It’s okay. I do it, too. Morning, noon, and late night. When I should be sleeping. Sometimes I do it so long my neck gets sore. Instagram scrolling. There’s no shame in my Instagram search game. Gumbo, anything where cheese is being pulled apart, pasta, po-boys, I’m getting hungry just writing this. It’s no surprise that some of the best foodie accounts are from people right here in New Orleans. Their posts ignite hunger and showcase the best eats of The Big Easy. Meet the folks behind the pics. Okay foodies, now let’s get in formation.
#cuethedrool
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time? Can you remember the first time you had it?
Beluga caviar, eaten with a caviar spoon, right from the tin. The first time I had it was 1967, when I was six years old. My Mom was throwing a party and put out a caviar service. She let me have a taste before her guests arrived, and I fell in love with it. I spent the entire evening standing next to the caviar, guarding it and eating ridiculous amounts on buttered toast points.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go to have a great New Orleans meal? On the flip side, with an unlimited budget, where would you go?
I’d hit a corner store for a seafood po-boy, dressed. Paris.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
Yes, I cook a lot. My grandmother’s recipe for braised brisket and potato latkes.
4) Clean plate club: what dish gets wiped clean every time?
Steak Tartare.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
Depends on time of year, but Casamento’s for fried oyster loaf and fries, then a quick drive to Brocato’s for biscuit tortoni or cannoli and a double espresso. If Casamento’s isn’t open, it’s R&O by the Lakefront for Italian Salad and po-boys, pizza and tamales.
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
Japanese food and chocolate. Two things: canned peas and oatmeal.
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
My favorite meal of all time is Chicken shwarma from Mona’s on Banks. I first had it when I was five, and I have a lot of nostalgia for that neighborhood and restaurant.
2) If you only had ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
My go-to cheap NOLA meal is the Cuban sandwich at Canseco’s on Esplanade. For a celebratory splurge meal, I head to Meril’s with close friends and two rounds of ALL the apps.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
When I cook, the crowd favorite is fish ‘n’ grits with BBQ butter.
4) Clean plate club.
The Duck Jameel at Maple Street Cafe renews my faith in humanity and my membership to clean plate club. I have withdrawals if I don’t have it often.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
I bring out-of-town guests to Liuzza’s on Bienville, and I push the Frenchuletta of course.
6) What will you never pass up? What will you always pass up?
I always say YES to tacos, and in NOLA, it’s a hard pass on fast food. I can’t waste taste buds on that nonsense when there are so many great spots in this city.
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
I had my favorite meal of all time about four years ago at Coquette. Their chef’s tasting menu is incredible—full of fresh, seasonal ingredients and innovative concepts. I couldn’t even tell you the dishes that were served, but the chefs had both my husband and I eating (and loving!) ingredients that we don’t generally enjoy.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
If I only had ten dollars, I would hit up Central Grocery for a New Orleans classic: the muffaletta! If my budget was unlimited I would head on over to Commander’s Palace where the old-school southern hospitality is just as much a part of the experience as the cuisine.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
I love to cook, but don’t do it as often as I’d like. I keep it pretty simple in the kitchen, but I’d like to think I make a decent chicken curry.
4) Clean plate club.
I’m obsessed with the salted caramel doberge cake from Debbie Does Doberge!
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
I love taking visitors to Cavan on Magazine Street. It’s in a prime location in a gorgeous New Orleans-style mansion, and the food is amazing! If I’m going for dinner, I’m starting with the salmon poke tacos, moving on to the island spice jerked fish, and finishing with the peanut butter bar! Their happy hour is pretty great, too!
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
I will never pass up a good bottomless brunch (hello, eggs benedict!) I’m really not into what a lot of people might consider ‘delicacies’: caviar, escargot, pate—No thanks!
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
Red beans and rice with fried chicken. My first time having it as a kid was at my grandmother’s house. Back when I was a kid you spent weekends and summers by your grandparents. I actually lived with mine at one point.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
You may laugh at this, but I’m going to the Blue Store on St Bernard and Broad St in NOLA. With an unlimited budget, I’m headed to Galatoires 33 Bar & Steak or just restaurant hop and order appetizers and drinks from a few of my favs.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
Yes, I love to cook. I make a few great southern dishes but my best dish, in my opinion, is anything smothered like chicken, pork chops, or turkey necks.
