GET FAMILIAR WITH CRAWFISH BOIL HISTORY AND ETIQUETTE BEFORE ENJOYING THE BIG EASY’S GREATEST SPRINGTIME TRADITION AT URBAN SOUTH BREWERY
At the first sign of springtime, visitors can smell the zingy aromas of a Louisiana crawfish boil throughout the streets of New Orleans. Many locals host boils for close family and friends, but one brewery supplies the public with crawfish boils weekly. Located in the Garden District, Urban South has become a go-to for the best crawfish boils in the city.
About Urban South Brewery
Urban South Brewery opened its doors to the public in 2016 and quickly became a local and regional favorite. Although most commonly known for its American Lager and Paradise Park, the brewery offers year-round and seasonal brews with new releases every Friday. The family-friendly taproom is open to the public seven days a week.
Weekly Crawfish Boils at Urban South Brewery
This year, Urban South Brewery is collaborating with Slap Ya Mama, a local cajun spice company, to provide the public with the best crawfish experience in the Crescent City. The brewery’s on-site food truck, Urban Smash, will prepare the crawfish with all the fixings, including corn, potatoes, and sausage. During the brewery’s happy hour, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy $5 pints of any core beer.
Urban South Crawfish Boils are hosted every week at the Tchopitoulas location until June 1 at the following times:
- Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Tradition of Crawfish Boils
It is understood that Native Americans, specifically the Houma Tribe, were the first to hunt for crawfish and include them in their cuisine. In the 1700s, when the Acadians, or Cajuns, arrived from Canada, they first began eating crawfish because they were easily accessible and cheap. It wasn’t long before Cajuns began incorporating lobster recipes from their Canadian roots, building the foundation for today’s flavorful crawfish boil traditions.
With peak season between February and June, the ritual soon became a springtime staple. Ironically, crawfish season aligns with the Catholic observance of Lent. On Fridays, during the holiday, practicing Catholics sacrifice meat and indulge in seafood instead. The divine coincidence of crawfish season turned the Catholic holiday into a backyard celebration for family and friends.
Crawfish Boil Etiquette
Before digging into the salty pile of crawfish scattered about, there are a few tips every attendee should know:
- Remove all hand or wrist jewelry before peeling
- Avoid wearing white clothing at all costs
- There is always room for more people to squeeze in at the table
- Attendees should never criticize the chef
- Each attendee is responsible for keeping their discarded shells out of the way
- Washing with lemon and baking soda will cleanse hands of all leftover spices
- Always assist with cleanup and peeling any leftover crawfish
Stay at Maison Dupuy
One of the best ways to experience crawfish season is by staying at a hotel in the middle of it all. Maison Dupuy is ideally situated in the heart of the French Quarter. Make a reservation at Maison Dupuy today.