Louisiana
Crawfish shortage is affecting restaurants and consumers in Northeast Louisiana
MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Crawfish is scarce this year, and it is hitting restaurants down to the consumer.
Experts said last summer’s drought and recent winter weather are to blame for the current crawfish shortage in Louisiana. Claw Daddy’s Crawfish and Oyster Bar in Monroe is one of the many restaurants in Northeast Louisiana taking a financial hit.
Cook, Luke Parrish, said around this same time last year, they were paying half of what they are now. He said the restaurant’s current sales are down by 71,000 dollars compared to last year. If there is any crawfish available in April, he said their sales will still be down by 725,000 dollars.
Not only is the shortage affecting restaurant sales, but Parrish said they had to lay some employees off.
“We trained 15 new staff members full-time for several weeks. So 18, 19, 20 thousand dollars in training then we had to lay them off. We went from having 71 employees to now 47 employees. The tips for the servers, we’re talking 19 thousand dollars in tips, up to 57 thousand dollars last year, so it’s taking money out of their pockets that they depend on,” said Parrish.
Parrish said if they do have any crawfish, prices will spike. He said to make up for the shortage, the restaurant is selling steaks. With how scarce crawfish are, Parrish said they will not be selling any until the supply improves.
“Let’s say we ask for 3 thousand pounds, which is about what we sell in a week, and usually they deliver 150 or 200 pounds. Well, we tried it twice. We sold at 407 one day, and we sold out at 411 the next day. So we just don’t do it. I don’t want people to drive all the way out here and be disappointed. If we can get a thousand or so pounds, and last an hour or two then we’ll do it. But for 10 minutes we’re just going to wait until it’s available,” said Parrish.
Parrish said hopefully there will be crawfish available in late February, and that there will be a better season next year. He said for the time being, oysters are a great alternative and this is the best season to get them.
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Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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