Best Dives

[RChicago]

Hi! Hubby and I will be visiting New Orleans for four days in a few weeks. I've been having trouble identifying good dive/casual/sandwich spots. We've both been to New Orleans several times, so we don't need help with the usual spots (Central Grocery, Acme, Maspero's, Mother's, etc.). We'd like to try some classic places that are new to us, as well as find some real hole-in-the-wall gems.

I'd appreciate any additions to my list. I'm mainly looking for Cajun and Creole (While I'm sure New Orleans does great Vietnamese, with our short trip, we'd like to get our fill of southern food). I'd also appreciate recommendations for what we should eat at the spots already on the list, as they're all new to us. We will have a car and are willing to travel for great food.

The list so far:
Cochon Butcher
Clover Grill
Liuzza's By the Track
Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Domilise's
Tracey’s
Chicken Sue’s
Willie Mae's Restaurant

Thanks in advance!

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Liuzza's By the Track
1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Chicken Sue's
203 W Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Clover Grill
900 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Cochon Butcher
930 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

Maspero's
601 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[RChicago]

Thanks to everyone for the great tips. We're headed to New Orleans in the morning and really looking forward to the weekend.

Here's a Sunday brunch question -- Elizabeth's or Dante's Kitchen? I'm leaning toward Dante's because we want to go watch football at Cooter Brown's at noon and it looks really close. We're staying in Fauborg Marigny, though, so it's not like Elizabeth's is out of the way. We'd like a neighborhood, casual brunch, and these both look to be good options.

Thanks again!

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Dante's Kitchen
736 Dante Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

[paz5559]

If you eat at Elizabeth's, you could also watch the game at either Markey's or Bud Rips. Satsuma Cafe is also a place to consider for breakfast in your neighborhood

[RChicago]

Thanks for the tips. I'd picked Cooter Brown's because hubby is a Steelers fan and a quick net search led me to believe that the bar may be Steelers-friendly. How do Markey's and Bud Rips compare as far as seating, tvs, etc?

Thanks!

[Littleman]

Markey's is a small neighborhood bar. It could become crowded. I would go to Cooter Brown's. It's got more space. Bruno's is a good sports bar about 6 blocks E of CB's a block off St. Charles between Carollton and Tulane University. Spend a half at CB's and the second half at Bruno's.

Bruno's Tavern @ 7538 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA 504 - 861 - 7615.
http://www.brunostavern.com/

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Bruno's Tavern
7538 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

[paz5559]

Cooter Brown's andeBruno's are roughly 20 min drive from Elizabeth's (http://goo.gl/JiqZL) (http://goo.gl/JiqZL). Markey's is 4 blocks (http://goo.gl/JiqZL)

[Littleman]

Go to Apple Barrel Bar on Frenchmen and have some fine creole Italian for dinner at Adolpho's upstairs.

Adolpho's @ 611 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 - 948 - 3800.
Apple Barrel Bar @ 609 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 504 - 949- 9399.

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Apple Barrel Bar
609 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

[erikschwarz]

If you are diving around Frenchman Street during the daytime, stop in at La Peniche, one block away on Dauphine. They are known for breakfast and brunch dishes, which they seem happy to serve at all, or at least most, hours. Do not be put off by the classy-sounding French name: La Peniche is a real neighborhood joint. A fave, by the way of Thelma Toole, mother of the author of "A Confederacy of Dunces" and resident of nearby Elysian Fields.

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La Peniche
1940 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116

[gort]

We had a great time at La Peniche last year. The breakfast was pretty good, but the atmosphere and friendly server made it great. We also really liked Buffa's, and to my mind it qualifies as more of a dive (at least the front bar area does) than some of the places on the OP's list.

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La Peniche
1940 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70116

[TaTee]

With the caveat of a "dive" the first place that came to my mind was Bud's Broiler on City Park Avenue. http://www.budsbroiler.com/ Shocked to see they have a web site! I love a # 2 with onions and extra sauce and just ignore the dirt.

[roro1831]

Why would you be shocked to see that Bud's has a website? They have mulitiple locations in the city and have been around as long as I can remember. In this day and age I would be more shocked if they didn't have a website.

[Guy Caballero]

The best part of the budsbroiler.com website, besides the photos on the menu, is the disclaimer:

"Unfortunately, this site is not officially affiliated with the "Bud's Broiler" chain of fast food restaurants. The website 'budsbroiler.com' was created and maintained by a private individual who believes that Bud's Broiler is a really great place to eat (possibly the best). "

[CharlieH]

That is priceless.

[TaTee]

Thanks, Guy Caballero. That makes more sense. Never felt that the Bub's Broilers were on the cutting edge of technology. Regardless, sometimes you just gotta get a Bud's.

[piglet3000]

Love love love the gumbo at Coop's. And it certainly does fit the 'dive' description! Also great pastas.

[rouxdauphine]

For soul food, go to Two Sisters (not the Court of! !!!) It's on North Derbigny two blocks off Canal and it's delicious, large portions and seriously inexpensive.

Since you have a car, go get the best roast beef poor boy in New Orleans at Merlin's. 5325 Franklin Avenue and well worth the trek. Grab some homemade tamales while you are there to take with you.

Also, not necessarily a "New Orleans" spot, but a cute hole in the wall in the Quarter with awesome casual food and pretty darn good win to go with it is Sean Kelly's Royal Street Deli on the corner on Royal and St. Ann.

[JazzyB]

LBTT has gone downhill. Chicken Sue's is nothing special. Try POC for great burgers and baked potato.

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Chicken Sue's
203 W Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

[erikschwarz]

Guy's Po-Boys on Magazine St uptown, though I cannot quarrel with Domilise's. For oysters, rather than Acme: Felix's on Iberville St in the Quarter. Btw, Cochon Butcher may be casual but it is no dive. And I would not refer to Willie Mae's as a dive either. Certainly not while on premises.

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Cochon Butcher
930 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

Guy's Food Store
5257 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[CharlieH]

Guy's really does fit the description of a dive. Its been a while, but as I recall the po'boys were pretty good. Don't they do a lot with pepper jack cheese, kinda like Weaver's (r.i.p.).

[erikschwarz]

I have not ordered pepper jack cheese at Guy's, but they are very accommodating about customization. You could start with the fried shrimp - which is their signature - and then add pepper jack and ham or bacon for a TREYF-FECTA. God might strike you down on the spot, but you would die happy.

[gort]

I definitely second the Felix's rec, although we only get oysters there and have never tried the cooked food. Standing at the bar and overeating while chatting with the shuckers is one of my favorite New Orleans pastimes.

[Monch]

Don't see Coops on the list...It qualifies!

[RChicago]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll check them all out. Info on what we should order at these recommended spots would be useful, too!

Oh, and if there's anything you think I should remove from the list, that is also helpful.

Thanks again.

[Monch]

Coops: Rabbit jambalaya and fried chicken....really good stuff.

[CharlieH]

I wouldn't call it a hole in the wall, but Jack Dempsey's doesn't get much tourist action. Get the seafood platter. Rampart food store makes good poboys. Check to see if Verti Mart is open.

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Jack Dempsey's Restaurant
738 Poland Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117