Happy Louisville Drip!

Before I begin, I want to warn those who hype things up because they are popular that this is not it. I’m being honest, you don’t have to like my opinion, its mine.

This weekend I went to Tha Dripping Crab, a new seafood restaurant located in the Russell Neighborhood of Downtown Louisville Kentucky. Tha dripping Crab is the second restaurant from Louisville Chef Darnell “Super Chef” Ferguson, his first is the hero themed eatery Super chef.

Downtown Louisville is currently under what many would consider a much-needed revitalization. The area, which in the past was a prime location for Louisville elite has now been redlined right at 9th street, this segregation has shifted resources and deteriorated this gemstone of Kentucky. I, like many others hope the addition of this upscale dinning location along with the many other updates for the area are a push to include the current community occupying this space into decisions and money making ventures. Only time will tell.

Ok, sorry now for the food. 😊 Chefs who fully think through a food experience, not just the food they are eating create the best restaurants. I would say Mr. Ferguson understands this assignment. Tha Dripping Crab is a vibrant upbeat space with motivational quotes and murals that is sure to leave the community it represents feeling empowered. The menu is fun and lighthearted but not very light, actually it is one of the heaviest menus I’ve seen in a long time. Seafood Lasagna with fried lobster tail and deep fried king crab legs are just two menu items that will leave you the opposite of light. Personally, I am not a fan of deep frying beautiful ingredients but it is the current trend and therefor will be popular items. I had most notably the best appetizer on the menu, the seafood eggroll, this was a playful, crunchy, sweet, creamy decadent creation that was quite possible the best novelty eggroll I’ve ever had. I also enjoyed the loaded waffle nachos with sweet potato and normal potato waffles smothered in cheese, tomatoes, crab and other fresh ingredients. For my entrée I ordered the signature crab boil which is basically a deconstructed crab boil with fried potatoes, elote corn and a splash of Louisville Drip (the signature flavor). Honestly, I would have just liked it all in a bag with butter, garlic and some red hot chili flakes. The crab was tender, but the drip sauce was oddly sweet and not a good combination for the dish. As I get older, I recognize I’m not able to eat the way I could before, so for me the food was just a bit too heavy and the drips weren’t worthy of the dips. But the experience, completely worth it, this was also a soft open so the kinks with machine glitches etc. (some in my party had to pay twice) hopefully will be resolved. I left happy, mainly because my family is hilarious and we love food, we shared all the appetizers, so I was able to decide on my favorite and the owner/chef was completely humble, hands on and posed for numerous pictures while we ate. I would give it a few months and return. Happy eating in Louisville just got saucier!