Crawfish season is back! And while, yes, we love the regular ol' Cajun crawfish boil, we ALSO love these spectacular crawfish loaded dishes. From a seriously creamy crawfish bisque to deep-fried crawfish mac and cheese (yes, your heard that right), check out our top picks for mudbugs this season:
Crawfish Pho Where to get it: at LA Crawfish, multiple locations
Not only can you get an awesome bowl of pho the size of a kitchen sink, you can get an awesome bowl of pho the size of a kitchen sink loaded with crawfish and andouille sausage at this Asian-style mudbug joint. The lightly spiced blonde roux is just as refreshing and delicate as the crawfish tails laced throughout.
Fried Crawfish Mac and Cheese Balls Where to get it: St. John's Fire
This food truck certainly has no shortage of funky Cajun fare, but it's the crawdad-studded, creamy and gooey, golden brown mac and cheese balls -- crisp as all hell and served with a side of jalapeño remoulade for good measure -- that really have our hearts.
Crawfish Gumbo Where to get it: Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen, 1212 Waugh Dr. Houston
Mama Mandola's Creole-style, dark brown and deeply decadent seafood stew is topped with crispy fried crawfish tails AND crispy fried okra for that extra wow factor. Get it for $7 a cup or $10 a bowl.
The Fatass Crawfish Where to get it: Cajun Kitchen, 6938 Wilcrest
With 3 lbs of spiced, garlic-onion-and-citrus-studded crawfish, 1 cluster of snowcrab legs, 1/2 lb of prawns, and nibs of corn and potato, the Fatass platter at this Viet-Cajun Kitchen is the way to go. Pro tip: go full fatty and add a side of sausage.
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Spicy Garlic Butter Crawfish Where to get it: Crawfish & Noodles, 11360 Bellaire
Don't get us wrong:crawfish boils of any sort are generally delicious. But Viet-Cajun crawfish just may be better. Crawfish & Noodles take on the now classic dish has become a must hit during the season. Head here to get a pile of mudbugs that are absolutely dripping with hot and spicy, garlic-loaded butter...so much so that you may need another roll of paper towels.
Crawfish Etouffee Where to get it: BB's Cafe, multiple locations
BB's takes their crawfish seriously, only serving the mudbugs in season and when the size meets their standards. As luck has it, that season has begun. Head here for one of best crawfish boils in town or stop by to get crawfish tails absolutely smothered and drizzled in a no-joke spicy homemade red roux and chipotle remoulade.
Crawfish Po' Boy Where to get it: The Cajun Stop, 2130 Jefferson
Formerly known as Calliope's Po-Boy, this Creole hotspot serves up extraordinary comfort food with NOLA flair. Get a fully dressed po-boy stuffed with fried crawfish for $7.25 for a small. Warning: they may call it small, but with a 7-inch roll and plenty of fillings, it is anything but.
Crawfish Bread Where to get it: Beaucoup Bar & Grill, 3102 Old Spanish Trail
Imagine the best garlic bread you've ever eaten. Now imagine it 100 times better. That's what you have with this Cajun resto's golden, gooey, and bubbling crawfish and cheese loaded appetizer.
Crawfish-loaded Oysters Where to get them: Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen, 4611 Montrose
Can't decide between oysters and crawfish? You don't have to! Danton's Oysters Patsy come absolutely stacked with succulent crawfish tails and housemade tasso ham. The Baked Oysters Dan Jr. come on the half shell with garlic butter, crawfish tails and Parmesan-Reggiano. Look out for them during crawfish season.
Crawfish Enchiladas Where to get it: Arnaldo Richards' Pico's, 3601 Kirby
The Enchiladas de Acociles ($17) come fully loaded with sautéed crawfish and smothered in creamy chilpotle sauce AND melted Chihuahua cheese, plus a side of Mexican rice and sautéed spinach. Add some hot sauce and you have yourself a winner.
