SUMMER RESTAURANT GUIDE African Bennachin blends influences from places such as Gambia and Cameroon and is just as exotic. What started as a business in Metairie is now a popular location in the French Quarter. Boasting a calm and attractive atmosphere, Bennachin has dishes for both vegans and omnivores that are full of flavor and will make your taste buds light up. 1212 Royal St., 5221230, bennachinrestaurant.com
American Bayou Hot Wings has more hot wings than the entire city of Nashville. Their “madefrom-scratch” wings come with a whole slew of sauces, or you can opt for a burger or wrap instead. Try the Bayou Hot Wing Challenge for a chance to have your meal comped and your picture on the Wall of Fame. Warning: not for the faint-of-heart. Bayou Hot Wings brings the heat. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., bayouhotwings.com Betty’s Bar and Bistro offers a no-fuss bite to eat if you have a hankering for food like your mama made. A locally owned bar and bistro in the French Quarter, Betty’s has an
eclectic menu of good ol’ diner fare with a Cajun twist. Their menu ranges from mac and cheese bites to bigger plates, like a catfish sandwich or their Bistro Burger. 700 Burgundy St., 354-1222, bettysbar.com Daisy Dukes offers authentic Southern dining in a relaxed Southern atmosphere. They have a comfortable and casual vibe and will deliver a consistently good meal to you whenever you come through their doors. You can find them at locations throughout the city, should you need to make a pit stop during your day to refuel for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Multiple Locations, daisydukesrestaurant.com The Duke proclaims that their legend is in the food, and their fried mac and cheese and burgers are definitely legendary. The Duke is casual but full of flavor and charm. In addition to burgers, they also serve salads, pasta, hot dogs, and fried dessert. Fried bread pudding, anyone? As any grease aficionado will attest, anything fried ought to be tried. 2740 Severn Ave., Metairie, 353-4227, thedukemetairie.com Fullblast Brunch is a New Orleans brunch place with Creole, Latin, and Cajun influences. It is open right now with dine-in options
Daisy Dukes 8
Summer Restaurant Guide | Where Y'at Magazine
available. If you’re looking to get a quick bite or a heartier Southern fix, you’re sure to find what you need at this fun eatery. Located in Mid-City, Fullblast is as convenient as it is delicious. 139 S. Cortez St., 504-302-2800, fullblastbrunch.com Gattuso’s will be sure to satisfy your hunger, whether you are craving soft-shell crab, a salmon salad, or something more substantial. The restaurant also offers gumbo and a bevy of appetizers that can sate your appetite before you dig into any number of delectable entrees. Gattuso’s always makes you feel like you are at home with their friendly service and remarkable cooking. 435 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, 386-1114, gattusos.net Lakeview Harbor, “home of Lakeview’s original burger,” offers a wide selection of American classics, such as salads, USDA steaks, po-boys, wraps, pizza, seafood, and so much more. They have daily specials every day, including red beans with smoked sausage on Mondays and chicken-fried steak or meatstuffed bell peppers on Tuesdays. They even serve breakfast. 8550 Pontchartrain Ave., 486-4887, lakeviewharbor.us Liberty Cheesesteaks boasts some of the best cheesesteaks this side of the City
of Brotherly Love. But don’t allow Liberty Cheesesteaks’s name to fool you; their menu doesn’t stop at cheesesteaks. They offer other top-notch sandwiches as well, including signature hoagies and subs. Stop by their drive-thru, if you’re on-the-go, or sit down to enjoy a cheesesteak and catch a game on TV. 5041 Freret St., 875-4447, libertycheesesteaks.com Spudly’s Super Spuds is a baked-potato hot spot that also serves a host of other dishes, such as burgers, salads, and po-boys. But people really come for the potatoes—they don’t call it “a meal in a baked potato” for nothing. Try your potato topped with everything from crabmeat and shrimp to beef chili to broccoli and cheese. 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, 455-3250, spudlys.com Willie Mae’s is a quintessential Southern restaurant. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes? You bet! They also offer dishes closer to home, such as seafood gumbo. Go to drink and be merry, or to enjoy Willie Mae’s famous food. There’s now a second location at Pythian Market, an offshoot of the original Scotch House, with all the same chicken you know and love. Multiple locations, williemaesnola.com
Willie Mae's
