By Rick Clapp
The legendary “Kings of Crawfish” Alan Franks and Paul Latour have created another exciting Louisiana Cajun watering hole and eatery.
The original Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack, which opened in 2010, is located near the Kemah Boardwalk. It has enjoyed steady growth and developed a good reputation as a highly respected restaurant with great drinks and fresh, quality seafood at a fair price.
The new Crazy Alan’s Swamp ‘Chique’ Shack is located near Baybrook Mall on Bay Area Boulevard. This new Cajun mecca features a fun and festive environment. As you walk into the Swamp Shack you will feel like you are entering a unique New Orleans restaurant. The atmosphere is very eclectic, well decorated and has a nice relaxed ambience.
The alligator bar, located at the center of the restaurant, is a great viewing area. It is fully stocked and loaded with call liquor, high quality spirits and a variety of cold beer and wine.
A most unique section is the restaurant’s Kids Zone. This area provides a place for children to play video games and state of the art computer games. In the meantime, parents can partake of a little adult time and relax while they enjoy their food and beverage.
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack was the creation of the indefatigable Alan Frank and Paul Latour. These two have different styles and have successfully created a winning restaurant concept. Both self-made men have worked hard. Franks started in 1982 as a barback at Cotton Eye Joe’s, a bartender at Jason’s, and eventually became owner of the renowned entertainment center Seabrook Beach Club.
The original Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack, created by the dynamic duo, opened in 2010 in Kemah. The partnership works well. Franks handles daily operations, marketing, promotions while Latour handles the construction, interior design and decoration of the restaurant. Alan Franks attributes his success to extremely hard work, attention to detail, good employees and customer relations. He commends his long time staff — Laurie Holzle, Bob Deering, Christine Jorgensen & Toni Moreno welcoming their new managers Adrew Jones in Kemah along with Baybrook General Manager Otasch Kadirov and Assistant Manager Mike Sauceda.
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack keeps guests very comfortable if there is a wait.
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Chique Shack’s menu is the same as the Kemah location, with great food and beverages totally consistent at both locations. The seafood is as fresh as possible, and the quality and customer service always comes first. Their offerings are vast and there is something for the seafood aficionado and the ‘land lubber.’ Alan’s is best known for its tasty crawfish during season, but there’s much more to this quality restaurant.
The most perfect savory dish to share among friends is the Boiled Seafood Feast, which includes generous portions of shrimp, blue crab, cluster snow crab, cluster dungeness, king crab, crawfish and lobster tail.
The Homemade Louisiana Gumbo is covered with a rich dark roux and secret spices that will tantalize your taste buds. The Creole Cajun Etouffee is a mouthwatering, unique blend of Cajun and Creole spices served with French bread. The Crab Corn Bisque is creamy and delicious with all the best flavors of the bay, and don’t forget to try the delectable Blackened Fish Tacos.
Finish your dining experience with one of their decadent desserts. Enjoy Crazy Alan’s Strawberry Cake or the Crown Royale Bread Pudding.
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack has rooms for meetings, events and special occasions. As the illustrious Cajun chef Justin Wilson once said, “I ‘GUAR-an-tee’ you will like the new Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack.”
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack – Baybrook is located at 1330 W. Bay Area Blvd. Friendswood, TX 77546.
Visit the original Kemah location at 310 Texas Ave, Kemah, TX 77565 or visit them online at crazyalanswampshack.com.
And if you’re on the East side of Houston be sure to visit Alan and Paul’s third restaurant, The Blue Bayou Cafe, run by managing partner Guillermo Miranda. You’ll find the same great Louisiana and Texan cuisine on the menu! Visit them at 12008 I-10 E. Fwy., Houston, TX 77029 or online at bluebayoucafe.com.
The wild success of Alan and Paul’s original Kemah restaurant has allowed them to open a second location.
By Rick Clapp
