GMG.com Definitive list of things to do, eat + drink in New Orleans

[Harry]

I have many but let's start off simple and have everyone add to the list.  Please try to provide a website or physical address and we can use this list while we are there.  This is one of the best damn sandwiches I have ever had:

Famous Perdi Special at Mothers!

MOTHER'S RESTAURANT
401 Poydras
New Orleans, LA 70130

http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/history_facts.html

[MeanGreenTexan]

I like Mothers.

And I know it gets mixed reviews on TripAdvisor/Yelp, but I cannot go to NO without going to Mulate's.   If you're looking for standard unhealthy Cajun faire (etouffee, creole, jambalaya, gumbo, etc...)  you won't regret it.   https://mulates.com/

Also, for PoBoy's, go here: http://www.nolapoboys.com/   and/or here:  http://mahonyspoboys.com/

For a nicer meal, but not Antoines or Commander's Palace prices,  Atchafalaya is fantastic!   http://www.atchafalayarestaurant.com/

For a Denton vibe (if you like Barley & Board),  try Cochon.   https://cochonbutcher.com/

 

 

Source:  My taste buds when we visit in-laws in N.O.

[LongJim]

We were down there in July.

Commerce Diner for breakfast is approved:

http://www.commercerest.com/welcome.html

Deanie's for dinner is approved:

https://deanies.com/

[TheColonyEagle]

I mentioned this in another thread...the charbroiled oysters a Dragos right there in the team hotel. They're fantastic

http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/about/our-oysters/

 

 

For a nice dinner....Commander's Palace. Probably my wife and I's favorite dining experience of all time. It's $$$ but it's awesome. 

https://www.commanderspalace.com/

 

Edited December 5, 2017 by TheColonyEagle

[GreenN'walinsVet]

Looking for really good Cajun/Creole I suggest "The Gumbo Shop" on St. Peter Street.

gumboshop.com

I suggest starting off with the boudin, then a nice combination dish of Jambalaya, Crawfish Etufee, and Gumbo, served with Red Beans and Rice.

[GreenN'walinsVet]

4 minutes ago, LongJim said:

We were down there in July.

Commerce Diner for breakfast is approved:

http://www.commercerest.com/welcome.html

Deanie's for dinner is approved:

https://deanies.com/

Deanie's is certainly approved.  The Seafood platter is all you could want and more.  

[MeanGreenSailor09]

Visited New Orleans a few months ago for a Saints game (WHO DAT!), here's a few places from that visit:

Brunch: Court of Two Sisters. Jazz brunch buffet with great food and drink in a lovely courtyard setting. Have a brandy milk punch and enjoy some jazz.

http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/

Lunch: Company Burger. Great burgers and drinks, good spot to grab a bite for lunch.

https://www.thecompanyburger.com/location/downtown

Dinner (fancy): Brennan's. They invented Bananas Foster. Great upscale dining.

http://www.brennansneworleans.com/

Dinner (casual): Deanie's. Great place for poboys and seafood. If you're with a big group they have a great seafood platter that feeds a lot of folks.

https://deanies.com/ 

Thing to Do: Visit the National WWII Museum. Possibly the best museum I have ever been to. It takes up a few city blocks and you can't see everything in one day, but their exhibits on the European and Pacific theaters are so immersive you'll think you're there.

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/

Advice:

- If you want the tourist experience, go to Bourbon street. If you want a more local experience, go to Frenchmen street in the Marigny neighborhood.

[Harry]

16 minutes ago, TheColonyEagle said:

I mentioned this in another thread...the charbroiled oysters a Dragos right there in the team hotel. They're fantastic

http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/about/our-oysters/

 

 

For a nice dinner....Commander's Palace. Probably my wife and I's favorite dining experience of all time. It's $$$ but it's awesome. 

https://www.commanderspalace.com/

 

I haven’t been but heard it’s great.  Is it all you can eat and what is their specialty?  Always seems like they are booked up.

[GreenN'walinsVet]

I know in the past games there was a bar (cant remember which one) that became "The North Texas Bar".  They would decorate up with our flags and such. 

Have we heard if and where that will be this year?

[untcampbell]

Agree on the chargrilled oysters at Dragos. But if you can, go to the Metairie location. Even the employees agree the grills in Metairie produce the better product. 3232 N Arnoult Rd, Metairie, LA 70002

For a bit nicer meal, try Meril in the CBD. Emeril's small plate restaurant named after his daughter. 424 Girod. http://emerilsrestaurants.com/meril

Pretty good red beans and rice with sausage at Ernst Cafe, http://ernstcafe.co/ 600 South Peters, next to Manning's. A hole in the wall, but decent prices and a smoky taste. Never a wait.

Breakfast at the Ruby Slipper. Number of locations but the one on Canal Street usually has a shorter line than the one on Magazine. 1005 Canal Street. https://www.therubyslippercafe.net/menus/

Other nice meals: Orleans Grapevine a block behind St Louis Cathredral is quiet and feels more local than some of the regular tourist haunts. Muriel's near Jackson Square is great. Everyone knows Brennan's but they have just gone through a massive renovation and it is really back up to speed. For dessert, go get the bananas foster at the Palace Cafe on Canal. 

Go over to Frenchman Street in the Marigny Triangle (the next neighborhood over from the FQ for music. Snug Harbor stands out but is a bit more pricey on the cover. Lots of options to hear music from the street, and most of the clubs are reasonably priced.

