This New Orleans institution has such a wide-reaching reputation that even President Obama has sampled its offerings. Come here to get your hands around a poor boy (or po'boy) sandwich, a Louisiana traditional submarine sandwich. The sandwiches come in all varieties, from barbecued beef and charbroiled hamburger to grilled shrimp and oven-cooked turkey. Whatever you try, it's sure to be uniquely delicious.
Cafe Reconcile, a cheerful dining spot, is a non-profit concern that assists out-of-school youngsters with employment. Walk in to be seated and served by bright and chirpy teenage trainee servers. The brightly lit informal dining room is crammed with locals at all hours. Items on the menu rotate with the days of the week. Find solace in the spicy chicken and sausage gumbo or creamy white beans and shrimp. Munch on salads or drool over delicious po-boys. For those with a sweet-tooth, the wide range of desserts won't disappoint you. This cafeteria style neighborhood joint is truly in a league of its own.
There is no greater pleasure on a flaming afternoon in New Orleans than letting the sweet icy flecks from a Hansen's Sno-Bliz melt on your tongue. Since Ernest Hansen set out the make a better sno-ball by building his first Sno-Bliz sno-ball machine in the 1930s, the family-run Hansen's Sno-Bliz has been a summertime tradition for many New Orleanians. Standing at the current Tchoupitoulas location since 1944, sno-ball lovers have lined up to order the Hansen family version of the sweet shaved ice. Sugary syrups like cream of peach, chocolate, strawberry, lemonade, and nectar flavor the icy mounds and provide instant heat relief summer after summer.
Picking the perfect cheese from a case of hundreds with names like Drunk Monk and Jacquin Tomme Cendree can be intimidating. Luckily, the staff at St. James Cheese Company is highly educated in the world of artisanal cheeses. Whether creating a custom cheese board or looking for a flavor to compliment a favorite wine, St. James Cheese Company is sure to have varieties to meet every shoppers needs. In addition to the hundreds of cheeses crafted in Louisiana and around the world, specialty meats and pates, butters, and olives, St. James Cheese Company features a menu of salads, sandwiches, cheese boards, and charcuterie boards for lunch and early dinner. Diners are encouraged to bring wine to enjoy with their meal on the shop's patio.
Fine food with French influence makes up the majority of the menu at Patois. Entrees like Roasted Whole Poussin, Paneed Mississippi Rabbit, Gulf Shrimp and House Made Fettuccine draw diners to this Uptown eatery. Appetizers like Sautéed Sweetbreads and Moules Frites, and desserts the Dark Chocolate Mousse Bomb and Amaretti Zeppoli keep them at their tables all evening. The dining room is small and can get crowded quickly on Friday and Saturday nights, but the above average service and friendly neighborhood atmosphere combined with the elegant cuisine make any wait worthwhile.
Welty's Deli is a favorite amongst the Central Business District lunch crowd. Though a long line generally stretches through the restaurant, the Welty's Deli staff quickly serves generous portions to their loyal customers. The main menu features thick sandwiches on fresh baked breads, salads loaded with fresh vegetables, and a soup du jour made on site each day. In addition to the main menu, each day brings a new menu of daily specials that offers a hot entrée like Shrimp and Cajun Andouille Etouffee with Rice, a chef-crafted sandwich or hot pressed panini, and a special salad topped with premium ingredients. - Bethany Culp