Which Fried Platters Does Pappadeaux Offer?

I ordered the fried platters at Pappadeaux because I wanted to get a bit of everything in one go. After trying a few single fried items earlier, I figured the platters would offer a full picture of what their fry station could really do. What stood out right away was how generously portioned each plate was. These aren’t small combo meals — they’re full plates designed either for sharing or for someone who’s hungry and ready to try multiple types of seafood in one sitting.

What I appreciated most was how every fried item maintained its crisp texture, even as it sat for a few minutes. Nothing got soggy or greasy, and the seafood inside stayed moist and flavorful. Each platter had a solid mix — some focused more on variety, while others stacked up on quantity.

The side of fries that came with every platter helped round out the plate, but honestly, the main event was enough to steal all the attention. Below are my personal notes on each fried platter I tried, including what came with it, how it tasted, and whether it’s something I’d reorder.

Sampler Platter

The Sampler Platter was the first fried platter I tried at Pappadeaux, and it was clearly made for those who want a little bit of everything. This plate came with fried catfish fillet, shrimp, crawfish, and chicken tenderloins — each one breaded and fried until golden brown. It looked like a seafood tasting board, and that made it fun to go through item by item.

The fried catfish was flaky on the inside and had a light peppery seasoning in the breading. The shrimp were crispy and not overcooked — they still had that slight snap when you bite in. The crawfish tails were smaller and had a more intense flavor, while the chicken tenderloins offered a welcome break from seafood with their juicy and savory taste.

I liked that each component kept its own identity, even though they shared the same batter and fryer. The breading wasn’t too thick or greasy, and every bite had a satisfying crunch. A few lemon wedges were included for squeezing over the seafood, and they helped brighten up the flavors.

The plate was also served with French fries, which were crisp and not overly salty. It didn’t come with dipping sauces by default, but I asked for cocktail sauce and tartar sauce on the side, which I recommend if you like mixing up flavors.

Taste and Texture: Crunchy coating, moist inside, no item felt over-fried or dry.
Portion Size: Easily shareable, or a heavy one-person meal.
Good For: First-timers who want variety without committing to one item.

Price: $34.95
Includes: Fried catfish fillet, shrimp, crawfish, chicken tenderloins
Allergens: Fish, shellfish, gluten

Seafood Platter

The Seafood Platter at Pappadeaux is for anyone who wants the full fried seafood experience on one plate. When my dish arrived, it immediately felt like a feast. It included two fried catfish fillets, shrimp, oysters, stuffed shrimp, and stuffed crab. Every piece was distinct in size, shape, and texture, which made the presentation feel generous and well thought out.

The fried catfish fillets were large, flaky, and had a subtle seasoning that let the fish’s natural flavor come through. The fried shrimp were golden and crisp, slightly smaller than those in the shrimp cocktail, but just as flavorful. The oysters had a richer, saltier taste with a softer interior, and the breading added a nice balance without overpowering them.

What really stood out were the stuffed items. The stuffed shrimp had a savory, crab-based filling that was soft and flavorful — a nice contrast to the crisp shrimp exterior. The stuffed crab was served in a crab shell and packed with seasoned crabmeat and breadcrumbs. It was slightly spicy and had a baked-in flavor that added depth to the dish.

Everything was fried just enough to achieve a golden crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy. A wedge of lemon was included, and just a squeeze brought out a brightness in the seafood that made it even more enjoyable.

Taste and Texture: Each item had a distinct flavor — flaky catfish, rich oysters, savory stuffed shrimp and crab — all coated in crisp, light breading.
Serving Note: Comes with fries; ask for sauces like tartar or cocktail to customize the flavor.
Ideal For: Those who want to explore a variety of seafood textures and tastes in one go.

Price: $39.95
Includes: Two fried catfish fillets, shrimp, oysters, stuffed shrimp, stuffed crab
Allergens: Fish, shellfish, gluten

Pappadeaux Platter

The Pappadeaux Platter is the most loaded option on the fried platters menu. I ordered it when I was especially hungry and wanted a full variety of fried seafood in one meal. It builds on the Seafood Platter but adds even more fried shrimp and crawfish, making it ideal for sharing or for someone with a big appetite.

The plate came out piled high. The two fried catfish fillets were large and flaky, as expected. The extra fried shrimp added a pleasant crunch and a mild sweetness, and the crawfish had a deeper, slightly peppery taste. The fried oysters and stuffed shrimp brought even more variety, while the stuffed crab — served in a shell — offered a savory, moist filling with a hint of spice.

I liked that the platter didn’t feel overly greasy, despite being completely fried. Each item had a crisp texture, and nothing was soggy. The crawfish especially brought a different texture and flavor — a little chewier than shrimp, with more seasoning in the breading.

The variety of seafood on one plate was the main highlight. It gave me a mix of textures and flavors, from flaky to creamy to crunchy. Lemon wedges were included, and dipping sauces like cocktail and tartar were available upon request.

Taste and Texture: Crunchy and crispy throughout, with a range of mild to bold seafood flavors.
Best For: Anyone who wants to sample everything. Great for sharing or for big appetites.
Personal Angle: This was the most filling platter I tried — and the most diverse.

Price: $43.95
Adds: Extra fried shrimp and crawfish on top of the Seafood Platter
Allergens: Fish, shellfish, gluten

Conclusion: Which Fried Platter Is Worth It?

After tasting all three fried platters at Pappadeaux, I found each one serves a different kind of craving. If you’re looking for something simple with just the basics, the Sampler Platter gives a good introduction with a mix of shrimp, catfish, crawfish, and chicken tenderloins — great if you want both seafood and a non-seafood option.

The Seafood Platter takes it a step further by offering more types of seafood, including oysters, stuffed shrimp, and crab. It’s better suited for someone who enjoys rich, seafood-focused meals with traditional Southern-style breading and textures.

But if you want the fullest experience and don’t mind a slightly higher price, the Pappadeaux Platter is the best value. It has everything the Seafood Platter includes, plus even more shrimp and crawfish. I found it especially useful for sharing or when I didn’t want to commit to just one or two types of seafood.

In the end, the Pappadeaux Platter stood out because it allowed me to try the widest range of fried seafood items on a single plate. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or just enjoy variety, it’s the kind of dish that captures the essence of Pappadeaux’s Cajun-inspired fried offerings.