Seafood served casually, delicious

Driving down St. Charles Street in Houma recently, my mind wandered back to the mid-1970s when Philo’s Service Station and Fishing Tackle first opened.

The gas station/bait store was similar to the country stores down the bayou. It sold ice, bait, beer, gas and other sundry items needed for that day on the water. Convenience was key; everything was in one location.

Philo’s, a Houma institution today, has added a new component: Cajun Critters.

When I first spotted Cajun Critters, I immediately questioned whether this part of Houma could support yet another casual seafood store. After all, Eastway Seafood, Bogwalk, 1921 and Ray’s Seafood are all in close proximity. West Houma offers so many options for good seafood.

But Cajun Critters seems to have nestled itself in the Houma seafood market rather nicely. Taking its cue from Hollywood’s “Field of Dreams” – “If you build it, they will come” – the restaurant is fishing for customers.

One note of caution, it’s easy to miss the place. Tucked behind Philo’s, Cajun Critters’ sign is the only glimpse of the place from the street. You won’t know it is there until you have passed it.

Drive to the back of the gas station and park in the shell lot next to the Renaissance tennis courts. Once you’re there, Cajun Critters is hard to miss.

The restaurant is small, rustic and simply decorated with 10 to 12 tables. A bar slices the room diagonally to the left. Outside, two to three patio tables allow diners to enjoy the last few days of spring.

Whether dining inside or out, the atmosphere is decidedly relaxed and casual.

Hot boiled seafood is the force that drives Cajun Critters. A small sign at the entrance clearly informs you what boiled options are available for the day, e.g., crabs, crawfish, shrimp, snow and or Dungeness crabs.

Of course, Cajun Critters also serves oysters on the half shell when they are in supply.

Side items for your boiled extravaganza include sausage ($2), corn ($1), cauliflower ($5.95), garlic ($2) and/or mushrooms ($2).

Cajun Critters touts its boiling prowess as the house specialty. They are correct and provide good, consistent boiled seafood. What I also enjoy is that, unlike some other seafood establishments, you can generally order the amount that you want. For example, if you only want one pound of crawfish, then so be it.

We have sampled some of the appetizers on our several trips, including the grilled, bacon-wrapped shrimp ($7.95 for six), grilled, bacon-wrapped oysters ($7.95 for six), fried calamari ($6.95), crab claws ($8.95), duck strips ($7.95) and onion rings ($5.95).

The fried calamari is lightly battered and quite good, as are the grilled, bacon-wrapped oysters and shrimp. Cajun Critters also serves seafood gumbo ($4.95 for a cup or $7.95 for a bowl).

The one area that does need improving is the service. The staff is friendly enough, but we had to remember our order on several occasions because we had to re-order it after the waiter forgot. But in a relaxed atmosphere like Cajun Critters, one’s worries are quickly forgotten.

Bottom line, if you’re hunting for a very relaxed place that serves good classic Cajun seafood, Cajun Critters fits the bill. I anticipate it will be a regular stop for many well into the future.