K-Gee's Oyster Bar
Backstory
Kathy and Grant Williams opened K Gee's in June 2011, after working in a well-known seafood restaurant on the South Shore. At the time, the BP oil spill was in full career, and oysters were hard to come by. To fill the gap (they were figuring that oysters would be the house specialty), the Williamses diversified the menu to include a good number of original dishes, most of which are pretty good.
Dining Room
A long space in a glass-fronted strip mall extends from the oyster bar to a more concentrated dining room, with a drinks bar in the center. Both K and Gee are there most of the time, and the rest of the staff seems like family.
Why It's Essential
Not many oyster bars can be found on the North Shore, and this one may be the best of them--even in these times when oysters often come from other than the traditional beds from which we've eaten well for decades. K Gee's is a seafood generalist beyond oysters, however. Everything within the Louisiana seafood spectrum is here--including boiled crawfish and shrimp in season.
Why It's Good
Fried seafood is impressive, performed with fresh product of excellent quality (nice little catfish, for example). Everything is fried on command and comes out crisp and greaseless. Also here are more and better broiled items than most casual seafood places do. The regular menu is to the point, but the daily specials extend the range deliciously.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em><br /> »Raw oysters<br /> »Char-broiled oysters (sometimes)<br /> »Boiled shrimp or crawfish in season<br /> Stuffed artichoke<br /> Fried crab balls<br /> »Shrimp remoulade<br /> »Tasso beignets<br /> Spinach and artichoke dip, thick fresh-cut potato chips<br /> »Chicken and andouille gumbo<br /> »Soup du jour<br /> “Naked” (marinated) oyster salad<br /> Big salad, fried or grilled chicken or shrimp<br /> »Shrimp remoulade salad<br /> <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em><br /> »Seafood platter<br /> »Shrimp platter, fried or broiled <br /> »Fried oyster platter<br /> »Fried or broiled catfish platter<br /> Stuffed crab platter<br /> Grilled redfish<br /> Hamburger steak with grilled onions <br /> Grilled chicken breast, artichoke cream sauce <br /> Baked catfish with crabmeat dressing <br /> Stuffed eggplant with shrimp and crabmeat <br /> Creole etouffee (shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage)<br /> <em><strong>Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> »Hamburger<br /> Roast beef<br /> »Hot sausage<br /> Grilled chicken<br /> Fried or grilled pork chop<br /> Fried or grilled shrimp<br /> »Fried oyster<br /> »Fried catfish<br /> Stuffed crab<br /> <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em><br /> »Bread pudding<br />
Deficiencies
I'd say they fry the seafood a little too hard, but it's not a major problem.
For Best Results
The three or four daily specials may be the best food here on any given day.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
1
Service
2
Value