Cheap Places to Eat in Storyville

"Delicately prepared sashimi does not usually come to mind when discussing New Orleans cuisine, but this tiny Uptown restaurant has created buzz and received accolades since its 2018 opening. Chef Hao Gong worked for years at the popular Sake Cafe, and he’s translated his skills into an innovative pan-Asian menu that displays Japanese and Chinese influences. Raw dishes—salmon with Asian pear, soy and basil seeds; tuna with dragon fruit and spicy soy—are super fresh and innovative, while hot dishes—tofu with shiitakes, wood ear mushrooms and lily flower; Gong’s mother’s pork and ginger dumplings—are creative and satisfying."

"UptownChinese and Japanese cuisine in a funky interiorTake a date to Luvi, and you’ll be guaranteed a topic of conversation over the colorful plating, fresh dishes, and bright decor. Chef Hao Gong’s inventive Shanghai cooking offers more than just adventurous dining. Dishes like pork and ginger dumplings or a raw bar selection of seared tuna and black caviar will give you something to discuss if your date night conversational skills fail you."

"5236 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 605-3340; www.luvirestaurant.com. Mala Holla is spicy beef with cilantro, peanuts and ghost chili oil. Reservations accepted."

"An old firehouse in the Freret Street corridor transformed into a stylish, dimly lit cocktail lounge that’s been a local favorite spot since 2009. Largely credited with revitalizing the now-bustling neighborhood, Cure won the coveted award for Outstanding Bar Program from the James Beard Foundation in 2018. Expect creative drinks and an eclectic array of dishes."

"Familiarize yourself with the house rules (no baseball caps or shorts, boys) before heading over to this schmancy cocktail bar on a happening little strip Uptown. The space, a reclaimed firehouse, is spacious and sharp. Small plates are carefully prepared and served late."

"You can’t go wrong with a date night at this swanky Freret Street spot with a critically-acclaimed bar program. Enjoy some good tunes and conversation by candlelight at Cure. Plus, if you get a little hungry, check the bar menu for light bites."

"BywaterWhat you’re getting: A pair of rollsUntil recently, there weren’t many decent places to get pizza by the slice in NOLA (and that Bourbon St slice is to be avoided at all costs). But not only does “The D” do a spot-on NYC foldable slice for under three bucks, for $5, you can get not one but TWO doughy pinwheels packed with cheese and pepperoni, broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach. That’s a damn steal."

"Say it out loud: “BBQ Shrimp.” It’s the most famous dish at this low-key restaurant near the Fairgrounds. Loads of peeled shrimp are swamped in a buttery sauce rife with pepper and loads of bright notes, then the lot is stuffed into a hollowed out roll. It acts like it’s food for one person but it’s sufficient for two."

"Call Liuzza’s directly at to order the famous gumbo, barbecue shrimp po-boy, or garlic oyster po-boy, all stuffed to the brim with seafood. Curbside pickup or local delivery in Mid City."

"What you're getting: The Creole Slammer If you haven’t had the Creole Slammer at Slim’s, you have yet to fully live. What could be better than a plate of hash browns and eggs than a plate of hash browns and eggs generously topped with crawfish étouffée and a buttermilk biscuit?. Fair warning: there’s a sizable wait on weekends if you don’t get there early enough."

"Ten years old and going strong, Magazine Street's quirky, always-slammed early morning to lunch time diner, is known for their Slammer options, a hangover-helper made with hashbrowns and scrambles of various sort (eggs, chili, tofu, what have you). There is also a potato latke/crawfish etouffee dish called the Jewish Coonass, not PC, but a fan favorite."

"(Various street corners in the French Quarter) The popular hot dogs and iconic weenie-in-bun-shaped carts have been part of the late-night Quarter scene for years; the company website claims over 21 million hot dogs have been sold in the past half-century. Lucky Dog makes a pretty good weenie, perfect for slowing your roll when you’ve had one too many Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s."

"These ubiquitous hot dog carts, immortalized as "Paradise Dogs" in the brilliant Pulitzer Prize-winning A Confederacy of Dunces, are all over the place in the Quarter. The enormous hot dogs taste like, well, something you bought off of a hot dog cart, but if you've had a few drinks and like the idea of connecting to some literary history, give 'em a try."

