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Middendorf’s is a longstanding seafood restaurant in Manchac, LA situated between the brackish lakes of Maurepas and Ponchartrain. It’s best known as the Home of the World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish®.” The same mouthwatering recipe has been used since Middendorf’s was established in 1934. The family friendly restaurant features seasonal outdoor waterfront dining; a sand play area for kids with a Fishing Wishing Well/Fountain and palm trees; an animal enclosure with chicken, ducks, geese, fish and more; Middendorf’s Express G model train which delights children of all ages; and a stunning, huge timeline chronicling the history of Middendorf’s and the surrounding area.
Landmark seafood joint specializing in thin-cut fried catfish boasts a deck with lakeside views.
Hours
| Thursday | 10:30 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 30160 US-51, Akers, LA 70421
Phone: (985) 386-6666
Website: http://middendorfsrestaurant.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Middendorf’s: Louisiana Famous Seafood Restaurant
Enjoy world-famous thin fried catfish at Middendorf’s Restaurant. Serving fresh seafood and family traditions in Slidell and Manchac since 1934.
Middendorf’s Manchac | Akers LA – Facebook
The original location of the iconic seafood restaurant known best for its thin fried catfish.
Middendorf’s (@middendorfsrestaurant) · Akers, LA – Instagram
3.5K+ followers · 2.6K+ posts · Iconic seafood restaurant known as the “Home of the World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish.” 2 locations: Manchac, LA and …
Reviews
Eddy Roger Parker
Alright y’all, Middendorf’s in Manchac has been sittin’ out there between Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain since 1934, fryin’ up catfish so thin you could read the Bible through it. Louis and Josie Middendorf started the joint, but let’s be real — Josie was the brains behind the batter. She figured out that if you slice catfish paper-thin and drop it in hot oil, it’ll come out crisp as a dollar bill and twice as satisfying.
Picture it: a little wooden shack by the bayou, breeze blowin’, fryers hissin’, and that fried-fish perfume floatin’ through the cypress trees like a love song. Back in the day, fishermen would pull their boats up right out back, track in a little mud, and still get served with a smile — long as they didn’t bad-mouth Josie’s fry oil. It wasn’t fancy, but it was honest, and that’s about the best compliment a Louisiana restaurant can get.
Now, hurricanes have thrown everything at this place — Katrina, Isaac, probably a few uninvited gators — and it still keeps right on fryin’. You can’t kill a good idea, especially one that smells like catfish and hushpuppies. These days, Middendorf’s still does it the old-fashioned way: first come, first served, no reservations, no nonsense. You stand in line, breathe deep, and let the grease do the talkin’.
They start you off with warm French bread, crusty on the outside and soft enough inside to make a grown man rethink his life choices. Then comes the shrimp and crab gumbo — dark, rich, and smoky, like it’s got secrets. And just when you think you can’t take another bite, here comes that German chocolate cake with coconut-pecan frosting that’ll make you forget your name and possibly your spouse.
But the real showstopper? That thin-fried catfish po-boy. Lord, have mercy. It’s the holy grail of fried food between bread — fish sliced thinner than a politician’s promise, fried to golden perfection, and served on a Leidenheimer loaf with just enough mayo to qualify as a condiment, not a crime. You take one bite and the whole world just… stops. The catfish melts, the bread holds strong, and for one beautiful moment, you forget your bills, your ex, and that cousin who still owes you gas money.
By the time you’re lickin’ your fingers and starin’ at that empty wrapper, you’ll swear you just had a religious experience. Folks at the next table will nod ‘cause they know — they’ve been baptized in the same fryer. And let me tell ya, that’s not gluttony, friend. That’s just good Southern judgment.
… morePicture it: a little wooden shack by the bayou, breeze blowin’, fryers hissin’, and that fried-fish perfume floatin’ through the cypress trees like a love song. Back in the day, fishermen would pull their boats up right out back, track in a little mud, and still get served with a smile — long as they didn’t bad-mouth Josie’s fry oil. It wasn’t fancy, but it was honest, and that’s about the best compliment a Louisiana restaurant can get.
Now, hurricanes have thrown everything at this place — Katrina, Isaac, probably a few uninvited gators — and it still keeps right on fryin’. You can’t kill a good idea, especially one that smells like catfish and hushpuppies. These days, Middendorf’s still does it the old-fashioned way: first come, first served, no reservations, no nonsense. You stand in line, breathe deep, and let the grease do the talkin’.
They start you off with warm French bread, crusty on the outside and soft enough inside to make a grown man rethink his life choices. Then comes the shrimp and crab gumbo — dark, rich, and smoky, like it’s got secrets. And just when you think you can’t take another bite, here comes that German chocolate cake with coconut-pecan frosting that’ll make you forget your name and possibly your spouse.
