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First of all, thanks to anyone who helped make our first time in New Orleans a success. Trip overall, 10 out of 10. Would return in a heartbeat. We ate WELL!! Luckily, walking 12 miles a day kept the poundage down to a minimum. Here they are, worst to the best!

Court of The Two Sisters - this wasn't the jazz brunch but rather sit down ala carte. Most expensive meal for the trip. Tasteless food not worth the price

Cochon-Meal was adequate good taste, nice presentation. Fair pricing. Unfortunately my meal was lukewarm, at best. Not sorry we went but unlikely to return

Willie Maes- lunch was the meal here. Again good food, decent price. Chicken was just this side of burnt but still good taste

Pierre Masperos-Friendly staff, very happy with roast beef poboy. Very messy but oh, so good! Wife had sampler of etouffe, jambalaya, and gumbo. This was our very first meal so we had nothing to compare to.

Key's Fuel Rampart location-lunch of some of the best fried chicken we had. Yes, the taste best Willie Maes!

Verti Marte-Another lunch win!! Half a muffuletta to share. Bourdain was right!

Turkey and The Wolf-fried bologna did not disappoint. Wait was at best 15 mins. Reasonable amt of time. Would definitely return

Jacque Imo's-Number one! Hands down the best meal of trip. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING was a ten outta 10! Maple Leaf was a cool place to wait for dinner which again was a 15-20 min wait. She raved about the alligator cheesecake, roasted brussel sprouts and the venison, country fried, defied odds and expectations. Server was the best out of the whole trip. Attentive, friendly, and the comped bread pudding didn't hurt. The whole meal and experience was a one of a kind unique experience that I can't wait to do AGAIN!!! Sorry if I rambled on too much. Any questions, feel free

Answer

Hi there,

I'm so glad to hear you had such a great time in New Orleans! It's always wonderful to get that first-hand feedback, especially when it comes to dining. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! Here's a breakdown of the restaurants you mentioned, ranked from your least favorite to your top pick, with some of your insights. I’ll also add a couple of thoughts for others who may be planning a trip to NOLA.

Court of The Two Sisters:
It’s unfortunate that the meal here didn't live up to expectations. For those looking to enjoy a classic New Orleans experience, the jazz brunch is usually what’s recommended, as it offers a bit more of an atmosphere and value. However, if the à la carte dinner didn’t impress, it’s understandable why this didn’t make the top of your list.

Cochon:
It’s a bit surprising to hear that the meal was lukewarm, considering the reputation of Cochon for its quality and Southern flair. However, it’s great that the presentation and pricing were on point. Hopefully, your experience was a one-off, and for those who go, requesting a hotter plate might be helpful!

Willie Mae's:
Willie Mae’s has long been a favorite for fried chicken, and while it seems you had a good experience overall, it’s unfortunate that the chicken wasn’t up to its usual perfection. Nonetheless, it’s still a place worth trying if you’re craving that crispy, Southern goodness. Perhaps on a future visit, the chicken could be just right!

Pierre Maspero's:
Glad to hear you enjoyed your roast beef po’boy! It’s a great spot for classic NOLA sandwiches. The sampler of etouffée, jambalaya, and gumbo is a nice introduction to the local flavors, and it's great that you enjoyed your first meal there. It’s definitely one of the more casual, but very authentic spots to enjoy classic New Orleans dishes.

Key's Fuel Rampart Location:
Sounds like a solid lunch choice! Fried chicken can be hit or miss depending on the day, but it’s great to hear that Key’s delivered. If you haven’t already, try their other Southern staples next time—there’s so much more to explore in their menu.

Verti Marte:
Absolutely agree! Verti Marte is a local favorite, especially for the muffuletta. You really can’t go wrong with their generous portions. Glad you enjoyed it, and it's no surprise that Bourdain raved about this place—it's one of those hidden gems that delivers every time!

Turkey and The Wolf:
Fried bologna is a classic Southern comfort dish, and it’s awesome to hear that this place did it justice. It’s a fun spot with quirky, delicious options, so I'm glad you had a short wait and a great meal! A great recommendation for anyone looking for an offbeat but delicious meal in New Orleans.

Jacque Imo's:
And finally, Jacque Imo's—sounds like it really knocked your socks off! It’s amazing when a place exceeds all expectations. The alligator cheesecake and roasted Brussels sprouts are such standout items. The casual, fun vibe paired with fantastic service and food definitely makes for a special experience. I can see why it topped your list! I think I speak for many when I say we’re all eager to return to Jacque Imo’s for that same experience.

Summary:

Worst to Best: Court of The Two Sisters, Cochon, Willie Mae’s, Pierre Maspero’s, Key’s Fuel, Verti Marte, Turkey and The Wolf, Jacque Imo’s.
Must-Try Next Time: Be sure to check out the jazz brunch at Court of The Two Sisters (if you didn’t already), and don’t miss more classic Southern dishes like gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and po’boys at places like Central Grocery and the New Orleans Classic Po’Boy Shop.
Best for Fried Chicken: While Key’s Fuel was a winner for you, Willie Mae’s and Cochon also deserve mentions for fried chicken aficionados.

Overall, it seems like you had a wonderful culinary adventure, and your rankings provide a great guide for future visitors. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, and here’s hoping your next visit to New Orleans is just as memorable as this one!

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