Its was an "out of town" institution - it closed - it was bought by James Beard Award Winner Frank Brightsen - its back - how could we not take a road trip to the New Orleans suburb of Harahan to "check it out" -
About ten miles out - on Jefferson Highway - just pass the "second" Rite Aid - the parking lot was packed - it wasn't even yet noon -
Once in the door - you immediately know you've hit a local's favorite - every table is full - people waiting outside and standing along the inside wall - put our name on the list - got a paging saucer - it wa going to be about 20 minutes - just enough time for an ice cold Abita Amber ($2.25) - the joint is jump'in - the staff calmly taking orders - serving - bussing -
Half way through our beers - jolted by the buzzer - (efficient but crude) - our table is ready - choice of four tops - took the one in the front - no windows to speak of - but it felt right -
Charlie's Cesar Salad - hold the grilled chicken - add fried oysters - it is after-all a seafood restaurant - then toss in the crisp bacon - on a bed of romaine and baby spinach - w/ homemade croutons -
Shrimp Remoulade - recommended in an on-line review - lives up to its billing - large - firm - boiled shrimp on a large bed of shredded lettuce - covered in a rich - roumalade sauce - just the right bit of tartness - ice cold - smiles all around -
At the bottom of the menu - what Charlie's calls its UN-Fried Seafood Platter - Baked Oysters - listed as one of the items -
- Do the Baked Oysters come as an Appetizer
- I don;t think so - they're part of the dish
- Could you ask
- I'll be right back -
- He'll do them for you - its three to an order
- Perfect -
Shrimp Etouffee - large gulf shrimp around the outside - a large mound of correctly cooked Louisiana Popcorn Rice in the middle - both atop the dark Roux Sauce - only regret with the dish - should have asked to have it with Oysters - wonderful tastes - deconstruction waiting to be combined - you wanted to make sure every bit of sauce makes it to your mouth - yum -
As we ate - the table next to us ordered Pulled Pork Po-Boy as an appetizer - tempting - then ordered what looked like homemade onion rings - we had so much food - wanted to be mature - health conscious - adults - but with each bite consumed at the other table - temptation turned to "got to have" - we ordered -
- Yes - they were homemade -
- Yes - they were worth the breakdown in common sense portion control -
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