New Orleans has not established itself as a great place to grab a deli sandwich. Most of our bread and meat is defined by the PO-BOYs.
There are some great places to grab a good sandwiches but they are few and far between. The top 5 places would have to be: St. James Cheese, Martin's Wine Cellar, Stein's Deli, Il Posto, and Tartine. The problem with all of the above referenced places is that there is no value to any of 'em. I dont like spending $10 for a sandwich. It just doesn't make sense.
This is why i have compiled a list of the top 5 sandwiches for under $10. Here it is:
1. Bahn Mi from Tan Dinh, the Hong Kong Market, or Phong Doung bakery. These vietnamese po-boys will run you about $3 and are on the greatest bread/baguette of all time. Very Tasty.
2. (Dont hate me) Footlong Meatball Sub from Subway with lettuce and mayo. Enough Said.
3. The Cuban Sandwich @ Taqueria Chilangos in Kenner. Very unique take on the cuban and extremely tasty.
4. Captain Sal's Half and Half Po-Boy is a poor man's ticket to a decent fried shrimp and oyster po-boy.
5. The HOBNOBBER'S in the CBD has good hot plates and is all around good value. Very nice size sandwiches for very little money.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Groupon Phenomena
Daily Discount websites have been the anti-diet for/of me! It is so much easier to eat out when a restaurant gives the customer a 50% discount off a certain amount. It's almost unfair to get these emails everyday. Typically, there is a good bit of fine print for each deal, BUT the deal usually motivates me to buy regardless. The biggest two daily deal websites are Groupon and Living Social. Groupon has found a greater market-share thus far, but also gauges the vendor more than Living Social by taking 50% of the money earned by each deal. Granted the vendor should look at the Groupon as a advertising / promotional opportunity that can boost sales for months to come. Grouopon has the ability to bring new eyes and bodies into businesses which is most definitely priceless.
Other daily deal websites in New Orleans are: Perks, Fetch Puppy, and Bargain Bee.
The key to getting the value out of these deals is to be very careful and methodical when using the vouchers. Don't spend more money then you normally would at these restaurants. Stick to the basics. Stay the course.
Other daily deal websites in New Orleans are: Perks, Fetch Puppy, and Bargain Bee.
The key to getting the value out of these deals is to be very careful and methodical when using the vouchers. Don't spend more money then you normally would at these restaurants. Stick to the basics. Stay the course.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Breaking the Fast!
I am constantly struggling to find a consistent outlet when i wake up (and look forward to) in the food world. Sure, i love the occasional Lucky Charms, Smacks, and Egg McMuffin. But the question remains, what is a healthy, inexpensive breakfast that i can look forward to week in and week out?
I have gone through many phases in the breakfast portion of my life. The most recent is Jimmy Dean products: Pancake and sausage sandwich (turkey sausage of course), french toast and turkey sausage sandwich, Jimmy Dean's take on the Egg McMuffin (but on a croissant), breakfast bowls, and a few others. Keep in mind, these are all the D-Light label within Jimmy Dean so i can watch my belly that never stops growing. New Orleans is a tough town to maintain weight in.
(*There are always promotions and coupons for Jimmy Dean products.)
I do note that a lot of people a mental barrier when it comes to frozen eggs. The truth is that sometimes frozen eggs work and sometimes they do not. Jimmy Dean's breakfast bowls pull off the frozen egg pretty well, but it surely is not like the real thing.
Two things that stay consistent in every single breakfast:
1. New Orleans Very Own - Cool Brew (I recommend Vanilla or Mocha)
2. Silk Milk Light Vanilla - Made by Dean Foods
I look forward to my cool brew every single day. Simply put, it is like having dessert for breakfast!
Oatmeal, porridge, leftovers from dinner, Indian food from Sunday night Buffett are all in the mix every so often, but i cant rely on any of the above.
So, I am definitely in search of that perfect breakfast idea... and open to ideas.
Let me know what you got.
