For generations of Louisiana families, a trip to Middendorf’s has been a rite of passage. The drive out to Manchac, the smell of hot oil in the air, and that first bite of impossibly thin, crispy catfish have all become part of the experience. But for the first time in the restaurant’s 91-year history, Baton Rouge won’t have to make the drive.

This month, the legendary Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant is bringing its famous Thin Fried Catfish straight to the capital city with a special two-week pop-up at Passé Restaurant inside the Origin Hotel. From March 17–20 and again March 24–27, Baton Rouge diners will have the rare chance to taste one of Louisiana’s most iconic dishes without leaving downtown.

And if you know Middendorf’s, you know this is a big deal.

Since opening in 1934 as a small roadside diner tucked into the Manchac Swamp, Middendorf’s has grown into a true Louisiana institution. Generations of locals and visitors alike have made the trip for what the restaurant proudly calls the “World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish®.” The dish is exactly what it sounds like — catfish sliced paper thin, lightly breaded, and fried to golden perfection so that every bite is crisp, delicate, and packed with flavor.

Over the decades, Middendorf’s has weathered hurricanes, changing times, and nearly a century of Louisiana history, all while staying committed to the traditions that made it famous. The recipe for that thin fried catfish hasn’t changed since the beginning. It’s still made the same way it was when the restaurant first opened its doors in the 1930s.

Today, Middendorf’s operates two locations — the original in Manchac and another in Slidell that opened during the restaurant’s 85th anniversary year. But Baton Rouge fans have long asked for something closer to home.

Owner and chef Horst Pfeifer has heard those requests for years.

“We get asked all the time to build a Middendorf’s location in Baton Rouge,” Pfeifer said. “Well, this is the next best thing.”

For two weeks, the team from Middendorf’s will completely take over the kitchen at Passé Restaurant, serving a limited menu packed with the restaurant’s most beloved dishes. Lunch and dinner will be available daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the star of the show — of course — being the signature Thin Fried Catfish.

Passé will still serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the kitchen switches over to Middendorf’s for the rest of the day.

The collaboration is happening at the Origin Hotel in downtown Baton Rouge, and the excitement around the pop-up is already building.

Origin Hotel General Manager Courtney Wesley says the city is more than ready.

“We are thrilled that Middendorf’s is finally coming to Baton Rouge and that we have a big part in making it happen,” Wesley said. “We know our city will make them feel very welcome — perhaps so much so that they’ll never want to leave.”

Honestly, Baton Rouge food lovers might feel the same way.

For anyone who has made the pilgrimage to Manchac over the years, this pop-up is a nostalgic treat. And for those who have heard the legend but never experienced it, this is the perfect chance to finally understand what all the hype is about.

Thin, crispy, golden catfish. Ninety-one years of Louisiana food history. And a two-week window to experience it right here in Baton Rouge.

Safe to say the capital city is about to get thin fried.