Adams Catfish House
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.
Why It's Essential
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.
Why It'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.
Most Interesting Dishes
Flowering onion<br /> Fried pickles<br /> Onion rings<br /> Fried catfish salad<br /> Fried catfish, fillets or whole<br /> Grilled catfish<br /> Grilled chicken<br /> Catfish poor boy<br /> Grilled chicken poor boy<br /> Hamburger
Deficiencies
More menu possibilities would be welcome. Not even one dessert?
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.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Local Color
1
Value