New Orleans Creole/ Cajun food?

Question

Am going to New Orleans in March and would like to know from any locals good mom/pop type Cajun-creole restaurants...not the high priced fancy places, but where the locals go for a good authentic meal...

Answer 1

In the French Quarter (and also in Metairie) - go to Acme Oyster House. Great fried & some broiled seafood.



K-Pauls has great food but doesn't take reservations so you might waste a lot of time waiting in line there.



If you like Italian, you'll need a map to find Highway 90 on the "West Bank" - to get to Mosca's, one of the best Italian ristorantes you'll ever visit.



For atmosphere, try Tipitina's or Michaul's, both easy enough to find with a street map and a phone book.



If you can find a tour bus to show you the north shore (of the lake) swamps, they might come back with a stop at the Bush House of Seafood. Hard to find if you aren't a native and don't have a guide, but an incredible eating experience.



Don't look for steaks here. Beef is common north of Lake Ponchartrain, but not south of it. Creole recipes will focus on fish, chicken, or pork. We have barbecue joints, but not that many. Just not a local style, that's all.



Some folks like Deanie's in "Bucktown" - right near the parish line, actually just a little bit on the Jefferson Parish side of the 17th-Street Canal. I find them irregular in the amount of grease they fail to drain from the fried seafood before serving it. But each to his tastes.



If you are taking a driving tour towards Avery Island and can stop in Breaux Bridge, LA, there is a place on the main street within sight of the bridge that gives the town its name. It is called the Cafe des Amis. Only if you are in the vicinity, it is worth the diversion.



Cajun and Creole are two different styles. Cajun is often more fiery hot with spices. Creole tends to be all over the map based on local ingredients, very few imported spices.



This year, March will be in Lent so you will find some places that serve more seafood than normal on Fridays. N'Awlins is heavily Catholic and "fish on Fridays" is as common as "white on rice" down here.



A word of warning - you can instantly identify a good restaurant in N'Awlins by how hard it is to get in. Any joint that has no clientele EARNED that reputation - the hard way. Any joint that has a line around the block EARNED that reputation. And here in the Big Easy, we are TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH on restaurants that take a slacker's attitude to cooking. If you make good food here, you'll be assured of business. If you try to make bad food here, you'll be quickly discovered - and you will in turn discover the power of "word of mouth" advertising.



If you have a chance to get a city tour guide that lists restaurants by locale, get it. You would like to get into any restaurant run by Emile (?) Brigtson, John Besh, or any of the surviving Brennan family members. Some folks like the Delmonico's Restaurant on St. Charles Ave. (accessible from Canal Street via streecar/trolley), which is run by Emeril LaGasse, but others find his food a bit extreme.



Avoid Copeland's joints because they are all flash, no substance. Avoid places so sparking clean that they look like they were magically polished - because they've obviously put all the magic in ambience and none in the food.



In Kenner (near the Louis Armstrong airport), there are a couple of good places on or near Williams Blvd. Near the intersection with West Esplanade, there is Smitty's, a nice neighborhood joint, and TeCoRo's, an Italian and Seafood restaurant. Further down West Esplanade is StingRay's, which is pretty good. (In fact, wifey and I ate there this evening. BUURRPPP! Really good.)



You should be warned about "po boys" - a N'Awlins version of the submarine or hoagie sandwich made with crisp French long-loaf bread. A gut-buster is usually 12 inches long, with the meat plus other fixings. (In N'Awlins, you don't ask for lettuce and tomate - you ask for "dressed.") If you get a typical N'Awlins roast beef po'boy, you need to take a bath afterwards because it will be dripping with gravy and very sloppy.



If you can find the "New Orleans Grocery" in the French Quarter, get a mufaletta (moo fah letta), an Italian cold-cut sandwich with "olive loaf" dressing instead of lettuce and tomato. But bring a friend to share it with, unless you have a tape worm or a bottomless pit of a stomach. The true, full-sized mufaletta violates that old rule about not eating anything bigger than your head in one meal.

Answer 2

First, New Orleans food is Creole not Cajun. If you have a car there are hundreds of great places. Around the quarter here is what I would suggest.



1) Acme Oyster House just off Bourbon 100 block. Very inexpensive and of course has more than Oysters.



2) Yu Momma's - If you want a great I mean great burger after drinking you must eat at Yu Momma's. It seems to change names every week, but basically it is across the street from Pat O'Briens original entrance. Yes, locals eat burgers!



3) Jumonju -- I'm probably spelling this wrong, but It's on the back corner of the Marriott. Really more of a place to drink, but their food is fantastic.



4) Port - O - Call. You will need to take a cab to this place. On the edge of the quarter in not so good of an area.



5) For breakfast, or late late night you need to go to Cafe du Monde!



