We Southerners may have the most genteel manners in the country, but on certain topics, we can be downright stubborn. We have staunch notions about what barbecue should be, who makes the best cornbread, and around this time of year, where to find the best crawfish.
Generally, folks will tell you that crawfish season stretches from November to July, but depending on location and winter weather, true aficionados know that the magic window is much shorter than that. It’s safe to bet that you’ll enjoy the best crawfish from late February through May.
To scratch your crawfish itch without the work of boiling them at home, a few local spots never disappoint. City Grocery bartender John “Coonie” Spreafico prefers to head over to Water Valley, Mississippi, to enjoy the spoils at The Crawdad Hole on Main Street, open Thursday through Saturday. A local favorite, The Crawdad Hole also serves shrimp, crab legs, hot tamales, sweet corn, red potatoes, link sausage, and boiled Valencia peanuts on their family-friendly, screened-in patio or through their drive-thru. Patrons may order carryout at www.crawdadholetogo.com. They’ll even provide a metal crab cracker if your own kitchen lacks one (tsk tsk).
In Oxford proper, one would do well to visit The Library and Lamar Yard for ready-to-devour crawfish with all the fixin’s. The Library hosts a number of crawfish boils to benefit various fraternities, sororities, and other organizations, catered by the newest kid on the block, Major Cajun Crawfish Co, a truck that also slings mudbugs from the Chevron parking lot where West Oxford Loop meets Jackson Avenue. Open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, Major Cajun also sells gulf shrimp, crab legs, Cajun peanuts, and New Orleans boudin. To order a sack of live crawfish, call ahead by Tuesday at noon at (662) 816-1951.
Lamar Yard now features fresh crawfish on their menu every Saturday and Sunday to be enjoyed on their open-air, two-acre property between sipping beer, playing cornhole, or simply relaxing in Adirondack chairs and enjoying live music.
Off the Square, a number of spots also proffer those delectable crustaceans we all crave. A clear favorite among many locals is The Landshark Seafood and Daiquiri Barn, located at 1412 Jackson Avenue West. What was the smallest crawfish vendor in Oxford as recently as 2019 has now become the largest crawfish business in Mississippi, and their customers’ loyalty is obvious (that may or may not have to do with the availability of the drive-thru daiquiris). Founder Jared Foster credits that renown to his company’s emphasis on customer satisfaction. Order ahead and swing through their drive-thru Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm.
And let’s not forget the steadfast food trucks that cater to our Southern roots. Rebel Boilers, a trailer that sets up beside the Marathon gas station near the roundabout on South Lamar Blvd., is the favorite of Blind Pig bartender Chelsy Burchfield. “That’s the only place I ever go,” Burchfield says. Many Oxonians agree.
Southern Crawfish Company parks their trailer at the new Shell station near the West Oxford Loop roundabout, and they meticulously update their Facebook page with specials and tantalizing photos.
Whether your weekend plans involve watching March Madness or taking in Ole Miss America’s favorite pastime from the best outfield in baseball, we highly recommend you keep crawfish on the menu.
