Whether you think of this time of year as spring or crawfish season, it's a good time to dine out. Gambit Weekly's Spring Restaurant Guide surveys the city's dining scene from Cajun and Creole institutions to po-boy and pizza places. With restaurants arranged from A to Z, the guide has the latest news on menu items, hours of operation, reservation policies and more. Enjoy.

Prices

$ = $1-$10
$$ = $11-$20
$$$ = $21-up

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J

JACK DEMPSEY'S
738 Poland Ave., 943-9914
Jack Dempsey's is a heavyweight when it comes to seafood. The Jack Dempsey seafood platter serves a training-table feast of gumbo, shrimp, oysters, catfish, redfish and crawfish pies. It's enough for two, or maybe three if you're watching your weight. There are many broiled and fried seafood options. Every dinner comes with a choice of fries, potato salad or baked macaroni and cheese. No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Sat. and dinner Wed.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

JACMEL INN
903 E. Morris St., Hammond, (985) 542-0043; www.jacmelinn.com
A fine-dining destination in Hammond, Jacmel Inn is known for its roast duckling served with sweet potatoes glazed in sugar cane syrup, duck cracklins and blueberry wine gastrique. For a marriage of land and sea, try the diver scallops wrapped in prosciutto and plated with mushrooms and risotto. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$

JACQUES-IMO'S Café
8324 Oak St., 861-0886; www.jacquesimoscafe.com
A boisterous bar scene, funky murals and a spirited take on Creole cooking make Jacques-Imo's Café a perennial favorite with locals and visitors alike. The alligator sausage cheesecake is one of the café's classics, but from fried chicken to blackened fish to Cajun bouillabaisse, no dish is too down-home or too refined for this kitchen to work into its repertoire. Reservations accepted for five or more. Dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$

JAGERHAUS
833 Conti St., 525-9200
Jagerhaus brings a taste of Bavaria to the French Quarter. The Jager schnitzel is sautéed pork tenderloin served with mushrooms in a light cream sauce and spaetzle on the side. Prague Eggs is originally a Scottish dish that was popularized in the Czech Republic. It's a stuffed schnitzel that fills a roll of pan-fried pork loin with ham and egg, and it is served with potato salad. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

JAMILA'S MEDITERRANEAN TUNISIAN CUISINE
7808 Maple St., 866-4366
This quaint Maple Street café dishes up exotic Tunisian delights like the merguez lamb sausage and zucchini bisque with crawfish. Add a couscous dish or a steaming clay pot of lamb tagine (Moroccan stew) to accent a hearty meal. A belly dancer lends an exotic touch to the venue on Saturday nights. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

J'ANITA'S
1906 Magazine St., 373-5337; www.janitas.com
J'Anita's is making a name for itself with inexpensive breakfasts and a unique fish sandwich. Breakfast is an á la carte assembly of eggs, meats, cheeses and whatever else you want on the plate. Redfish is served on a sandwich with feta cheese, bacon, tomato and Caesar dressing. The lunch menu features slow-smoked pulled pork served with Killer Cajun Coleslaw and a choice of sides. There are also burgers and creative items. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

JAZMINE CAFÉ
614 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-9301
Even with summer's heat lurking just around the bend, it's hard to say no to a bowl of pho soup with noodles, fresh herbs and meat. A popular variation at Jazmine Café is the hot and tangy tamarind fish soup. The rest of the menu focuses on rice and noodle dishes, fresh spring rolls stuffed with rare tuna and other Vietnamese favorites. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $

JASMINE FRENCH RESTAURANT
1768 Front St., Slidell, (985) 645-9700
The French specialties at Jasmine include the chicken Chasseur — sautéed chicken breasts with a sauce of garlic, shallots, sliced mushrooms, diced tomato, tarragon and dry white wine. The crabmeat au gratin starts with a pound of crabmeat cooked with white wine and cream and then broiled with a top layer of bread crumbs and grated cheese. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$

JAZZ TACOS
307 Exchange Alley, 872-0015
Familiar fare like tacos and tostadas are done Honduran style at this tiny, family-run operation nestled along a quiet, stone-lined pedestrian alley in the heart of the French Quarter. Enchiladas are made with corn tortillas bulging with beef and topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Fajitas, pupusas, quesadillas and burritos are also popular choices. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Cash only. $

JAZZY PO-BOYS
7908 Earhart Blvd., 866-4266
Jazzy Po-Boys moved but still offers carefully crafted renditions of New Orleans' favorite sandwiches with slow-cooked roast beef, hot sausage and fried seafood among the options. Check out daily plate-lunch specials like smothered pork chops and hearty side dishes. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Tue.-Sun. Cash only. $

JEAN LAFITTE'S RENDEZVOUS
240 Bourbon St., 523-6820; w ww.jeanlafittesrendezvous.com
This bustling eatery serves up treasure troves of seafood and other New Orleans dishes that visitors have come to expect, all within a bead's throw of the Bourbon Street mayhem. Entrées range from zesty New Orleans barbecue shrimp served over garlic mashed potatoes to the Cajun rib-eye, which is seasoned with Cajun spices and blackened in a skillet. Reservations accepted. Lunch Sat.-Sun., dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$$

