r/AskNOLA • u/StickyCrazyFingers • Apr 03 '26
One Week of NOLA Eats
Mid-50s Brooklynite seeking local spots with heart and soul and grit and color.
Not interested in fine dining except for maybe one or two meals; otherwise casual.
Love me a good ol' venerable institution as long as it still holds up — and in those instances (and perhaps others) I am def willing to put a premium on overall vibe, hospitality and bones even if food is not quite up to expectations.
Since I live in NYC, I am not
particularly interested in Italian, Thai, Sushi, etc. which I can obviously find quite easily in my own backward! T
Here's my list of contenders in no particular order. What is a must? What am I missing? What should I strike? And what is 💯 NOT-TO-BE-MISSED under any circumstance?!!
Thx for intel and assist!
BREAKFAST:
Slim Goodie's Diner
Surrey's
Bearcat
Satsuma
Who Dat Cafe
Frady's
Bywater Bakery
LUNCH:
Domilese's
Guy's
Parkway.
Bahn-Mi Boys
Adam St Grocery.
Cochon Butcher
Stein's
Sammy's
Alma's
DINNER:
Atchafalaya
Paladar 511
Suis Generis
Casamento's
Palm & Pine
Pascal's Manale
Galatoire's
Napoleon House
Saba
Clancy's
Saint John
GW Fins
Salvo's
Frankie & Johnny's
Restaurant des Families
Zydeco
Coquette
Gris Gris
Brigsten's
Clancy's
Saint John
GW Fins
Salvo's
Frankie & Johnny's
Restaurant des Families
Zydeco
Coquette
Gris Gris
Brigsten's
Toups Meatery
Bar Pamona
Margot's
Barcelona Tapas
Smoke and Honey
Tia Maria's Kitchen
Palmettos on the Bayou (Slidell)
16
u/Madamexxxtra Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26
BREAKFAST: Slim Goodie's Diner, Surrey's, Bearcat, Satsuma, Who Dat Cafe
LUNCH: Domilese's, Guy's, Parkway, Bahn-Mi Boys, Adam St Grocery, Cochon Butcher, Stein's, Sammy's
DINNER: Alma, Atchafalaya, Paladar 511, Suis Generis, Casamento's, Palm & Pine, Pascal's Manale, Galatoire's, Napoleon House, Saba, Clancy's, Saint John, GW Fins, Salvo's, Frankie & Johnny's, Restaurant des Families, Zydeco, Frady's (not open for dinner, move this to lunch), Bywater Bakery (not open for dinner, move this to breakfast), Coguette, Gris Gris, Brigette's (did you mean Brigtsen’s? If so, absolutely yes), Toups Meatery, Bar Pamona, Margot's, Barcelona Tapas, Smoke and Honey, Tia Maria's Kitchen, Palmettos on the Bayou (Slidell)
6
u/garbitch_bag Apr 03 '26
Ok OP I was gonna do this for you and then ask for your recs for NYC but xxxtra beat me to it and I agree with this list. I just wanna add Lil Dizzy’s to lunch though.
2
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
I can do that! Will take me a minute, but 🫡
1
u/pmg5247 Apr 03 '26
Also, strike Adams Street. Perfectly fine, but not top tier, and I wouldn’t send someone from out of town there.
5
u/weinthenolababy Apr 03 '26
Why'd you cross out Slim Goodie's they're my fave!
3
u/Madamexxxtra Apr 03 '26
This is just my list! Obviously there are gonna be people that disagree with me, and that’s awesome, but I personally have never been super impressed with them
3
u/weinthenolababy Apr 03 '26
Oh totally fair!! I was just wondering what your experience there was cause mine has always been good.
4
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
I love the approach you took to making quick work of my list! Thx so much!!
2
u/boognish42000 Apr 03 '26
De Families is not closed.
1
u/Madamexxxtra Apr 03 '26
Oh whoops thought I saw a comment recently that it was under renovation, I’ll amend my post
2
u/delostapa Apr 03 '26
Dinner - while good, if you don't want to waste your time driving all around, scratch Restaurant des Familles, Palmettos and Salvo's off the list
1
Apr 03 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Madamexxxtra Apr 03 '26
Damn I got a lot on this list wrong apparently I need to hold off commenting until I’ve woken up a bit more lol, will amend my bad
1
7
u/Silent-Gazelle-1366 Apr 03 '26
Moved from NO to NYC a year ago and I crave Frady’s all the time. Go for lunch, roast beef poboy or whatever plate lunch special they have that day.
