Drago’s, Metairie, LA Report #250

This place is great.  They’re famous in New Orleans as the originators of Charbroiled Oysters.  Oysters on the half shell, grilled over an open flame, while slathered with an herbed garlic butter.  As they grill, the melted butter drips down into the fire causing huge flare ups, which gives them a nice smoky flavor. There’s a station in between the dining rooms where they grill the oysters, and also shuck them to serve fresh on the half shell.

Due to a very high Mississippi River, the Bonnet Carre spillway had to be opened twice (https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_f4d09914-ac8b-11e9-a00b-5bcc594363a3.html).  It was necessary to keep New Orleans from flooding, but all of that fresh water being diverted into the saltwater marshes surrounding the city was a disaster for the seafood industry.  Especially oysters.  They can’t run away.  And underwater, no one can hear you scream as you DIE!  A lot of restaurants aren’t even serving them now as the industry tries to rebound.

But Drago’s has them!  We decided on:

And the food:

We got a half dozen of the Charbroiled Oysters.  They’re served with French bread to sop up that delicious melted butter.  I’ve never been a fan of raw oysters, but I could eat dozens of these!  They’re utterly delicious.  You’ll be licking the shells.

A lot of the dinners are served with corn “maque choux”.  It’s like a seasoned corn stew, with a light, tomatoey flavor.  Very good side dish!

The Boudin Stuffed Shrimp was essentially a bed of boudin (rice and pork sausage, out of the skin) in a yummy sauce with some huge grilled shrimp on top.  One thing to remember is that I’m a pig.  That being said, to me, this should be an appetizer.  If I ordered it as an entrée I’d leave hungry, but a normal person probably wouldn’t.  It’s very good.

The Seafood Pasta was loaded with parmesan cheese and fantastic.

Finally, I loved the Drago’s Mixed Grill.  A half lobster, petite filet and blackened shrimp. I especially enjoyed the steak.  I’m not sure what they seasoned it with but it wasn’t just salt and pepper.  In fact, everything we had was seasoned unbelievably well.

Oh, also, I’ve got to apologize for my menu pics.  I hate laminated menus where no matter how you hold them you get a glare that obscures some menu items.

I was going to try their crème brulee for dessert, but a friend told me about a fantastic frozen yogurt place just a few blocks away, called Todd’s, so we headed there for dessert.  Report to follow!

Great place.  I highly recommend it!

3232 N. Arnoult Rd., Metairie, LA  70002  Ph: 504-888-9254

Blaine 11-22-2019

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT:

Had some very special guest come in from out of state craving good seafood, so we came into Drago’s! We ordered charbroiled oysters (of course), a Crawfish Meatball, three salads and bread pudding.

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The chargrilled oysters were fantastic as always. Nice plump oysters too. One of my guest tonight happened to be from England and he had never heard of them He loved them. He was also the one who had the seafood pasta. He cleaned the plate.

I’m eating healthy for Lent so I couldn’t try the Crawfish Meatball, but I was told it was ok. Nothing to get excited about.

The first salad pictured is the Crabmeat Mediterranean Salad. You can see it has an insane amount of crabmeat on top! They were also generous with the grilled shrimp on that salad. Both of my dining partners were crazy about them

Again, I am eating healthy Mon-Sat through Lent. That is the ONLY way in hell I’d come in here and order a salad! I had the tuna salad. It was delicious! And that dressing was so good I don’t know how “healthy” it was, but I ordered a salad. So I’m telling myself it was healthy.

I also couldn’t try the bread pudding. The Englishman tried it and said it was delicious. But after watching him eat I’m starting to wonder if he won’t eat anything that doesn’t eat him first.

Excellent dinner tonight.

3232 N. Arnoult Rd., Metairie, LA  70002  Ph: 504-888-9254

Blaine 2-22-2021

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