Take a walk up Bourbon to say you have done it but spend some time off Bourbon taking in all the city has to offer. New Orleans is somewhat polarizing...you either love it or not. Potholes, politics (one of NO's best spectator sports), crime all suck to some extent but it is a historical city, perhaps the most international of US cities. It defines the word quirky. Definitely talk to the locals. It is a talking town. Go in with an open mind if you haven't been there.

GMG

 

 

 

[ipd054]

Here are some good places in the quarter, I am sticking to the quarter because that is where most will be hanging out and staying.

Food: If you are in to healthy move to the next post, if you like good eats and will worry about your figure later read on...

Cafe Beignet (Royal Street between Conti and Bienville) - cafebeignet.com - good Beignet without the zoo of Du Monde. Breakfast or snack only...

Pierre Masperos (Chartres and St Louis) $15-$25 per entre- originalpierremasperos.com - it is housed in the oldest building in NOLA.  Andrew Jackson met here to plan the defense at the Battle of New Orleans, was once a slave exchange, and was a coffee house for decades at the turn of the 19th century.  I recommend the Chicken and Waffles, Crescent City Sampler, and the Shrimp and Grits.  Start with the Fried Alligator.

TO DO:

Preservation Hall - Traditional New Orleans Jazz - Hour long show - $20 Cash only.  shows at 6,8,9,10.  No cameras, food or drink allowed.  Small venue with over half the place standing room only.  Get in line at least 30-45 min before the show or you will not get in.  

 

[MeanGreenTexan]

Take in a show here if you have a chance.

[DeepGreen]

For seafood I recommend GW Finns.  $$$

Great atsmosphere, great food. GW Finns

For Mediterranean food, try Shaya’s on Magazine St., one of the top, new restaurants in New Orleans.  $$$$$$

If you have an extra day or two, the WWII Museum is a must see. It has been re-done since Hurricane Katrina and is bigger and better than ever.  You can spend an entire day there and not see it all.

Edited December 5, 2017 by DeepGreen

[untcampbell]

Name of the home of the Mean Green during the NOB Sun Belt days was http://www.fritzelsjazz.net/no_flash.php

 

GMG

[TheColonyEagle]

10 minutes ago, Harry said:

I haven’t been but heard it’s great.  Is it all you can eat and what is their specialty?  Always seems like they are booked up.

Commanders palace? 

 It's fairly upscale. We went a long time ago but it was a few hours...different courses, excellent wine. Be prepared for an event. I remember the pork belly....one of the best things I've ever eaten. 

[DeepGreen]

8 minutes ago, untcampbell said:

Name of the home of the Mean Green during the NOB Sun Belt days was http://www.fritzelsjazz.net/no_flash.php

 

GMG

Heard they serve up “crow” to certain deserving Mean Green fans!

[keith]

2 hours ago, Harry said:

I have many but let's start off simple and have everyone add to the list.  Please try to provide a website or physical address and we can use this list while we are there.  This is one of the best damn sandwiches I have ever had:

Famous Perdi Special at Mothers!

MOTHER'S RESTAURANT
401 Poydras
New Orleans, LA 70130

http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/history_facts.html

Mother's "debris" .... yummy.

[UNTLifer]

Actually, it is the "Ferdi Special" but they will know when you order.

Acme Oyster House is great.  http://www.acmeoyster.com/

Dookie Chase's for a touch of history.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d426333-Reviews-Dooky_Chase-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

Parkway for po boys:  http://parkwaypoorboys.com/

Central Grocery for Muffalettas: http://centralgrocery.com/

Parasol's in the Garden District: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d477774-Reviews-Parasol_s-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

Casamento's: http://www.casamentosrestaurant.com/main/main.html

 

[C Vo]

This will be the first bowl game I've missed since the 2000 game.  My wife and I planned a long weekend in Manhatten for Christmas months ago, that's why I was hoping for the HOD Bowl.  We've got tickets to the Rockettes and several Broadway plays.  So go to NO and have fun!  I'll miss it and I haven't been back to NO since 2004, so I'm interested in if it's changed a bit.  

[Stix]

http://www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com/ - Somewhat touristy, on Decatur St., but I've enjoyed their beer, food, and live jazz combos.

Really touristy, but who can resist beignets and coffee with chicory? http://www.cafedumonde.com/ They have a shop in the Riverwalk Mall if you don't have much time, but there's nothing like sitting outside at the French Market if you can.

[MeanGreenTexan]

2 minutes ago, Stix said:

Really touristy, but who can resist beignets and coffee with chicory? http://www.cafedumonde.com/ They have a shop in the Riverwalk Mall if you don't have much time, but there's nothing like sitting outside at the French Market if you can.

For those of you going to NO for the first time, you should do this.

[Marty]

Never been to NOLA, are most of these places near the team hotel?

[GreenN'walinsVet]

1 hour ago, Marty said:

Never been to NOLA, are most of these places near the team hotel?

The Team Hotel is a little outside the quarter, but everything is pretty close down there.  The Quarter is what, maybe 1 mile by 1 mile square.  90% of what is being talked about here is in the quarter or on the outskirts, so you should be no more than a mile walk to any place that is being recommended.

[MattMakesLoans]

Harrah’s casino has free 24-hour parking if you play for 30 minutes on your rewards card (it’s free to get a card).

Hotels charge $25-$40 per day for parking.

[TheColonyEagle]

52 minutes ago, GreenN'walinsVet said:

The Team Hotel is a little outside the quarter, but everything is pretty close down there.  The Quarter is what, maybe 1 mile by 1 mile square.  90% of what is being talked about here is in the quarter or on the outskirts, so you should be no more than a mile walk to any place that is being recommended.

Definitely an easy walk to everything French quarter from there. The casino is right across the street