Hey all you gator hunters. I tried out a new BBQ joint on Tarpon Rd. yesterday for lunch and they had gator nuggets as an appetizer on the menu. I ordered some for the table. They looked awesome! First bite was a real bummer though. I've had gator before and really enjoyed it but that was a while ago. This tasted really gamey and fishy. My buddy who was having lunch with me spear fishes a lot and said that the cook probably didn't rinse them before he breaded and fried them.
Any idea as to why they would have this off putting flavor? Old gator, bad meat, etc.?
Gator meat IMO is all about tenderizing, cutting off the fat, rinsing well and soaking in milk. Other than that, there are certain cuts better than others. I had some last night. I did all of the above and ran it through a manual cuber 2x before breading. The family absolutely devoured it.
Gator is a chewy meat if not prepared right. To thick a slice and its too chewy IMO. Tenderize tenderize tenderize.
Everytime I've bought processed gator meat, it's been tenderized. I've never killed and butchered one. Not sure about the gamey taste though.
The tail is the best.It does need to be prepared right or like any other game it will not taste good.
Well I have another friend that recommended the restaurant because he knows the owner. I'd like to be able to tell him y'alls recommendations so he can let the owner know. I'd like to see this place succeed. He opened it in honor of his son who was lost in Afghanistan. It's called Frankie's Patriot BBQ.
So it should be rinsed, all the fat trimmed off and soaked in milk before cooking? Not sure what cut of meat it was but I know that just about anything fried will taste good if prepared right. It was a bit chewy but I didn't mind that as much as the funky taste.