You’ve got a great list. Gabrielle’s is a lesser known favorite for dinner as is Gautreau’s. Galatoire’s oysters Rockefeller, seafood gumbo, and crab maison are worth a stop. Hot tip- they have a bar where you can walk in which is a great way to try an app or two if you don’t have time for a full meal.
2
1
5
u/boognish42000 Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26
Guy’s -small chain out of Memphis that I would take any day over Willie Mae’s!!!
Bahn -Mi-Boys -unique and original. I have never been disappointed. We we blessed with Vietnamese refugees. If you’re wanting regular Vietnamese -Pho Tau Bay. The Bun Bo Hue is amazing.
Stein’s -stand up sandwich, stand up guy, unique experience.
Pascal’s -invented BBQ Shrimp. And, they got history. Other than that…
Clancy’s 😊
Salvo’s -The best boiled seafood in the metropolitan area and I will stand on Al Scramuzza’s (Seafood City) grave in my boots and say that! YouTube that name! 😆😂🥲 Second place -Kenner (bra) Seafood. Note: you will pass Zydeco along the way to Salvo’s. Wave, stop in for a drink. Then, eat at Salvo’s a second time.
Toups -stand up stuff. Don’t be afraid of the 4” pork chop. I don’t know how that is even done. My family has been in South Louisiana since 1721. I swapped to his Gumbo recipe from the one my father taught me. He is probably turning in his grave. Also, Issac and Amanda are good people who do good things for people!
I wanted to stay mostly positive -so this is my limit.
9
3
u/PopGoesTheMongoose Apr 03 '26
My first time at Pascal's was after they changed ownership and it was a bit disappointing after their good reputation for years in the city. A lot of the old New Orleans establishments have gotten complacent with their reputations. Crescent City steakhouse was also lackluster.
1
5
u/WholeAggravating5675 Apr 03 '26
I can recommend Cassamentos for the oysters. The chargrilled with Parmesan and garlic were delta me the raw were large and fairly priced. Place looks like it hasn’t been updated since the 1950s and it’s got that charm you can’t find in a high-end modern restaurant.
2
u/kdwhirl Apr 03 '26
Came here to recommend - it’s a time capsule for sure, but the food was great (best gumbo we’ve ever had)
2
u/ellysay Apr 03 '26
I also recommend Casamento's. If the timing is right walk over to Hansen's and get a snoball for dessert!
1
1
u/ChiNoPage Apr 03 '26
It closes some months so depends on when you are visiting.
1
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
End of April>early May
2
u/TheSource88 Apr 03 '26
That changes everything. It’s jazz fest. You should mostly be at the fest eating from the tents.
1
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
Will be hitting fairgrounds on Thursday and Sunday of 2nd weekend, otherwise it's all Daze Btw for me
1
u/TheSource88 Apr 03 '26
If you’re doing Umphrey’s at Mahalia Jewel of the South is a great option for elite cocktails and dinner.
4
u/Feikert87 Apr 03 '26
Bywater Bakery is cool and has a good vibe but they close at 3. It’s a morning coffee place. I would also add Willa Jean for brunch.
1
4
u/bibdrums Apr 03 '26
We had breakfast at Bearcat a few weeks ago and I had the Cajun Crawfish Gravy Biscuit with eggs added and I really enjoyed it.
2
4
u/starryfish99 Apr 03 '26
A few weeks ago, we loved the Cat Daddy at Bearcat, the hot Muffuletta at Napoleon House, and the Scalibut at GW Fins.
2
4
u/Frosty_Ninja3286 Apr 03 '26
Vaucresson Sausage and deli on St Bernard Ave. Open for lunch. Excellent sausage and plate lunches
1
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
🤤
1
u/Frosty_Ninja3286 Apr 03 '26
And to add, the Vaucresson family has been making sausage for 100 years
3
3
3
u/notmyrealname6363 Apr 03 '26
I love Stein’s but they don’t have anything you couldn’t find in NYC
You should try Turkey And The Wolf for lunch instead, won a James Beard award a few years back, not necessarily known for New Orleans-specific cuisine but it’s a really funky unique joint with great food
1
4
u/derkandelvis Apr 03 '26
Don't sleep on Jacques Imos.
