Truly ‘off the hook’

Off the Hook Seafood Market and Deli on Airline might be an easy place to overlook. Hidden beside their large seafood warehouse, the deli is a new venture for a family who have been involved in the seafood business in one way or another for generations. Originally from Pilottown and Venice, La., for a time the Loga family made their living in the seafood wholesale business with a location in Gretna. But Hurricane Katrina changed all that. Storm-force winds and surge wiped out their warehouse in Gretna, and the Logas decided to move to storm-friendlier Baton Rouge, with a plan to open up a deli in addition to wholesale. “My family likes cooking,” says co-owner Jason Loga. “And we definitely know our way around seafood.”

The seafood at Off the Hook is inarguably fresh, and the Logas deal almost exclusively in Gulf-caught fish and shellfish. The menu is heavy on poboys, specializing in the New Orleans-style overstuffed sort, served on Reising’s French bread that they ship in from the Big Easy four times a week. The hearty gumbos and jambalayas they serve are family recipes, and Larry boasts that he makes all the gumbo himself. The food is authentically good, and the place has enjoyed a steady lunch crowd since it first opened in June.

But lunch isn’t the only reason to drop by. As a deli, they serve up pounds upon pounds of fresh local fish, from boiled crabs to catfish filets, and boast an impressive stock of seafood boils, rubs and sauces—there’s even a crate of onions nestled by the door. For the Louisiana seafood enthusiast, it’s one-stop-shopping. The Logas are also experimenting with a catering service and party trays for tailgating and get-togethers. Visit them on the web at offthehooksfd.com to get a look at their menu and daily lunch specials.