It’s not very difficult to find Good Eats in the Big Easy! We have been visiting New Orleans regularly since 2006, and in all of that time I can honestly say that we have only had 1 meal that was mediocre. In fact, that restaurant The Trolley Stop on St. Charles, isn’t even in business anymore.
That’s the legendary Fried Bologna Sandwich at Turkey and the Wolf!
Good Eats in The Big Easy
NOLA is a Foodie Paradise. There’s no other way to put it. It’s the best city for food. Period.
Of course, the food is only one aspect of why New Orleans is our favorite city. We love the music and art too. And the people here are always warm and welcoming. It’s the whole package. We love the way the people here celebrate life each and every day, through the art, music and food!!! For us, The Big Easy is our “happy place”.
Since we have been here so many times we are fortunate to now have good friends here. So we have people who introduce us to new places. Some are restaurants that we’d never know about if it weren’t for our friends.
But what’s really fun for us, is when we can inform them of places that they weren’t aware of! Two of those restaurants are Molly’s Rise and Shine and Turkey and the Wolf. Good Eats, No – make that great eats, in The Big Easy for breakfast and lunch for sure.
Molly’s Rise and Shine
Welcome to Molly’s Rise and Shine on Magazine Street in New Orleans!
Molly’s alway just outside the entry to greet you.
Kitschy interior of Molly’s Rise and Shine
It had been a few years since we first had breakfast at Molly’s Rise and Shine. I always love when you can confidently recommend a place because it’s consistently great. Molly’s Rise and Shine and Turkey and the Wolf are places like that. They are both owned by Chef Mason Hereford and his crew, along with a recently opened dinner restaurant called Hungry Eyes. We’re hoping to get to try Hungry Eyes while we’re here in The Big Easy this time. But they don’t take reservations, none of his places do, so it may be difficult. But I digress! We had an awesome breakfast at Molly’s!!!
Classic Biscuit Sammie
Grand Slam McMuffin, an American classic at Molly’s
I love biscuits, so I had the Classic Biscuit Sammie which consisted of sausage, scrambled egg, cheddar cheese, mayo and pickled peppers on tangy biscuits. Every component is made fresh in house, which makes for a very tasty meal. Steve is not a biscuit fan, so he ordered the huge and filling Grand Slam McMuffin. His toasted English muffin was filled with sage pork patties, hash brown patty, griddled onions, American cheese, and Heinz ketchup. Even the coffee was excellent.
Turkey and the Wolf
Always a line at Turkey and the Wolf!
Steve’s a happy camper because he knows just how good lunch is going to be!
That’s the legendary Fried Bologna Sandwich at Turkey and the Wolf!
A couple of weeks ago we returned to Turkey and the Wolf after a couple of years. We just love this place! We didn’t even mind the long wait because we enjoyed good conversation with the people in front and behind us on line. When we were next in line, I got a table and Steve went to place our order. We knew before we got there what we’d be ordering. Their Fried Bologna Sandwich is the stuff that legends are made of. Two slices of thick cut, freshly baked bread that is filled to beyond capacity with artisanal fried bologna, Via’s mom’s hot mustard, freshly fried potato chips, shredded lettuce, mayonnaise and lots of melty American cheese.
Here’s a better look at just what’s in the Fried Bologna Sandwich. You’re welcome!
I’m drooling just thinking about it. We learned our lesson after our first visit there back in 2017, when they had only been opened a few months. We don’t share that sandwich. Is it big enough to share? Absolutely! But you should trust me on this if you go, order your own.
Chill Out Café Thai Restaurant
Chicken Pad Thai
Beef Panang Curry
This past weekend our friends introduced us to an adorable Thai restaurant in their neighborhood, Chill Out Café. It was a delightful evening so we decided to dine outside, which was lovely. We LOVE Thai food. But we are creature of habit and always order the same entrées, Chicken Pad Thai and Beef Panang Curry, so we were happy that they were both on the menu. We did order some different appetizers that were so fresh and delicious that we could have made a meal of appetizers alone.
Fresh Spring Rolls at Chill Out Café Thai Restaurant in The Big Easy
The Fresh Spring Rolls were gorgeous in their presentation. Clear rice paper was filled with cucumber, fried tofu, cilantro, shredded carrots, cabbage, and fresh mint. The rolls were served drizzled with sweet chili sauce and sweet soy.
We shared an order of Fried Calamari, that was so fabulous that we scarfed them up before I could even snap a photo. The tender squid was battered in a well seasoned coating and deep fried to perfection, served with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Fresh Spring Roll and Fried Wonton at Chill Out
The Fried Wontons that we all shared were quite different from those at Chinese restaurants. They resembled empanadas. But they were wonton skins that were stuffed with minced chicken and shrimp, then deep fried for a lovely crispy exterior.
Two things to know about Chill Out Café: First, you can bring your own wine, which we did! The second thing is a bit quirky for a Thai restaurant, they served American breakfast! And our friends tell us that it’s really good.
I could go on and on telling you about the many Good Eats in The Big Easy. A neighbor at our RV park here asked for some recommendations for dining. In about 5 minutes I had written a list of 16 places that we love. And they were only staying for 3 days!!!
I can’t even imagine only coming here for a weekend. We got here on January 10 and we’re not leaving until June 15. It’s the longest we have ever stayed in one place since we began traveling full time on June 1, 2020.
Don’t forget to click here to purchase a copy of my first eCookbook “Tasting Alabama: one bite at a time”
