www.clawdaddysnyc.com
185 Orchard Street (between Houston and Stanton Sts.)
212-590-6816
31 3rd Avenue (corner of Atlantic and 3rd Aves., Brooklyn)
347-318-8893
Cajun Creole, Seafood. There’s a lot to like about this daddy. But I’m going to start with the host since his demeanor set the tone for the whole experience.
I’d inadvertently booked for another evening and he went out of the way to make a table happen a few short minutes later.
In the meantime, I sat at the bar drinking frosé which debuted in a plastic IVish bag. Ingenious since it kept the strawberry deliciousness cold the entire night.
The menu is team New Orleans so I began with gator bites. A first but it won’t be my last. The alligator is deep fried and served with an incredible house-made rémoulade sauce. Unlike countless off-the-grid meats that taste like chicken, this was not similar. In a class by itself, total compliment.
Next the OG – the crispy cracklin’ chicken. And crackle it did. The boneless buttermilk fried chicken thigh is tossed in their Cajun Cracklin’ Spice. Served with slaw, spicy ranch and squash pickles. But not overly spicy and the pickles are a very inspired side.
These apps gave me a sandwich craving, so it was on to the lobster roll. That’s six ounces of lobster meat, about the sweetest I’d ever had.
Hey, when in Nawlins, you gotta go po’boy. I was all in for the shrimp, the bread proudly sourced directly from New Orleans. These po’boys are generously sprinkled with pickles and simply outrageous.
Plus, each sandwich offers the prospect of Cajun fries. I said yes times two and was in double heaven. Perfectly fried, crunchy and amazingly flavored – the cherry on top of this Louisiana mouth party.
They call New Orleans The Big Easy. Which could not be more accurate. Cause there’s nothing easier than choosing Claw Daddy’s for your next meal.