I love old-timey places that have survived and thrived over the years, and certainly Casamento’s fits that description. The consummate oyster restaurant in New Orleans, it’s been open continuously since 1919. Except when they close every June, July, and August, much to the dismay of locals, who eagerly await it’s reopening every year.
With a menu long on locavore supplies and tradition, Casamento’s dishes out raw oysters ($11 a dozen in 2013), and fried seafood plates and “loafs”, or poboys sandwiches, using their own special bread, and eschewing local tradition of French bread for poboys.
While the joint had been the setting and backdrop for numerous movies and television shows over the years, it’s the inner workings, the kitchen, that make this restaurant shine. Try the gumbo, some of the area’s best, as are the soft shelled crabs. That’s what Burgerdogdaughter had the other day when we dropped in.
I went with a catfish poboy, as it’s nearly impossible to be able to afford catfish in Portland, OR, where I reside. Down these parts, it’s dirt cheap and delicious.
We split a dozen raw oysters to start.
Casamento’s should be on every tourist’s list of ‘must stops’ in the Big Easy. Be prepared to wait for a table, and it’s cash only. Menu.
Catfish Loaf
