Picture this: you’re sitting at a little table in the back of the harbor, the waves lapping against the seawall, the sun setting as you savor Creole cuisine. Sound like a dream? No need to head to the Louisiana coast: Shorty Pants is dishing Cajun and Creole lakeside, on the 21 Mile Marker at Lake of the Ozarks.

Shorty Vert Large.jpeg — Michelle Kitchen

From seafood in cream sauces to perfect pastas and other Louisiana comfort dishes, Shorty Pants is long on flavor.

Here’s a look at some top Shorty Pants menu items, from new to time-tested.

Find Shorty Pants:

By Water — 21 Mile Marker

By Land — 1680 Autumn Lane, Osage Beach

Menu Online — shortypantslounge.com

On The Menu at Shorty Pants

Rich is the watchword, and it’s what you’ll get with every single item. The menu is filled with terrifically rich, generously seasoned, and delectably savory dishes.

Smothered Catfish

On The Plate: Fried catfish filet served on a bed of rice and smothered in crawfish étouffée.

This has an outstanding kick. The catfish is flaky and delicious and the étouffée topping is so very Cajun. Get it blackened.

Low Country Crawfish Mac

On The Plate: Tender crawfish tails in a smoked gouda blend, topped with Cajun breadcrumbs.

You’ll find this under “Sides,” but no one will notice if you just pretend it’s the main course.

This, too, brings the heat. The spicy kick blended with oh-so-rich cheese combines with the crunchy topping for a taste-and-texture combo that keeps the fork moving. This dish is an absolute explosion of flavor.

Easy Street Trio

On The Plate: Andouille sausage, shrimp, and tender chicken on a bed of Fettuccine, topped with sweet and spicy blush cream sauce.

The tomato-forward sauce goes nicely with the al dente pasta and a diverse collage of flavors. Between the hearty sausage and shrimp and the bright base, this one is an Easy win.

Muffaletta

On The Plate: Gambino’s Italian Roll, mortadella, Genoa salami, smoked ham, Swiss, provolone, and Central Grocery Olive Salad.

If you know, you know. And if you are a muffaletta fan, this one will not disappoint.

This iconic sandwich is new to the menu at Shorty Pants. That special olive salad topping comes from Louisiana — as it should. The hearty roll offers the right amount of heft to handle the mountain of meats in between the slices. Superbly savory. See also: delicious, and incredibly filling!

Beignets

What else can I say? Order the beignets!

Like powdered donuts for dessert with an outstanding dipping jam. The pastry is cooked to perfection, and… well, the photos say it all. Order this to top off the perfect meal at Shorty Pants, and apologize to no one.