JIGGER'S GRILL
1645 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 828-3555
This bar and grill has many large-screen TVs around the central bar for patrons to watch sports while they nosh on burgers and bar favorites. A special house marinade flavors Jigger's chicken breast sandwich, and the spicy chicken wings are popular. Daily lunch specials are served Monday through Friday. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

JIMMY BUFFETT'S MARGARITAVILLE CAFÉ
1104 Decatur St., 592-2565; www.margaritaville.com
Margaritaville takes its inspiration from Jimmy Buffett's travels. The large, colorful eatery brings together live music and a menu full of Gulf Coast and Southern dishes. The Cheeseburger in Paradise is topped with American cheese and served dressed. Broiled shrimp and andouille sausage top the red beans and rice. The menu collects dishes from ports of call from Texas to the Delta to Key West to the Caribbean. There is also a special menu of tropical and frozen drinks and top-shelf margaritas. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

JOEY K'S RESTAURANT
3001 Magazine St., 891-0997; www.joeyksrestaurant.com
Creole pot cooking, fried seafood and 18-oz. frozen schooners of beer and margaritas are the usual fare at this popular Uptown restaurant, where neighbors and families gather for inexpensive meals. Choose one of several daily specials from the blackboard: Tuesday touts veal cutlet or stewed chicken with creamed potatoes and green beans, and Friday features all-you-can-eat catfish. No reservations. Breakfast Sat., lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $

JOHNNY TRAUTH'S SEAFOOD BISTRO
2121 25th St., Kenner, 471-0808
Johnny Trauth's serves plenty of seafood, especially on Tuesday nights when the restaurant runs an all-you-can-eat special of snowcrab legs. The broiled catfish stuffed with crabmeat is always a popular choice. Or try broiled redfish topped with crabmeat au gratin. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

JOHNNY'S PO-BOYS
511 St. Louis St., 524-8129
By starting with pillowy Leidenheimer's French bread, this French Quarter mainstay offers classic New Orleans po-boys. Fillings range from fried seafood to a burger to deliciously messy hot roast beef and gravy that'll melt in your mouth. Early in the day, try the full breakfast menu. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $

THE JOINT
801 Poland Ave., 949-3232; www.alwayssmokin.com
"Always smoking" is the motto of this homegrown barbecue operation, and the outdoor smoker perfumes both the backyard dining area and the block. Pull up a picnic-table bench indoor or outdoors for tender beef brisket or sweet, smoky pork ribs with a choice of classic sides, including spicy mac and cheese, coleslaw and baked beans. Check for homemade dessert specials like lemon pie. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Wed.-Sat. Credit cards. $

JUAN'S FLYING BURRITO
2018 Magazine St., 569-0000; 4724 S. Carrollton Ave.,486-9950; www.juansflyingburrito.com
Juan's offers Tex-Mex favorites including big stuffed quesadillas and burritos and fajita platters. Pork and slaw tacos combine barbecue tang with south-of-the-border bite. Veggie burritos on wheat tortillas are a meatless favorite. Spinach tortillas are also available. Try a blueberry mojito with chips and salsa while waiting on one of the rotating daily specials. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $

JUKEBOX CAJUN DINER
2560 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-1112
Patty melts, BLTs and fried or grilled shrimp are favorite dishes on the diner-inspired menu. Lunch specials include white beans and rice with pork chops or chicken. Those who arrive before noon have their choice of breakfast fare like made-to-order omelets, pancakes or waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream. The diner hosts "Cruise Night," a classic car show, on the third Saturday of every month. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

JUNG'S GOLDEN DRAGON RESTAURANT
4417 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 887-6081
Jung's offers generous luncheon specials combining fried or steamed rice plus an egg roll or fried wonton starting at $5. Jung's offers dishes like Empress chow mien, which includes shrimp, chicken, pork and beef sautéed with fresh Chinese vegetables in brown sauce served over crispy pan-fried noodles. The shrimp with honey pecans is Gulf shrimp sautéed with Chinese vegetables in a sweet brown sauce and garnished with crispy honey pecans. Delivery available. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards.$

JUNIPER
301 Lafitte St., Mandeville, (985) 624-5330; www.juniperrestaurant.net
Creole cuisine is always an evolving work at Juniper, where the menu is constantly being enhanced and customized. The filet Juniper is accompanied by a crab and crawfish cake and Creole hollandaise. Quail stuffed with crawfish and andouille is served with Jack Daniels cane syrup and grits. The fried eggplant pirogue carries shrimp, crabmeat and crawfish tails all simmered in garlic cream and topped with choron sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$

JUST ITALY DELI & MARKET
708 Aris Ave., Metairie, 832-9292; www.justitalydeli.com
The best offerings of the deli case go into a long list of owner John Bellini's custom-designed paninis and a gourmet muffuletta made with five meats and three cheeses. Try the homemade Italian sausage on a sandwich, over pasta with red sauce or even on a salad. Order antipasti platters a day in advance for memorable feasts for large gatherings. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $

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