Good Cheap Eats in New Orleans!

[beegew]

Right you are! Forty lashes with a wet noodle.

[Schneier]

Cafe du Monde for breakfast.

Casamento's, and order an oyster loaf (it's a sandwich) for lunch.

Eddie's (on Law Street) for dinner.

It's a great food town. Have fun.

Bruce

[shugga]

Clover Grill

900 Bourbon Street

Best Pecan Waffles in the world!!!! Cheap too.

[giblert]

Thank you all! We too will be down from Canada and spending a few days in NO prior to a cruise and were wondering about cheap eats. Great thread.

[PopsicleToze]

Camellia Grill has gone horribly downhill

I would skip it, but Mother's and Johnny's are still top fare

About the only thing Cafe du Monde has is beignets (way too much powdered sugar) and coffee, but if you haven't been to N.O. before, it's worth it.

Central Grocery, IMO, has the best muffalettas around. Even a hearty appetite can only eat half of one, and they sell them in halves. Get that, a Barq's root beer (or beer or wine, which they also sell) and eat on the levee watching the barges go by. Great way to spend part of your afternoon.

Begue's Restaurant in the Royal Orleans hotel has a great Friday seafood lunch buffet.

Also, Brigtsen's restaurant is fabulous. The chef is alwaaaaays there, and I've never had anything there that wasn't terrific. They have an early bird special. I believe you have to be seated before 6:30, and it's only on Tues/Wed/Thurs -- but I'm not sure. Call them and check out the details. 723 Dante St

New Orleans 70118

504 861 7610

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Edited because I can't spell

Edited September 4, 2003 by NolaFoodie (log)

[rshorens]

Great topic, as I'm going to NO in April. But on a slightly different tack, if one would like to splurge on one fantastic meal, where would you'all recommend? Or should I just stick to the cheap and good?

Merci!

Roz

[pogophiles]

Lunch at Commander's Palace is our usual splurge...

[FistFullaRoux]

I used to live in NO many moons ago. Not sure if these are still there, but look for them. This is the neighborhood I used to live in.

There used to be a bakery on St. Charles Ave. at Cherokee St., on the street car line near Tulane University (Not Tulane Street - shudder) called Your Daily Bread. Used to make a superb spinach-cheese bread. Big freeform herb dough stuffed with provolone and spinach. Take one home to the relatives. Good plate lunches there as well. Makes a good lunch stop near Audobon Park.

In the same neighborhood, down Broadway, there was a bar called The Boot that made amazing sandwiches. Great meatball po-boys. Lotsa frat boys there, but a good meal for a reasonable price.

There was also this mom and pop Italian restaurant on Elm street near there. The name escapes me, but the memory of their veal scallopini still brings a tear to my eye.

And if you are going to splurge, Commander's Palace is a good place to do it. Or Brennan's. And don't forget the casinos downtown. Normally very good food at a reasonable price. It won't feel like as much of a splurge, but the food will make up for it.

[Mayhaw Man]

I used to live in NO many moons ago. Not sure if these are still there, but look for them. This is the neighborhood I used to live in.

There used to be a bakery on St. Charles Ave. at Cherokee St., on the street car line near Tulane University (Not Tulane Street - shudder) called Your Daily Bread. Used to make a superb spinach-cheese bread. Big freeform herb dough stuffed with provolone and spinach. Take one home to the relatives. Good plate lunches there as well. Makes a good lunch stop near Audobon Park.

In the same neighborhood, down Broadway, there was a bar called The Boot that made amazing sandwiches. Great meatball po-boys. Lotsa frat boys there, but a good meal for a reasonable price.

There was also this mom and pop Italian restaurant on Elm street near there. The name escapes me, but the memory of their veal scallopini still brings a tear to my eye.

And if you are going to splurge, Commander's Palace is a good place to do it. Or Brennan's. And don't forget the casinos downtown. Normally very good food at a reasonable price. It won't feel like as much of a splurge, but the food will make up for it.

Been a while, huh.

To begin with the Casino downtown (one) doesn't have food. The one on the West Bank does, but nothing remarkable.

Your Daily Bread on St Charles Avenue closed several years ago and is now located in Jefferson on Jeff Hwy. You are right, however, about the Spinach Bread. It was wonderful.

I believe you are refferring to Compagno's Restaurante for the Scalloppini. It closed a few years ago after a long run (over 75 years) and a death or two in the family.

If I was eating one fine dining meal in New Orleans it would be at Commanders Palace. Many people have refferred to lunch and it is probably the best dining deal in New Orleans. Lunch for under twenty bucks, but if you want the full blown deal, go at night and do the whole deal.

I also might reccomend :

Galitoires (maybe over COmmanders, but I live here so is not a painful decision

Brigstens

Clancys

Bayona

Emeril's (yeah I know, but it is a damn good place to eat)

Peristyle

Mr. B's

Palace Cafe (not exactly fine dining, but good nonetheless

La Provence (on the Northshore, nice drive, great food)

Dakota (once again on the Northshore)_

Cuvee (same guy as Dakota, but downtown)

Hope this helps, Have Fun

You also might try Roadfood.com for less expensive options

[FistFullaRoux]

Been a while, huh.

Yeah it has. The old neighborhood has changed, I guess. Ignore the above post, then.

