New Orleans
The big easy is such a fun city, and while many look to New Orleans for a great vacation to let loose and get messed up in the French Quarter, I highly recommend not forgetting about the killer grub. NOLA has a variety of delicious food that will suit anyone’s fancy. I hope you can enjoy all the amazing food that I did. I also would like to highlight the amazing swamp tour I went on in New Orleans. The swamp is very beautiful, and I had no idea, come see it before it is all washed away to the ocean, because as my tour guide said: “you can see the most extreme effects of climate change with how much swamp we lose every year”.
Breakfast/Cat Daddy Biscuit
Rank: 8
Bear Cat Café came up a lot in my research, but most prominently on the Big Man and the 3 podcast. Where JJ Reddick stated the best pancakes in his life were had here. I came expecting the best pancakes, waited two hours, and my waiter advised me to also try a biscuit. And with that, I need to thank JJ Reddick for turning me onto Bear Cat Café and my waiter advising me to try a biscuit.
The biscuit was so absolutely outstanding, seriously this biscuit blew me away, I was speechless for a good 20 minutes. The pancakes were good, 2nd best pancakes of my life. But this biscuit was on another LEVEL of deliciousness. I highly recommend for anyone in New Orleans or traveling to the city to go out of their way for this one. Absolutely fantastic, and worth the wait every time! The Cat Daddy Biscuit will easily satisfy anyone looking for the highest quality of brunches. Hell, I would eat this for every meal if I could.
Chicken
Rank: 24
Willie Mae’s Scotch House is another restaurant with a great story, and maybe even better grub to accompany it. The chicken is unbelievable, and there will inevitably be a long line, even if you show up before they open, which is what I recommend in order to secure the best chicken I have ever had. Here in New Orleans, the chicken itself is KING! Willie Mae makes tasty and crunchy chicken, that is great in a sandwich and on its own. The beans are also fabulous. If you happen to have some Uncle Lou’s hot sauce on you when you are around, trying it on Willie Mae’s is an amazing decision, trust me. But by itself Willie Mae’s simply could not disappoint, please make a special trip to Willie Mae’s when you are in NOLA.
BBQ Shop/Brisket
Rank: 33
Blue Oak BBQ has amazing BBQ all around I should know I tried all of it. However, I must admit, the brisket here really stood out. The brisket was very amazing, not on Houston levels of brisket, but the next closest thing I have had. The rest of the platter was also extremely good so I highly recommend getting a taste for all of it when you can. But if I were to go back, I would order the brisket and nothing else, if that tells you how much better the brisket was. The BBQ nachos were recommended to me, and while they were amazing, and do not regret devouring them, the brisket is all I will fill up on next time and is definitely the focus at Blue Oak.
Cajun/Jambalaya Supreme
Rank: 46
Coop’s place is an absolute must when in New Orleans, as a local the line is not worth waiting in too often, as you can go in off times. However, when coming to the city waiting in the line for the Jambalaya Supreme at Coop’s place is a necessity. The gumbo is also extremely tasty, and they have plenty of drinks to get you started for your evening in the French Quarter.
But the Jambalaya Supreme is why you wait for this one, it is extremely good. Being so close to Bourbon and Frenchman St. makes it a must on the way. And with the fabulous people watching, grubbing, and drinking that can be had you will surely look to come back. The Jambalaya Supreme without a doubt is the best food here and is all I would want in my stomach before a night out in the French Quarter.
BBQ/ Mac N’ Cheese
Rank: 48
Confusion alert, there is a Cochon Butcher restaurant and just Cochon Butcher, and they are adjacent to one another. This is the Cochon Butcher, and this is what you want, the restaurant is on the corner, and if you walk past it you should see Cochon Butcher(what you are looking for is a little confusing, I know). Here the duck was good, however, come here for the Mac N’ Cheese. This is hands down the best Mac N’ Cheese I have ever eaten, by far! I would eat this all day for every meal if I could and I HIGHLY recommend stopping in for some of the most glorious cheesy deliciousness you could ever try. It has that perfect crunch on top, that accompanies every elite mac n’ cheese, but has the perfect creamy and delicious blends of cheeses throughout.
