Food Recap

Question

Hello all, I just got back from 3 nights in New Orleans and of course our focus was the food. This was our 4th trip and over the years I have gotten some really good info from here - so thank you! Here is a recap of what I ate and what I thought:

Central Grocery 4* - Muffaletta. We usually go to Napolean House but wanted to try it. Very good, efficient ordering and a good value. Ate it outside at Harry’s Corner.

Coop’s Place 3.5* – Jambalaya. It was pretty good, but I wasn’t blown away. Very spicy and while I like spice it almost made everything taste the same. We have been before but last experience seemed better.

Café DuMonde 4* – late night snack. Solid. No line.

Café Sbisa 3* – Eggs Sbisa. It was ok, but could have been hotter. Service was uneven. Super attentive bus staff, waiter not so much (they should have switched places). I had such high hopes for this place because I heard it is a ‘locals’ spot. I was underwhelmed.

Paladar 511 – 4.5* This rating is based on the food alone. We had the Pappardelle and the Margherita pizza. The pasta was fresh and flavorful and balanced. The pizza was also very good. The Hazelnut ice cream was some of the best I have ever had. Good value for the setting. The host was very condescending, the waitress was just ok. No ‘thanks for coming in’ or anything like that.

Gracious Bakery – 4* Very good almond croissant.

Parasols – 4* Firecracker Shrimp and Roast Beef Po-boy. Very messy, but flavorful sandwiches. Cold Beer. Fair prices. Bartender was inattentive and uninterested.

Fountain Room Roosevelt Hotel – 5* Fried Chicken Monday. This is the place where I would expect condescending service, but it was the complete opposite. We sat at the bar and had the most wonderful people taking care of us and engaging in good conversation. The fried chicken is elite, as is the biscuits, cole slaw (I can’t believe how good it was) and the red beans and rice. The beans could have been warmer, but I could not be bothered to send them back because I was too busy scarfing them down. They sent complimentary beignets for our anniversary which were hands down the best I have ever tasted.

Wakin Bakin – 5* Sourdough King. The sourdough is EVERYTHING. The fillings are fresh and have the proper ratio. Excellent, friendly service. Ate there on our last day or would have been back.

Answer

It sounds like your recent culinary tour of New Orleans was both delicious and insightful! Based on your recap, here’s a detailed summary and observations of your experiences, which might help others planning a food-focused visit.

Central Grocery – Muffaletta:

Rating: 4*
Pros: Efficient ordering, good value, tasty Muffaletta.
Cons: Not specified, but possibly a more casual experience compared to Napoleon House.
Note: Enjoying the sandwich outside at Harry’s Corner seems like a nice local touch.

Coop’s Place – Jambalaya:

Rating: 3.5*
Pros: Very spicy, flavorful.
Cons: Overly spicy for some, leading to flavors blending together; previous experiences seemed better.

Café DuMonde – Beignets:

Rating: 4*
Pros: Solid late-night snack, minimal wait.
Cons: None noted; dependable choice for classic NOLA dessert.

Café Sbisa – Eggs Sbisa:

Rating: 3*
Pros: Local favorite, interesting breakfast option.
Cons: Food temperature inconsistent, uneven service.

Paladar 511 – Pasta and Pizza:

Rating: 4.5*
Pros: Excellent pasta and pizza, fresh ingredients, Hazelnut ice cream outstanding, good value for the food quality.
Cons: Service was lacking—condescending host, waitress mediocre.

Gracious Bakery – Almond Croissant:

Rating: 4*
Pros: Very good pastry, well-made and flavorful.

Parasols – Firecracker Shrimp and Roast Beef Po-boy:

Rating: 4*
Pros: Flavorful, messy sandwiches, cold beer, fair prices.
Cons: Bartender inattentive and uninterested.

Fountain Room, Roosevelt Hotel – Fried Chicken Monday:

Rating: 5*
Pros: Exceptional fried chicken, biscuits, cole slaw, red beans and rice; excellent and engaging service; complimentary beignets for anniversary were a highlight.
Cons: Red beans could have been warmer, but overall a standout dining experience.

Wakin Bakin – Sourdough King:

Rating: 5*
Pros: Incredible sourdough, fresh fillings, perfect balance, friendly service; highly recommended for repeat visits.

Overall observations:

New Orleans continues to offer a mix of exceptional food and variable service—sometimes casual spots outperform in friendliness, while more upscale or highly rated spots may have service gaps.
For a family or solo traveler focused on food, prioritizing standout dishes (like fried chicken at the Roosevelt, Muffaletta at Central Grocery, or sourdough sandwiches at Wakin Bakin) ensures memorable experiences.
Late-night spots like Café DuMonde remain reliable for traditional treats, while local gems like Café Sbisa and Paladar 511 provide a mix of flavors and quality, albeit with some service inconsistencies.

In summary, your trip seems to have balanced classic New Orleans staples with a few newer or highly-rated discoveries, providing a comprehensive and flavorful experience across multiple dining styles and price points.

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