The Boiling Point – Sulphur LA

On our way out to NOLA recently, we were invited to lunch with some friends who live in Sulphur. They took us to a little dive that’s off the beaten path that’s a local favorite for seafood, especially crawfish.

The Boiling Point offers a lunch buffet, so the women went in that direction. My partner decided to try the shrimp po-boy with onion rings, while the last guy in the party didn’t even look at the menu before ordering a 3 pound tray of boiled crawfish with potatoes and corn.

The buffet held a small salad selection, but made up for it with dirty rice, gumbo, crawfish etouffe, and fried catfish. The daily selection will differ according to season, but as long as there is catfish, I’m in heaven.

The onion rings and po-boy were definitely tasty, though the meat was a little thin on the bun. The onion rings had a light and crispy batter with a nice crunch.

 

 

What can I say about the crawfish? There were a lot of those spicy little red bodies on that tray! Everyone shared a few, and for a little while there were only the crunching sounds of breaking carapaces and the slurping noises of traditional crawfish consumption. We were delighted with the way the mudbugs turned out and are reassured that they are consistent in their flavor and spiciness all season.

The menu also offers a variety of seafood dishes beyond the boiled crawfish, catfish,  hamburgers, steak, and a kids’ menu that’s full of comfort food. Baked potatoes have their own section on the menu and may be stuffed with several different meats including shrimp and chicken. Even the appetizers and salads are seafood-centric.

Drinks are the usual range of sodas, tea and coffee. Beer is available by the bottle, pulled glass, or pitcher, though the selection is a bit limited.

On the 1-5 scale, The Boiling Point gets:
Cleanliness – 3
Service – 3
Quality of food – 4.5
Flavor – 5
Pricing – 4
Overall experience – 3.9

The Boiling Point
1730 Beglis Parkway
Sulphur, LA 70663
(337) 625-9282

— Ann Cathey

Benno’s on the Beach – Galveston, Texas

You can say what you like about the only REAL Cajun seafood is in Louisiana, but Benno’s is good enough to put that to the lie.

Benno’s on the Beach is an underground landmark for the Galveston Island. It has managed to survive many years and many hurricanes to bring some of the island’s best comfort-seafood to your table. It surprised us and we hope it will surprise you, too. Check out their full menu, including shrimp, oysters, crawfish, catfish, snapper, flounder, and daily catch specials.

Cajun Platter

We have been lucky enough to visit Benno’s a couple of times now. Christopher has already established a favorite plate there: The Cajun Platter. It features country fried oysters, grilled and Cajun spiced shrimp and tilapia, red potatoes, coleslaw, and several inches of baguette.

 

Fried Crawfish

I keep trying different things, and this trip it was the fried crawfish. I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as volume, but I was pleasantly surprised by the mound that was delivered to my table. Not only where there a ton of tails (lightly breaded and spiced), there were unsalted French fries, jalapeno hushpuppies and coleslaw.

 

Dining and Writing Cohorts

Shrimp Alfredo

One of our cohorts went for the shrimp Alfredo. The first taste told you the dish started with half a stick of butter and some heavy cream. It was thick and rich with al dente pasta and sweet shrimp.

 

 

Seafood Gumbo

The other of our dining partners ordered the gumbo and boudin. The gumbo was described as having “tons of flavor without the hot”, and it was agreed by the gumbo eaters at the table that it was nearly as good as gumbos sampled in New Orleans. Likewise, the boudin was mild and flavorful on the front and spicy on the back end, as a good boudin should be.

 

Boudan

The coleslaw that I’ve mentioned is surprisingly good. It has definite crunch, with the cabbage and carrot being shredded rather than diced to give it a nice mouth feel. The slaw sauce is mild and light, with a sweet hint of melon! it is an excellent foil to the spicier dishes.

Jalapeno hushpuppies, you ask? Why yes, that’s what they serve. These are traditional Southern style hushpuppies of cornmeal and onion, with a dash of Cajun seasoning and seeded jalapeno. They are not hot at all, and are great with all the seafood combinations available at Benno’s.

Just in case you need an extra dash or flavor or heat, Benno’s supplies Worcester sauce, Cajun Chef and Tabasco hot sauces, salt, pepper and ketchup at the table. Rolls of paper towels make up for napkins, and with some items on the menu, you will need more than one during your meal.

Seating is indoor and outdoor, right on the seawall, and every seat lets you see the surf on the Gulf of Mexico.

The Aftermath

On the 1-5 scale, Benno’s on the Beach gets:
Cleanliness – 4
Service – 4
Quality of food – 5
Flavor – 5
Pricing – 4
Overall experience – 4.5

Benno’s on the Beach
1200 Seawall Blvd.
Galveston Island, Texas 77550

— Ann Cathey

Burger Boy on East Davis – Conroe, Tx

The parking lot sports numerous work trucks in the early morning and at lunch time at Burger Boy. This is a sign in any urban area of plentiful good food at reasonable prices. Add to this the number of local police who pull in for a burger or a shake during the day and you have a pretty accurate indicator that no matter what the place may look like, the food is great.

My traveling partner and I have been fortunate enough to try this no-frills, fast-food outpost several times.

Eating in their small dining room is an adventure, though we have yet to try going through their drive-thru window.

Their menu is pretty eclectic, with not only burgers and fries, but items like gyros, seafood baskets (catfish, shrimp, clams, stuffed crab), BLT’s, and club sandwiches. They also have a lot of daily specials and new menu items posted on hand-lettered signs in the windows.

Some of our favorites so far stand out. Chili Pie Start with a deep layer of Fritoes, then smother them in a meaty chili, a heavy sprinkle of cheddar, and, at your request, a spot of diced onion. The gang at Burger Boy build an outstanding chili pie that hits the spot in summer and warms you to your toes in winter. I am picky about my chili pie, and these folks please me to no end consistently when I visit. Burgers As you can see, the burgers are stuffed with meat, cheese and veggies. You are welcome to order a single, a double, or if you ask nicely and are willing to pay the extra, a triple. The buns are soft and butter grilled giving them extra flavor and texture. The veggies are always fresh and plentiful, as are the pickles if you ask.

Fried Catfish The catfish is available in a basket with fries, a small salad, and a grilled bread, or in a sandwich with whatever veggies you desire. The fish is always tasty with breading that is neither too thick or overpoweringly spiced. Either serving is a good-sized meal.

Fries French-fried potatoes only come in one size and flavor, but they are always cooked to a turn, and crispy when fresh. Thick cut, the skin is tender as it cools, while the interior of each fry is soft and sqishy – just like a fry aught to be.

Shakes Always thick and creamy, the shakes and malts here are lovely. They offer vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry consistently.

If you chance to travel through Conroe, keep your eyes open for this hole-in-the-wall establishment on East Davis, across the street from Fiesta. It’s about a mile off I-45 facing the eastbound side of Davis.

— Ann Cathey