Crowd Sourced Culinary Adventure: New Orleans

New Orleans is a misunderstood town. The impressions from the outside are iconic—Mardi Gras, jazz, day drinking, and the wilds of Bourbon Street—but underneath the touristy facade beats the heart of a close-knit, loving town. Sure, all of the stereotypical things are there, and most of them are pretty great, but for me the best parts about traveling to the Crescent City are the quiet, authentic local experiences. The true flavors of New Orleans come from the people: a diverse and warm community, bursting at the seams with traditions, irreverence, and passion. Once they welcome you into their fold, it’s truly like family, and the possibilities of the city that were once hidden unfold before your eyes…particularly when it comes to where to eat.

I’ve traveled to New Orleans a dozen times and without a doubt, meal planning is always my favorite part of the trips. The food in the city is unparalleled. Each dining experience is a joy I look forward to, and usually schedule months in advance. On my recent trip, I decided to try a different approach. Instead of hunting down the newest places to nosh, I tapped my local friends to do it for me. I was only there for a weekend, so it figured it wouldn’t be too much trouble. Each day, I posted on my Facebook and Twitter that I was looking for a place to eat and within minutes I was inundated with recommendations—which I gladly followed.

My rules were simple: the suggestion had to come from a local (or former local), I couldn’t go anywhere I needed a reservation, and if they called out a particular dish, I had to order it.

Day 1

Breakfast: Slim Goodies Diner
Suggested by: Greg, a writer who has lived in New Orleans for eighteen years
What he said: “The Creole Slammer will change your life. Just make sure you arrive hungry!”

Being a weekend, I was nervous about getting into the popular uptown spot but luckily I was seated immediately. I followed Greg’s advice and ordered The Creole Slammer, which was a mountain of crawfish étouffée sizzling atop hash browns and eggs. When they added a fluffy, perfectly dense biscuit, I almost cried. This stands to date as one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

Lunch: Skipped, too full from breakfast, but I did take a recommendation from my college room mate for an afternoon pick-me-up at Spitfire Coffee on St. Peter Street. The pour-over was divine and gave me the perfect caffeine buzz.

Dinner: Taceaux Loceaux Truck
Suggested by: Andres, a local chef I met a decade ago.
What he said: “AVOCADO FRIES, I REPEAT, AVOCADO FRIES.”

I’m always up for a food truck, and after checking their Twitter, I found them parked by Dos Jefe’s Bar. I chose Messin With Texas (a brisket taco), El Dorado (potato poblano hash), and the avocado fries. Under $20 and insanely satisfying, I ended my first day of crowd sourced chow perfectly content. 

Day 2

Breakfast: Gracious Bakery + Cafe
Suggested by: Lady Lenora, a drag performer who left New Orleans last summer.
What she said: “Get a pretzel croissant, a blackberry danish, and an espresso. Thank me later.”

This place takes obvious pride in their food, a tradition of most local eateries. The attention that went into my delicious breakfast (I had the pretzel croissant and a strawberry danish, since they were out of blackberry) set Gracious Bakery apart from any other pastry I’ve had in years. Rustic, savory, and intensely delicious, their offerings left me hoping someone would suggest a second visit.

Lunch: Aunt Ellen’s House
Suggested by: Ellen LaFrey’s niece, Channa, a Metairie-based wine maker
What she said: “My Aunt Ellen would love to have you over for gumbo and iced tea! You can’t say no, I’m texting you her number.”

When someone’s aunt invite you over for an impromptu lunch, you don’t say no—especially when that aunt is making gumbo. Aunt Ellen greeted me as though I were her niece, hugging me on sight and ushering me into her kitchen where a small television played re-runs of The Golden Girls. I’d exchanged comments with Ellen on Facebook previously, so we weren’t total strangers, but I was touched by her hospitality and blown away by her gumbo. The lesson to be learned here? Everyone in New Orleans can cook, and if they invite you over, SAY YES. 

Dinner:  Evangeline
Suggested by: Three people—Douglas, a local teacher, Marybeth, a tour guide, and Pansy, a retired horse trainer
What they said: They literally told me every single thing on the menu was delicious, but each agreed on the three sausage sampler.

Since Ellen’s gumbo was seafood, a sausage sampler sounded perfect for dinner, and Evangeline’s did not disappoint. Andouille, boudin, and lobster sausages came served over a potato pancake drizzled in creole mustard and onions. This spicy, salty, sweet dish was the perfect meal to end my weekend with, leaving me with fond memories of yet another magical trip to my favorite city.