Crawdaddy’s

Back for round two

Tonight our experience was disappointing compared to our other visits. We went for a martini & appetizers. Upstairs we sat at the bar — apparently there was no «dedicated» bartender working. After a few minutes one of the wait staff came behind the bar and asked what we wanted. I asked for the martini menu — he looked around and could not find one — gave us the cocktail menu and said he would be back. Several minutes go by & we look it up online in the mean time. He comes back and continues to look around the bar and finds the martini menu handing to us. We tell him we found it online & gave him our order — with little confidence — clearly outside his comfort zone. He goes down to the other end of the bar & is clearly following a recipe. Brings us the drinks does not ask if we want food. Several minutes go by finally checks on us after he takes care of his tables. We tell him we want to order an appetizer he gives us menus & finally takes our order — drinks are half way gone.
The crab cakes were very good & the martinis were really good! Service was questionable. Not our servers fault he was trying his best to multi task.
The most bizarre thing — the radio station of choice upstairs was Christian & proceeded to provide a sermon while we tried to enjoy our cocktails. We had a good laugh!

First I want to say that tonight’s waiter «Alex» was super amazing! I think he was handling 5 tables. And still stayed on top of his game! Thank you Alex! OK, so on to everything else. Every Wednesday is live band night and it was so awesome. Except if you want to talk, cause u won’t hear anything! I ordered a salad along with the Jambalaya, and as recommended by another « Unilocaler» to get with rice instead of pasta. My salad was very small for house salad, so I was disappointed until they brought out my super huge entrée! Than I understand why the salads are so small.lol. My jambalaya was very delicious, and enticed me to come back and try the other items on the menu. The only thing that is stopping me is the prices on dinner menu… Ooooo… Do not come here on a budget!

This could be a four-​star type of place but there were just a few too many annoyances. First, the good points: all three of us really liked our entrées which were the ribs, blackened catfish, and jambalaya. Those were all good dishes. The sweet potato fries were also very good but the vegetable assortment was a bit blasé. This leaves the annoyances and there were several. To begin, it took a long time for our appetizer to reach our table. We ordered the escargot and it was prepared in the weirdest way I’ve ever had it. Each snail was in a mushroom cap and those were covered with a mess of onions. Then all of that was baked. There was also a near overpowering taste of oregano to it. I seriously doubt we would order that again. Following that, it took quite a while to receive our entrées. As I mentioned, we were all happy with those. The baked potato arrived baked. That’s it. It was not sliced, opened, and stuffed with butter as nearly everywhere else prepares them. I had to slice it myself and apply all condiments to it. I found this to be very annoying. Lastly, I thought the prices were a bit higher than warranted. Overall we were happy with our experience and we are likely to return if we have the opportunity and we would have no problem ordering those dishes.

Great Atmosphere got that Louisiana feeling in it and awesome owner and he is also in the Jazz band on Thursday
check it out
Also check out there art work that has a lot of symbols and meaning to it.

This place is downright awkward, basically a basement atmosphere. Went for lunch and the bartender had to tell us where to be seated because only half the restaurant was open and you walk directly into a counter. We walked past a brunch table with a few unappealing food items that had been clearly sitting for a while on the table that they eventually folded up and clanked through the dining room to put away. After all that we had to wait for our menus. When we finally got our food, my burger had no cheese and when some was brought to me it was (I’m assuming) Kraft singles out of the plastic wrap not even melted on, just cold slapped on top. The food was sub par not worth the price for sure, and servers were quiet and unfriendly. Had it not been for a gift card… we would’ve probably left. Don’t plan on going back.

I live about 50 miles from Visalia but if I ever find myself in the area or passing through town, and I’m hungry… I make a stop. Ramon and Dora are the keepers of many of the original Depot Restaurant recipes which they serve proudly at Crawdaddy’s. Keith Korsgarden is the key Crawdaddy and plays in the house band, «The Crawdads.» It’s a fun, lively restaurant that brings rock and roll and great food together. It’s a find in any city and certainly worth a drive to Visalia from Fresno/​Clovis. Make sure you try the appetizers, Calamari, Artichoke Hearts and Crab Cakes.

