Hidden Gems: Meet Keishia Lewis-Crabtree of FISH TRAP’N

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keishia Lewis-Crabtree.

Getting to where I am today has been a journey.

I didn’t have the traditions of watching women figures cook around the house. I was raised a tad bit differently. Being adopted at a very young age has been a blessing and a curse. I was an army brat until the age of 10. I came to Texas fresh off the plane with a new family (biological family but new to me). I quickly had to adapt to having 2 brothers and responsibilities as soon as I touched down in Dallas! I’ve never had to take care of anyone but myself as I was the only child. This was all new to me.

I was responsible for helping with homework, babysitting, and cooking for them until our mom got home. She taught me the basics. Can goods and a meat,mostly fried chicken. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, and I’ll be remiss in saying the struggle didn’t help my love for cooking and feeding people as I got older.

Fast forward to me having my own child at 19. I just knew my baby wasn’t going to grow up on sandwiches and weenies like me. My biggest fear to this day is going hungry or my fridge being empty. I made a decision to try my hand at cooking different foods. At that time, I had a big ole live-in football player of a boyfriend #33 and just knew he had to eat and eat well lol I was responsible for this big linebacker’s belly! I would go to the store every day to feed us. I started with different one-pot meals to then having a full rotating menu for every day of the week. Think he gained weight many times, but I figured he could just run it off. Lol

By that time, I started having kickbacks(parties) where my Catfish became a big hit! With any party I hosted, I would front the alcohol and food. I knew back then I loved making people feel special and the best way to do that for us Urban folks is through food!!!

I would see faces light up when I would have my fish fry’s. I mean they would have me in the kitchen all night, not just for their gain (free food) but because I wanted to make sure they wouldn’t drive home drunk or hungry. I was like the best Auntie/Friend ever. Always had this old soul. I feel like my ancestors crowned me the “Madea” of my time! Madea will always make sure you are fed. Didn’t matter the time or place the first thing that was asked when you see Madea was “You hungry baby” This was the gateway into telling Madea what was on your heart and mind when you ate her food. I have been in these situations plenty of times. My friends and family would come to eat and take a load off. I would then be having a deep conversation.  I said “Oh shoot.   this is my gift!

As the years went by the fish cost was steady rising. Being a hustler, I figured, if they loved my fish so much, they would buy it. I then started in 2008 charging for my fish. This would be known as Keisha’s Fish House… I would take orders from corporate offices by word of mouth. I didn’t have a website, pricing, or a commercial building at that time. I knew nothing about running a business besides cooking and taking payments.

For years I’ve hosted parties, cooking for family and friends, just making small ends. I then had the idea of opening a Juke Joint. I opened the doors in March 2016 in a small 2 story house in South Dallas. I felt that there needed to be a grown folk’s establishment that gives good food and good vibes, and it wouldn’t cost you a breast and a leg to go into. We were only charging $5 to get in, $5 for you call it drinks(Henny included), $5 for (2) 5- 7 oz fillets of catfish. Do you know how much food that was for $5!! Jesus!! So I’ve paid my dues lol When the Juke joint opened, I knew this was something new, and it was going to pay off. Playing old-school, Southern soul and blues music. We had cards, dominoes, and jello shots when you walked in the door. The house was packed to capacity at times. Little did I know this was going to be the start of FISH TRAP’N. I wanted an environment where grown folks could enjoy something familiar from their upbringing.  Im talking about sock hops,sadie hawkins, or old school bop! I wanted those memories to be flooded with past good ones.  When the pandemic hit, we had to close the Juke Joint doors. So now we were sitting and waiting on the lockdown to end. The momentum had hit a snag!

At the tail end of the pandemic lockdown of 2020, I was presented with an opportunity to share a ghost kitchen. It literally fell into my lap, we had a conversation one day, I put forth the action the next day, and 3 weeks later we were opening the doors to our ghost kitchen. We opened the doors to FISH TRAP’N in May 2021! I had all my friends and family come out and do trial orders because in the following days, we were going to be open to the North Dallas/Garland area until 4 AM on the weekends. Business picked up, and I was happy with the results! Because I would do events all over, I couldn’t be at 2 places at one time. Staffing issues continue to be a problem in the kitchen. It got to the point I had my 1 and only trusted employee Jarrod Young stay and work by himself, so I could go push Fish Trap’n in the streets and vendor events. We did this for some months. My only employee stuck it out with me as long as he could. Because of staffing issues and his family needing stable income, he had to make a move, and I understood it. Being a small business is not only a blessing, it can be a curse at times too. You can have these grand ideas but with little to no financial backings for small businesses, and all the hoops you have to jump thru to qualify,  makes it harder than it should be.

