French Quarter help

Folks-

Going to a pal's bachelor party this weekend in New Orleans. We're all set up in a hotel right off the French Quarter.

I may or may not just follow their lead; if I don't, my goal is to get cheap grub and barhop dives while watching college football. Any recommendations? I know it's touristy in general, but the less so the better.

 

If you're staying on Bourbon, it's pretty much all touristy, but there's still good food to be had almost anywhere (in my experience).

Don't go more than a couple blocks off the main streets because the farther you venture out, the less safe it is.

And if a person says they know where you got your shoes, keep walking.

Joe

 

Port of Call for burgers and Monsoons

 

I went to a Bachelor Party in New Orleans a few years back and we splurged and went to Dickie Brennan's for dinner. It was amazing and not ridiculously expensive. We kind of decided to hold off on much of the drinking until after dinner and it saved us a fortune.

 

For food, wander around and check out the menus. Most restaurants have them on the doors. Find something you like that's reasonably priced. If you want to splurge, there's a few places you can do that, too (Emeril's, Brennan's, Commander's Palace, to name a few).

For booze, kind of the same deal. You can wander down Bourbon Street and find the guy with the "Huge Ass Beers $4" sign, or go to Pat O's and pay $10 for a hurricane that will do the job pretty quickly.

And like Joe said, be aware of where you are and your surroundings. At night, draw a line at Bourbon and don't go more than a street or two past that. There's nothing there, as far as bars and restaurants. Everything between Bourbon Street and the river is OK, but keep your head on a swivel.

 

Mothers for breakfast or lunch and bloody marys

 

Mothers remains great for breakfast.

Heading down Bourbon off Canal, don't go past St. Louis (especially at night).

Stay the hell off of Royal at night, though it's fine, during the day.

Brennan's still makes the best Ramos Gin Fizz in the world.

Don't miss the bar adjoining Arnaud's. They make the best French 75 in America . . . a must.

 

I found a little place in the French Quarter called Rita's that had a nine-course meal called Taste of New Orleans. Was something like $16, all the courses were small and it was GREAT. Also, the area between Bourbon and the river was OK. Other direction? Be very careful and don't go that way at night. I also had perhaps the best gyro I've ever had at a little place just off Bourbon. It was a street or two from the corner of Orleans and Bourbon as you go toward Canal. It was almost on the corner. Place is usually packed around 1-2 a.m. and it's takeout only.

 

Starting at Canal and North Peters (the southeast corner of the French Quarter) walk northeast until North Peters merges with Decatur Ave. and continue on to Central Grocery (923 Decatur) and get a muffuletta. Backtrack one block and go straight up St. Ann Street, make a left on Bourbon to Tropical Isle (721 Bourbon) and get a Hand Grenade (or two).

You can then walk back down Bourbon and consume both while you seek out a place to watch football. There are plenty of those, though most of the New Orleans area "sports bars" in the style you'd probably be used to are outside the Quarter (either over closer to the Dome or in an area called Uptown).

If you like raw oysters, Acme (724 Iberville) is a pretty good place. Kinda crowded on weekend nights, though.

And if/when you're nursing a hangover, go to Cafe Du Monde (800 Decatur) and get some coffee and beignets (little powdered doughnuts, pronounced ben-yay).

If you've got more specific questions, feel free to PM.

 

Acme always has a line, especially on weekends.
Royal House Oyster Bar at 441 Royal (just a block off Bourbon) is just as good.
Get the sauteed crab claws and dip the french bread in the juice.
You will clean your plate, I guarantee it.
Also primo raw oysters and much, much more to eat and drink.
Enjoy!

Johnny White's bar (three locations within a few blocks of each other and just off Bourbon) are awesome to congregate and drink and mingle.
Can't miss in New Orleans, no matter what you do.

 

Hell, don't just stop there if you're nursing a hangover. Nothing like coffee and beignets at 3 a.m. The wife and I love to finish the day with a stop there (even if we're not prowling around at 3 a.m.).

Also, there's a place called the Chartres House (corner of Chartres and Royal, IIRC ... it's on a corner of Chartres and has copper tables) makes a fantastic burger.

 

We ate there at Chartres House 2 weeks ago, the Monday after Bears game before going to the aeroport.
Got the duck quesadila appetizer.
Wonderful!