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Eating out can get expensive in a food haven like South Louisiana.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to eat out and save money. This tips will cover ways you can keep more of your money from what you order on the menu as well as how you tip.
How To Save Money When Eating Out In Restaurants
Lets get into some ways you can save while eat9ng at restaurants.
1. Order The Special
Don’t roam across the menu for the exotic dishes you’ve never had. Stick with the daily special. That’s how you save money.
Most restaurants will have a dish or two that they’re offering for a lower cost. Keep it simple and save.
2. Tip Before The Food Comes
Contrary to popular belief, tipping can save you money. If you want to motivate your server and get more food (and drink) than you pay for, try giving your help a tip before they bring you your food.
If you tip beforehand, it can signal to your waiter or waitress that you’re serious about taking care of them. The early money will also inspire them to go the extra mile for you, including throwing in some extras.
3. Skip The Alcohol
Another way you can save is to forgo the wine and spirits while eating out. Restaurants make most of their margin on alcohol, especially if you order multiple drinks.
Do your wallet a favor and skip the hard drinks for soda…
4. Order Water
To save even more money, why don’t you just order water with your meal. Water is one of the most healthy drinks you can have.
Not only is water good for you, but it’s good for your wallet.
5. Skip The Dessert
One of the ways restaurants pad your food bill is to offer you a decadent dessert that is hard to resist. They know you’re probably full, so that’s why they rely on the server to physically show you the dessert so that your eyes can entice you to order it.
Skip the dessert so that you can keep the bill down. Your waist line will be glad you did.
Final Word
Restaurants are experts at getting you to spend more money than you intended. After all, the food is so food!
New Orleans is one of those cities that you can get lost in once you take the time to explore it. As the former capital of Louisiana, New Orleans is one of the most eclectic and eccentric cities in the world.
One of the things that makes the place special is the people, which are eager to show you a good time via parties and authentic New Orleans cuisine.
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Every city has their own take on sandwiches, but in New Orleans, the po-boy is in a food category of its own.
Po-boys have an interesting history in the city because they cost for one today — it could range from $8 to $16 depending on where you go — is so different from it’s name.
What Is The Origin Of The Po-Boy?
Po-boys trace their beginnings to the Great Depression, when in 1929 a local restaurant fed laborers who couldn’t afford much. Bennie and Clovis Martin’s eatery called the sandwiches “poor boys,” because the unionized railroad workers who couldn’t afford much, is who they give them to for free.
Back then the poor boy sandwiches consisted of left-over shreds of roast beef, but mostly potatoes between two slices of bread.
The po-boy began to catch on with the local populace as restaurants and kitchens started to experiment with different meats and other ingredients.
Where Can I Buy Po-Boys In New Orleans?
If you’re visiting the city or just passing through, you may be looking for a poboy along the way. Let’s go over some of the best po-boys in New Orleans.
Parkway Bakery
538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119 | (504) 482-3047
Here is what one customer says about Parkway Bakery, which is the home of the po-boy: “My first trip to New Orleans and my first stop to eat was Parkway Bakery and Tavern for a Fried Shrimp Poor Boy Dressed. This and a Sweet Tea hit the spot. Great place to eat and a must if you are wanting a Poor Boy. I’ve been other places to get a Po Boy, but nothing like getting one in New Orleans. I highly recommend making a trip to Parkway and get your Poor Boy fix. Just need one in North Alabama. This was my first time dining here.”
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar
5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 899-9126
Here’s what one reviewer says about Domilie’s: “Great little place. Classic NOLA po-boys. Quick service. Was not dine in when we were there, but it was 70 degrees outside with clear blue skies and our crew got a variety of sandwiches: shrimp, roast beef, ham/cheese – they were all good. Great fries – very substantial.”
Guy’s Po-Boys
5259 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 891-5025
Here’s what one custome says about Guy’s Po-Boys: “Amazing! Loved our shrimp po boy! Cheese fries were nothing to write home about. Staff was super friendly and we loved this quaint spot!”
Johnny’s Po-Boys
511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 524-8129
Here’s what one customer says about Johnny’s Po-Boys: “Best Po-boy I’ve ever had in my life. Gotta get the surf and turf.”