Sandwiches/Bologna Sandwich
Rank: 54
Turkey and the Wolf absolutely slaps. I had the Fried Bologna Sandwich and let me tell you was not disappointed in any way. It was so good the mustard and the Bologna were a perfect 1-2 combo. And the added crunch of the chip was unique and tasty as hell. The bread of course is what makes a sandwich, and the bread here was killer, not the best bread ever, but damn good. It was an all-around solid spot, and I am sure the rest of their menu is also very good.
Italian Market/ Muffuletta
Rank: 106
Central Grocery is simply an iconic must-hit while you are in NOLA. It is right near Frenchman Street and Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, so I am sure you will be in the area. Just make sure you get here early before they close so you don’t miss out on the Muffuletta. I had never considered myself someone who likes olives, and when I was looking at this sandwich completely smothered in their famous olive salad, I cannot lie I was nervous. But after the first bite, I wanted to buy their olive salad, which they sell separately and put it on every sandwich I eat. This Muffuletta is so unique and amazingly tasty, pick up a sandwich then walk over to the river to enjoy Jackson Square, a fantastic sandwich, and a start of your day in the French quarter that cannot begin better.
Classic Creole/Eggplant Napoleon
Rank: 139
Walking into Joey K’s you are greeted with the most iconic of New Orleans vibes It is a staple Creole restaurant that has a great New Orleans vibe, while also serving some fantastically crafted Creole standards. Here, however, one appetizer stuck out above the rest of the menu, get the eggplant Napoleon and be ready for a treat! I do not even generally enjoy eggplant, and this was one of those instances where the food was cooked to perfection. I would personally stop in again for simply the Eggplant Napoleon and nothing else, nevertheless, the rest of the menu has a lot to behold as well. I know Eggplant Napoleon in, general, is quite tasty, but Joey K’s secures the best Eggplant Napoleon in my opinion.
Po’Boys
Rank: 133
Parkway is yet another New Orleans classic, specializing in the famous Po’Boy. The menu states that the most popular Po’Boy is the roast beef, which is definitely great. However, for a truly New Orleans experience I recommend the Alligator smoked sausage Po Boy. It was not only uniquely New Orleans but definitely tastier than the roast beef. The atmosphere is another great spot, but I would not stop in again for the atmosphere, I would come back for killer gator in the Po’Boy.
Cajun/ Pepper Jack Stuffed Boudin Balls
Rank: 168
Bourree is a spot you could easily miss in New Orleans, and it is one of those spots where the most advertised item, the Po Boy, is a skip for me. The Po Boy was not bad by any means, but the Pepper Jack Stuffed Boudin Balls, were simply fantastic, easily the best item on the menu in my opinion. These balls of fried cheese were so damn tasty, that I still can’t believe how good they were to this day. I highly recommend going for live music, and amazing balls of cheese.
Southern Classics
Rank: 267
Elizabeth’s is an amazing little spot right next to Crescent Park (which happens to provide a great view of the city and a nice walking path after filling up). The food is great, and the atmosphere is even better. I had the steak and eggs for breakfast, and it was simply fantastic, now while it may not be at the top of my list for deliciousness, if you have time to make your way over to Elizabeth’s and have a meal to kill, this is a great spot to hit.
Po Boys/ Duck Po Boy
Rank: 279
While Crabby Jack’s is not my number one spot for a Po Boy, and it is coming in last on my note-worthy restaurants in New Orleans, it still provides another uniquely New Orleans staple, with a new light. The best Po Boy at Crabby Jack’s is hands down the duck, which was extremely tasty, a dabbing of hot sauce helps improve the kick of this big-ass Po Boy. But in the end, it comes in towards the bottom, so do not skip on any of the other spots to hit Crabby Jack’s, but if you have time, you will certainly not regret stopping by for some delicious duck.
Places I haven’t tried but came up in research:
1. Peche
2. Brigtsen’s
3. The Joint
4. Domeilise’