4) Clean plate club.
Willie Mae’s.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
Drago’s for chargrilled oysters.
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
Never pass up crawfish. My motto is #nofoodleftbehind.
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
One of my favorite meals – and overall experiences – is getting dim sum with my family. It’s something we actually all agree on, and it’s so fun sitting around the table and sharing all the small plates. And it’s always delicious! I’m so excited about all the new dim sum popping up in New Orleans.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
I want to say a po-boy, but let’s be honest, it’s hard to find a good po-boy for under $10! The best food deals in New Orleans for $10 are probably found at the Vietnamese restaurants. Pho Cam Ly on Magazine has amazing pho and rice bowls, and their entire menu is $10 and under (unless you do their giant pho challenge). I’ve never been to Commander’s Palace, which I feel like is a New Orleans rite-of-passage. I’d love to get all dressed up and have a nice dinner there. Also if I had the money, I’d eat at Saffron weekly. We need more Indian food in New Orleans!
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
I love looking up recipes, but I’m notorious for either being too lazy to actually cook or just forgetting to go to the grocery store. When I do cook, I like making stir-frys because you can throw everything in your fridge together, and it’s fast. I love making salmon at home too – it cooks fast, you can season it so many ways, and it’s so good for you!
4) Clean plate club.
I will always wipe the plate clean at brunch. Probably because I’m always starving after a night out! I like Surrey’s when I’m being more casual, or Basin if I actually have the strength to put makeup on that morning.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
My favorite place to take out-of-towners is Superior Seafood for their Happy Hour. Fifty-cent oysters, free bread, and amazing frozen drinks on St. Charles is the perfect way to ease them into New Orleans! I also love bringing people to Bacchanal, because it has the perfect New Orleans combination of food, drinks, music, and being outdoors.
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
Definitely crawfish. I get myself invited to every boil I possibly can when it’s in season. Anything with olives! I’ve never had a muffaletta because I hate olives.
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
Oh gosh, that’s a tough one! I don’t remember all the details about each dish, but the best meal I’ve ever had was probably at Chef Anita Lo’s NYC restaurant Annisa, which unfortunately closed in 2017. I went in 2014, and there’s one dish that stood out in particular. It had a piece of fish and some veggies in the most rich, flavorful bonito broth. I wish I could remember the rest of the details of that dish, but wow, that was one amazing bowl of goodness. And to top off the meal, I got to meet Chef Lo!
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
For a great cheap meal, my go-to lately has been Bayou Hot Wings because it’s so close to where I live. They’ve got some great wing flavors (my favorites are Bayou Sweet Heat or Korean BBQ) and the Garlic Butter Parmesan fries are to die for. With an unlimited budget, I would definitely go to Chef Nina Compton’s Compere Lapin. I feel pretty confident saying the meal I had at Compere Lapin is the best meal I’ve had in New Orleans (so far) and I would love to go back and splurge on every menu item so I can try it all.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
I do cook! I mostly cook paleo and Whole30 inspired meals at home to maintain a sense of balance for all of the eating out I do. A couple of the best dishes I enjoy making are Sweet Potato Chili and Kimchi Fried Rice.
4) Clean plate club.
Pretty much any dessert! I have a huge sweet tooth and especially love ice cream and bread pudding.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
Willa Jean. Most people talk about Willa Jean’s brunch, but I mostly go for dinner and I always order the fried chicken sandwich. Pro tip: If you like pimento cheese, you can ask for pimento cheese to be added to your fried chicken sandwich or burger! And of course I always have to order some cookies and/or something else from the pastry counter there.
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
I will never pass up Cane’s – no slaw, extra toast every time! I will always pass on olives, beets, and foods doused in cilantro. Yes, I’m one of those people who thinks cilantro tastes like soap.