Killer PoBoys
219 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 462-2731
Here’s what one customer says about Killer PoBoys: “We got the sweet potato po boy with collard greens and a black eye pea / pecan spread. Also got the pecan butter and jelly. Both were delicious. Definitely recommend this place.”Mahony’s Po-boys & Seafood
3454 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 899-3374
Here’s what one customer says about Mahony’s: “Such a cute little historic house in the Garden district turned into a restaurant with great food, amazing drinks and a laid back atmosphere that just makes you feel good being there. It got a little busy so our drinks were empty quite a few times and we probably would have drank a lot more otherwise, but, not that big of a deal, we were happy overall. Would definitely go back.”
Melba’s Poboys
1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 | (504) 267-7765
Here’s what one customer says about Melba’s Poboys: “Where the locals eat with good prices. Extensive menu. Open 24 hours per day. Safe neighborhood. Ample parking available. One bread pudding could feed a family of four.”
Verti Marte
1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | (504) 525-4767
Here’s what one customer says about Verti Marte: “If you don’t know, now you know…Find it go straight to the back, menu is taped on the display case. You won’t go wrong with whatever you choose.”
Final Word
If you know anything about New Orleans, you know that delicious po-boys are part and parcel one of the hallmarks of the city’s cuisine.
You may be wondering if po-boys are Cajun or Creole? They are actually a little bit of both. Because the sandwich is a traditional dish in Louisiana, it has benefitted from all the cultures of the state.
That means the Spanish, African, French and Cajun influences have all played a part in makign the po-boy what it is today.
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If you’re a fan of top-notch food like gourmet burritos, chalupas and tacos, New Orleans’ Mexican restaurants offer a flavorful fiesta of the senses.
This article is going to show you the best Mexican restaurants in New Orleans.
In all areas of the city, you can find quality Mexican food, including strong margaritas with great food.
Best Mexican Restaurants In New Orleans
Mexican cuisine may not be as popular as seafood in New Orleans, but it’s a close second, as you’ll see.
Cuñada
833 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 525-9200
Here’s what one reviewer says about Cuñada: “”If you want real AUTHENTIC Mexican cuisine in New Orleans, look no further! The best food, served by the best staff in the best city….what else could you ask for.”
Panchita’s Mexican Criolla Cuisine
1434 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 281-4127
Here’s what one reviewer says about Panchita’s: “First Time me and my Boyfriend Came here.Small Place Outdoor Sitting as Well as Indoors.Authentic Mexican Food.I had There Vegetable Burrito and He had the Carne Asada Plate.I Had a Glass of Chardonnay he had 2 Corona Lights we Both Had Water.The Waitress Was Also The Owner She had Other Employees Cooking. Very Clean and Quaint. Will Be Back. Thank You.”
Liberacion NOLA
2239, New Orleans, LA 70117 | 504-208-8276
Here’s what one reviewer says about Liberacion NOLA: “These guys have been singlehandedly keeping me alive the last few years. NO ONE can sling tacos like Damien and Heather!!! Best tacos on the entire planet. Hell, I even heard aliens from other planets are considering sacrificing a lil ufo sighting just come try em.”
Johnny Sánchez
930 Poydras St Suite 101, New Orleans, LA 70112 | (504) 304-6615
Here’s what one customer says about Johnny Sanchez. “We went to Johnny Sánchez for dinner. I had a burrito with a Bloody Maria. The burrito required a knife and for in order to eat it. The flavor of the burrito was quite nice. I can’t say the same about the Bloody Maria. The Bloody Maria was mostly Vodka, and I couldn’t taste the tomato juice.”
The Velvet Cactus
6300 Argonne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 | (504) 301-2083
Here’s what one customer says about The Velvet Cactus. “Great outdoor seating options. Food was very fast! Cheddar grits and brisket quesadilla were awesome! Plantains were tasty too!”
Final Word
If you go to a Mexican restaurant in New Orleans, you may not know what to order. You should try a quesadilla or some Tacos or Sopa de Fideo. No matter what you choose, don’t forget to explore the city’s rich culinary history by giving the eatery some repeat business.
Want to keep the fiesta going? Here are the best tacos in New Orleans.
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The dating scene can be overly complicated with so many options on the table these days. Sometimes it’s best to keep things simple by forgoing any private settings and choosing a place to grab a bite or drink. But where can you go in New Orleans?
The Crescent City has some very nice places for two people to get to know each other over a meal or drink. In this article, we’ll list some of the best places for a date night.
These New Orleans Restaurants Are Perfect For Date Night
First things first, let’s go over some rules that can make your date a success:
- Always meet in a public place on a first date.
