Eating Frog Legs in New Orleans

Ad for the American Frog Canning Co, New Orleans, LA

I'm reading a book published in 1950 by the founder of the now-defunct American Frog Canning Company of New Orleans, LA.  A brief excerpt caught my eye:

"In New Orleans (the frog market of the world) delicious 'frog sandwiches' have made their appearance.  The whole frog is fried to a golden brown in rich butter.  Then the meat is picked off the bones.  The meat is then properly seasoned and spread on a bun or toasted bread.  This kind of sandwich usually sells for 50 cents..."

That's 50 cents in 1950.  I'm no economist, as Frau Schmitt will tell you, and she is usually right about these things, but I've seen a menu from Parkway Tavern from 1970 where a ham and cheese po'boy went for 50 cents.  Nowadays, at Parkway, a ham and cheese po'boy will set you back about 7 bucks.  A fried oyster po'boy goes for about 14 dollars, plus or minus.

As close as I can figure it, at today's rates, a "frog sandwich" as described above is worth about 38 dollars.  That's good eating.  It also explains why it's not on the menu.

Not that you can't get good frog legs in New Orleans.  You can.  They're not on every menu, but they are good Creole eating if you can find the right place.  Some of the wing shops also offer frog legs.  They are especially popular during tail gate parties around the Superdome when the Saints are playing.  

We recommend them at Herbsaint, on Magazine, when they are in season, which is most of the time.  

It is easier to find turtle soup in New Orleans than it is to find good frog legs.  Yes, they taste like chicken...the most succulent chicken you've ever sunk your teeth into.  Better than the fried chicken at Willie Mae's Scotch House, if you can believe that.  

I was standing in line looking at the menu board at the Popeye's Chicken on North Broad Street the other day.  While Popeye's was founded in Arabi, just downtown of the Lower 9th Ward, and they boast of their roots by saying that everything is cooked Louisiana Fast, which means slowly and with patience, there were no frog legs to order.  I opted for the Bonafide Chicken Combo.  I don't know why they make a big deal out of assuring us that the chicken is bonafide.  At these prices, it couldn't possibly be frog.

If you are interested in learning more about the frog leg market in New Orleans, you know where to stay.  We have an expert on the premises.

Another ad from the American Frog Canning Company, New Orleans, LA

A votre santé,
La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast.