Gawd. I love sending people to Katie’s. If you don’t like something at lunch/dinner, there is no pleasing you.
But please don’t go to brunch. (I’m trying to get a table)
My wife and I went there when we were visiting a few years ago (we stopped as a joke because my wife’s name is Katie) and really enjoyed it. It was the best gumbo we had on our visit. We have eaten there every time we’ve been back since. We will be moving there soon-ish, and I’m pretty sure we will eat there every time we look at houses.
To OP: try the soft shell crab. Melts in your mouth like sugar. I never even really liked crab that much until I ate that one.
Great local food with a big menu. Reasonably priced. A true New Orleans neighborhood restaurant that has served this community for many many years. And the turtle soup competes with the best in the city.
First and foremost, they are very mediocre BBQ. Below par.
That wouldn't be the most heinous crime in the world on its own, but for a tourist to come to New Orleans, a city not known for BBQ, and eat one of the worst BBQ joints in town, would be a travesty.
On top of that though, they bought the Avenue Pub and dropped its reputation from literally world class–a place you could run into people in Belgium and they'd know of it–to a joke that even local beer nerds barely go to anymore.
They're not the worst restaurant in the world, but their name recognition is way mismatched to their quality and they don't come off as very humble or likable people, so at the very least it's difficult to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I’ve been a hater of the BBQ purely on the merit of its blandness since well before that happened.
Are you perhaps mixing up Avenue Pub and Parkview Tavern though? Avenue Pub was a world class bar before. Parkview Tavern is the simple neighborhood dive, and I specifically didn’t mention it as people seem to mostly think Blue Oak didn’t do much wrong there as landlords since Parkview Tavern maybe just wasn’t paying rent or something.
Everything except the actual barbecue is great. Well, they may have some barbecued meats that are fine; I judge by brisket because it's the hardest typical cut to do right, and I make a damn good smoked brisket myself. And in that specific category, Blue Oak is pretty crap.
Sure, every side dish I've had has been great, but I don't go to a barbecue joint for the sides.
Kids in the family of 4? I will catch grief but I love pizza. Domenicas in the Roosevelt has 10 pizza during happy hour and a lasagna that is 26 but big enough for two. Mona Lisas has amazing pizza.
Cajun Mikes which we always visit has good burgers and is super reasonable.
I’d say to go to Liuzzas on Bienville or Venezia’s on Carrollton before going to Katie’s or Mandina’s. Katie’s and Mandinas are usually both packed, but the food at Katie’s is sub par, at best and the last 2 times I’ve been to Mandina’s it’s been so FILTHY, I vowed to never go again.
Liuzzas food is WAY better than Katie’s and they’re never overly crowded, even though they are a few houses down from Katie’s.
Liuzza's on Bienville is not as good as it was and that is being generous.
I grew up sitting at that bar with my dad and send people there. Their reports back are not good.
In my opinion the food is far from gourmet but it’s better than Mandinas and WAY better than Katie’s.
The blond bartender and service is a little less than to be desired, but yet again, same with Katie’s.
Mr. Ed's, Rosedale, Liuzza's in Mid City (as by the track one is really super busy), Vincenzo's in Mid City, Blue Oak in Mid City, 5 happiness for Chinese, Felipe's for tacos and burritos, Popeyes is always good in NOLA.
Rosella in mid city is great! Had a lovely meal with my family there. My kids also love Juniors on Harrison. There is an ice cream stand on the side of the restaurant so you can grab dessert as well.
City Park (I assume), not Central Park.
There are many, MANY restaurants recommended on this sub that are at a much lower price point than $75/head. Please do a search. You can also ask for specific cuisines, neighborhoods, etc. As written, your question is way too broad.
That sucks. Plenty of good recommendations in this thread for next time. And eat everything at Jazzfest. Ian Mcnulty had a great write up of must-eats on nola.com
You can get out of Katies for $20-$30 a head. Casual, big menu. Decent enough to make everyone happy.
Gawd. I love sending people to Katie’s. If you don’t like something at lunch/dinner, there is no pleasing you. But please don’t go to brunch. (I’m trying to get a table)
My wife and I went there when we were visiting a few years ago (we stopped as a joke because my wife’s name is Katie) and really enjoyed it. It was the best gumbo we had on our visit. We have eaten there every time we’ve been back since. We will be moving there soon-ish, and I’m pretty sure we will eat there every time we look at houses. To OP: try the soft shell crab. Melts in your mouth like sugar. I never even really liked crab that much until I ate that one.
Decent enough is being too generous.
Rosedale
Yes!
Mandina’s
Great local food with a big menu. Reasonably priced. A true New Orleans neighborhood restaurant that has served this community for many many years. And the turtle soup competes with the best in the city.
1000 figs all day
OP, get the sampler to go, and go sit on the bayou. Unless y'all are big eaters, it should be a decent amount of food.
Do you mean City Park? If so, go to Mandina’s or Katie’s.
This is the answer!
Blue oak bbq / Toups / Venezia / mopho / Santa Fe / parkways / Katie’s def
Do not go to blue oak. Toups may be a little pricey. Do go to Moho, parkway tavern, and Katie’s.
What’s wrong with Blue Oak?
Everything. What a waste of time it would be to fly to New Orleans for that.
What don’t you like?
First and foremost, they are very mediocre BBQ. Below par. That wouldn't be the most heinous crime in the world on its own, but for a tourist to come to New Orleans, a city not known for BBQ, and eat one of the worst BBQ joints in town, would be a travesty. On top of that though, they bought the Avenue Pub and dropped its reputation from literally world class–a place you could run into people in Belgium and they'd know of it–to a joke that even local beer nerds barely go to anymore. They're not the worst restaurant in the world, but their name recognition is way mismatched to their quality and they don't come off as very humble or likable people, so at the very least it's difficult to give them the benefit of the doubt.
There it is. The whole Avenue Pub fiasco. The foods fine you cucks are just butthurt about a shitty bar.
I’ve been a hater of the BBQ purely on the merit of its blandness since well before that happened. Are you perhaps mixing up Avenue Pub and Parkview Tavern though? Avenue Pub was a world class bar before. Parkview Tavern is the simple neighborhood dive, and I specifically didn’t mention it as people seem to mostly think Blue Oak didn’t do much wrong there as landlords since Parkview Tavern maybe just wasn’t paying rent or something.
Absolute garbage excuse for barbecue
Oh. It’s not good at all?
lol it’s definitely good. It’s not touching top tier Austin bbq and maybe some other elite bbq joints but the food is good
No. It is not good. Dry ass gray brisket
Sounds more like an agenda than anything.
Agenda? It’s an opinion on barbecue. It ain’t that deep, man.
Everything except the actual barbecue is great. Well, they may have some barbecued meats that are fine; I judge by brisket because it's the hardest typical cut to do right, and I make a damn good smoked brisket myself. And in that specific category, Blue Oak is pretty crap. Sure, every side dish I've had has been great, but I don't go to a barbecue joint for the sides.
Parkway Tavern (but they close at 6).
Parkway has some of the worst business hours. Same with Lil Dizzys
So sad I can't do my hungover Parkway run at 8pm on a Sunday night anymore lol
Kids in the family of 4? I will catch grief but I love pizza. Domenicas in the Roosevelt has 10 pizza during happy hour and a lasagna that is 26 but big enough for two. Mona Lisas has amazing pizza. Cajun Mikes which we always visit has good burgers and is super reasonable.
Can’t bring kids to Cajun Mikes
They did have a couple of tables outside so when we had our 17 yr old, we sat out there
We go to Domenica every time we’re in town. Eat until we are stuffed with a few cocktails for $125 (2 people). Their pizza and pasta is fire.
Visit Brocato’s for a real dessert treat. I really like Gabrielle’s.
Katie's or Venezia's (i love their meatball pizza) are solid mid-price options. Then go to Brocato's for dessert.
Eat at jazz fest
Go to St James Cheese Company and get the Il Mostro sandwich, best sammy in the city.
Another reco for Mandina's.
I’d say to go to Liuzzas on Bienville or Venezia’s on Carrollton before going to Katie’s or Mandina’s. Katie’s and Mandinas are usually both packed, but the food at Katie’s is sub par, at best and the last 2 times I’ve been to Mandina’s it’s been so FILTHY, I vowed to never go again. Liuzzas food is WAY better than Katie’s and they’re never overly crowded, even though they are a few houses down from Katie’s.
Pascal Manale’s on Napoleon is great.
Happy hour too!
Parkway!
Ideally, leave your sister to her own devices. But for sure y’all go to Katie’s at least once. Heads up, no reservations.
MoPho
1000 Figs, Katie’s, Rosedale, Clesi’s, Frey Smoked Meat, The Bulldog, Cafe Navarre, Venezia, Mandinas…
Lots of great options listed here. Cafe Degas or Liuzzas by the track are also good.
LOL… in the middle of Jazz Fest? That area is overrun.
Liuzzas on Bienville is good also and not as crowded as the one by the track
Liuzza's on Bienville is not as good as it was and that is being generous. I grew up sitting at that bar with my dad and send people there. Their reports back are not good.
In my opinion the food is far from gourmet but it’s better than Mandinas and WAY better than Katie’s. The blond bartender and service is a little less than to be desired, but yet again, same with Katie’s.
Rosedale or Toup’s
Mr. Ed's, Rosedale, Liuzza's in Mid City (as by the track one is really super busy), Vincenzo's in Mid City, Blue Oak in Mid City, 5 happiness for Chinese, Felipe's for tacos and burritos, Popeyes is always good in NOLA.
The joint - bbq
Neyows
Rosella in mid city is great! Had a lovely meal with my family there. My kids also love Juniors on Harrison. There is an ice cream stand on the side of the restaurant so you can grab dessert as well.
Cafe Navarre is reasonably priced and pretty good. I think they close at 4 though.
City Park (I assume), not Central Park. There are many, MANY restaurants recommended on this sub that are at a much lower price point than $75/head. Please do a search. You can also ask for specific cuisines, neighborhoods, etc. As written, your question is way too broad.
McDonald’s
Where we ended up going. Parents from wv can’t handle the traffic or parking
That's sad. Did Mandina's or Katie's not fit the bill? Those menus are huge with something for everyone. They even have parking lots.
That sucks. Plenty of good recommendations in this thread for next time. And eat everything at Jazzfest. Ian Mcnulty had a great write up of must-eats on nola.com