Then there are the tourist place like Mothers, and all the rest. They are great, but not where the locals hang out!



PS. If you go to mothers ask for the debris (don't know how to spell it) on what ever you get!

Answer 3

MOTHERS is the best mom/pop place. People wait in huge lines just to eat there! (it's that good!) But anotherone of my all-time favorites is Brennan's! the best advice comes from www.nomenu.com. It is New Orleans food critic Tom Fitzmorris. He rates local resturants, knows all the chefs, and goes to a resturant everynight. He also has a radio show and a cookbook avalible at any Barnes and Nobels. He gives some great advice. You can also call him and ask him questions at [phone].

Answer 4

Yes, there is nothing better than Mulates and other cajun cooking in New Orleans.

Answer 5

Hmm...for a more local feel try



The Praline Connection

[phone] - 542 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA

http://www.pralineconnection.com/Menu.html



Brigtsen's

[phone] 723 Dante St New Orleans, LA

http://www.brigtsens.com/index.html



Coop's Place

[phone] 1109 Decatur St New Orleans, LA

http://www.coopsplace.net/



Clancy's

[phone] - 5998 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA



Jacques-Imo's Cafa(C)

[phone], 8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA

http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/







If you do try the more upscale/more well known I would go with

Galatoire's Restaurant

[phone] 209 Bourbon St New Orleans, LA

http://www.galatoires.com/



Mr B's Bistro - [phone] - 201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA

http://www.mrbsbistro.com/



K Pauls Louisiana Kitchen - [phone] - 416 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA

http://www.kpauls.com/



I would definitely give Mr. B's a try if you can. Enjoy!

Answer 6

lets see.. im a local, and this is where i go....for a nice hot sausageor roast beef poboy, try Genes poboys:



Gene's Po-Boys

1040 Elysian Fields Ave

New Orleans, LA 70117 Map



[phone]



and if u want a nice home cooked cuisine with various daily specials try Two Sisters:



Two Sisters

223 N Derbigny St

New Orleans, LA 70112 Map



if you want awesome boiled seafood try Cajuns:

Exact address is unknown, but its on the corner of N. Claiborne, and Cloumbus St.

Answer 7

check this website

it's the online version of Gambit magazine.



http://www.bestofneworleans.com/

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2007-06-05/cover_story3.php



these are all unique places with Great food.

they may not be Mom & Pop places or specialize

in Cajun food but you can find good deals

and good choices at all price ranges.



Camellia Grill

Liuzza's by the Track

Come Back Inn



Adam's Catfish House in Belle Chase,

big, platters of catfish, served with hushpuppies and coleslaw. (no alcohol) but you won't miss it



Jack Dempsey's Restaurant



Igor's Tavern

Checkpoint Charlie's

Red Eye Grill'

Port of Call'

Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl,

Answer 8

Mother's

Kpaul's Kitchen

The best Gumbo I've had is at the Hotel Monteleone. I've had it at about 15 places.

No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Cafe du Monde

Answer 9

My favorite is Jacque Imo's on Oak st. There allagator cheese cake is so good. In fact everything is so good there.

Answer 10

Man, just get off Canal and go to any of the small ones in the quarters. they are all good.

Answer 11

pontalba cafe (in jackson square),

Answer 12

We have drove 200 miles at times just to eat at DEANIES in bucktown, then go back home The biggest seafood plater on earth! You will not be dissapointed. Its down to earth and causual dress place.



http://secure.deanies.com/bucktown.html

DINNER MENU

Appetizers - Soups - Salads - Potpourri - Fried Seafood - Po-Boys & Sandwiches - Desserts



Boiled Crawfish Market price Onion Rings Sm. 4.95 - Lg. 7.95

Boiled Shrimp Market price Artichoke Heart 8.95

Boiled Crabs Market price Calamari 9.95

Shrimp Remoulade 9.95 Crawfish Tails

7.95



Lump Crabmeat Remoulade 9.95 Crab Claws 9.95

Oysters on the Half Shelf 1/2 Dozen or Dozen - Market Price

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Cup Bowl

Seafood and Okra Gumbo 4.50 8.00

Soup of the Day 4.00 7.50

Gumbo or Soup with House Salad 7.50 11.00

Appetizers - Soups - Salads - Potpourri - Fried Seafood - Po-Boys & Sandwiches - Desserts



House Salad 3.95

Tender mixed greens, cucumber, tomato and cheddar cheese, topped with your choice of dressing. Creole Spinach Salad 9.95

Golden fried oysters, crumbled bacon, egg and sliced red onion on fresh spinach leaves, topped with our own Creole Honey Mustard dressing.