"Jung’s is a popular spot Chinese-American fare, with a few Korean and Thai dishes thrown into the mix. A fixture in New Orleans for close to four decades, Jung’s keeps prices low even for specialty items on their Chinese menu, which offers the likes of boiled fish in hot sauce, spicy pan-fried chicken, and fiery ma po tofu. For the more conservative of palate go-tos include shrimp with lobster sauce and pork fried rice."

"Jung’s Golden Dragon a restaurant of Chinese take out masters. On the rare occasion that I actually eat in the restaurant, I’m normally one of the only, if not the only person in there. But that is miles from saying they aren’t busy, and light years away from saying they aren’t good."

"3009 Magazine St., (504) 891-8280; www.jungsgoldendragonii.com. The Happy Family includes beef, chicken, shrimp and pork cooked with vegetables in brown sauce served with fried noodles."

"Adam Biderman’s homage to the simple burger — thin patty, American cheese, fresh ground meat, no lettuce, no tomato — blew the burger scene in New Orleans wide open when Company Burger opened in 2011. Since then it’s won local and national raves and awards from all directions and is in residence on busy Freret Street Uptown. The menu has a few other sandwich options well worth a try, like that tasty fried chicken sandwich."

"China Orchid in the Riverbend neighborhood has been around for more than 25 years, first opened by the mother of Joe Ming, proprietor of Ming’s in Lakeview. Ming’s mother, Susan, taught him how to cook Chinese food in the kitchen of the family-owned Uptown restaurant, which changed hands in 1992. It’s still a neighborhood go-to for Chinese takeout, with an extensive menu and delivery available."

"Carrollton Ave., (504) 865-1428; www.chinaorchidneworleans.com. An orange peel beef combo platter includes an egg roll, fried rice and egg drop or hot and sour soup."

"Experience the flavors of Hong Kong in New Orleans’ Lakeview at Ming’s. This casual Cantonese eatery’s menu includes American Chinese favorites like fried rice, lo mein and egg foo young. Or opt for Chef Ming Joe’s creations that combine the flavors of his hometown with a pinch of New Orleanian flare like Crawfish Velvet - a stir-fried crawfish dish with pork and black beans in a savory egg-white sauce."

"Tucked away by a Lakeview shopping center, Ming’s isn’t a typical Chinese joint. This Cantonese restaurant is open, airy, sans red dragon decor, and offers outside seating. There are cheap traditional lunch specials but chef and owner Ming Joe has a few tricks up his sleeve."

"By definition, that means they deviate from the norm, or the expected. Let’s be honest, it looks a little like the Department of Motor Vehicles when you walk in."

"Visitors seeking the best malls in Greater New Orleans must only venture slightly north of the city to find Lakeside Shopping Center. This expansive retail hub is one of the area's most popular malls with more than 120 well-known stores including M.A.C., Dillard's, Lane Bryant, Gap, Old Navy and Eddie Bauer, as well as boutiques such as Ann Taylor Loft and Talbot's. Lakeside Shopping Center offers seemingly endless shopping opportunities for men and women (and enough distractions for kids)."

"1601 St. Charles Ave., (504) 302-9716; www.hoshunrestaurant.com. Kung pao chicken includes peanuts, chilies and celery in brown sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"I was super excited about trying this restaurant it was BOMB. It's located on St.Charles Ave. Everything was perfect the chicken was c..."

"Although Marjie's Grill on South Broad grew out of a love story, it's not a hearts and flowers kind of place. On their first Valentine's Day, chef/owner Marcus Jacobs and partner Caitlin Carney were featuring an Offal Valentine's Day menu, with organ meats in the spotlight to inspire canoodling. The pair, who met working together at Herbsaint, opened a sunny little spot on the busy South Broad corridor just off of Canal Street, a savory, homey place where flavors are bold, ingredients are local and "garbage" fish like Sheepshead are proudly featured."

"The meat-and-three methodology rules during lunchtime at this Southeast Asian–influenced diner. You pick a protein — maybe fried catfish with herb-coriander salad or smothered chicken — then you choose one to three sides, like coal-roasted sweet potatoes with earthy cane syrup or smashed cucumbers with green garlic and chiles. Then you go to town and thank your blessings you came here."

"The Southern meat-and-three concept gets a fresh spin at this homey restaurant, where Southeast Asian flavors meld with New Orleans influences and Gulf Coast ingredients. Guy tucked into the slow-grilled Honey Butter Yardbird and Crispy Pork Knuckles."