Cheap Eats for the Budget Traveler in New Orleans
These days, travelers from across the globe are looking to experience their destinations economically, which really relates back to the basis of this web site–to see a city through the eyes of a local. Living in a vacation destination doesn’t necessarily mean that residents actually behave as if they live in a vacation destination. Rather, the opposite is true: we look for the best deals in the best places. Here are some of my favorite low-cost eating options. Bon appetit!
Between 5 and 6:30 PM every weeknight, Morton’s is offering all of their bar bites for $5 a plate. Options include 3 prime thick mini-cheeseburgers or clawmeat crabcakes, little filet sandwiches, melted blue cheese fries, and many other choices that are equally delicious.
Huge, huge portions for under $15 a plate, this pan-Asian restaurant serves up flavors and fusion combinations that are unexpected and Louisiana-influenced. Most noodle dishes are under $11 and are big enough to ensure leftovers. Splitting choices and eating family style is my suggestion, since everything on the menu is delicious.
Want Louisiana fine dining for half the price? This new restaurant by John Besh’s Restaurant August’s former sous chef focuses on high quality and high value. Entrees are under $24 and worth every penny. Tasting menus are particularly discounted here.
Good sushi cheap is what you get at the home of the 99-cent roll on South Claiborne Avenue. The drive-thru is a novelty, but dining in is fun, too.
This little convenience store in a residential neighborhood has tasty stuffed-silly po-boys in spades, with only the fried oyster sandwich costing more than $7 for a large, fully-dressed footlong po-boy. Although they don’t use Leidenheimer bread, the French bread is still crusty and satisfying.
They still offer the $16 filet with the “crazy” potatoes, and no, they don’t care if you want something different on the side. A fabulous value in a high-volume divey bar atmosphere in Fat City, Metairie, it may be worth a trip to suburbia for a garlicky steak.
One of my favorite steakhouses, this is the home of the original sizzling steak, handcut prime meat served atop clarified butter. Sides are still just $5 each, and a huge bacon-wrapped filet, the most expensive cut on the menu, is just $24.50. Casual and out of the way, it’s worth the trip. Make sure to wear your fat pants.
One burrito is all it takes to stuff you silly at my favorite Creole taqueria, but the salsa is a home run each and every time, served with hot homemade tortilla chips. Your average bill, with the chips and salsa, tax and tip, will run around $13, plus a drink.
Creative burger combinations the size of your face brings hordes to this dive bar. With a fully loaded baked potato, this huge plate of food will only cost you around $10, and a little less if you just stick with a sour cream, chive and butter potato or house salad. Make sure to cut the humongous burger in half–it’s going to have to come home with you in a box.
Mediterranean/Lebanese food for less than $6 a sandwich and the most garlicky and delicious falafel in town make this Riverbend restaurant a great choice.
Cheap, exceptionally good authentic Vietnamese food can be found across the bridge downtown. It’s worth the cab ride and dollar toll. A huge bowl of soup, vermicelli rice noodles, or plate of chargrilled can be had for around $8.
More information on PlanetEye: Adams Street Grocery, “Morton’s, The Steakhouse – New Orleans”, Hoshun Restaurant, Coquette, Mikimoto Japanese Restaurant,Crazy Johnnie’s Steakhouse
