The Best Crawfish Restaurants in Houston: 10 Spots That Do Mudbugs Right
BY Jailyn Marcel // 03.26.16There’s no season quite like crawfish season, especially in Houston. We wait for months to get our hands on the seasoned mud bugs, which feature an array of signature seasonings and fixings. While the restaurants that offer crawfish are abundant, we’re highlighting our Top 10 go-tos for the season.
From citywide favorites to top recommendations, this list features Cajun-style, Vietnamese fusion and everything in between. Now all that’s left is to twist, peel and enjoy.
BB’S CAFE
6154 Westheimer Road, 713.339.2566; 2710 Montrose Blvd., 713.524.4499; 3139 Richmond Ave., 713.807.1300; 2701 White Oak Dr., 713.868.8000; 406 West Grand Parkway South, Katy, 281.665.7843
An H-Town favorite, BB’s cafe offers Cajun crawfish with a Texas twist. The Tex-Orleans mud bugs are smothered in the restaurant’s signature BB’s paste and can be paired with the obligatory corn and potatoes; or upgrade your pounds with boiled shrimp and a sausage link. The fact that BB’s has five locations is an added bonus.
BAYOU CITY SEAFOOD
4730 Richmond Ave., 713.621.6602
Get your Cajun crawfish fix at Bayou City Seafood. The Galleria-area eatery is a favorite among Houstonians, some of whom deem it “the best crawfish in town.” If you’re not in the mood for peeling, give the crawfish Po-Boy a try.
CAJUN KITCHEN
6938 S. Wilcrest Dr., 281.495.8881
Thai-style crawfish is at your fingertips at Cajun Kitchen. Nestled in a quaint shopping center in Asiatown, Cajun Kitchen offers crawfish covered in Thai basil and green onion, or opt for the Kitchen Special, which showcases crawfish flavored with oranges, lemons, garlic, onions and butter. The Vietnamese-style grilled oysters are also a treat.
THE CAJUN STOP
2130 Jefferson St., 713.222.8333
You don’t have to drive five hours for a taste of Louisiana. East Downtown’s The Cajun Stop offers a Louisiana-style boil even natives appreciate. Try the Krazie Bucket, the restaurant’s mound of crawfish, sausage, corn, potatoes, and snow crab. Did we mention there’s also New Orleans-style Po-Boys and take-out daquiris?
CRAWFISH AND NOODLES
11360 Bellaire Blvd., 281.988.8098
The name Crawfish and Noodles speaks for itself. The restaurant’s crawfish was recently featured on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods. The only dish that may have the eatery’s crawfish beat is its salt and pepper crab.
DOC’S MOTORWORKS
1303 Westheimer Road, 713.521.3627
Austin transport Doc’s Motorworks is embracing its new Houston roots with crawfish every Friday starting at 11 am. Crawfish, beer and Doc’s outdoor games are waiting, so head to the patio and get peeling.
EIGHT ROW FLINT
1039 Yale St., 832.767.4002
Eight Row Flint is ringing in its first crawfish season with a bang. The whiskey-centric icehouse, which is known for its tacos, is treating its customers to a crawfish boil every Tuesday from 4 to 10 pm.
J AND J SEAFOOD MARKET
3825 Wood Valley Dr., 713.661.6102
Serving the community for more than 30 years, J And J Seafood Market may be unassuming, but it’s offering some of the best crawfish in the city. Get the crawfish boiled and seasoned as you like, then take it home for your eating pleasure.
LOTUS SEAFOOD
8550 S. Braeswood Blvd., 713.270.7987; 2825 S. Kirkwood Road, 281.741.7091; 10092 Veterans Memorial Dr., 281.447.8881
With nearly 45,000 Instagram followers, Lotus Seafood’s (sea)food porn is reason enough to give its crawfish a taste. Pro tip: order the Cajun crawfish with a side of crawfish fried rice and Lotus’ famous crack sauce.
MOONTOWER INN
3004 Canal St., 832.969.1934
Five words: all-you-can-eat-crawfish. For $25, Moon Tower Inn gives you as many crawfish as you can eat in a hip, laid-back atmosphere. But don’t get there too late — The crawfish starts flowing at 2 pm, and once they’re gone the show’s over.
Don’t see your favorite crawfish spot on the list? Let us know your crawfish haven — comments, please.