Carp--It's what's for dinner

[M R Dux]

Vicki and I both had birthdays last week. Our daughter and her family wanted to take us to one of their favorite eating places for a birthday celebration. As busy as our Grandkids are, it's not easy to get everybody scheduled in one place.

The restaurant is called the "Freight House". It's built in an old railroad building. I guess it's the place all the special people eat so I was a square peg in a round hole to start with. I had no idea if my Wrangler shorts and guide shirt would fit their dress code. I guess it did. We all sat down and I about had a heart attack when our waitress brought the menus. 6 deviled eggs---$12. I'm talking 6 1/2 eggs here, 3 whole eggs. Holy crap! No wonder Vicki and I had never been here before. Our grandson finished those eggs off in 6 bites!

I looked the menu over and felt guilty spending this much of our son-in-law'S $$. One dish caught my eye. KY Silver Carp--$21. There it was--my supper. My daughter and grandson had steak, I'm talking couldn't have been more than 4 ounces of meat, already sliced. Isn't that special. $46

When they brought my carp, I'll have to admit it was probably the prettiest supper dish I've ever had. It tasted as good as it looked. Vicki had an $18 hamburger. They cut their own fries so I guess it wasn't a bad deal.

The carp was great! The taste is very mild and the meat is snow white and very flaky. I've had it before and liked it then and now. I may try to get some for Crankfest. I may have to eat it all myself. I'm sure the KY guys won't let it go to waste.

It was a great time with family. I don't see myself being in a financial place where we will make the place a regular supper spot.

[crp4570]

With those prices I’d just have to drink coffee. Lol. Glad you had a good night.

[SpeckledSlab]

Nice of them to honor your birthdays with such a special dinner. And they introduced you to a fish for the dinner plate. It's surprising how people can take a "nuisance" species and make a tasty meal out of it. Off the coast of Florida we have Lionfish invading our coastal waters and chef's have turned it into a desired menu item.

[wicklundrh]

And Doug, I think you might have inadvertently just come up with the solution to our Asian Carp problem.

In places around the world, they are a delicacy yet we see them as a trash fish. If we sold them for 2 bucks a piece, no one would buy them.

HOWEVER: if we put a price tag of say, 150 bucks on a fillet, EVERY Hollywood idiot would flock to try this expensive food that only the elite can afford!!!!

Make them think we have something they can't have.

[Kevmc]

A couple years ago, wife and I traveled to New Orleans.
Had dinner at Emeril's , famous tv chef.
His special was pecan crusted drum.......
Was very good!

Sent from my SM-S727VL using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Crestliner08]

Pretty neat experience! Carp no less. I may have to give that a try. They are bottom feeder like catfish, so they can't be all that bad. I feel your pain with the high pricing/low quantity meals at some restaurants these days. Those that I visit I usually go for one time only! And I hope you both had a great birthday!

[Northforker]

Pretty neat experience! Carp no less. I may have to give that a try. They are bottom feeder like catfish, so they can't be all that bad. I feel your pain with the high pricing/low quantity meals at some restaurants these days. Those that I visit I usually go for one time only! And I hope you both had a great birthday!

Asian carp are not bottom feeders, they feed strictly on plankton, usually at or near the surface. They are eating the same thing that our bait fish(primarily shad) and game fish fry eat, hence the problem.

The bait fish are starving to death and disappearing, the game fish no longer have a steady supply of bait fish to eat, so they are getting really skinny, the game fish fry have little to eat, so the spawn success is dwindling.

In a nutshell, this invasive species has disrupted the food chain, they are multiplying and growing like weeds in a garden, and they are destroying all of the native species.

Please tell the people of MA that they taste good, we will send semi loads.

[trypman1]

Years ago, ocean Red fish were considered trash fish, they still are to me, but highly regarded down there. If they "silver carp would bite like a game fish, they would become a fun fish, but!!

[wannabe fisherman]

With those prices I’d just have to drink coffee. Lol. Glad you had a good night.

with those prices I couldn't even drink water, I'd choke on it

[FIN]

Wow that's an experience. Thanks for sharing