Dot & Etta's iconic, family secret fried shrimp is back: Where to find it

If you remember fried shrimp from any of the Dot & Etta's Shrimp Huts that once dotted metro Detroit, you're in luck to have it again.

After shuttering about a dozen years ago, several members of the Crawford family, which owned the Dot & Etta's Shrimp Huts, are doing a pop-up featuring the iconic, and family secret, battered and seasoned fried shrimp.

For nearly 60 years, the Dot & Etta's spots pleased shrimp-loving palates with their freshly battered deep-fried shrimp along with several other menu specialties. The chain grew to seven locations.

Dot & Etta's famed shrimp huts were known as an institution and having the best fried shrimp in the city.

The Original Dot & Etta's Shrimp pop-up will be at the Burgess Street Food Festival 1-8 p.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 along with several other local food trucks and caterers.

But this isn't the first time. Brothers Dwayne and Donald Crawford along with their mother Mary, Dwayne’s son Isaiah Crawford and his nephew Robert Crawford Jr., hosted its first "The Original Dot & Etta's Shrimp" booth at the Ribs and R&B Music Festival held at Hart Plaza several weeks ago.

"It was magnificent and far beyond our wildest expectation," Dwayne Crawford said.

Crawford, 61, who worked at Dot & Etta's throughout his life, said the response was over-the-top and that nearly everyone had a happy story to share about Dot & Etta's.

"It warms my heart that we had such a positive impact on people’s lives and their families. There always seems to be a pleasant memory” he said.

The Crawford brothers are exploring the idea of a Dot & Etta's comeback with a food truck or brick-and-mortar operation. Though nothing is set yet, Dwayne Crawford said.

Dot & Etta's was founded in the early 1950s by Robert Milton and Phila Crawford and the original location was on W. Warren and Vinewood, according to Crawford. The Crawford’s named the restaurant their daughter Dorothy and their niece Jamesetta.

A second location opened on Mack Ave. and was the first location, Crawford said, for his parents, the late Don (a nephew of Robert Crawford) Crawford and his wife Mary.

Robert Crawford, who was also the first Black salesman for the Stroh Brewery Co. grew the business adding several shrimp hut locations around metro Detroit. At its peak, there were seven shrimp hut locations including one in Southfield. By then the menu also included other fried fish and fried chicken.

In the 2004 Detroit Free Press “Best Of” list, Dot & Etta's was named Best Shrimp Hut in metro Detroit.

For $25 at the Burgess Street Food Festival, you can get a half pound of Dot & Etta's golden fried shrimp. One pound is $40, according to the menu at williamspark.org.

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Another vendor at the festival that is featuring a Detroit classic is Chef Greg Beard's Soul-N-the-Wall and its famed Boogaloo Wonderland sandwich. The classic sandwich is seasoned ground beef, caramelized onions, melted cheese and Boogaloo sauce. Other vendors at the food festival include The Deal on the Hill. Heavenly Chicken and Waffles, Walk-Ins Express, NutriBae Real Fruit Smoothies, and Mickey Munch Sweets.

The festival is part of the Brightmoor Music Series' last two events which features live performances 5-8 p.m. by flutist James Russell on Aug. 30 and vocalists Therese Rose on Sept. 6. It's held at the Etheldra Mae Williams Park, 14300 Burgess Street at the corner of Acacia. There will also be merchandise vendors on hand. It's best to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dot & Etta's iconic, family secret fried shrimp doing pop-up