Smitty's Taste of the Bayou

The food was great! Me and my bro went today! Had the catfish plate with collard greens and Mac n cheese! It was delicious!!!

QUICKIE REVIEWWell seasoned catfish can be had here. It just hits different.FOODThis is what I tried:Catfish Po boyA taste of New Orleans in San Diego. This was my first introduction to a po boy and I have to say I was impressed. The season on that catfish was everything. Would definitely recommend. PARKINGNope, street parking.SERVICEOrder at counter, pick up at counter.PRICEAround $20TIP/OTHER THOUGHTSWhen I came, this was a one man show and a big family order was put in front of me. This backed things up for about 30 minutes. People were waiting in line just for him to take our order as he was cooking. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.

It's my second time coming and food has been consistently finger licking good! Loved the bbq ribs with the sauce on the side. The Mac n cheese and collard greens were yummy! Just a little bit less salt for my collard greens but other then that everything was scrumptious! The cook personally came to our table to see how the food was and I've never experienced such amazing customer service! We came on a Friday night and though it was busy they really know how to make customers feel seen. I would highly recommend this location! Love supporting local businesses. Come through!

I decided to try Smitty's Taste of the Bayou one night while in the area after finding the National City Market on 8th. The market was very nice, clean and had a bunch of options for food and entertainment. I ordered the Seafood Basket (catfish, shrimp and fries) and a side of collard greens. The food was great. The fish and shrimp was seasoned and the man at the counter, I believe he may have been the owner made sure to check in to see if the greens were served hot. He was very friendly and funny. I would visit Smitty's again when I'm in the area to try some of their BBQ and dirty rice.

I tried the most AMAZING shrimp po'boy sandwich here and it was DELICIOUS!!!! High quality ingredients with so much flavor! Savory authentic food! I'm definitely coming back, plus the food hall is a nice spot to chill and eat

I have been craving ribs for the past month and let me tell you this spot is the place. Those 3 ribs are soft, falling off the bones and delicious!! The po-boy is a 12" long bread worth the price and can we talk about the sea food platter..this place put their foot in it!!! Loooooovvveee it!! I'm not a rib person because most of the times I get those hard ribs but today I found my spot. Definitely come out and give them a try if you are craving ribs, po boy or just a little something from the south! Worth the trip!

First things first. Located inside the National City Public Market. You have to walk inside the market to get to Smitty's. Orders are not taken on the phone. Order directly through their website link. If you are new to soul food or Louisiana rib style, then this eaterie would be good. If you are familiar with at least 5 styles barbecue and da real deal soul food, then the food and money value are not aligned. Actually, my one time may likely be unreturned. I was in a party of two but I should have just ordered one plate with two sides to give the food a taste test. Fifty bucks later, I'm a disappointed eater. I ordered pick up. It is apparent that all the food is pre-cooked and perhaps they have not mastered how to keep its freshness through the heat up process prior to serving.I was 6 minutes away. Hungry like a roaring lion on the African terrain. The inside of the ribs were cold. The other dishes were lukewarm. Although the ribs were tender and flavorful.The mac&cheese was mushy. A sharper cheese is recommended to blend. Or better yet a bechamel sauce and seasoning. Yet, I liked the texture of the pasta.You know how when beans get to the bottom of the pot and get mushy? Yep, that's what I was served. Mushy and dryish. But I can see where they were going and it would have worked out perhaps maybe just not on this visit.And the corn bread was so dry that it crumbled to smithereens.Now, greens are the easiest vegetable to make tasty, but an easy vegetable to make bland. These were on the bland side.I must be clear the meal was not Louisianian style. Being from Louisiana and cooking like a Louisianian are different. I'm just sayin'.Louisiana is known for flavor. And a ten on two. I know intimately what is expected from a Louisianian culinarian. Today was not that day.I want to support. And I will. But not fiscally. I'll get the word out but remember you're on your own. Since there's other eateries in the public market you may have a better cuisine choice.Service was with a smile and friendly.

BBQ chicken that I got was pre cooked and doused in sweet bbq sauce. I'm not sure why this place got high reviews but I cannot recommend the food here until they step up their quality. Collard greens was okay though.Quality of food: 2/5Price: 3/5

My boyfriend had the sandwich and both of us loved it. Of course I had to get a bite in. It was delicious the catfish with the sauce was paired so well. The chicken I had tasted so great and went very well with the Mac and cheese and fries. I especially loved the Mac and cheese. Taste like it was made right at home.

Visited the Public Market today and having tried a few other spots in the past, tried Smitty's. The catfish po'boy was damn tasty! Made to order, got in temp, batter wasn't overwhelming, great spice and flavor, all in all a great sandwich! The Cajun fries were tasty as well. And a good portion for the money. Only reason they got 4 out 5 stars is because their card reader wasn't working, and I just happened to have cash on me today, otherwise I would have been forced to take my business elsewhere. This delicious sandwich paired well with cold beers served from the little beer bar inside. Great ambiance and chill spot!