Ragin Cajun has long been a go-to spot for crawfish enthusiasts in Houston, but if you’re craving mudbugs, you might need to look elsewhere for now.
The reason? There’s a shortage of crawfish available at the moment, according to Luke B. Mandola of Ragin Cajun.
Mandola explained that the shortage extends across south Louisiana, where recent weather fluctuations, including rain, cold snaps, and sudden heat, have impacted crawfish production.
Last year, Ragin Cajun paid approximately $6 per pound for crawfish, translating to a customer price of about $9 per pound. However, due to the current scarcity, the cost has risen significantly.
Mandola noted that they’d now have to pay around $13 per pound, pushing the customer price to about $15. However, he emphasized that they’re not willing to pass on such a steep increase to their patrons.
While the supply is expected to replenish eventually, Mandola mentioned that this is one of the few instances in his restaurant’s history where crawfish availability has been so limited.
For now, Ragin Cajun is holding off on offering crawfish until the supply stabilizes once again.