Although I was born and raised in Louisiana I chose to move in 1981. One of the many things I miss about home is the food. Below are a list of restaurants around Dallas that I visit now and then when I get the craving for home cooking. This isn't mom's cooking, but it's pretty good.
Average complete dinner per person, including appetizer, entree and dessert:
$
Less than $10.00
$$
$10.00 - $25.00
$$$
$25.00 - $50.00
$$$$
More than $50.00
CAJUN
The Big Easy ($)
Small sandwich-shop sib of fishmonger's with an awesome muffuletta sandwich, large variety of po' boys, fried boudin balls, gumbo & daily seafood specials. Counter service.
Chisholm plaza, 1915 N. Central Expressway at Park (972) 424-5261. Sun-Thur 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-11.
Cajun Blues Cafe ($$)
Pleasing daytime atmosphere & entrees; nearly everything on the menu is good. Desserts fit for more upscale menu. Courteous staff; live music nightly.
3701 West Northwest Highway, Ste 173. (214) 350-3234. Mon-Thur 11-11, Fri 11-1am, Sat 4-1.
Copeland's ($$)
Dependable Creole & Cajun food keep customers coming. Picks include eggplant pirogue & blackened redfish. If you have room, band together & order mile-&-a-half-high ice cream pie.
5353 Belt Line, between Dallas Parkway & Preston. (972) 661-1883. Sun-Thur 11-11, Fri-Sat 11-mdnt.
Crescent City Cafe ($ to $$)
A little taste of Nawlins in Big D. Food is just enough; standout muffaletta, beignets, po' boys.
3115 Live Oak at Hall. (214) 827-9070. Mon 11-3, Tue-Fri 11-10, Sat noon-10, Sun noon-7.
Razzoo's Cajun Cafe ($ to $$)
New digs at original location but still swamp gaudy; menu strikes good Cajun-heat balance with dishes as diverse as catfish, 'gator tail & boudin sausage. Save room for peach 'n' pecan bread pudding.
13949 N. Central Expressway (N of LBJ, S of Spring Valley). (972) 235-3700. Mon-Thur 11-11, Fri-Sat 11-mdnt. 2nd location:3712 Towne Crossing, Mesquite. (972) 686-9100. Sun-Thur 11-11, Fri-Sat 11-2.
SEAFOOD
Cajun Catfish ($ to $$)
This locally owned spot on Lake Ray Hubbard serves good gumbo, oysters on the half-shell & whole fried catfish. Pecan fried pie atreat, too. Very nice.
I-30 E at FM 740,Rockwall. (972) 771-9898. Mon-Sat 5-10:30, Sun noon-10.
Catfish Cove ($ to $$)
Excellent catfish, fried or grilled, served up in down-home atmosphere. Other offerings incl shrimp, oysters, frog legs.
3839 Belt Line, Sunnyvale. (972) 226-7210. Tue-Thur 5-9, Fri-Sat 11:30-10, Sun 11:30-8.
Fishmonger's ($ to $$)
A long-standing favorite market-cafe often puts Cajun or Tex-Mex twist on seafood dishes. Boudin & gumbo great starters; winning entrees incl tuna fajitas & fried catfish.
1915 N Central Expressway (Chrisholm Plaza), Plano. (972) 423-3699. Mon-Thur 11-10, Fri-Sat 11-11, Sun 11-9.
Galveston Island Seafood ($$)
Convivial, laid back place where more challenging items, such as scallops & crab cakes, often outshine standards. Live jazz Sun 2-5.
9901 Royal. (214) 348-8844. Mon-Thur 11-10, Fri 11-11, Sat 11:30-10:30, Sun 11:30-9:30.
Hook, Line & Sinker ($)
Great, near greaseless fried fish, coleslaw, fried okra & seasonal seafood delights. Check out cool presentation of tasty whole catfish.
3103 Lemmon at McKinney. (214) 965-0707. Sun-Thur 11-10, Fri-Sat 11-11.
Joe's Seafood ($)
Super oyster bar serving all seafood essentials, incl gumbo & shrimp. Immaculate setting w plenty of seating indoors & outdoors.
4224 Ash (S of I-30 at Peak/Carroll exit). (214) 823-3681 or (214) 823-3682. Mon-Thur 11-mdnt.
Mainstream Fish House ($$)
Tricoastal seafood spot full of unexpected rewards, such as killer New Orleans bread pot shrimp & lightly glazed fish dishes.
Familiar dishes done well & w style at small, buoyant N Dallas spot. All dishes reflect impressive attention to detail, from flawless lobster bisque to pan-seared Atlantic salmon (house speciality) to house-made potato chips that accompany crab cakes w smoked red pepper sauce. Some nonseafood items, too. Great novelty desserts. Mainly Calif wine list.
Normadic chef Avner Samuel serves up trademark Asian-influenced seafood creations, incl perfect halibut on leek compote w sweet herb sauce & crab fingers w kaffir lime appetizer. Some dishes survived Yellow transition as well, incl colorful salads & several entrees. Well-chosen wine list. Professional service.
5290 Belt Line at Montfort. (972) 490-8686. Lunch Mon-Fri 11-2; dinner Mon-Sat 6-10.
Today's Seafood ($)
Good grilled shrimp & snow crab legs at modest, inexpensive counter - service spot. Tasty fried catfish and shish kebab, too.
1220 N. Town East Blvd, Ste 135, Mesquite. (972) 686-1666. Mon-Thur 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10, Sun noon-9.
Yoli's Seafood & Grill ($ to $$)
Bargain basement prices keep N Dallas seafood spot packed. Try crab Rangoon appetizer, shrimp scampi w linguine.
9220 Skillman at LBJ, Ste 124. (214) 341-3533. Mon-Thur 11-10, Fri 11-11, Sat noon-11, Sun 11:30-9.