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
My mother’s roast and mashed potatoes. If there was one dish in the world I could have again, it would be that. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know my mother’s mashed potatoes.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
Camellia Grill. It’s a quintessential New Orleans diner. Cheap eats, friendly staff, and open 24 hours!
Irene’s. Definitely one of my favorite spots in NOLA, but I limit myself to once a year due to the price tag. It is in the Quarter, but I feel like it’s a place mostly locals go. Literally everything on the menu is heavenly and the cheesecake [OHMYGAWD THE CHEESECAKE] is so good you won’t even believe it.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
I do cook. Although I haven’t made big dishes in a while. I don’t like to rate my own cooking, and I actually get very bashful anytime someone tastes my food. I get a lot of compliments on my crawfish etouffee.
4) Clean plate club.
So many happy plates in my life. But I have to vote for the Mushroom Manchego Toast at Mimi’s in the Marigny. It is flavorful, lots of cheesy goodness, mushrooms, and bread to soak it all up! I’m drooling as I type.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
Bacchanal is always my #1 recommendation because there’s really no other place like it anywhere. It’s truly magical and the food is great. The menu is seasonal but generally the mussels and the bread and butter are my two favorites. However, you have to work your way to Bacchanal, so it’s never the first place. You need to get to know New Orleans a little bit before you can go there. Liuzza’s by the Track is also a top contender. And I’d order gumbo, turtle soup, and BBQ shrimp!
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
Ohhh. Ice cream/gelato. I am a fool for the creams. Recently, I had my first gelato experience at Piccolo’s Gelateria. My life was changed. I thought I was in love with Blue Bell and nothing could take me away. Then, BAM! Gelato was there. Somehow creamier, more delicious, and surprisingly a little sexy (ya know, because it’s Italian).
Liver. Blah! I really don’t have anything nice to say about liver. Hard pass. [And out of state Gumbo. Bye Felicia.]
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
Shrimp pasta, bbq meatballs, and Manchu chicken—all flats. 9/10 times, I had it at a party.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
Shrimp on bun, fully dressed add hot sauce from the nearest corner store, with a Big Shot.
Houston’s.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
I actually enjoy cooking. My best dish is this sweet chili garlic glazed salmon.
4) Clean plate club.
Meatballs and spaghetti.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
Neyow’s off top. Chargrilled oysters to start, fried fish platter, Mac n cheese, carrot soufflé, and bread pudding for dessert.
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
CRAWFISH all day, everyday. You will never see my plate with a poached egg.
1) What’s your favorite meal of all time, can you remember the first time you had it?
Salmon and brie grilled cheese at Elizabeth’s at brunch in 2010. This is actually one of the first times we had an official NOLA Brunch Club gathering.
2) If you had only ten dollars in your pocket where would you go? On the flip side?
While it’s near impossible to find meals for under $10 in New Orleans, Banh Mi Boys in Metairie has a ton of great options for under $10. Between banh mi and po-boys, you can’t go wrong.
Either the Champagne and Fries at Sylvain or I would go to Jack Rose Restaurant and order one of everything on the menu including the Mile High Pie.
3) Do YOU cook? If so, what’s your best dish?
With my busy schedule, my husband does most of the cooking, but my go-to dish is a secret family recipe for my MawMaw’s stewed cucuzza, which I grow in my back yard.
4) Clean plate club.
Hands down, eggs benedict. Poached eggs are my litmus test for testing out brunches at restaurants because it’s on nearly every menu and it’s easy to mess up.
5) Where’s the first place you take visitors from out of town? What’s the order?
If it’s someone’s first time in New Orleans, I would take them to Parkway Tavern for po-boys, but if it isn’t their first time, we would hit up D.T.B. and get their fried cornbread (with ham hock marmalade, goat cheese, and jalapenos).
6) What food will you never pass up? What food will you always pass up?
I will never pass up beets. Freret Beer Room, Copper Vine, and Bar Frances all have amazing roasted beet salads. Unfortunately, I have been cursed with tastebuds that reject whatever cilantro is supposed to taste like and replace it with a soapy flavor. This has been devastating, as I really enjoy cuisines that typically use a lot of cilantro.
