NOLA trip – food and drink

I tried to experience as much of the French Quarter’s food and drink as I could on my business trip, during lunch breaks and after hours.  Considering I was only there four days, I think I did a pretty good job.

This is a hand grenade, the drink that nearly everyone told me I had to try. It's said to be the strongest drink on Bourbon Street.
Now THIS is what I call a burger. They have these at a little dive bar called The Jimani, one of the best places I discovered, at the corner of Chartres and Iberville. Burger consists of an 8 ounce beef patty, bacon, 4 ounces of sausage patties, cheese, smothered onions, an egg, and special sauce. I wasn't hungry enough to order it, but I wish I had just to get the reaction from my health guru.
Everyone told me I had to go to Mother's for some homestyle New Orleans cooking. When a committee meeting ended early, I dashed down there, yet still found a long line at 11:10 AM on a Tuesday.
Roast beef and country ham po'boy with gravy and "debris" from Mother's
When I told Saucer server Lil' Kim I was going to NOLA, she told me I had to try "gumbalaya," a mixture of gumbo and jambalaya. I did a web search and found it at the Corner Oyster Bar.
Shrimp po'boy from Johnny's Po-Boys
Sampler plate from Coop's Place on Decatur
Abita SOS, a wheat beer brewed in protest of the oil spill in the Gulf. 75 cents of the purchase price of every beer go toward cleaning up the spill.
Muffaletta pizza from the French Quarter Pizzeria

There were also some places I enjoyed where I didn’t take pictures.  Bad Shane told me that I needed to check out Johnny White’s pub at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans.  This was the pub that never closed at any point during the Katrina disaster.

Another Bad Shane suggestion was the Chart House at Chartres and Bienville.  Good locals’ feel to it.  They had High Life on draft for $1.50.  When I came back the second night, they’d run out of High Life, but Bud Light cans for $1.75 weren’t a bad value either.  (John D:  “Whaaaaa?  $1.75 Bud Light?  Paul, I’m booking a trip to New Orleans!”)

Lil’ Kim told me I had to eat a Lucky Dog.  They have stands on nearly every corner on Bourbon, selling large hot dogs covered with chili and cheese.  One of these is just what you need after a couple of hand grenades.

Another Lil’ Kim suggestion was Beer Fest, two bars on Bourbon that have nearly as many beers on tap as the Flying Saucer.  They weren’t nearly as crowded as the Saucer, though, which makes me realize what a big part of the Saucer’s appeal the girls are.  Bartender was super friendly though, and gave me samples of several local and regional beers.

One suggestion I got over and over again that I didn’t get a chance to try was ACME Oyster House.  I wanted to, but there was a line out the door every time I went by.  I’m not a fan of waiting in lines, so I skipped it.

I skipped Cafe Dumonde for the same reason.  I walked by as I headed to Coop’s Place, but the cafe was super packed and I didn’t feel like dealing with it.  People told me I had to try authentic New Orleans beignets, but I’ve actually already had them:  Before Crepe Maker moved into its current location in Downtown Memphis, that spot was a cafe that sold beignets, po’boys and muffalettas, run by a chef who had come from New Orleans.

Nor did I get to the bars and restaurants in other parts of town that people suggested.  I had the car with me, but with only four days in town and a significant portion of those devoted to work, I wanted to concentrate on the places I could get to quickly.

One other note:  The mini-marts on Canal Street are a rip-off!  As I returned from my lunch break on Wednesday, I bought a 20 ounce Mountain Dew to caffeinate myself for the afternoon board meeting.  With tax, it was $2.45!

Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions where to go – I really appreciate them, and they made my first time in New Orleans memorable.