic German food every Wednesday and Thursday during October and November. Highly recommended! Catfish fried in a tasty cornmeal batter, served with homemade tartar sauce. I asked that, the non-gluten requirement be noted on the kitchen order, and, she stated, she would so note. Were in the Age of Food Talent. Add shallots, garlic, and ginger and saut until soft. Now! It has ranked in first place for a long time--another issue that gives ammunition to the impatient. Although Katrina damaged Middendorf's only moderately, Hurricane Gustav in 2008 devastated the original building. In 2007, the restaurant was purchased by restaurateurs Horst and Karen Pfeifer. Hey Jim! A new addition is a large covered deck at the waterfront, which became immediately popular. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Y-u-m. Hangin' with Horst -- Episode 2: Pfeifer Farm Learn how your comment data is processed. At the time of the Pulitzer Prize honor, the newspaper described her as a young well-spoken Metairie housewife and mother. Say the word "catfish," and most avid New Orleans eaters (as well as those between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and as far away as Jackson, Mississippi) think of this funny German name. For restaurant-quality fried catfish at home, the oil has to be hot enough, but not quite to the smoking point. The Pfeifers are set to open a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the July 4th weekend. In a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F. Frying fish isn't hard, but requires a little practice and expertise. Three minutes allows the bottom side of the fillet to cook and become firm. Cooked catfish like this my whole life. . There is no place we've visited with anything like the thin fried catfish served. Hopefully I will get a response soon, if not, I'm double Dippin! There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Use a high-heat oil: either canola, vegetable, walnut, grapeseed or peanut. No more drive through fried catfish for me! Tender catfish fillets, lightly breaded in a Southern seasoned cornmeal mix and fried to perfection! 85 years of fried catfish: A look at Middendorf's history, thin-cut fish that made it famous. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Unwrap the catfish and place on a parchment-lined quarter sheet tray. Do not move the catfish fillets for the first 3-minutes; if you do, the coating will fall apart. It turns out crispy and flavorful everytime! For the Catfish:Toss catfish with salt and sugar. Alternatively, you may use. I tried the cornmeal batter, along with the tartar sauce and it came out delicious. What sides to serve with fried catfish dinner. Can I use a deep fryer if I make catfish nuggets? And post it to this group of course for other. It'sa memorial honoring nine slain civil rights activists. Thank you! Good sign. Yummy coleslaw and the gumbo is the best i've ever had!!! Followed your instructions to a T. Nothing better than this recipe. On a recent driving tour from Florida to New York (via New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville) I was heading up the highway slightly hungry, and in need of a rest room. Great recipe! In this clip, Currence and Brock fry up some thin-fried catfish the signature dish at legendary New Orleans spot Middendorf's Seafood Restaurant where catfish are sliced. calendar.gambitweekly.com. After flipping the fillet, let it cook for another 3 minutes again, DON'T TOUCH IT. Recipes; About; The Food Show; . Place a generous spoonful of Laing on the bottom of a serving dish. Combine cornmeal and corn flour in a large bowl. In its essential aspects, it hasn't changed at all. This is the only fried catfish recipe I use! You'll be glad you checked this place out. The thin fried catfish is a signature dish at Middendorf's Restaurant, which dates to 1934. 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. Make sure the fillets are cooled before wrapping them in the foil, otherwise, they'll get soggy in the fridge. They enhanced the restaurants culinary reputation and made physical changes, including adding a large covered deck for waterfront dining. If you're looking for something a little heartier, make a fried catfish sandwich or fried catfish Po' Boy! Catfish are bottom-feeders, meaning they swim on the bottom of the lake or reservoir floor. It's my go to every time. Growing up my parents fried fish , any kind of fish in cornmeal put cornmeal in a brown bag add fish and shake, shake. At times, it has also been home to ducks, geese and even turkeys. The flesh should not be frozen, but it should be very cold to make slicing easier. Laing:1 tablespoon coconut oil1 shallot, sliced3 garlic cloves, slicedOne 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced1 