AMERICAN
13 Monaghan
517 Frenchmen St., 942-1345; www.13monaghan.com
The eclectic menu at 13 has something to satisfy cravings, including vegetarian, at all hours. The housemade black bean veggie burger uses a mix of black beans and brown rice seasoned with garlic, cumin and chile powder. The patty is served on French bread with chips, a pickle wedge and either tater tots or salad. The sesame chicken salad sandwich is served on toasted multigrain bread with a mix of greens, cabbage, shredded carrots and seasoned almonds. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR
Citywide; www.applebees.com
There's something for every diner and craving at Applebee's, from nachos to burgers, steaks to salads, as well as a kid's menu and Weight Watchers' items. Entrées range from roasted chicken, baby back ribs and fajitas to fried shrimp, pasta dishes and others. Menu combos and specials offer great variety while keeping meals affordable. Several flavored cheesecakes, decadent chocolate brownies, cake and apple pie offer sweet conclusions to a meal. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
Audubon Golf Clubhouse
6500 Magazine St., 212-5282; www.auduboninstitute.org
Whether you've got a tee-time or just like the park setting, the Clubhouse is open to anyone interested in starting the day with a breakfast of croissants, waffles, eggs or omelet. At lunch, the kitchen is on top of its game with a clubhouse chicken salad platter, a combination of chunky diced chicken breast with pecans and red grapes on a bed of spring mix. Or try the salmon citrus Caesar with a fillet of lightly blackened salmon on a traditional Caesar salad with citrus dressing. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $
BENNIGAN'S GRILL AND TAVERN
3010 Holiday Drive, 394-2805; 3434 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 888-0664
Offering a huge menu of American and pub favorites ranging from fish and chips to shrimp tempura to Guinness-glazed chicken and shrimp, Bennigan's is a good choice for families and finicky eaters. Also good for adults is a large selection of bottled and draft beers, including seasonal specials on popular imported brews. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
THE BUFFET AT HARRAH'S
8 Canal Street, at the River, 533-6000; www.harrahsneworleans.com
Harrah's buffet has something for everyone from Pacific Rim dishes to Creole and French fare. Just a few of the offerings include Creole gumbo, Kolby steamship round, smoked salmon and Louisiana's famous turducken. The dessert bar has more than 40 items alone. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily, Sun. brunch. Credit cards. $$
CAFÉ BANQUETTE
3445 Prytania St., 891-5773
For a casual lunch or dinner, amble into this comfortably appointed tavern and try the namesake Banquette burger topped with bacon, grilled onion and cheddar cheese. Sandwiches include many familiar po-boy options like roast beef or fried seafood. Shrimp and crawfish Alfredeaux is made with white wine cream sauce and served over penne pasta. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Wed.-Sat., late-night Fri.-Sat. Credit cards. $
CAMELLIA CAFÉ
69455 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 985-809-6313
This family friendly café offers something for everyone on its large menu of local fare. One of the more popular starter offerings is the corn and crab bisque loaded with shrimp, crabmeat and corn. The fried seafood platter comes loaded with shrimp, catfish, oysters, stuffed crabs and stuffed shrimp. The 8-oz. filet mignon is available Monday through Thursday for $14.95. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
CANNON'S RESTAURANT
4141 St. Charles Ave., 891-3200; www.cannonsrestaurants.com
For nearly two decades, Cannon's has been a stately presence on St. Charles Avenue. Casual American classics such as steaks and large entrée salads are mainstays of the menu. House specials include chicken Reginald prepared with sautéed mushrooms and hollandaise sauce. Crab cakes Salvatore are served over linguine with crawfish sauce. The Blue Roof burger is topped with melted bleu cheese and dressed with all the fixings. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
COPELAND'S CHEESECAKE BISTRO
4517 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 454-7620; www.alcopeland.com
The Cheesecake Bistro is a good place to start with dessert and work your way backwards. Specialty cheesecakes include bananas Foster, Oreo cookies and cream, white chocolate macadamia, strawberry and fudge brownie. The dining menu hits multiple flavor references with everything from chicken Marsala to Cobb salads to pot roast. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
DECKBAR & GRILLE
1715 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, 830-0104