Expensive dinner prices for sub par food. My $ 18 shrimp gumbo tasted like something store bought.
What saved this review is the awesome waitstaff and our window seat view.

If I could I would give them negative stars. First off this place is way over priced for what you get. There are far better places down the street like Lunch Box and Sequoia Brewing company. Save your money for those places. Next I ordered 5 cheese macaroni with chicken and was brought chicken Alfredo. Then I waited while the rest of the table got their food for 15 min for my meal. When it was brought to me it was so hot it burned my mouth and I burned my hand on the plate. I was able to eat about three bites since I had to wait till it was cool off then the rest of my party was ready to go. So I took the rest to go. Worst Meal I Have Had In A Long Time. To top it off I didn’t get a discount for the screw up and had to pay $ 24 for the worst mac and cheese of my life. My Mac and cheese at home is much better with bacon and only costs $ 2. Please never eat here it is awful.

It fun to people watch here along with meet new people and hang out with friends! There house wine was yummy to me…

Came in excited, left confused.
Came here for lunch. You can order off the menu or partake in their lunch buffet of salad and pasta, or chili relleno or enchiladas. That’s where I was confused. Their theme conveyed a New Orlean’s vibe, but I was offered an enchiladas option. Hmmm.
Their menu seemed to be all over the place. Yes, there’s Étouffée (which was the only dish that offered crawfish), Gumbo, Po’Boys, and Jambalaya. But there’s also pasta, chicken wings, and burgers. Our server said «Our chili relleno and burgers are the best». Hmm not your «New Orleans» dishes? I ordered their Mac and Cheese. Yummy. But overall, the prices were a little much for what was being offered and the service provided.
Friendly service but slow. Everyone in my party said the food was average. The food cannot justify the prices, especially if its for lunch.

Came here for 4^th of July weekend and had an amazing experience here. After being treated unfairly by another place down the street (Brewbakers), Craw daddy’s happily accepted my family and I, and made accommodations for our large party. Everything we tried was delicious: the sampler platter, clam chowder, mac and cheese, seafood pasta, and the steak. They generously split our plates and they were not stingy with the alcohol in the mixed drinks. Our server was a sweet heart. We passed by again at night, and the night life there was great. Good music and good people.

…at least the waiter was good.
For the price the food was not worth it. Dinner for two for just under 100.00
The fresh fish was undercooked and the table next to us complained that their lobster was overcooked. The crabcakes were good. Probably won’t return.

Fantastic food & atmosphere
Went for dinner with a group.
Amazing upstairs seating with a huge bar.
Ordered the calamari, seviche and green mussels. Musseels and seviche.
Calamari was hands down the best i have ever had. This is pan fried and served with a lemon butter sauce which is out of this world.
I ordered the crawfish etoufffee. Fantastic and fresh.

Solid 5 Stars Upstairs!!! You can eat here for $ 15-​$ 45 per head depending on what you order.
I have never eaten downstairs. I have always eaten upstairs because we love the old «Depot Rest» food. We eat here 6 – 8 times a year. Ray & Dora are a great pair of true restaurateurs. They brought the best food in Visalia back after the Depot Restaurant turned into the Vintage Press #2. Ray & Dora will make you feel appreciated, give you great service and meet you every dining need.
You can choose your own meal from the menu or just tell them what you are feeling like and they can choose for you. They won’t miss…
The black pepper steak ala Giatana is pepper hot but probably the the best steak you will have for around $ 30 anywhere.
Thanks Troy for trusting them to keep the old Depot spirit live on the 2^nd floor of Crawdaddy’s.
People… Forget Mooney Blvd. Go downtown to eat!!!