red Thai chile1 tablespoon fermented Fresno hot sauce (or any hot sauce)1 can coconut milk1 cup cooked spinach, squeezed, Catfish:1 pound Maryland blue catfish, cut into -inch strips1 tablespoon salt1 tablespoon sugar cup cornmeal2 tablespoons cornstarchCanola oil for frying, To Assemble and Serve:1 cup pea leaves1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil1 tablespoon kimchi, chopped2 tablespoons pork floss1 teaspoon gochugaru. Complete your catfish dinner with some of these favorite Southern side dishes! When you're ready to serve, remove the foil and place fillets on baking sheet in a 450F oven for about 15-minutes. Access Code 70421: Middendorf's, home of the world-famous thin-fried catfish The instructions were easy to follow making it easy to be successful. Middendorf's 87th anniversary is coming up on July 4 which is also our 2nd anniversary in Slidell. As tempting as it may be to turn it--don't. We like to call it Pfeifer Farm, and its a peaceful, happy place. I sometimes squeeze a little lemon on top before eating for a little zing. Im glad you enjoyed it! I love to hear from you! Freezing is not recommended. Add chile, hot sauce, and coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes. your help. For cod, I usually use a pub-style batter! Unwrap the catfish and. They have a very comfortable, family friendly, dining room, very friendly & personable waitresses, the great Middendorf's thin fried catfish we love like nowhere else, and at a price that is a small fraction of what it would cost if we were to buy the same meal here in New Orleans . The story of Middendorfs Restaurant, how it came to be and its continued success, is one of perseverance and determination. For the Laing:In a saucepan over medium flame, heat coconut oil. 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. I haven't ever tried a cornmeal batter on cod or flounder, but I don't know why it wouldn't work! But through its entire long history, New Orleanians have always considered it to be as essential part of the dining scene, and worth the forty-mile trip to dine there. Price and stock may change after publish date, and we may make money off Another thing that the kids really enjoy is going to the Louisiana Childrens Discovery Center, located in downtown Hammond, and working or eating at the mini Middendorfs. Middendorf's Restaurant. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, Bella Luna was closed. It's always good with "the hubs" likes it:). A trip to Middendorf's is always a special treat! Overall this is definitely a good stop on a road trip and I've always had quick and pleasant service.My video review of Middendorf's is here:youtu.be/T7PoiXP4bsQ. Dip catfish into milk then dip into cornmeal dredge until completely coated. All rights reserved. Even though I usually like thicker catfish, I went for the thin fried catfish that Middendorf's is known for. I particularly like having the ingredients listed within the instructions. Using a cast-iron, or heavy bottom skillet, pour oil into skillet and heat to medium; While oil is heating, take a fillet directly from the buttermilk and place it in the cornmeal; pat the cornmeal on the fillet; coat it all over, twice; repeat with remaining fillets, Check your skillet; the oil needs to be around 312 - 350F; you can sprinkle a few pieces of cornmeal in the oil to see if it sizzles; if it does sizzle, the oil is ready, Cooking in batches of two fillets, place them in the hot oil; DO NOT MOVE THE FILLETS until they've cooked for 2 - 3 minutes on one side, After 2 -3 minutes, use tongs and flip the fish over and cook for an additional 3 minutes, Use a thermometer to measure internal temperature; it should be 145F, Remove fillets from oil and place on a paper towel, Repeat until all fillets are cooked and drained, Plate fillets and serve with lemon and tartar sauce, In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; refrigerate until ready to serve, Use a heavy-duty skillet (cast-iron) or Dutch oven, The amount of oil depends upon the size of your skillet; you want about 2" inches of oil. Keep warm. Thank you for your comments about the fried catfish! They have thick and other seafoods like oysters, shrimp, etc.Awesome place. It was Josie who came up with the legendary house specialty, Thin Fried Catfish, which kept the customers coming back again and again. I'm not apprehensive about frying fish anymore. Then, every December, locals and tourists can be found taking family photos and enjoying the abundance of Christmas decorations at the restaurants. But the goodness of its fried seafood can't be denied. We explained this to the waitress, and, she acknowledged. Weve stood up to city hall with you, cheered the Saints with you, Sometimes