Deckbar has a full menu of tasty bar food to snack on and entrées ranging from fried seafood platters to quesadillas to burgers. Its most popular items are brisket and homemade crab balls, which can also be ordered as a platter with salad and fries. The Mississippi burger is served with grilled onion, mushrooms and cheese. Daily specials include chicken and dumplings, smothered pork chops, meatloaf and pepper steak. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
EASY DOGS
307 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, 367-1001; www.neworleanseasydogs.com
These dogs aren't simply best in show, they're the only show at this Gretna weiner shack. The Katrina dog is made with the house special "easy sauce," homemade chili, shredded cheese, coleslaw, onions and a side of cheddar fish crackers. The Lundi dog packs on red beans and rice in the bun plus a side of pickled corn relish. The Jazz dog is lathered with cheese and olive salad. For dessert, try a Hubig Pie mode (topped with whipped cream). No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Sat., dinner Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $
FOX AND HOUND
1200 S. Clearview Pkwy., Jefferson, 731-6000
Sports fans flock to the Fox and Hound for 38 brands of beer on tap and an extensive selection of appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. The Black Forest sandwich is Bavarian pretzelbread piled high with grilled turkey, smoked bacon and Monterey Jack cheese, dressed and spiced with honey mustard. The mahi mahi sandwich is new to the menu, as are the ribs and all can be eaten while watching sports on one of many flat screen TVs. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
GROUND PAT'I GRILLE AND BAR
1305 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 466-8060; 11 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, 367-9512
Ground Pat'I is famous for its namesake burger — the Ground Pat'I — made with ground chuck and grilled to order over an open flame, but there's more to the restaurant than just burgers and fries. The menu offers its share of seafood entrées — fried catfish, tuna steaks, and grilled or fried shrimp — and there's a full selection from the grill including pork chops, rib-eyes, filets and T-bones. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
HARD ROCK CAFÉ
415 N. Peters St., 529-5617; www.hardrock.com
Like the rock 'n' roll memorabilia on the walls, the Hard Rock's menu is festive and all-American, with classics like hot fudge sundaes and beefy char-grilled burgers. Try the Rock Chop, a smoked, center-cut pork chop brushed with a maple-mustard glaze and served with cheddar mashed potatoes and Granny Smith-mango chutney. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards $$
HOOTERS
2781 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna, 889-0160; 4748 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 393-7177; www.hooters.louisiana.com
Now offering a full bar, Hooters will keep you warm this winter with its famous wings—served as hot as you want with your choice of mild, medium, Three Mile Island or 911 sauce. Or order up some hot nachos, quesadillas or Buffalo chicken strips while you watch sports or other distractions. A variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads and seafood round out the menu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
HOUSTON'S RESTAURANT
4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, 889-2301
Steaks, sandwiches, barbecue ribs and seafood from Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific waters make Houston's a popular destination for surf and turf lovers alike. Whatever your appetite calls for, there's plenty to pair with your entrée choice on Houston's ample wine list. The spinach and artichoke dip is a standout starter. For something a little less traditional, try the Thai steak and noodle salad—a marinated steak with fresh noodles, avocado, mango and fresh herbs in Thai dressing. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
Live Bait Bar and Grill
200 Hammond Highway, Metairie, 840-0902; www.livebaitnola.com
The bar may be the lure at Live Bait, but the kitchen turns out worthy bar food, burgers and sweet desserts. There's even free Wi-Fi, live music and a nice view of Lake Pontchartrain. Barroom fare includes favorites like nachos, chicken wings and burgers. There's local seafood in the barbecue shrimp po-boy and New Orleans staples like creamy red beans and rice and gumbo. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
MATTINA BELLA
421 E. Gibson St., Covington, (985) 892-0708
Northshore diners wake up for Mattina Bella's breakfast classics like the Florentine omelet prepared with three eggs and stuffed with creamed spinach and artichokes and topped with melted mozzarella. Breakfasts are served with potatoes and grits. At lunch, the catfish Creole meuniere is popular, with a crust of pecans and a creamy meuniere sauce. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $
