Midtown Lunch

Driving past Dex and Syd’s a few months ago, I noticed the ‘fresh boiled crawfish’ sign and stored it in my mental Rolodex. This week, while looking for a more interactive meal, I brought a bunch of friends over for a communal seafood experience. Dex and Syd’s is largely a take out sandwich shop, with a menu of cheesesteaks and burgers. The more unique offerings though, are the seafood platters and boiled seafood by the pound.

With our bibs on, we were ready for the crawfish. We ordered a pound of mild and a pound of spicy ($12 a pound). Both come with corn, potatoes, sausages, and the bright red mudbugs. It was fun tearing the clawed bodies apart and we enjoyed our bits of crawfish meat. But really, this is more about the messy, experience than a substantial plate you’ll crave a week later.  Dex and Syd’s is BYO and this goes great with some beer. A pound of plump, nicely cooked shrimp was slightly more meaty, but I didn’t love that they leave the vein in.

Knowing that crawfish are not meaty creatures, we also ordered some fried plates to fill us up. Dex and Syd’s “special” wings- (6 for $5.25) were meaty and fried with a nice batter, though I did miss sauce. I would try the standard (less special?) buffalo wings next time.  A clam strip platter (not pictured) came with tasty little fried clam bits and very decent french fries.

If I weren’t in the communal meal mood, I would probably go for the “Steak Bomb” a cheesesteak topped with popcorn shrimp. Actually, that sounds insane and I should probably go back there to try it out.  Unless someone wants to report back for me?

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Its fun to tear your food open

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Divey atmosphere
• Not a lot of meat in crawfish

Dex and Syd’s,  525 Washington Avenue, (267) 858-4497