Needless to say, Fish TRAP’N is still jumping. When I started this, I said that FISH TRAP’N will be worldwide, and I won’t stop until that happens. No, I do not want chain restaurants all over the place, but what I do want is a location where people can gravitate to and let their hair down. No drama, good food, good music, and it won’t break the bank! I figured the best way to do this and keep a close connection with my customers was to get a mobile food truck/trailer.

So, all of 2022, I have dedicated myself to popping up at different events and giving people a secret surprise!! Me!! When you wrap a dope chick with cooking skills,sense of humor, and a business mind, you create a wrecking ball of a woman. When they say you have to get it out of the mud, I mean you have to dig really deep and get it out of the mud! I’ll do anything to fulfill my dream of touching people with my food and my personality. I’ve made long-standing connections thru my food, I’ve healed thru my food, and more importantly, I’ve been able to Give my love through my food. Food brings memories, bonds, emotional stability, and internal love for those that need it. Keep a watch out for FISH TRAP’N. We could be coming to a spot near you!

It has not been a smooth ride at all. The biggest challenges have been funding and staffing. Since the pandemic people have realized what is essential and more valuable at that time. Working wages weren’t enough for people to be employed for pennies. I have had to flip money from events to purchase bigger equipment, rent U-Hauls, to hire my staff of family, and not be able to pay them. Fortunately, I have a hand full of people that see my vision and help in any way they can.

Fish Trap’n specializes in Southern Fried Catfish. We refer to it as “FAT CAT”. We are truly “Home Of The Best Cat”. We offer some juicy, hot, fresh cat right out of the grease and on your plate. Our “FAT CAT” has been known to have explosive responses as soon as they bite into the fresh cat. The blend of seasonings that I’ve concocted has made my brand into what it is today. You can’t call yourself a cook without adding love and seasoning! Pretty soon, we will offer our seasonings, and I’m hoping to have them on the major retailer’s shelves by end of 2023 and a mobile trailer to bring the Trap closer to my Trap’n Buds.

I must 1st and always give credit to my trusted staff Member Jarrod Young! From the Juke Joint opening to the ghost kitchen, he has worked hours and hours, sometimes not being compensated until a week or so later, to help push my dreams and make it to what it is today. You see, you can have the dream, you can have the vision, and you can have the tools to do it by yourself, but if you have someone to help share your vision and your dream, it makes it that much bearable when times get tough. He would always tell me to keep going because he sees my vision coming to past, so much so that he put in the work for it. I will always salute him for that!

Next up, I would have to thank my closest friends. Punkin and Briannia. For as long as I can remember, they have been the sisters you can’t live without. You want to choke them, but then you’ll never have that person to talk with, be encouraged by, and be pushed to your fullest capacity. They have always stepped up. They would be my staff at the Juke Joint. Taking orders, running drinks, running food anything that needs to be done, they have done it with and for me. Listening to my business plans and sometimes helping me process the ideas has been a great relief at times. These two know I’m going to do whatever it is I put my mind out to do. I’m a woman of action, and they just flow right behind me!!! These are just some of the things I could thank them for. We have over 25 years of love together!!

To my friends turned family, Ericka and Dre I want to send a special thank you! You guys have thugged it out with me. Dre dre you helped me by loading and unloading my equipment. He knows I do this by myself and helps whenever he cans. My Mocha is not a gurl for hard labor, but she makes it look easy when she comes and helps with the front of the house. Thank you both for being genuine in your support. There’s no one else I could depend on more than you guys!! It’s coming!

Last but definitely least. I have to thank my wife Kimberli Crabtree and my two kids DeShawne & Satore! My kids would help when I needed it. I try to teach them to never give up and always hustle for your dreams. Stand up for what you know is right. For my wife, when I say she is my rock, she is my rock! She fusses at me all the time for grinding so hard without breaks. Sometimes, the work I have to put into this is hard on my body and mind. Kim is always there pushing me and making me sit down when I need to. On her only two off days, I will have events and instead of just resting or sitting at home, she comes out and busts a sweat with me. There’s no greater feeling than your spouse sticking by your side to make sure your vision comes to pass. I talk her ears off all day and night at times. She is not only my partner for life but my partner in all things! I love you so much babe, and I can’t thank you enough. Those tropical drinks and beach waves will be back in our lives soon!!!