Crawdaddy's N'awlins Café in Jensen: this rhyme may save your dime

Crawdaddy’s  N’awlins Café and Raw Bar

1949 NE Jensen Beach Blvd.

Jensen Beach, FL 34957

772-225-3444

http://crawdaddysrestaurant.org/

By Jane Feehan

Always in search of a slice of the Big Easy,

I sashayed into Crawdaddy’s N’awlins Café feelin’ a bit queasy.

Would this be the place my Florida search would end

for the shrimp po’boy with that unbeatable Crescent City blend?

Shrimp are dipped into spicy batter in that city,

then fried golden and set atop a long crusty roll so pretty.

Dressed, maybe pressed they come, with lettuce crisp and tomatoes sliced.

But not at Crawdaddy’s where their version would have to suffice.

Because there’s no deep fryer at this Jensen Beach place,

to cook up shrimp N’awlins style, they told us with a straight face.

So it was sliced chicken drenched in etoufee on a weird roll served -

rendering the name "po'boy" undeserved.

But all was not lost at Crawdaddy’s N’awlins Café

‘cause  they dished out a thick and tasty gumbo made their way.

My Florida quest continues for an authentic, delicious shrimp po’boy,

something even a New Orleanian could call the Real McCoy.

_______





Tags: Jensen Beach restaurants, Jensen Beach blues, Jensen Beach raw bar 

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House - Celeb history, fine food at Jensen Beach landmark

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House

1401 NE Indian River Drive (west side of Intracoastal)

Jensen Beach, Florida 34958

772-781-5136

Lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Open at 11:30 a.m.

www.dolphinbar.com

By Jane Feehan

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House maintains the same standards of excellence as its predecessor, Frances Langford’s Outrigger.  The décor, food, and panoramic view of the Intracoastal and causeways justify a drive or a day’s outing here.

Fresh, local seafood dominates the menu but they also feature prime rib and other specialties for meat lovers. One of their desserts, Florida Orange cake made with orange custard and white chocolate chips earns high marks for a signature Florida dessert – better than Key Lime pie.

Entertainer Frances Langford opened her Outrigger restaurant and resort in the early 1960s. Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope and other celebs visited the Polynesian-themed locale, often staying at one of the bungalows on the property (still there but not used for guests). The property fell into disrepair over the years until Fred Ayres bought and restored the restaurant to its former stature. Frances Langford, who died in 2005, was on hand when the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House opened in 2001.

Jensen Beach lies just north of Stuart. A sleepy, time-worn community, it’s located on an extremely wide expanse of the Intracoastal; one can barely see the east side of the waterway from the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House. There’s a nice breeze on the deck in the summer but I’m looking forward to a return visit when the weather turns cool (indoor and outdoor seating available). Touted as “casually elegant,” Dolphin posts a dress code: no tank tops or sleeveless shirts for men, no flip flops or bathing attire. Moderately priced

© 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tags: Frances Langford’s Outrigger, scenic outdoor dining, Fred Ayres, Florida, Jensen Beach, Stuart dining, seafood restaurants, South Florida restaurant reviews