Eats

Where to dine in New Orleans for the bowl weekend

by Kari Walker

Eat your way through New Orleans over the bowl weekend with this guide to local dining. Go hungry, leave satisfied.

New Orleans is going to be as much about food and drink this weekend as it is about football and bowl-related festivities. While you've been planning out your New Orleans Bowl weekend in the Big Easy, IND Eats has been scouting the best spots for bites. In a city known for flavor and hospitality, we found that you won't have to look far.
 
Below are our picks for the weekend:

On the way to the hotel or on a walk back from French Quarter fun, stop and grab a bite at one of these hot spots

Cochon Butcher
930 Tchopitoulas St., New Orleans, (504) 588-7675
Monday-Saturday: lunch and dinner, Sunday: lunch
www.cochonbutcher.com
Donald Link's Cochon once graced Lafayette with its presence on Camellia Boulevard - the platters of piggy goodness might be gone, but while in New Orleans, Butcher is a must for a quick sandwich, sides and a beverage. The meats are house made and there's not a bad choice on the menu. Go for the Pastrami on Rye with Sauerkraut or the cold roast beef with arugula and horseradish. A word to the wise: it's a tiny shop so if you're headed with your brood, be prepared to split up or wait for seating. The best bet is to get your chow to go and find a curb to cozy up to while taking in the sights of Ragin' Cajun fans painting the town red.

Photo via Butcher

Cochon Butcher's roasted turkey sandwich packs a flavorful punch

The Company Burger
4600 Freret St., New Orleans, (504) 267-0320
Daily: lunch and dinner (closed Tuesday)
www.thecompanyburger.com
What's better than a handmade burger patty? Well, handmade everything. From the bun to the bread and butter pickles and the assortment of mayo, The Company Burger is one of the best burgers in the city and well worth the venture Uptown. While you're there, get a side of buttermilk, hand- battered onion rings and a rum and Coke old-fashioned or an ice-cold beer to complete the experience. Don't be surprised if you find yourself making a second stop on your way back to I-10 west for another round.

Photo via Instagram

The Company Burger - all handmade and worth every calorie

Yo Mama's Bar and Grill
727 St. Peters St., New Orleans, (504) 522-1125
Daily: lunch, dinner and late night
www.yo-mamas-bar-and-grill.com
Wherever the day's events take you, there's a strong chance you'll end up in the thick of the French Quarter and alas, Bourbon Street. After sharing a few rounds of celebratory drinks with friends and hunger ensues, you won't be disappointed to make the trek over to Yo Mama's for sandwiches, burgers, salads and other hearty dishes. The menu boast burgers with bold flavors - the mushroom burger claims to be touched by the gods and the Bullfighter burger is a hot one with avocado, salsa and jalapeños. If you're more of the classic cheeseburger type, get the Cheddar cheese burger- isn't everything better with cheddar?

Photo via Google

Late night cravings get satisfied at Yo Mama's

City Greens
909 Poydras St. #125, New Orleans, (504) 533-0004
Monday-Thursday: lunch and dinner; Friday: dinner
www.eatcitygreens.com
Start the weekend off on a lighter note with a healthy and delicious lunch from this eatery. The menu denotes items that are Gluten-free, Vegan and Vegetarian including soups, salads and wraps. City Greens grows its own lettuce in hydroponic ponds so customers never have to guess how fresh the salads are. Try the Winter filet mignon salad that starts as a bed of Bibb lettuce topped with roasted Brussels sprouts, shaved onions, bleu cheese and filet mignon all tossed in a fig and Balsamic vinaigrette Build your own combos or grab something from the to-go cooler when pressed for time.

Photo via City Greens

Lighten up with fresh salads and gluten-free options from City Greens

Keep game day hunger at bay by starting the day off with breakfast or brunch with friends.

Camellia Grill
626 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, (504) 309-2679
540 Chartres St., New Orleans, (504) 522-1800
Daily: breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night
A New Orleans institution, Camellia Grill has been keeping hunger satisfied since 1946. It's only a short streetcar ride away from the hustle and bustle of game day activities - this year's late game kickoff gives you plenty of time to venture beyond the CBD and French Quarter to experience some Uptown New Orleans views on scenic St. Charles Avenue. Speaking of the French Quarter, Camellia Grill opened a second location in 2010 on Chartres Street with the same decor and menu offerings. Be prepared to split into smaller groups and grab whatever seat is available at the marble counter lined with bar stools. You can't go wrong with a waffle or the Mardi Gras sandwich - turkey, bacon, lettuce, corned beef and thousand island dressing on rye. Don't forget to order a freeze either - it's like a shake, but not. Trust us, go for chocolate.