- Never accept a drink that doesn’t come directly from the bartender or server.
- Always drink responsibly. Know when enough is enough.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to talk about date-night options! Ready to check out our list of best date night restaurants in New Orleans? Let’s go!
Coquette
2800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 265-0421
Here’s what one customer says about Coquette: “Every dish was a well balanced pairing of local flavor and impressive culinary capacity. The way they put these dishes together is going to stick with me for a while. Everything was wonderfully paired with the other components on the dish. Perfect for a nice dinner on a quiet night. Stick around for dessert and the Amaro list. We will be coming back again!”
Herbsaint
701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 524-4114
Here’s what one diner says about Herbsaint: “The food deserve 5 stars, but I had to go with 4 because when we ate, almost everything was quite too salty. However we got there at almost 9pm with no reservation, and still they managed to give us a table, which was awesome. For VEGANS don’t be afraid to come eat here, the chef will prepare something at his discretion. And what I go it was Soo Good! My husband asked for 3 portion of short ribs, that’s how much he enjoyed them. My husband actually returned a dish back because it was too salty, and we appreciate that we were not charged for it. Service could have been more personable, but no complaints.”
Maypop
611 O’Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113 | (504) 518-6345
Here’s what one customer says about Maypop: “In a sea of restaurants that are [more or less] putting out the same types of food, it is guaranteed you will find completely unique and incredible eats at Maypop
“I’m not even sure what you’d classify this type of food. Definitely Asian fusion but it’s simply better than that. Everything here is simply delicious and unexpected.”
Panchita’s Mexican Criolla Cuisine
1434 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 281-4127
Here’s what one reviewer says about Panchita’s: “First Time me and my Boyfriend Came here.Small Place Outdoor Sitting as Well as Indoors.Authentic Mexican Food.I had There Vegetable Burrito and He had the Carne Asada Plate.I Had a Glass of Chardonnay he had 2 Corona Lights we Both Had Water.The Waitress Was Also The Owner She had Other Employees Cooking. Very Clean and Quaint. Will Be Back. Thank You.”
Gumbo Ya-Ya
600 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 291-8600
Here’s what one customer says about Gumbo Ya-Ya: “We stopped by this gumbo place as we were walking toward the French Quarter. It was supposed to be a 30 minute wait but we were seated in about 10 mins. We ordered a seven steaks gumbo with jambalaya rice topping and a seafood and okra gumbo also with jambalaya rice topping for $6.50 each. It was a good portion, tasty, and filling. The view was very romantic and beautiful! And the service was fast and awesome – Kori was our server!”
Olde Nola Cookery
205 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | (504) 525-4577
Here’s what one customer says about Olde Nola Cookery: “The wait staff was very friendly. I loved the atmosphere of this place. As for the food, my shrimp was greasy and had too much breading. My husband got the fried oyster la and said the same thing. Also the collard greens were good but a tad too salty. I would visit again and maybe try the crab cakes.”
Atchafalaya
901 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115 | (504) 891-9626
Come for the Crab Cake Benedict, stay for the brunch Bloody Mary.
Here’s what one diner says about Atchafalaya : “Shrimp and Crab Cake Benedict special, Bananas Foster Waffle, Five “A” bloody Mary and mimosa. Everything was delicious and the outdoor seating area was perfect for us to enjoy the beautiful weather with our dog. Our waitress was amazing. If you want to hear the live music you’ll want to sit inside. Mask required inside and COVID vaccine or negative PCR test proof required. Pets allowed outside.”
Avila Grill French Quarter
817 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112 | 504) 478-0796
At this Venezuelan restaurant, come for the Catira (shredded chicken dish), stay for the Pabello Criollo (beef stew).
Here’s what one patron has to say about the Avila Grill French Quarter: “We ordered a chicken patacon a delicious sandwich that uses plantains as the bun and the chicken arepa which has a corn based pocket stuffed with goodness. We wanted to try the empanadas so ordered a couple of those too. We ended loving those so much we ordered six to go to enjoy for lunch while we were driving the next day. Oooh and get the green sauce that comes with the empanadas for whatever you order! I want this in economy size!”
Final Word
Getting to know someone over lunch or dinner can be intimidating for many people, but hopefully the awesome restaurants we’ve listed can make it easier.
If you really want to take things to the next level, you can pay for exclusive dining by renting out a banquet room for a small group of family and friends.
Want to make it official? Here’s how to sweep her off her feet.
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