I have gone through many phases in the breakfast portion of my life. The most recent is Jimmy Dean products: Pancake and sausage sandwich (turkey sausage of course), french toast and turkey sausage sandwich, Jimmy Dean's take on the Egg McMuffin (but on a croissant), breakfast bowls, and a few others. Keep in mind, these are all the D-Light label within Jimmy Dean so i can watch my belly that never stops growing. New Orleans is a tough town to maintain weight in.
(*There are always promotions and coupons for Jimmy Dean products.)
I do note that a lot of people a mental barrier when it comes to frozen eggs. The truth is that sometimes frozen eggs work and sometimes they do not. Jimmy Dean's breakfast bowls pull off the frozen egg pretty well, but it surely is not like the real thing.
Two things that stay consistent in every single breakfast:
1. New Orleans Very Own - Cool Brew (I recommend Vanilla or Mocha)
2. Silk Milk Light Vanilla - Made by Dean Foods
I look forward to my cool brew every single day. Simply put, it is like having dessert for breakfast!
Oatmeal, porridge, leftovers from dinner, Indian food from Sunday night Buffett are all in the mix every so often, but i cant rely on any of the above.
So, I am definitely in search of that perfect breakfast idea... and open to ideas.
Let me know what you got.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Martin's Deli Uptown
Ever since the Katrina, people have been wondering when Martin's Wine Cellar will re-open on Baronne. I have heard people say this year dating all the way back to 2008. Well, apparently that didn't happen.
The most recent rumor i heard was that construction was started and then soon after came to a screeching hault due to financial reasons.
Whatever the reason for procrastination is, one thing is for sure: IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON.
Why? Two reasons:
1. There is an uptown Sandwich monopoly going on between Stein's Deli on Magazine and St. James Cheese on Prytania. Both Stein's and St. James are slammed to the door every single day because of the lack of healthy competition. This creates long waits and limited seating.
(Btw, for a good sandwich wild card try Milk Bar off Prytania.)
2. The neighborhood needs it. There are a lot of very kind "do-good" residents on the "other side" of St. Charles Avenue that are depending on Martin's re-opening. The reasons go way beyond the food into matters like security and a dynamic selection of beer for the neighborhood.
Seriously, Martins has great sandwiches, excellent prepared foods, a unbelievable selection of wine, amongst other amazing attributes.
Maybe we should take it to the Avenue with buckets and collect money for the Cellar.
The most recent rumor i heard was that construction was started and then soon after came to a screeching hault due to financial reasons.
Whatever the reason for procrastination is, one thing is for sure: IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON.
Why? Two reasons:
1. There is an uptown Sandwich monopoly going on between Stein's Deli on Magazine and St. James Cheese on Prytania. Both Stein's and St. James are slammed to the door every single day because of the lack of healthy competition. This creates long waits and limited seating.
(Btw, for a good sandwich wild card try Milk Bar off Prytania.)
2. The neighborhood needs it. There are a lot of very kind "do-good" residents on the "other side" of St. Charles Avenue that are depending on Martin's re-opening. The reasons go way beyond the food into matters like security and a dynamic selection of beer for the neighborhood.
Seriously, Martins has great sandwiches, excellent prepared foods, a unbelievable selection of wine, amongst other amazing attributes.
Maybe we should take it to the Avenue with buckets and collect money for the Cellar.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Bistro Food
I cringe when i hear the word "bistro." I cringe again when i hear la palabra, "tapas."
Why?
In my opinion, both words are synonymous with RIP-OFF.
Although, bistro food is delicious, it also puts a big emphasis on presentation. Presentation is great, but it sure doesn't fill you up. Can you really take anything away from the meal other than a photo when it comes to presentation ? The answer is NO.
So many new restaurants are some form of a bistro: smaller plates and less food combined with higher prices. It just makes me mad. I guess, if you are being treated to a meal by the company, there is nothing better than bistro food, but if you are on your own nickel, walk/run away.
This leads me to the hottest and worst trend spreading across America...TAPAS! Tapas have hit New Orleans like wildfire and i dont have the right equipment to exterminate the fire out. These "small plates" were never meant to be turned into a meal. I get it, women love tapas. But what about the men? The variety that tapas gives a table is great, but i think the plate size can only be justified for appetizers and/or dessert. I simply dont dig it.
