New Orleans ‘Crawfish King’ Al Scramuzza dies at age 97

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans’ very own “Crawfish King,” Al Scramuzza has died at the age of 97.

Scramuzza earned his crown being the first to popularize eating the Louisiana seafood staple in the early 1950s “changing the state’s culinary culture forever,” stated Schulkens Communications.

He was the founder of Seafood City, which took up the full city block in the 1800 block of North Broad in Mid-City. This establishment, at one time, was known as one of the largest seafood dealers in the Gulf South.

Scramuzza first began selling crawfish at only 15 cents per pound in 1951. During this time, he also hosted lessons on how to peel and eat the mudbugs.

“At his peak, Scramuzza would sell more than 20,000 pounds of crawfish pounds in a single day,” said Schulkens.

New Orleans residents, even today, would recall the jingle of his self written and produced commercial:

Stay with Al Scramuzza, and you’ll never be a looza.
Al Scramuzza

Scramuzza grew up in a poor family in the French Quarter. On days he would recover produce that had fallen off of delivery trucks in the French Market for his mother to cook.

Later in life, his mother placed him in the Hope Haven Orphanage in Marrero where he learned to play sports.

In 1969, he launched a successful music career while contributing to the seafood business. This led to the opening of Scram Records and additional record labels, working with artists such as jazz funk singer Eddie Bo, blues singer Johnny “Little Sonny: Jones and blue singer Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Pony Express.

His life later sent him into politics, unsuccessfully running for state legislature.

In 1993 after 44 years in the seafood business, Scramuzza retired and Seafood City closed down.

His retirement led him to coaching sports at Johnny Bright Playground in Metairie.

In celebration of his 97th birthday, Jefferson Parish officials held a citywide party and renamed the street along Johnny Bright Playground to “Al Scramuzza Way.”

He is survived by two daughters, Toni and Saralyn Scramuzza, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral survices have not been announced.

Latest Posts