It's springtime and the parking lot traffic jam is in full swing at Tony's Seafood in Baton Rouge. But don't be intimidated. Off duty law enforcement officers can be relied on to direct parking and maintain order. The iconoclastic seafood store on Plank Road manages, year after year, to turn out some of the best boiled crawfish available in the area. For years, Tony's has been the benchmark to which all seafood markets are compared. We offer photo highlights of our recent trip. As you'll see, there's more to Tony's than crawfish.

Click the photo below to enjoy the slideshow.

Tony's is the benchmark by which Baton Rouge Seafood Markets are measured. Tony's is the benchmark by which Baton Rouge Seafood Markets are measured.

Shrimp and crawfish are boiled fresh. Shrimp and crawfish are boiled fresh.

It's a sight to make anyone smile. It's a sight to make anyone smile.

Always hot. Always perfectly seasoned. Always hot. Always perfectly seasoned.

The founder of Tony's Seafood, Tony Pizzolato. The founder of Tony's Seafood, Tony Pizzolato.

On the "Fried End", pick up your seafood ready to eat. Hint, when you see local fireman lined up, it's usually a good place to eat. On the "Fried End", pick up your seafood ready to eat. Hint, when you see local fireman lined up, it's usually a good place to eat.

There is something for everyone in this spacious market. There is something for everyone in this spacious market.

Hot entrees at a reasonable price. Hot entrees at a reasonable price.

Fresh Louisiana shrimp. Fresh Louisiana shrimp.

At the "Swimming End", you enter the wild kingdom of catfish. At the "Swimming End", you enter the wild kingdom of catfish.

Dipped live from the tank. Dipped live from the tank.

In a flurry of motion, the catfish are placed on the floor where everyone in line has a chance to make their choice. In a flurry of motion, the catfish are placed on the floor where everyone in line has a chance to make their choice.

The tank keeps the catfish lively. You choose. They dress. You can't get any fresher than that. The tank keeps the catfish lively. You choose. They dress. You can't get any fresher than that.

This is so much quicker than setting a fishing line. This is so much quicker than setting a fishing line.

"I'll take that one." "I'll take that one."

It's a tough decision. It's a tough decision.

"I want the big one.""I want the big one."