My boyfriend and I had a great evening upstairs Wednesdat night
We sat at the bar for apetizers and drinks. Our bartender/​server Anthony was awesome and the whole evening was a lot of fun.
Food: Dinner Salad, Sautéed Mushrooms and Crab Cakes were all delicious.
Drinks: Basil Lemon Drop, Blueberry Long Island were amazing!
Ambiance: Romantic, fun, laid back.
Service: Fast, accurate and friendly.
An all around 5Star night! Thank you!

My husband and I were in Visalia for work and decided to try Crawdaddy’s and we were not disappointed. The service was awesome and the food was so fresh and very tasty! I had the Stuffed avocado salad and my husband had the stuffed bell pepper. Both were great! If you are in Visalia or live here you should try Crawdaddy’s. They have a downstairs area with a bar and an upstairs for a more intimate dinning experience. We came in for lunch and sat at the bar area which was fun! There seemed to be a lot of local customers that frequent the restaurant and the owner was walking around greeting people which was great to see! I will be back to visit soon!

Even though the name promises something akin to good ol’ Louisiana Cajun Food, it’s really just watered down gumbo and traditional pasta dishes with creole names that you can find pretty much anywhere. If you’re looking for a place to drink though, this definitely seemed like one of the most «happening» places in Visalia on a Saturday night.
Three friends and I shared 3 dishes and an appetizer:
— Breadsticks (complimentary, but must be requested): freezer/​toaster-​oven quality.
— Boudin balls = tasty, not plentiful though. Def leave you wanting more.
— Grilled AND fried calamari (yes, both): somehow tender and tasty with the cheese sauce. Not crazy about it though.
— blackened-​salmon: home run! This one was great and I don’t usually enjoy cooked salmon.
— seafood gumbo: tasty, but disappointing nonetheless. Not enough bang for your buck with the amount of seafood you’d expect for a $ 19+ dish and certainly not spicy enough.
The service was nice, but sometimes took too long.
The live music was cool, but go upstairs if you want to converse with the people you’re dinning with.

Brought my little cousin here for her birthday dinner, she just turned 21 and wanted a chance to use that I. D haha. I’ve been to this restaurant a few times ate at the 1^st level which was always cool can’t complain, customer service is always good and food decent but pricey, honestly I don’t think it’s worth what you pay. Overall the place is a good vibe and a good for a date or group function. Note; live music starts around 8ish.
Last night I ate on the 2^nd floor for the first time I really enjoyed it very nice ambiance/​décor and would be a great place for a date, there were candle lit tables, balcony to step outside on or eat during the day. I had the blackened cat fish, rice, fresh veggies with a side of Zin I’ll give them a 3 out of 5 stars A for effort, lacked flavor in the fish. Again service was great manager came and greeted us personally and let us know the specials, very cool hospitable even boxed our left overs for us. The prices for items were on the high side dinner was literally $ 20 – 30 a plate appetizers were $ 9 up, salad $ 11 up, as I said earlier they should come down a bit it’s nice but the food quality is not worth the pretty penny. Note: 10 of clock the club crowd comes plus a Dj. I stayed a bit had some drinks had a few dances it was cool, mixed crowd.

Heard good things about this place. Walked into a nice bar like setting and headed upstairs to the quieter, more dinner like décor.
Food did not disappoint. For the appetizers, I tried the ceviche under recommendation by the waiter, escargot and the calamari. Everything was excellent. Ceviche was made to perfection. Up to par with one of the best I’ve had. Chunks & chunks of avocado, tomatoes and fish.
Expect fine dining service speed… Meaning we sat for over an hr already and barely just got the appetizers.
The poached salmon, which was under recommendation, was alright. Nicely flavored. I also tried the chicken pesto fettuccine and shrimp pasta. Chicken pesto was standard. Tasted like it should but the shrimp pasta was too bland.
Overall, it was a nice surprise to find this place in Visalia. The appetizers were 2 thumbs up but the entrees were average. But I do see myself coming back to try more things on the menu.