2023 BEST OF THE BIG EASY Writers' Picks

from Latest Issue: July 2023–Best of the Big Easy

Bar Guide

BEST STREET TO DRIVE ON WHEN YOU WANT TO SPILL YOUR COFFEE

Birch Street from Adams Street to Broadway

Do you ever feel like life is too perfect? Do you ever wish you could have just one small inconvenience to set you off? Try driving down Birch Street with an open cup of coffee. Those bumps, potholes, and puddles will certainly shake things up. You’re guaranteed to experience anxiety and frustration. And who knows? Maybe even a small burn

–Brooke Adams

BEST PLACE TO MEET FRIENDLY SQUIRRELS IN WELL-LIT

LaSalle Park

Places

If you need some more green in your life, jet over to Jefferson Parish for a nice, safe, paved walking trail—with plenty of friendly squirrels and well-lit paths. LaSalle Park (near the Shrine on Airline) boasts parking, shade, and a small, wooded boardwalk in its center, plus picnic tables under a large grove of trees. The fluffy suburban squirrels populating LaSalle Park are extremely friendly—dare we say tame—squirrels who are not shy. Walk or jog the full loop that goes past the Saints Training Camp on Tom Benson Way, or a shorter loop around the sports complex closer to Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Bonus: There is a JP Sheriff’s office right in the middle of this complex.

–Amy Kirk Duvoisin

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BEST GAS STATION TO GET HIT ON Shell Station on Earhart and Carrollton

We all know what the world needs more of—men catcalling women while they pump gas. Ladies, if you ever have a low selfesteem day, just go to the Shell station on Earhart Blvd. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve got the fattest ass and the prettiest smile in the world. Gas station “husbands” have the elite ability to make you feel like you are the only woman who matters.

–Brooke Adams

BEST PLACE TO GET A CASE OF THE MEAT SWEATS

Fogo de Chão

614 Canal St., fogodechao.com

Anyone who’s never experienced those interesting Brazilian rodizio-style steakhouses should give Fogo de Chão in the JW Marriot a try. The main draw to this popular chain is that customers can get the option of having churrasco (grilled meats) continuously brought to their table and sliced on the spot from large skewers. Some of the onoffer meats include top sirloin, lamb chops, chicken, and spicy pork sausage. Not only that, the meal comes with complimentary pao de queijo (cheese bread), crispy polenta, plantains, and mashed potatoes, as well as access to Fogo de Chão’s Market Table and Feijoada Bar.

–Burke Bischoff

BEST INTERSECTION TO NEGATE CIVIC PRIDE

Dysfunction Junction

—Phil LaMancusa

BEST PLACE TO GET THE SOFTEST NOLA-INSPIRED T-SHIRTS

NOLA T-Shirt of the Month Club

3013 Magazine St., nolatshirtclub.com

NOLA T-Shirt of the Month Club has the best New Orleans themed gifts at their two locations (3013 Magazine Street and 630 St. Ann Street). Contrary to the inference embedded in the name, you don’t have to be a “member” of the club to buy shirts, candles, and other curios from their shops and/or online. Plus, they have the softest t-shirts that feel so comfortable immediately after donning. –Donald

Rickert

BEST PLACE TO GET SIDE-SWIPED BY MERGING TRAFFIC

Airline Highway and Monroe Street

Esplanade Avenue and North Claiborne right in the heart of New Orleans just can’t shake off the curse of the Claiborne Expressway, which claimed its first oak tree in 1966. This intersection sports an array of litter, and on Sunday nights, the dangerous theatrics of muscle cars and motorbikes and rude partiers blocking traffic includes city buses and EMS transports. –Debbie

Lindsey

Not only is there a funky, confusing signal at the intersection of Airline and Monroe, but there are also two offramps from the 10 that merge onto Airline. Because of this, there are an inordinate amount of accidents that happen at this intersection. One would think following the traffic signals would be an easy indicator of what each driver should do, but that’s putting too much faith in New Orleans area drivers.

BEST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACE TO MISS A BUS | Louisiana & Tchoup

At the foot of Louisiana Avenue on Tchoupitoulas Street you’ll find one of the most iconic bus stops in the city to get an Instagram pic. The bench painted to represent piano keys is emblazoned as a reference to Dr. John’s song, “Right place, wrong time—Dr. John.” Ironically, the RTA 10 bus route has been discontinued so Dr. John’s famous lyrics are prophetic as well as accurate.

—Robert Witkowski

BEST SPOT TO SIT AND EAT LIKE ROYALTY

Punjabi Dhaba

2305 W. Esplanade Ave. Way, way out in the burbs on West Esplanade Avenue in Kenner (brah), a second iteration of the Hammond gas station sensation

Punjabi Dhaba is the most aristocratic experience you'll ever have in a strip mall. This spot features glowing crystal lamps in front, cool marble tables, and golden chairs (thrones, really) upholstered in red velvet, large enough to accommodate even the most resplendent of rear ends. Add to that a menu which, unless you opt for the buffet, will dazzle and possibly even confuse you with the endless number of dishes available made-to-order. The food is fantastic, too, but that's just a given.

Kim Ranjbar

BEST BLOG YOU’VE NEVER READ

Mine | phillamancusa.blogspot.com

For the last twenty-five years that I’ve written for Where Y’at. I deposited a copy of every column on my blog, just for the record and for any fan’s edification. No one has yet to discover me. It’s history, mystery, adventure, and a long and winding road (and easy to find).

–Phil LaMancusa

BEST PLACE TO PROPOSE IN CASE THEY SAY “NO”

The Algiers Ferry

For only $2, you and your potential life mate are provided world-class views of downtown New Orleans as only seen from the Mighty Mississippi. And, if it all falls apart, you can send your now-ex right back across the river while you duck into Crown & Anchor and proceed to drink until you have an accent. –Joey Cirilo

BEST SELF-SEATING UPGRADE Preservation Hall

726 St. Peter, preservationhall.com

Preservation Hall is a bucket-list must-do for any jazz fan visiting New Orleans, and it’s well worth the $40-50 ticket price for many to sit and a $25 standing room only ticket will place you just a few feet behind; however, people standing are welcome to sit in open, more expensive seats that go unsold. Savvy locals pounce while confused tourists are left standing, and the look on full-price patron faces is priceless.

–Robert Witkowski

Port Orleans Brewing Co.

4124 Tchoupitoulas St., portorleansbrewing.com

Have a newborn, but still fancy a pint? Load up the stroller and head to your favorite brewery, most of which allow children. Tchoupitoulas offers a bountiful “brewery corridor” with several brewery selections, but Port Orleans’ combination of indoor and outdoor space, delicious food from Avo Taco, and refreshing beer can’t be beaten. Cool off with a Riverfront Lager, chips and queso, and enjoy mingling with other adults.

–Andrew

BEST

East Jefferson Public Library

4747 W. Napoleon Ave., jplibrary.net

Jefferson Parish is not your momma’s JP. Among other activities, groups, happenings, and overall demographic changes in the ‘burbs, you may be surprised to find the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association meets at the East Jefferson Public Library once a month on Saturday afternoons. What makes the group more relevant than ever (and why it’s particularly fun and appropriate that they meet at the public library) is that while some residents are waging complaints and requesting some books be banned, the NOSHA group hosts a Banned Book Club where they read already “banned” books. June’s club read is James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain. -Amy Kirk Duvoisin