New Orleans

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CHAPTER 4 . WHERE TO DINE
Not that you shouldn’t do so on its own merits, because it probably
is the best oyster joint in the city. The family restaurant takes oysters
so seriously that it simply closes down when they’re not in
season. The oysters are cleanly scrubbed and well selected. You might
also take the plunge and order an oyster loaf: a big, fat loaf of bread
fried in butter, filled with oysters (or shrimp), and fried again to seal
it. Casamento’s also has terrific gumbo—perhaps the best in town.
4330 Magazine St. & 504/895-9761. www.casamentosrestaurant.com. Main
courses $4.95–$11. No credit cards. Wed–Sun 11am–2pm; Thurs–Sat 5:30–9pm.
Closed June–Sept.
Franky & Johnny’s SEAFOOD This is a favorite local holein-the-wall
neighborhood joint with either zero atmosphere or
enough for three restaurants, depending on how you view these
things. And by “things” we mean plastic checked tablecloths, a ratty
but friendly bar, and locals eating enormous soft-shell-crab po’ boys
with the crab legs hanging out of the bread and their mouths. You
got your po’ boys, your boiled or fried seafood platters with two
kinds of salad, and goodness knows, you got your beer. Try that po’
boy or the excellent red beans and rice with smoky sausage and
other down-home dishes and know you are somewhere that isn’t for
tourists—and enjoy it all the more.
321 Arabella St. (at Tchoupitoulas St.). & 504/899-9146. Main courses $5.95–$14.
AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon–Sat 11am–9pm.
Joey K’s CREOLE/SEAFOOD This is just a little local corner
hangout, though one that savvy tourists have long been hip to.
Indeed, it was a tourist who told us to order the trout Tchoupitoulas,
and boy, were we happy—lovely pan-fried trout topped with
grilled veggies and shrimp. Daily blackboard specials such as brisket,
lamb shank, white beans with pork chops, or Creole jambalaya
won’t fail to please. Order it all to go, and you’ll be dining like a real
Uptown local.
3001 Magazine St. & 504/891-0997. Main courses $6.95–$14. AE, DC, MC, V.
Mon–Fri 11am–2:30pm and 5–8:30pm; Sat 8am–2:30pm and 5–8:30pm.
Slim Goodies Diner DINER We were already partial to this
place, but when they busted out some heroic culinary moves, as the
first restaurant in their neighborhood (if not in the city) to reopen,
they won our hearts and loyalty forever. In the process, they not
only became a meeting place for stressed-out hunkered-down locals,
but they also demonstrated for other intrepid restaurant owners how
they could do likewise. Come for classic diner food with modern