Harold & Belle’s – Crenshaw/Mid City

Open since 1969

I’ve longingly wondered about Harold and Belle’s Creole restaurant, serving Creole food to the Crenshaw area since 1969, for quite some time now. It’s constantly revered as one of the best Creole/Soul food restaurants in LA. I finally stopped in for dinner and I already want to go back.

The place probably hasn’t changed much decor wise since it opened in 1969. Wallpaper and brass lamps line the walls. Everyone in the restaurant was friendly. From the host, the servers, the customers, even the bartender offered to put my next beer on ice to get it super cold on that warm evening.

The Clam Chowder

We were seated immediately and greeted by our server Shelly. I already liked her and we start joking with each other immediately. She took our drink order and we began to peruse the menu. They have an extensive list of po-boy sandwiches. Their famous gumbo is prepared with ham, hot and smoked beef sausage, chicken, shrimp and crab in a spicy broth, topped with white rice. They give you a hefty serving of lightly buttered and toasted French bread to soak up all the juicy goodness.

The Fried Catfish

Their appetizers are enough to stop by just for a beer and a snack at the bar. Jumbo fried shrimp, spicy fried chicken drumettes, or fried crawfish, oysters, crab and catfish. They have a selection of salads topped with (of course) a variety of catfish, salmon, crawfish, shrimp and crab.

The Southern Fried Wingettes

Entrees include jambalaya, Louisiana sausages, fried catfish, chicken, and scallops or meatloaf and BBQ pork ribs all served with clam chowder, a tasty corn on the cob and red beans and rice. Prices run from 20-26 dollars for entrees and the servings are enormous. Plump and juicy pieces of fish, are perfectly battered and spiced with that southern touch. The wings are large and the meat falls right off the bone. I can’t wait to go back and try the ribs.

The desserts sounded wonderful, peach cobbler, bread pudding, key lime pie. But we were too full to even imagine putting anything more in our southern fried filled bellies. Next time Shelly, next time.

Harold & Belle’s
2920 W Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(323) 735-9023