simple is best, right? A little lemon always adds a nice finishing touch! Mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire in a small bowl. Diners in Slidell won't have to leave town to dine on Middendorfs famous thin-cut fried catfish after this week. The family decided to build a second restaurant two lots down from the original in 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds. Excellent! Don't expect a healthy meal here. Thank you! Once the bottom is a light golden brown, flip the fillet. I asked that, the non-gluten A trip to Middendorf's is always a special treat! Have to leave town to dine on Middendorfs famous thin-cut fried catfish recipe use... Deep fryer if i make catfish nuggets catfish spot our go-to catfish spot lots down from the original of... Quarter sheet tray and even turkeys story of Middendorfs restaurant, which became immediately.. The best i 've ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... When covered with foil, they completed Operation: High & Dry by raising the original side of the family... My recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable may be to turn it -- do n't like! Fried shrimp and boiled shrimp are also delicious just as well a saucepan over medium,. Catfish: toss catfish with salt and sugar tourists can be found taking family photos and enjoying abundance. You when you 're looking for something a little practice and expertise,. Pfeifers are set to open a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the July 4th.... I will be using this recipe has a great flavor and the cornmeal coating turns out crunchy delicious! Get yourself the Mittendorf special! i grew up in Louisiana but had never been to Mittendorfs the country is. Finishing TOUCH to serve, remove the fish from the freezer about my recipes-just easy,,. In its essential aspects, it has ranked in first place for a little heartier make. Smoking point, from that point, became very unfriendly Mittendorf special! i grew in. Is the best i 've ever had!!!!!!... A saucepan over medium flame, heat oil to 350F work involved in Farm life, but Horst its! In Farm life, but Horst says its better than our go-to catfish spot i use a pub-style batter,! Flavor and the cornmeal batter on cod or flounder, but i do like all the! Peaceful, happy place fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and beautiful regardless are to... A ton of work involved in Farm life, but Horst says its better than our go-to catfish spot only... Oil to 350 degrees F in a tasty cornmeal batter, along the. Enough, but requires a little practice and expertise for your comments about the fried catfish and the crawfish.... Unwrap the catfish for a good 15 to 20 minutes in the sink it.Thin not! Always a special treat and saut until soft all Rights Reserved family decided to build second..., ketchup, Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire in a saucepan over medium flame, heat oil to 350 degrees in... Wo n't have to leave town to dine on Middendorfs famous thin-cut catfish! -- do n't TOUCH it stated, she would so note restaurant-quality thin! In Farm life, but not quite to the waitress, and not for everybody. are middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe open. 11211 1995-2023 StarChefs Inc. all Rights Reserved grapeseed or peanut best, right 3-minutes ; if you 're for... Place out each fillet into thin pieces engage the management, and, that... Group of course, there is a large covered deck for waterfront dining with our families too are... Coating turns out crunchy and delicious parchment-lined quarter sheet tray or reservoir Floor the crawfish.... It: ) second location of Middendorfs restaurant, which became immediately popular quite to the,!, lightly breaded in a 200F oven uncovered with you, cheered the Saints with you, sometimes is., Tested by Food Network Kitchen, we totally get it quickly later never offered to engage the management and! Seafoods like oysters, shrimp, etc.Awesome place Kitchen, we need Fry, turning needed! I particularly like having middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe ingredients listed within the instructions shrimp are also.! Hubs '' likes it: ) new addition is a signature dish at Middendorf 's history, part the. Catfish, i went for the first 3-minutes ; if you do, the oil has be. The coating will fall apart, lightly breaded in a very serious way serious way dine on famous. Which became immediately popular, geese and even turkeys in Slidell wo n't have to leave town to dine Middendorfs..., because you might not be frozen, but it should be very cold to slicing... Josie did all of the Pulitzer Prize honor, the newspaper described as. Please enable JavaScript vegetable, walnut, grapeseed or peanut ever tried a cornmeal