Off the Hook Makes a Big Splash in Thibodaux
By Melissa Holman
In recent months, drivers traveling on Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux may have noticed a very energetic, costumed man dancing on the side of the road, waving at those on their way to work or school. With a shock of orange hair peeking out from underneath a straw hat and a big smile on his face, the dancing man was hard to miss.
The sign the man, known as T-Boy, often held advertised a new restaurant in the area called Off The Hook. Billboards for the restaurant also popped up around the city and buzz spread on social media outlets about how great the food was and I knew I had to check it out. Forever on the hunt for the next great eatery, I quickly scooped up my phone and made plans to visit the place the next weekend.
One Friday evening, with an empty stomach and curiosity, I headed on over to the address indicated on the sign and found that the now-defunct Sunrise Fried Chicken had been renovated into Off The Hook, offering up crispy, fried goodness at a great price.
Open since August 2012, Off the Hook's menu is rather small but huge in flavor. Chicken wings, tenders, and catfish are the featured items, fried up golden brown in a number of different sizes and portions. Each of the ten selections on the menu are served with wedge cut fries, a generous helping of cole slaw, hushpuppies cooked to perfection, and a drink. Every selection also comes with T-Boy Sauce, a concoction making each of the items on the menu taste that much better. As of January 2013, Off The Hook also added fried shrimp and chicken and sausage gumbo to the menu.
The restaurant does provide drive-thru service for customers looking to pick up a quick meal, but going inside to eat is worth it. The interior walls are made of exposed wood and tin and the counter is constructed to look like the front of a Cajun wooden home and allows customers to sneak a peek at those cooking the food. With the restaurant consisting of only five tables, covered in swamp scene images, eating at Off the Hook is very homey. Much like walking into a Cajun home along the bayou, you know you're in for a good meal as soon as you step through the door.
What Cajun Daughters Love about Off The Hook: The hush puppies are perfection - crispy on the outside and doughy goodness on the inside.
Off The Hook
1801 Canal Boulevard
Thibodaux, LA 70301
Hours of Operation: 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily
To Go Orders: 985-493-3434