In honor of Fat Tuesday last week which marks the end of the week-long celebration of Mardi Gras, I thought I would put together a list of some of my favorite restaurants and bars in Dallas seasonally serving fresh steamed crawfish. Anyone who knows me, knows I could eat seafood seven days a week, but not just any seafood. I have a particular fondness for Cajun-style crawfish.   In 2001, I was walking the streets of New Orleans around Bourbon Street, and my friends decided to get our palms read. In a past life I was a fisherman, according to the street palmist who was an ex-professor and PHD academic. This may have something to do with wanting to work with my hands for my food. After five years of living in Dallas proper and five years of living near Dallas (Denton), I feel I’ve eaten my share of mud bugs to have an educated opinion. This list is a mixed bag, yes there are some chain restaurants and bars listed as well as one which may not be considered a “cajun restaurant.” When crawfish are in season and a restaurant or bar offer them, I don’t care what they are listed under in the Yellowpages.

• Nate’s Seafood and Steakhouse - This place is known for their crawfish. Located north of Dallas in Addison, every weekend people of all cultures, colors, and creeds pack their doors and get on their waiting list for some of the most authentic mud bugs. You have to pay extra for the turbo spice, but it’s worth it with all the extra add-ons which come complementary (hush puppies and well-oiled crispy bread loaves). If anyone asks me where to get the best crawfish in town when in season, I tell him/her Nate’s. It’s a well-rounded place with something on the menu anyone can enjoy.
• Al’s Hideaway (**Edit: Location Closed**) - For a bar, this place has hands-down the best crawfish. They get major points mostly because every order does not only come with corn and potatoes, but comes with garlic cloves which really add to the experience. They have managed to cook the bugs in a way which doesn’t disintegrate the meat while spicing it just enough (Pappadeaux’s over-spices their crawfish to a point of awkward annoyance). Like Nate’s Al’s Hideaway is also located in Addison.
• Dodie’s- Excellent etouffee any time of the year, Dodie’s is a Dallas, Greenville Avenue fixture I read about for years on the Internet before giving it a try. After discovering their wide selection, friendly staff, and of course, excellent crawfish, I’ve been back many times since .
• Razzoo’s – This chain restaurant may have a Richardson address, but it’s classic and has all the fixins’ of a mom and pop restaurant. For years I would drive with friends to the Razzoo’s in Lewisville every other weekend while crawfish were in season when I lived in Denton.
• Hooter’s – Not necessary known for their seafood or crawfish, this wing-centric restaurant and bar may not have crawfish for very long, but Hooter’s does a great job of cooking clean, fresh mud bugs with little regard for cheesy alligator toys.

***2/25 Update: I won’t erase my error and act like it never happened. I apologize for steering anyone the wrong way with my Al’s Hideaway recommendation. They truly were one of the best, but the place is closed. I need some input with this. Shuck N’ Jive does not have crawfish currently. What other places are actually serving good crawfish besides Pappadeaux? I had them on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday and although I can recommend them for other cajun delicacies, I cannot for fresh crawfish. It could just be the season, but then it could be the way they were cooked. These other four are solid choices for crawfish in Dallas in 2010. ***