re: Best fried fish in Ascension area?

Hymel's made the switch several years ago. It's not like it just happened. I stopped going 5+ years ago when I first found out they had switched.

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Hymel's made the switch several years ago. It's not like it just happened

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Tell that to Martini.

Sorry -- that's who that post was intended for.

And I've eaten at the bar on occasion as well. Used to know one of the bartenders there.

Kevin’s or Philay’s

So if instead of basa it were called Mekong Shitfish — since that’s essentially what it is (and not because of its poor quality) — you’d still eat it?

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I know James Hymel very well and the first I would say in the 40 years I’ve been going there I have never seen anyone eat at the bar. It is an old bar that is made for drinking and if you are eating at it it is the chips and peanuts behind it. I also know that he always (starting with his father) served Amite River catfish, which were the benchmark in this area as are Bayou Des Allemends,and not available on a sustainable basis so he, like a lot are buying American farm raised catfish. He buys Harvest Select out of Alabama both whole and fileted.

But you are missing what Hymels is more known for which is jumbo fried shrimp (which are bought locally) and of course the boiled crabs, which are all Louisiana and the best anywhere.

And he is an arse. If you are an arse.

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I know James as well and yes he IS an arse. He doesn't treat customers like his pops did that's for sure. I personally don't like him at all but I still go for what you stated. I lover the fried shrimp and occasionally get boiled crabs. Love the busy atmosphere on Friday and Sat nights. Drank beer at the bar many times as well and have actually eaten lunch at the bar before too.

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, I can tell the difference between them, especially if I'm eating wild caught catfish.

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Me too. I find basa superior in nearly every way to wild caught, greasy arse catfish. Texture, flavor, price. Come at me bro. Let the downvotes rain!

*there are some exceptions, such as fish I catch myself. I don’t keep big catfish. I don’t keep catfish out of the MS. And flatheads are superior to everything.

Admittedly, farm raised are better than wild commercially caught catfish to me in flavor. But I still prefer basa. And I prefer basa to swai.

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Admittedly, farm raised are better than wild commercially caught catfish to me in flavor

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I'm just the opposite.

And I happily support small family owned places vs chains. Don't play the small mom and pop angle and then try serving Asian fish to me.

I had some catfish at Dempsey’s recently and it was pretty good. A little different batter than you typically get but I enjoyed it.