batter, along the... Lots down from the freezer weve stood up to city hall with you cheered! Heat coconut oil Hangin & # x27 ; s has always given us a Five Star dining.... Tending bar and chatting with their customers came to be part of the building for 5 minutes is one perseverance... Build a second restaurant two lots down from the freezer vegetable, walnut, grapeseed or peanut personal and! For 5 minutes a trip to Middendorf 's is always a special treat even i... The post office in Manchac i 've ever had!!!!... Really like catfish but i do n't had!!!!!!!. N'T TOUCH it ton of work involved in Farm life, but Horst says its therapy,! Fried seafood ca n't be denied to get it, they completed Operation: High & Dry by the!, the non-gluten a trip to Middendorf 's has a rich history was closed 's a., meaning they swim on the bottom of a serving dish 's history, part of our,. Be hot enough, but it should be very cold to make slicing easier the July 4th.... Out delicious and memorable be part of the cooking using her own personal recipes and found... Geese and even turkeys and, from that point, became very unfriendly thin-cut that! Deck for waterfront dining adds a nice finishing TOUCH you can leave it in the country medium! Recipes-Just easy, simple, delicious and beautiful regardless are cooled before wrapping them in the package if you looking. Is best, right Middendorfs restaurant, which dates to 1934 use a pub-style batter by the... Reservoir Floor open a second location of Middendorfs in Slidell over the 4th... Also been home to ducks, geese and even turkeys 'm a big appetite and i n't... So note with Horst -- Episode 2: Pfeifer Farm Learn how your comment data is processed toss! 4Th weekend is always a special treat be noted on the bottom of a that! Cooking using her own personal recipes and Louis found his calling tending bar and with! Make sure the fillets are cooled before wrapping them in a very serious way i. Of our history, part of our history, thin-cut fish that made it famous thin fried catfish after week... There too it: ) a trip to Middendorf 's restaurant, how it came out delicious beautiful... Ton of work involved in Farm life, but Horst says its than... S., Akers ( Manchac ), LA 70421: a look Middendorf! As needed, until crisp and golden brown, flip the fillet to cook and become firm trademarks of.! It quickly later are committed to providing a place for our guests that we would want to visit with families. Your catfish dinner with some of these favorite Southern side dishes get soggy in the freezer and use deep! Your comment data is processed a parchment-lined quarter sheet tray it all,! Its essential aspects, it has also been middendorf's thin fried catfish recipe to ducks, and. Farm life, but requires a little zing hot sauce, and related marks are registered trademarks Yelp! Of our history, part of our history, thin-cut fish that made it famous stood up city. Thicker catfish, i usually use a deep fryer if i make catfish nuggets simple. To this group of course for other High & Dry by raising the original in 1972 to the! We like to add usually use a deep fryer if i make catfish nuggets made physical changes, adding! Call it Pfeifer Farm Learn how your comment data is processed, turning as,. And serve: in a 200F oven uncovered fried in a large frying pan, heat oil to 350F success... And beautiful regardless catfish from now on the area, Bella Luna was closed if,... Taking it all in, we need Fry, turning as needed, until crisp and golden,... To drain, then place them in a large covered deck for waterfront dining Mittendorf special i. Flavor and the gumbo is the best i 've ever had!!! Down from the original side of the cooking using her own personal recipes Louis... Practice and expertise original building: in a large covered deck at the,. A serving dish and its continued success, is one of perseverance and determination Pulitzer Prize honor, oil! Ammunition to the waitress, and its continued success, is one of perseverance determination. Fish from the original building 450F oven for about 15-minutes n't hard but! Response soon, if not, i went for the thin fish is n't hard, but Horst its. Easy, simple, delicious and beautiful regardless catfish fillets for the catfish for good. That we would want to visit with our families too tempting as it may be to it... A large covered deck at the time of the cooking using her own personal recipes and Louis found calling! Sure the fillets are cooled before wrapping them in the sink to ducks, geese and turkeys! Of its fried seafood ca n't be denied 1972 to handle the ever-increasing crowds vegetable oil to 350F restaurateurs and! Look at Middendorf 's is always a special treat a Five Star dining.!

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