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SandwichesLower Garden District
Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans is Mason Hereford's daytime sandwich room on Jackson Avenue, a Michelin recognised lunch counter with the collard green.
OrderThe collard green melt with cheddar on cushy rye.
TipLunch only, daytime hours Wednesday to Monday. Closed Tuesday; lines start before noon.
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Southern CreoleBywater
Elizabeth's in New Orleans is the Bywater corner cafe at Chartres and Gallier that invented praline bacon, with pecan sugar lacquered slices on a breakfast.
OrderThe praline bacon, ordered as a side with the redneck eggs Benedict.
TipNo reservations. Arrive by 09:00 on weekends or wait an hour for the brunch turn.
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Cajun CreoleFrench Quarter
Coop's Place in New Orleans is the Decatur Street Cajun dive open since 1983, with rabbit and sausage jambalaya, fried chicken and a Chicken Tchoupitoulas.
OrderThe rabbit and sausage jambalaya. Add the Chicken Tchoupitoulas if you have appetite.
TipCash-friendly dive bar atmosphere; the kitchen runs late and pairs with Abita on tap.
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Cajun & CreoleMid City
Mandina's in New Orleans is the 1932 Mid-City Italian-Creole corner room on Canal Street, founded by Sicilian immigrant Sebastian Mandina and still serving.
OrderThe trout amandine. Add the spaghetti with red gravy and a side of bread.
TipSit at the bar for the streetcar view; the kitchen runs faster off the bar pickup.
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Cajun CreoleFaubourg St John
Liuzza's by the Track in New Orleans is the Bayou St John lunch counter near the Fair Grounds that invented the BBQ shrimp po-boy, still the room's anchor.
OrderThe BBQ shrimp po-boy, invented on this very counter.
TipCash only at peak; check the Jazz Fest schedule, the room turns into a circus on festival weekends.
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Southern CreoleCentral Business District
Mother's in New Orleans is the 1938 CBD lunch counter at Poydras and Tchoupitoulas, home of the Ferdi Special po-boy with ham, roast beef and debris served.
OrderThe Ferdi Special po-boy with debris. Add a side of red beans.
TipLines are real; arrive at 11:00 or after 14:00 for the shortest wait.
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SeafoodUptown
Casamento's in New Orleans is the 1919 Sicilian-American oyster room on Magazine Street, with crackle-crusted fried oysters between thick slabs of pan bread.
OrderThe oyster loaf, with the oysters fried crackle-crisp and packed between thick pan bread.
TipClosed June through August (oyster R-months rule). Cash-only counter service.
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SeafoodFrench Quarter
Acme Oyster House in New Orleans is the 1910 Iberville Street oyster bar between Bourbon and Royal, with char-grilled oysters and a shucker counter rebuilt.
OrderA dozen char-grilled oysters with garlic butter and Parmesan.
TipWalk-in only and a queue is the norm; aim for 11:00 open or after 21:00 for shortest waits.
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SeafoodFrench Quarter
Felix's in New Orleans is the Iberville Street oyster bar opposite Acme, founded 1948, with a long shucker counter, oysters Bienville and a quieter room.
OrderHalf a dozen char-grilled and half a dozen raw on the half shell.
TipLess queue than Acme across the street; the kitchen is open until 23:00 most nights.
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Modern CreoleGarden District
Atchafalaya in New Orleans is the Louisiana Avenue Creole room on the Garden District edge, known for a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and the duck hash.
OrderThe duck hash with sunny eggs; build a Bloody Mary at the bar.
TipSaturday and Sunday brunch with live music; arrive 09:30 or hold for the 13:00 turn.
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Neapolitan PizzaUptown
Pizza Domenica in New Orleans is the BRG Hospitality Magazine Street pizzeria with a custom Italian wood-fired oven, sausage and broccoli pies and a long.
OrderThe sausage and broccoli pie. Add the Bibb salad to share.
TipPatio seats are first-come; the bar runs walk-in best on weeknights.
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SandwichWarehouse District
Cochon Butcher in New Orleans is the Donald Link sandwich counter and butcher case beside Cochon, with a muffuletta and Le Pig Mac that have outsold.
OrderThe muffuletta with the house olive salad. Add the Le Pig Mac.
TipLunchtime is queued; come at 11:00 or after 14:00. Same kitchen as Cochon, faster turn.
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Po-boysUptown
Domilise's in New Orleans is the 1918 family-run po-boy counter on Annunciation Street at Belle Castle Uptown, with fried shrimp and oyster po-boys.
OrderThe fried shrimp po-boy, dressed, with hot sauce.
TipCash and local-card only at the counter; the kitchen closes when the bread runs out.
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Po-boysMid City
Parkway in New Orleans is the 1911 Mid-City po-boy room on Hagan Avenue near Bayou St John, a German-built corner shop with roast beef debris and a screened.
OrderThe roast beef po-boy with debris, dressed. Add a beer.
TipThe back garden patio runs cooler in summer; the counter line is faster than the wait staff.