Middendorf's - Akers, LA

Catfish is the reason to eat at Middendorf's. There is none this good in New Orleans. It is sold thick or thin. Thick catfish is a meaty cross-section of fish. Thin catfish is sliced into a diaphanous strip that is sharply seasoned, lightly breaded, and quickly fried. Middendorf's is extremely casual, noisy, and fun.

84% Approval Rating (32 votes)

Overall: Worth driving from anyplace

Must Eats

Thin Catfish Dinner ($11.00)

Fried Oysters ($12.00)

Shrimp Remoulade ($6.00)

Crawfish Cakes ($6.00)

Barbecued Oysters ($6.00)

Barbecued Shrimp ($13.00)

Fried Softshell Crabs ($15.00)

Peach Bread Pudding ($3.00)

Written Reviews

Michael Stern

" Catfish is the reason to eat at Middendorf's. There is none this good in New Orleans; and there are times, when we crunch into a thin catfish filet at a Middendorf's table after a long spell away from Louisiana, that we are willing to say there is none this good ..." [Read More].

antlerfreak

July 18, 2009

"My wife and I have eaten at many great Louisiana restaurants. My wife is a native of the New Orleans area, and I grew up near Baton Rouge. We are both great cooks and love trying new restaurants, and recipes for that matter. Middendorf's Restaurant is by far the ..." [Read More].

tigerhoss

December 09, 2008

"Consider this for one tiny minute: People in New Orleans (the creole/seafood capital of the world) drive 45-60 minutes to wait in line for another 30-45 minutes at Middendorf's for seafood and cajun/creole food. Regularly. For years. If not decades. Now, ..." [Read More].

beauwriter

February 04, 2008

"As I look at the two reviews here for Middendorf's, I have to start by setting the record straight: the first review, by Michael Stern, represents the vast majority of opinions about this fantastic restaurant. Check around the Internet and you'll see that's true. On ..." [Read More].

bkreger

June 08, 2004

"My problem with this place is portion size. I ordered the broiled catfish from the main course selections on the menu and what I got looked more like an appetizer portion. Similarly, my wife chose the thin catfish and while it was indeed crispy and tasty, she had to ..." [Read More].

Logbooks

12/15/2003 - Michael Stern, $15

Map & Directions

30160 Highway 51, Akers, LA
985-386-6666

Hours & Policies

Seasons:	Open Year Round
Meals Served:	Lunch, Dinner
Operational Hours:	Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:	Yes
Alcohol Served:	Yes
Outdoor Seating:	No
Reservations Accepted:	No
Delivery Available:	No
Takeout Counters:	Yes

"A close-up of Middendorf's signature dish: fried thin catfish filets. They crunch as much as a potato chip, yet the ribbon of meat inside is moist and succulent."
Michael Stern

"What a way to start a meal: six barbecued oysters on the half shell."
Michael Stern

"Here's another good way to start a meal, or a nice little meal all itself: a line of barbecued shrimp."
Michael Stern

"Louis Middendorf built his place in the midst of the Depression using his World War I veteran's bonus of $500 and a $500 loan from the mayor of New Orleans."
Michael Stern

"Nice-size chunks of crawfish make these crusty, hand-pattied cakes a joy to eat."
Michael Stern

"A South Louisiana tradition: shrimp Remoulade. There's a lot of good sauce there ... and a lot of shrimp, too."
Michael Stern

"A close view of peach bread pudding shows its sweet striations."
Michael Stern

"This view from the side of Middendorf's shows I-55, which is elevated through the bayous north of I-10."
Michael Stern