Photo via Google

Waffles, fries and a freeze - everything that makes Camellia Grill a must

Elizabeth's Restaurant
601 Gallier St., New Orleans, (504) 944-9272
Monday-Saturday: breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday: breakfast and lunch
www.elizabeths-restaurant.com
This Bywater restaurant may look like a dive, but it's big on breakfast and brunch. The praline bacon has been called "meat candy" and the menu ranges from classic eggs to stuffed french toast and a bevy of omelets. For something really decadent, get the smoked salmon grilled cheese  with melty Brie and 2 fried eggs.

Photo via Elizabeth's

This meaty waffle is a hearty brunch choice from Elizabeth's

Green Goddess
307 Exchange Place, New Orleans, (504) 301-3347
Wednesday-Sunday: lunch and dinner
www.greengoddessrestaurant.com
Green Goddess revolves around traditional New Orleans cuisine with influence of French, Thai and Cajun - after all, as a port city, New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures. The brunch menu features intriguing dishes like a sweet potato biscuit and wild mushroom gravy served with Manchego truffle grits and the tofu Bahn Mi - a Vietnamese inspired sandwich of organic tofu pan fried with Thai chili sauce on a Dong Phuong French roll with carrots, jalapeños, arugula, basil, pickled turnips. It's not all Vegetarian dishes, but for those looking beyond bacon and eggs, Green Goddess is the place to be.

Photo via Green Goddess

Plates abound with color and local flavor at Green Goddess

Satsuma
3218 Dauphine St., New Orleans, (504) 304-5962
7901 Maple St., New Orleans, (504) 309-5557
Daily: breakfast and lunch
www.satsumacafe.com
Fresh squeezed organic juices, local coffee and hearty breakfast plates can be found at this funky little café. The Mexican breakfast plate is a palate pleaser with creamy black beans, eggs, pico de gallo, avocado, cheddar cheese and corn tortillas or the green breakfast sandwich ensures you don't skip out on your veggies with an egg, baby arugula, tomato, avocado mash and Swiss cheese on a choice of toast, bagel or croissant. As for juices, try the immune booster to keep health in check with orange, grapefruit, fennel and apple blended together as a refreshing drink.

Photo via Satsuma

Housemade blueberry lemon muffins from Satsuma

There's always room for relaxing and recharging on a weekend getaway

Domenica
123 Baronne St., New Orleans, (504) 648-6020
Daily: lunch and dinner
www.domenicarestaurant.com
Domenica means "Sunday" in Italian and this restaurant in the historic Roosevelt Hotel proves an inviting atmosphere and comforting dishes that will leave you saying mamma mia! With happy hour daily from 3-6 p.m offering half priced pizza, wines by the glass, well cocktails and beers, who wouldn't pass up this steal. Start by sharing the roasted cauliflower served with whipped goat feta and then a pizza with spicy lamb meatballs or a traditional Margherita - you can't go wrong with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella.

Photo via Domenica

Domenica's roasted cauliflower with whipped goat feta

Grand Isle
575 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, (504) 520-8530
Daily: lunch and dinner
www.grandislerestaurant.com
Great seafood near all the action is what you'll find at Grand Isle. Baked oysters, housemade alligator sausage and the fish in browned butter and lemon sauce are all must try dishes. An added holiday bonus is the Miracle on Fulton Street happening outside of Grand Isle's doors - on Friday and Saturday from 6-10 p.m., families can take photos with Santa, see live reindeer, sing carols and make crafts in Santa's workshop.

Photo via Grand Isle

Grand Isle's baked oysters

Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, (504) 524-4114
Monday-Friday: lunch and dinner; Saturday: dinner
www.herbsaint.com
Herbsaint's menu is a little bit French and Italian with distinctive Southern flair meets modern bistro. From gnocchi with lamb bolognese and mint gremolata to shrimp with tasso-stewed collard greens and grits, you can't go wrong with bold flavors. Every celebration deserves dessert - satisfy that sweet tooth with the malted milk chocolate mousse with malted creme anglaise and toast with a glass of bubbly.

Photo via Herbsaint

Paella, an ever popular menu item at Herbsaint

Pêche Seafood Grill
800 Magazine St., New Orleans, (504) 522-1744
Monday-Saturday: lunch and dinner
www.pecherestaurant.com
It's not New Orleans without seafood - Pêche offers simple coastal seafood dishes prepared with traditional cooking methods like the use of hard wood coals of an open hearth. The whole grilled fish is about as basic as it comes, but one bite and your soul will appreciate the simplistic approach. The raw bar offers some of the freshest oysters on the half shell around - slurp down a dozen or more and an ice cold beer while you unwind.

Photo via Pêche Seafood Grill

The raw bar at Pêche and fish cooking on the open hearth

For more dining resources from IND Eats, view the IND Eats dining guide of all things Lafayette and Acadiana. Want to get listed? Contact [email protected] for more details.