Whatever happen to the good ole cafeteria style hot plate restaurant like Rocky & Carlos?
Why?
In my opinion, both words are synonymous with RIP-OFF.
Although, bistro food is delicious, it also puts a big emphasis on presentation. Presentation is great, but it sure doesn't fill you up. Can you really take anything away from the meal other than a photo when it comes to presentation ? The answer is NO.
So many new restaurants are some form of a bistro: smaller plates and less food combined with higher prices. It just makes me mad. I guess, if you are being treated to a meal by the company, there is nothing better than bistro food, but if you are on your own nickel, walk/run away.
This leads me to the hottest and worst trend spreading across America...TAPAS! Tapas have hit New Orleans like wildfire and i dont have the right equipment to exterminate the fire out. These "small plates" were never meant to be turned into a meal. I get it, women love tapas. But what about the men? The variety that tapas gives a table is great, but i think the plate size can only be justified for appetizers and/or dessert. I simply dont dig it.
Whatever happen to the good ole cafeteria style hot plate restaurant like Rocky & Carlos?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Company Burger
How do New Orleanien's feel about Five Guys entering the market? Is Five Guys really that good? In my mind it is way too greasy and way too limited in terms of menu design. I just don’t get the five guy hype.
Is New Orleans even into chains?
I can tell you what I am most excited about...THE COMPANY BURGER opening this week at 4600 Freret. The Company Burger is going to be a nitty gritty burger joint founded by former Newman Superstar Adam Biderman. Adam will be assisted by his father in a beautiful newly renovated open-air diner style kitchen in what used to be Wagner’e Meat. Kind of ironic that “you can’t beat Wagner’s Meat” is soon to become “You can’t beat Adam’s Burger.”
What most people don’t know about Adam is that he was all state in two sports while attending Isidore Newman High School which is about four blocks away from the foot of his new restaurant. Bids was a dominant defensive linemen and also was very impressive in track and field where he broke records in the shot-put. Adam would later attend the university of Georgia where he played football before pursuing a career in food. The Biderman family is the proud owners of Hiller Jewelry – THRILL HER WITH HILLER & if Hiller doesn’t thrill her, take her to the company burger
Also interesting to note, Adam makes his own pickles and gained a good bit of notoriety in his culinary days in the ATL. Biderman was also honored recently at Hogs for a Cause for his unbelievable BBQ. I have full confidence that The Company Burger will make a swift climb to the top of the New Orleans Burger hierarchy and I cant wait to take my first bite of his burger. The Company Burger will be closed on Tuesdays every week.
Let me know where you think the best burger is…
Is New Orleans even into chains?
I can tell you what I am most excited about...THE COMPANY BURGER opening this week at 4600 Freret. The Company Burger is going to be a nitty gritty burger joint founded by former Newman Superstar Adam Biderman. Adam will be assisted by his father in a beautiful newly renovated open-air diner style kitchen in what used to be Wagner’e Meat. Kind of ironic that “you can’t beat Wagner’s Meat” is soon to become “You can’t beat Adam’s Burger.”
What most people don’t know about Adam is that he was all state in two sports while attending Isidore Newman High School which is about four blocks away from the foot of his new restaurant. Bids was a dominant defensive linemen and also was very impressive in track and field where he broke records in the shot-put. Adam would later attend the university of Georgia where he played football before pursuing a career in food. The Biderman family is the proud owners of Hiller Jewelry – THRILL HER WITH HILLER & if Hiller doesn’t thrill her, take her to the company burger
Also interesting to note, Adam makes his own pickles and gained a good bit of notoriety in his culinary days in the ATL. Biderman was also honored recently at Hogs for a Cause for his unbelievable BBQ. I have full confidence that The Company Burger will make a swift climb to the top of the New Orleans Burger hierarchy and I cant wait to take my first bite of his burger. The Company Burger will be closed on Tuesdays every week.
Let me know where you think the best burger is…
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