But the real showstopper? That thin-fried catfish po-boy. Lord, have mercy. It’s the holy grail of fried food between bread — fish sliced thinner than a politician’s promise, fried to golden perfection, and served on a Leidenheimer loaf with just enough mayo to qualify as a condiment, not a crime. You take one bite and the whole world just… stops. The catfish melts, the bread holds strong, and for one beautiful moment, you forget your bills, your ex, and that cousin who still owes you gas money.
By the time you’re lickin’ your fingers and starin’ at that empty wrapper, you’ll swear you just had a religious experience. Folks at the next table will nod ‘cause they know — they’ve been baptized in the same fryer. And let me tell ya, that’s not gluttony, friend. That’s just good Southern judgment.
Peggy Williford
We were seated quickly. After waiting a considerable amount of time, another server had to go “find” our server. Food came out quickly and portions were large. The fish and shrimp were very salty. The gumbo was not good at all. There were 5 of us in our party. None of us are likely to go back.
… moreRyan And Tiff
Fun little ma and pa place tucked off between the two lakes on the water. Thin fried catfish was good. Unique esthetic, fun staff, good food. Checkbit out.
… moreChris Plaisance
It took me 50 years of passing by listening to people talk about how good the food is,the fries were cold coleslaw and stuff crab was good biggest stuffed crab I’d ever had.. there famous catfish is like taking a dish towel battering it and on the edges where it folds over for the hem,,you can taste catfish the rest is the batter it may be famous but for a southern boy I like my catfish thick enough to taste it,also chewyest shrimp I ever had almost like a tough steak damn ,,,great price$30 for the meal and tea I even left a tip, it’s not the waitresses fault lol
… moreWilliam Weems
We arrived on October 1st, the beginning of October fest! German specialties all month! Stuffed flounder was on the menu, it was wonderful! We had the apple strudel for dessert.
… moreLeah LaRue
Stopped for a quick lunch and wasn’t disappointed. I haven’t eaten in Middendorf’s in about 10 years but it’s just as good as I remember.
I ordered the thin catfish plate which came with two hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. It took literally 5 minutes for my food to come out from the time I ordered!! And it was hot and fresh! The fish was crispy, thin and on point. Fries were hot and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Those hush puppies are where it’s at though…omg I could eat a plate of those! And the slaw was sweet with a dill pickle slice on top.
Friendly service, great atmosphere and delicious food…what more can you ask for!!
… moreI ordered the thin catfish plate which came with two hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. It took literally 5 minutes for my food to come out from the time I ordered!! And it was hot and fresh! The fish was crispy, thin and on point. Fries were hot and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Those hush puppies are where it’s at though…omg I could eat a plate of those! And the slaw was sweet with a dill pickle slice on top.
Friendly service, great atmosphere and delicious food…what more can you ask for!!
Theresa Lynn Amezcua
A nice seafood place for family dining. Reasonably priced; several dish selections; proportionate servings. Easy on/easy off access. Not overcrowded.
… moreDana Mordecai
Third visit to Middendorf’s (Manchac) last week. First visit was in 2017, second visit in 2018. All three times get 5 Star ratings! We love the thin fried catfish! The service is always fast, the food is always hot and tasty! I love the laidback atmosphere and view of the water! This time, it was just two of us, and we went mid-afternoon on a Friday (4’ish o’clock) and it was mostly empty. Audrey was our server – she was helpful and showed up right when needed without being overbearing. I hope our next visit isn’t as long of a time in between, but even if it is, I have no doubt Middendorf’s will be just as good then!
… moreJanet P
We went on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch. They were very busy but we were seated without a very long wait, just enough time to get drinks at the bar. I had Caramel Apple Martini, which was delicious!
We enjoyed our entrees, I had the the thin fried catfish and fried shrimp Platter. My companion had the stuffed flounder. The portions were large and we both had leftovers to take home. The service was good considering the number of people that were there.
… moreWe enjoyed our entrees, I had the the thin fried catfish and fried shrimp Platter. My companion had the stuffed flounder. The portions were large and we both had leftovers to take home. The service was good considering the number of people that were there.
Nathan Pierce
Excellent food, staff, venue, and location. Seafood, breading, and frying perfectly done with clean finish. Turtle soup savory and wonderful with small splash of sherry. Kids loved the frog legs, which were well prepared and came out great. Homemade ice cream was a great finish to the meal. During cool months, they even open up one side to the water for open dining.
Location is very easy to access with plenty of room if you’re towing something. There are plenty of fun areas around the restaurant to play at and explore. Very clean facilities.
… moreLocation is very easy to access with plenty of room if you’re towing something. There are plenty of fun areas around the restaurant to play at and explore. Very clean facilities.