I left NO after I totalled my car on Causeway Blvd (Do you know how embarrasing it is to hear yourself on a traffic report?), my bike that I was using to get to work was stolen, 2 neigbors got burglarized, and 2 other neighbors got thier vehicles broken into. In the space of 3 weeks.

I think someone was telling me to leave New Orleans. Now that I think about it, last time I was in that neighborhood (to see a band at Jimmy's) was 10 years ago.

I suddenly feel old. I'll make my version of the spinach bread tonight.

[jess mebane]

I left NO after I totalled my car on Causeway Blvd (Do you know how embarrasing it is to hear yourself on a traffic report?), my bike that I was using to get to work was stolen, 2 neigbors got burglarized, and 2 other neighbors got thier vehicles broken into. In the space of 3 weeks.

Did you live in the quarter? We've got dear friends who finally gave up their renovation project on St. Ann following a half-dozen burglaries; I think it really broke their hearts. Then again, they said the last straw was having to bribe the trashmen to pick up their cans, like it was emblematic of the whole city's laissez faire attitude towards grift.

Personally, after the spouse kicks off, I'd like to open a bar in Baton Rouge down the street from frat row of LSU; might have a fighting chance of keeping an eye on my boys.....

Edited September 11, 2003 by jess mebane (log)

[Mayhaw Man]

I worked across the street from Jimmy's Club while I was in school. I was at Carrollton station during the mid eighties. That was the crime low point in NO. Used to have to leave work with a gun in my hand, displayed, to ward off evil doers. The neighborhood has improved greatly in the last ten years with renovation of streetcar barn and lots of small businesses moving into the area.

Crime or no, I love it and still believe that the addage "a low standard of living and a high quality of life" is the best description of New Orleans ever made

edited because I can't type

[jess mebane]

Crime or no, I love it and still believe that the addage "a low standard of living and a high quality of life" is the best description of New Orleans ever made

Totally agree, in the vein of "That's Why the Lady is a Tramp" sort of fondness.

[foodE]

Cafe du Monde may be my favorite place on earth!

I've only been to NO twice. The first time I went to Bayona, and made it a point to go there again on my second trip. My boyfriend has been to this wonderful city over a dozen times and Bayona is one of his favorite restaurants there. I wouldn't call it cheap, though.

We also enjoy Maspero's. I had good red beans and rice there. Its more on the inexpensive side.

Uglische's is also fun, and cheap for sure.

[Rachel Perlow]

So Uglische's is still around? Someone remind me of the procedure there. I know we have to arrive early...

[shadow]

Does anyone have experince with Stella! ??? We will be in New Orleans for a long weekend right after Christmas--the 28th is our 40th anniversay, Saturday we will be at Bayona and we like Mr. B s for Sunday brunch---but on Sunday night the concierge recommended Stella! It has gotten some good reviews elsewhere , but I trust you guys What do you say?

[Mayhaw Man]

So Uglische's is still around? Someone remind me of the procedure there. I know we have to arrive early...

Uglesich's is blissfully free of any pretentious protocol. Just great food made by people who care about it.

You do need to get there early (or at least go prepared to stand in a corner or outside on the sidewalk observing the operations of the dairy across the street), especially if there is some kind of convention in town (there usually is). It is a very small place, pretty much a classic lunchroom. Beer cases stacked in the corner, deliveries piled helter skelter around the back of the restaurant, etc.

Take the time and go there. Unlike alot of places that are small and get as much press as they do, they are not overrated. These people are geniuses. Wonderful food and the nicest, most helpful staff you would ever care to meet. Ask what's good or ask your neighbor's while you are standing on line. New Orleanians are not short on opinions about food (or anything else for that matter) and will be glad to steer you in the right direction.

[Rachel Perlow]

How early is early? (When do they open?) Are they only open for lunch or dinner too?

[Mayhaw Man]

How early is early? (When do they open?) Are they only open for lunch or dinner too?

10:00-4:00 Monday - Friday

Uglesich's is interesting in that it started out as the New Orleans equivelant of a meat and three place for the working class people in the neighborhood. It still is. It is a might more than your average po boy joint, but still not as much as you might drop at alot of other places around town.

The Uglesich's just happen to be great with seafood and this is truly one of those places that was "discovered" and while many foodies clomp over for a great meal, the place has not substancially changed in years. I seriously doubt that Anthony Uglesich had ever read a copy of Gourmet or Food and WIne before he was in it. He just knows what tastes good and enjoys producing this food for others with similar tastes. This place is a case of someone with an innate feel for great things to do with food, serving it the way he would like to see it served to him were he dining on his own.

Dollar in, dollar out, your taste buds will have difficulty doing better elsewhere.

[giblert]

Thank you to all for this thread. We spent a few days in New Orleans and printed out this thread as an eating guideline. We hit Cafe du Monde (twice, I'm so in love with this place), Mother's (twice, just don't get food like that in Vancouver) and Johnny's Po Boys. All lived up to their reputations. We tried a few other places but several were open for lunch only.

[jbraynolds]

Did anyone mention Napoleon House for the (hot) muffaleta? Best in town, I think. Skip the "famous" Pimm's Cup and drink beer instead. The cocktails there are strictly tourist, unfortunately.

Edited December 3, 2003 by jbraynolds (log)