MOTHER'S
131 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, 368-8678
The regular menu's Greek dishes like chicken shish kebabs and gyro plates are a good reason to head to Mother's for lunch, but changing daily specials also draw attention. Some popular weekly dishes include breaded pork chops, catfish amandine, Italian specials like veal or chicken Parmesan on Thursday, and Friday seafood specials. There are always plenty of vegetable side dishes to choose from. Red beans, beet salad, eggplant casserole and cabbage are rotating options. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $
NEW ORLEANS BREAKFAST & PANCAKE HOUSE
101 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna, 394-7272; 4301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 281-4510
These comfortable cafés are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day with the Big House omelet made with four eggs, bacon, sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Metairie location open 24 hours Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $
NEW ORLEANS HAMBURGER AND SEAFOOD COMPANY
817 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-3382; 1005 S. Clearview Pkwy., Jefferson, 734-1122; 6920 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-1272; www.nohsc.com
New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Company has reinvented itself with newly renovated dining rooms and a new, contemporary menu that includes entrées like barbecue ribs, grilled salmon and steaks, catfish pecan and crawfish etouffée. True to its burgers-and-seafood roots, there are still old favorites like half-pound burgers and the original one-handed barbecued shrimp po-boy. On the garden side is the Strawberry Fields salad with grilled chicken, fresh sliced strawberries, blue cheese, and red onions in a poppy seed dressing. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
O'HENRY'S FOOD & SPIRITS
Citywide; www.ohenrys.com
The casual, tavern-like vibe of this popular chain is emphasized by the coating of peanut shells crushed on the floor, plus the all-important free birthday steak for those in the know. The menu strikes a local note with its version of crawfish Monica, made with crawfish tails in spicy cream sauce over pasta. There are a few spicy and exotic accents, like the Thai shrimp wrap and Cajun Chicken Melt. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
PETUNIA'S PLACE
2020 Hwy. 59, Mandeville, (985) 674-3436
Petunia's motto is "a family restaurant," and it's definitely kid-approved. Order your meal at the counter and send the little ones to the activity table, where they can make ornaments for the year-round "festivity tree." Start off with the signature hand-battered onion rings served with Petunia's dipping sauce. Plates include the redfish Julia, a grilled redfish fillet with creamy crawfish sauce served with garlic butter pasta. Dessert options include Bob's brownie a la mode, a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. No reservations. Lunch Thu.-Tue., dinner Thu.-Mon. Credit cards. $
PICCADILLY
Citywide; www.piccadilly.com
Hearty, affordable, Southern fare is the rule at Piccadilly, but the restaurant chain has a contemporary gourmet-to-go sensibility and entire meals are available for take out. The buffet features local, Southern and American staples including crawfish etouffée, meatloaf, fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, and a colorful, sugary array of pies, cakes and Jell-O. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
POPEYES
Citywide; www.popeyes.com
A New Orleans original, Popeyes fries boldly seasoned chicken and complements it with sides like smoky red beans and rice. Fried chicken is available in both mild and spicy versions for combo meals, in baskets of chicken strips and on sandwiches. Sides include mashed potatoes and gravy, Cajun rice, spicy battered fries and mac and cheese. Some locations serve fried shrimp as well. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $
RAISING CANE'S CHICKEN FINGERS
Citywide; www.raisingcanes.com
Chicken has gone to the dog at Raising Cane's — the founder's namesake golden Labrador retriever, Cane, that is. But specials like the Caniac Combo are all about chicken fingers, with a six-piece order complemented by coleslaw, fries, two sauces, Texas toast and a drink. Boxed meals are available in many sizes, and there are tailgate packs and party platters of 100 chicken fingers as well. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $
RICCOBONO'S PEPPERMILL RESTAURANT
3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, 455-2266
