Cash strapped weekend in NO

[hollyd]

I'm originally from the south and have been up in the yankee land for 5 years now. My bf and I are going to visit my little sister, who just moved to New Orleans, and I can't wait to chow on some good cajun/ creole/ southern food. She's only been there a month and doesn't really know her way through all the restaurants yet, so this will be a good chance for her to try these places out too.
We're on a very tight budget and are looking for a list of cheap, can't-miss-type places for the weekend. She has a car so the driving thing is no big deal.

I know they're out there, I just need you to tell me where. Thanks!

[hollyd]

thanks for your suggestions everyone! we had such a good time and we are already planning our next visit.

We ate at Baru? (Magazine St), had beers at Bulldog but not food, Parasol, breakfast at Big Shirley's, po'boys at Parkway Bakery, our nice dinner at Dante's Kitchen, gelato at some little place on Carrolton, Central Grocery, and had pretty stellar guacamole at a touristy mexican place by the French Market, and had an amazing bbq at home with fresh seafood and sausages.
What a blast. I secretly looked for jobs there today.

[nikinik]

So glad to hear you had a great time. I'll bet that the mexican place you went to by the French Market was El Gato Negro and it's REALLY good! They have a margarita that they make with pineapple and CILANTRO of all things! it's phenomenal!

[hollyd]

That's it! The guacamole is made tableside and was so so good on a hot day.

[hollyd]

Thanks everyone. We'll definitely try some of these places!

[25dollars]

Why not try Camellia Grill as well? You've gotta go there eventually..

[N.O.Food]

Cafe Reconcile is pretty good and pretty cheap, and it's for a very good cause.

[Isabella]

You have some very good suggestions here, to which I would like to add Dunbars.
on Pine Street. I used to go to the original location, and this was my first time since they've moved. I took an out of town colleague there. OMG! He said he thought it was the best fried chicken he'd ever eaten! It wasn't for me, but it was very good and we loved the sides & the whole meal. It is not a fancy atmosphere by any means, cuz it's inside a student center, and it's counter service. But as we were having the meal, I was thinking about how soon I could go back & who would I bring with me next time!
Homemade lemonade, cornbread, green beans, fried chicken. I think the plate was $6 or $7. Po boys as well as a few daily lunches.

Big Shirley's on Carrollton would also be a good cheap eats spot.

Has anyone been to this little tiny soul food spot on Carrollton, just before the light at Claiborne? or is it Earhart? It's next to a gas station that's almost next to a Wendy's.
They advertised a pork chop plate yesterday for about $5. It looks clean from the outside, but haven't ventured in yet. Any word on it?

[Hungry Celeste]

I've been to Big Shirleys: it's standard NOLA soul food/home cooking. Good enough, but not stellar. Or were you referring to a different spot?

[Isabella]

Big Shirley's on Carrollton. Agreed, not stellar. But good. And cheap.
Frankly when someone asks for cheap, sometimes it is really hard to walk the line of cheap enough & good enough!

BTW, I am just remembering that we also had jambalaya with the fried chicken at Dunbars. Shoot.... I might have to go there today!

[ScarlettNola]

Coops, Parkway, Cafe Maspero, Lucky Dogs, Casamentos, Acme, Port of Call, Central Grocery, Napoleon House, Frankie and Johnnys, Liuzzas by the Track, Lil Dizzys Lots of options!

[hollyd]

and what do y'all think about Luke? We can have ONE nice dinner I guess!

[JazzyB]

Stay away from Lucky Dogs. You'll have better luck doing a nice lunch (rather than dinner) for $20-30. Commander's m-f (reserve the garden room), Mila 3 courses $20, Emeril's (3 courres, 30 min. $19.50), Cuvee, th-f 3 courses $25. Mat and Naddies has a $10 lunch buffet. You can put together an inexpensive tapas meal at Rambla.

[mrsfury]

Napoleon House, Parasol, Nola Grocery (one table so you may have to get it to go).

[hollyd]

If we were to go out to one nice dinner, in the $20-$30 range, which would you suggest for ultimate value? I was thinking of Cochon.

[mortalcoil]

Boucherie...

[mrsfury]

Cochon would be a better lunch spot, IMO, and it will probably run you a bit more than $20-30.

[N.O.Food]

Boucherie. It's much cheaper and better than Cochon.

[25dollars]

Agreed. Boucherie!

[thecajunfoodie]

Coop's, Willie Mae's and Cooter Brown's come to mind...

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