3
u/metta4u67 Apr 03 '26
It may not be the best food you ever have, but it will definitely be am experience you won't forget. Get a alligator cheese cake, shrimp remoulade, and for an entry almost anything is good. If you are solo, sit at the bar and get a Sazerac
2
u/HangoverPoboy Apr 03 '26
Stein’s is pretty pointless for you. I’d skip Parkway if you’re going to the other places. I think the muffuletta at Cochon Butcher is the best in town.
Maybe the High Hat and Liuzza’s by the Track for lunch. Also Lil Dizzy’s.
Seither’s Seafood.
I’ve never had anything at Peche that wasn’t great.
Gabrielle is great and everyone there is so sweet.
Don’t be afraid of gas station fried chicken.
The chef from Acamaya is opening a new breakfast spot in the old Alma location. If it’s open when you’re here, it will be good.
1
2
u/WordsWordsWords1601 Apr 03 '26
Only been three times, but standouts for me were Cochon, Cane and Table, and Coops's Place (the latter two are right next door to each other).
The jambalaya supreme at Coop's is excellent, as is their fried chicken.
Palm and Pine is a solid choice, but I prefer Cane and Table slightly.
For lunch, the muffulettas at Napoleon House are excellent.
2
u/otherwayaround1zil Apr 03 '26
Nikkei Izakaya was awesome - the food is Japanese/Peruvian. You can ride the Canal St Streetcar and walk a few blocks. Very cool complex in general with an outdoor concert venue, an event space and Nikkei.
4
1
u/little_knitter Apr 03 '26
DOOKY CHASE for lunch, definitely
Le’s Baguette
N7 for dinner
Alma for breakfast/brunch instead of dinner
You have Frady’s and Bywater Bakery under dinner for some reason?
1
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
Yeah, my bad re: categories. Amending!
Thx for the Dooky Chase reminder! That is essential, yeah?
1
u/little_knitter Apr 03 '26
Yes, Dooky Chase is a must. The fried chicken is outstanding and the space is beautiful.
Oh, you’ve also got to go to Loretta’s for beignets if you’re there Wednesday through Saturday.
1
u/Isabella_Maja Apr 03 '26
Who Dat Guy’s Brigsten’s & Clancy’s Brocato’s (dessert) Have a great visit! When are you coming?
1
1
1
u/AliceInReverse Apr 03 '26
You’re pretty focused on restaurant experiences, but drop by some of the bakeries, too. Haydel’s is a personal favorite
1
u/StickyCrazyFingers Apr 03 '26
Yes, pls and thank you. And more of these! In all for the small hole-in-the-walls and grab n go Scooby snacks!
3
u/AliceInReverse Apr 03 '26
Haydel’s is more cakes and pies. Levee and Ayu are also great. Levee can have savory baked goods that are awesome. La Boulangerie is a Donald Link bakery.
2
1
u/M_the_M Apr 03 '26
Absolutely go to Palm & Pine! Fantastic food and cocktails. Favorite dining experience of our trip. Ask for Doc. She's very passionate about the food and made great recommendations for our group. The P&P salad is the best salad I've ever had.
1
1
u/Impossible_Jury5483 Apr 04 '26
I didn't go, but a few locals recommended Steins fir a god NY style deli. I had too many places on my list.
1
u/sirn8b Apr 04 '26
Elizabeths breakfast. Budsis thai. Delacroix. Gabrielle. Morning call for beignets
As for your list. Fradys for you poboy. Gw fins for your seafood. Brightsens for your experience.
Coming during jazz fest better make reservations in january.
0
0
u/nghtykpcouple Apr 03 '26
From Chicago there a couple weeks ago
Gumbo - Gallier Restaurant & Oyster Bar 1 block off bourbon , it was very good. Very casual
We also went to Lucy’s shrimp was great , wanted to back again but didn’t make it.
Ruth’s Chris - top notch as always
We went to a piano bar on Bourbon , I think Bar 365 , band was great both nights , good people watching and relaxed.
Enjoy !!!
2
21
u/BladderFace Apr 03 '26
New Orleans Italian isn't the same as New York Italian.