Riccobono's is renowned for its breakfasts, but it also offers a variety of entrées for lunch, including grilled redfish, roast pork with au jus gravy and baked sweet potatoes, grilled amberjack, and veal topped with crawfish sauce. Several low-carb dishes like the grilled chicken Caesar salad and shrimp salad with roasted tomato are also featured for lunch. Start the morning with an eye opener like a bloody Mary or Irish coffee, and try the crab cake Benedict — two poached eggs nested on blue crab cakes topped with hollandaise. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
SEMOLINA'S
1121 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 361-8293; 2999 Hwy. 190, Mandeville, (985) 626-8923; 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 37, Metairie, 454-7930; www.semolina.com
The international pasta selection at Semolina comes home this time of year for crawfish season, when all of the restaurant's specialty crawfish pasta dishes are featured. But you can still order dishes from around the world — like pad Thai, the sweet and spicy combination of shrimp, mushrooms and tofu with rice noodles and peanuts. Classic pasta Alfredo with chicken or shrimp and double cheeseburger pasta are perennial favorites. Pasta jambalaya with andouille, tasso and Creole sauce is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SPEAKEASY SPORTS BAR & GRILL
4345 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 466-4069; www.speakeasysportsbar.com
Speakeasy's game plan is a straight-ahead rush of big 10-oz. burgers, sandwiches and bar food. Bar munchies include jalapeño poppers, quesadillas, chicken wings and egg rolls, or you can get fancy with an 8-oz. filet or tuna steak. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
SPUDLY'S SUPER SPUDS
2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, 455-7783
Taters are tops at Spudly's, which elevates the potato to edible art. Spudly's cheese sauce graces many of the terrific tubers served here. Toppings include everything from diced roast beef to shrimp and crabmeat to chili. If carbs aren't what you're craving, burgers, salads and soups are also available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
SUN RAY GRILL
619 Pink St., Metairie, 837-0055; 1051 Annunciation St., 566-0021; 2600 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna, 391-0053; 3700 Orleans Ave., 324-9663; www.sunraygrill.com
Sun Ray Grill serves an eclectic menu of casual cuisine that includes dishes from around the globe as well as close to home. Singapore spring rolls, guacamole with chips, Siamese riblets, Thai curry barbecue ribs and Southwestern chicken quesadillas are just a few of the worldly small-plate selections. Popular entrées include ahi tuna steaks crusted with black and white sesame seeds and smoky bourbon barbecue ribs served with fries and roasted corn. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
WINSTON'S PUB & PATIO
531 Metairie Road, Metairie, 831-8705
Winston's Pub is a comfortable spot to grab a drink, a burger or any of the restaurant's platters. The grilled chicken Caesar pita is one of the more popular items. Pub-style fish and chips use beer-battered cod and come with waffle fries. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
WOW CAFÉ & WINGERY
Citywide; www.wingery.com
Nothing hits the sauce harder than the wings at WOW Café. Whether you pick up an eight-piece box or the party-friendly 1,000-piece spread, WOW wings come with a choice of sauces including Key West citrus, honey barbecue, Thai peanut, various heat levels of Buffalo, coconut curry, sweet and sour, teriyaki and many others. The Wingery also serves wraps, burgers, salads, quesadillas, chicken tenders and fajitas. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $
ZEA ROTISSERIE AND GRILL
1401 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 468-7733; 1525 St. Charles Ave., 520-8100; 1655 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 738-0799; 4450 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 780-9090; www.zearestaurants.com
Zea offers a casually elegant spot to enjoy American favorites. Start things off with the spinach salad with pepper jelly vinaigrette. Signature dishes include rotisserie chicken, Thai ribs and Asian almond shrimp. Many meats are slow-roasted on the rotisserie. The bar serves up micro-brewed beers specially made for Zea by Heinerbrau, a Covington brewer. Reservation policy varies by location. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. at Kenner location. Credit cards. $$
INDEX:
African
American
American Contemporary
Bar & Grill
Barbecue
Belgian
Brewpub
Burgers
Café
Cajun
Caribbean
Chinese
Coffee & Dessert
Creole
Deli
Diner
Fondue
French
Gourmet to Go
Greek
Indian
Italian
Japanese/Sushi
Korean
Latin American
Louisiana Contemporary
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Mexican/Southwestern
Music and Food
Neighborhood
Pan-Asian
Pizza
Sandwiches and Po-boys
Seafood
Soul Food
Steakhouse
Tapas/Spanish
Thai
Vietnamese
