Fish Fry Fiesta

Last weekend found the Tilapia Mafia at a particularly intriguing fish fry.  We hit up a predominately Hispanic church and were delighted to find some pretty authentic (not so typical) fish fry delights with a smattering of sides like fries and (randomly) easy mac.

Chili relleno, fried cheese quesadilla, fries, and easy mac

It also happens to be a racket.  This fish fry has got diversifying your purchase down to a science.  The line was endlessly long, wrapping around a gigantic gymnasium, and providing several different pit stops for your wallet.  First up the swag station.  Need a hat, headband, tee-shirt, bracelet with the parish logo on it?  Well you've come to the right place.

Next up the beer table!  Can or pitcher?  Oh I know, how about portable cans for the line and we'll switch to a pitcher once we've found a table.  Sold!

Tecate, Corona, and a pitcher of the hometown Bud Light

The third table found us shelling out more cash for chips and a homemade pico de gallo with a fair amount of serrano pepper thrown in for good measure (too hot...don't worry we always have more beer!).

Chips and salsa basket

As we rounded the corner of the gym we were entertained by dancers.  They were pretty impressive!  We saw various styles of dance that included Veracruz which is heavily inspired by Flamenco.  The girls danced with pretty agressive stomping while holding a candle atop their heads...and people...it was LIT! We also saw a few dances in the Jalisco style.  Typically it's a dance with men and women but this parish had a startling lack of male dancers so we settled for an impersonator.

Check out that sombrero!

The fish actually left a bit to be desired and the dessert spread was nearly non-existent.  But what it lacked in those two areas, it made up for in spades with gooey cheesy deep fried tortilla goodness and, of course, some serious entertainment.

The best part of the entire meal was hands down the home made chili rellenos.  They are in such high demand you are only allowed one per order.  The batter was delicate and crisp under the earthy red sauce.  And that...cheese...so ooey, gooey, and delicious...

Relleno heaven

Just when you thought you'd had your fill of food (almost an impossibility in my opinion) they cleverly sent little people around the room with large carts full of handmade tamales and cake.  The cake wasn't so appealing and I am sorry to say I never did catch the tamale cart.  I was too busy standing in for the maracas player when the Mariachi band strolled by our table!

That awesome bald dude in the middle let me play La Bamba!

It was, all in all, another successful fish fry...Fiesta style!