Bucktown "Blues" Salad 7.95

A bed of romaine leaves garnished with spiced pecans and crumbled Danish Blue Cheese, topped with our special sweet fig and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Bayou Seafood Salad 15.95

Fresh lump crabmeat and boiled shrimp top tender mixed greens, tomato, cucumber and cheese to create the best seafood salad in town. With your choice of dressings.

House Dressings:

Sicilian Tomato, Blue Cheese, Artichoke, Buttermilk, Sweet Fig & Balsamic Vinaigrette and Creole Honey Mustard.

Add chicken breast 3.00 Add Shrimp 6.00

Barbecue Shrimp

The New Orleans way, Jumbo head-on Shrimp sautéed in our unique blend of seasonings. This is for the hands-on eater,so don't be afraid to get messy. Just peel, dip and enjoy!

Appetizer

10.95 For One

21.95 served

w/salad For Two

39.95 served w/salad

Appetizers - Soups - Salads - Potpourri - Fried Seafood - Po-Boys & Sandwiches - Desserts



Crawfish Etouffee 13.95

Etouffee - "to smother." Crawfish tails smothered in a buttery blend of onions, peppers, celery and garlic to make a delicious sauce served over rice. Served with salad and French bread. Bucktown Fresh Catch - Market Price

A variety of fresh fish to choose from each day that can be prepared in one

of the following ways: grilled, broiled, blackened, or fried. Served with salad and vegetable or baked potato.

Crabmeat Au Gratin 20.95

We use only Jumbo Lump Crabmeat and bake it into our creamy blend of four cheeses and fresh seasonings. Served with salad and French bread. Top Sirloin Steak 18.95

10 ounce Center cut top sirloin, naturally lean and tender, chargrilled to your specification. Served with house salad and baked potato.

Stuffed Flounder 16.95

Crabmeat, dressing sandwiched between two fresh flounder filets and broiled to perfection. Served with salad and baked potato.

Bucktown Boil Pizza

All Bucktown's favorites - shrimp, crawfish & crabmeat, blended together and topped with mozzarella on this white pizza that combines the flavors of a backyard boil into one dish. Barbecue Shrimp Pasta

For those who do not want to get messy, we peel the shrimp for you and toss it with linguine in our barbecue shrimp sauce.

6-inch 7.95 12-inch 13.95 13.95

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Shrimp Dinner

14.95

Stuffed Crab 12.95

Louisiana Blue Crabmeat blended with fresh seasonings and bread crumbs then stuffed into natural crab shells and baked to a golden brown.

Oyster Dinner 14.95

Catfish Dinner 12.95

Combo Dinner

Shrimp, Oysters, Catfish (Choose 2 or all 3) 14.95

Soft-shell Crab Dinner (2) 14.95

Stuffed Shrimp 17.95

Jumbo Gulf Shrimp are butterflied and stuffed with our crabmeat dressing, then fried or broiled as you like.

(3) 19.95

Giant Seafood Platter 48.95

A bounty of fresh shrimp, oysters, catfish, soft-shell crabs (2) and crawfish dressing balls. Crawfish Quartet 16.95

Crawfish prepared four delicious ways - crawfish etouffee, crawfish au gratin, fried crawfish tails and crawfish dressing balls.

Half Seafood Platter 24.95

Same great seafood as on our Giant Platter, just half as much.



Dinners include French fries and coleslaw. Substitutions are 1.00 extra.

Substitutions do not apply to coleslaw and extra soft shell crabs Crab Quartet 19.95

Four of your favorite crab dishes on one plate - crabmeat au gratin, stuffed crab, fried soft-shell crab and fried crab claws.



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Po-Boy Po-Boy

Shrimp 8.95 Crawfish 8.95

Oyster 11.95 Softshell Crab 13.95

Catfish 7.95

French fries served with any sandwich add 1.50 Gumbo or Soup served with any sandwich add 2.95

Hamburger 7.95

8 ounces of fresh ground chuck. Served with French fries Chicken Breast 7.95

Grilled 8 ounce marinated chicken breast. Served with French fries.

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Coconut Custard Bread Pudding 5.25

Coconut milk and moist flaked coconut lightly flavor this rich custard base bread pudding, drenched in a hazelnut and coco cream anglaise and sprinkled with toasted almonds. The Gold Brick Sundae 8.95

Three scoops of Haagen-Dazs ice cream covered in Elmer’s gold brick chocolate and placed on top of our rich, made from scratch brownie, garnished

with whipped cream and cherries. This one is made to share.

Cheese Cake 5.95

Creamy homemade cheese cake on a graham cracker and pecan crust, covered with a fluffy sour cream topping and strawberry puree. Nectar Soda Float 3.95

"A New Orleans Original." Nector soda with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, definitely a one of a kind flavor.

Traditional Ice Cream Sundae 3.95