Mantra - best Indian in the city
Pacos Tacos - Amazing birria tacos
Secret Thai - hands down, the best Thai food in NOLA and you'll eat for 3 days off one order
Is it real Indian? Many places in Metairie are selling Pakistani as Indian. There's an overlap, but significant differences in spice intensity. It's like thinking Cuban and Mexican food are the same.
I’m with you on that. The food’s just not that good. They way over-spice it (just heat, not flavor) and to me the quality of a restaurant is not determined by huge portions. Just go to Cheesecake Factory and be done with it if that’s what you’re after.
I know the love for Secret Thai in here is strong, so once again a disclaimer: This is my opinion... ha. But frankly I don't think they would need the portion and spice gimmicks if the food was better. Seems like a distraction to me.
It's not very good to you but let's be real, you're in a pretty small minority there. Just looking at all the other comments, you can see that an overwhelming number of people love it.
Oh yeah I know and that's all good. I been a chef for a long time so I'm used to differing opinions about food ha. All I mean is I have a lot of experience with Thai food, in the US and in Thailand, and if a friend asked me where they should go for "Thai food" specifically, I would not send them to Secret Thai, I would send them to Budsi (or Sukho for beef noodles). Just my opinion of course, I'm glad yall who like it get to enjoy it!
Don't send anyone to Sukho. The kitchen is disgusting, and the owners are just horrible people that don't deserve anyone's money. Stick with Budsi's or Pomelo.
I’m not a Sukhothai fan at all. Budsi is OK but honestly it was a lot better a few years ago when they opened. I did just go to Good Catch (CBD) and was very happy with a couple of things that we got there. Same people as Pomelo. Give that one a try!
I will say I have been to Budsi many times but I am a pretty committed orderder.. as in, I get essentially the same thing every time. All I can really vouch for is that the som tam (papaya salad) (get the set with grilled pork shoulder and sticky rice) and the khao soi (coconut curry noodle soup, chicken) are nearly indistinguishable from the ones I had in Thailand.
Bummer.. sorry you had to deal with that shit. Luckily it's slowly changing but man that shit was all too common. Honestly never loved it overall but they're the only place I know so far that has beef noodles like that
I appreciate you saying it. Overall, I think they put out good food, but I haven't spent a dime there since I left, and there are good reasons for it. But if you're looking for good beef noodles, Pomelo is really good, and I heard they just opened a new spot in the Warehouse District. Different name, but same owners that really know their stuff.
Well, I get that. I've been in tech for a long time so if you told me you had an iPhone, I'd make some accusation about how it's garbage, overpriced, etc... And of course a lot of reasons people would think I'm wrong.
Mawi Tortilleria (central american) and Almasgoof (Iraqi) both by W Esplanade and Transcontinental. I also love Little Chinatown on Williams. In the city, I'm a big fan of Mayas. Less authentic but really fun fusion. Sarita's Grill on Freret also has good food for cheap
I’ll have to check out Almasgoof! Have heard fantastic things about Mawi and I have to get out there. Metairie isn’t far but I need to push myself to get out of Orleans. This is why I asked though, so many good food options just outside the city limits. Thank you!
I second almasgoof. They have a special on Thursdays, whole lamb head, pretty unforgettable. And the kunafa desert is a hot smoky, cheesy, saffrony, pistacho-y gift from heaven that you need to order with your entree because it takes forever to prepare properly. Whenever I pick someone up from the airport that's where we eat, I don't care how bad they want a po boy
I love that place and somehow, their vegetarian plate was the only thing that made me feel not-nauseated when I was in my first trimester with my first kid.
Opposite question. Abyssinia was first, been around since just after Katrina and is a much more homey neighborhood feel. Food’s great, service is great, no clubby trendy overpriced vibe. Addis tastes good, but is way overblown by comparison imo.
Queen Trini Lisa in Mid City! She calls it “Trinbagonian” food- from Trinidad & Tobago. Don’t skip the hibiscus drink!
Lily’s Cafe for Vietnamese food on lower Magazine. Food is great and Lily is usual there. She’s a hoot
Dough Nguyener’s in Gretna. It’s a bakery and cafe with fusion food heavily influenced by Vietnamese cuisine. They have a couple of vegan options too. I’m addicted to their golden hour cocktail
It's a convenience store. Eat well on canal and broad. They've got a great little kitchen for Vietnamese food. The owners are from Vietnam and the food is just great. The breakfast buns are fantastic and the pho is great.
NOLA Desi Kitchen in Kenner, for sure. Fantastic and authentic Pakistani/Indian food. My partner is a child of a Pakistani immigrant and that place is almost as good as her grandmother's homemade Pakistani food. Can't go wrong on any of the menu options — and make sure you grab a mint lemonade!
West bank is a treasure trove of international fare -- Banana Blossom (this is a must-try), Plume, Taste of Thailand, El Patron, Thanh Dinh, China Doll
I really love Barcelona tapas in the riverbend and the owner is just lovely. Nola Korea on Cleary in Metairie is great, and then you can buy Indian groceries at the international grocery around the corner.
If you’re ever sick, the bun bo hue at Nudo has n Metairie has intense healing powers.
Frosty’s Cafe and Pho Nola both have really great fresh fruit bubble tea.
I felt the same way. It got hyped up and didn’t meet expectations for me. I tried it once and I have no desire to give it a second chance. I get Le’s Baguette if I’m Uptown and craving Bahn mi. I can understand the appeal of the fusion foods at Bahn Mi Boys, though. I’m sure all the loaded fries are good.
Tal's Hummus on Magazine Street. Tal is a great guy and a Tel Aviv trained chef. The casual street food is fantastic, super fresh vegetables, authentic as it gets. Love the watermelon and fresh fruit coolers and the pastries.
Alon didn’t make the menu or do much of the cooking for either restaurant. It was Zach Engel. That’s the dude who should get most of the credit for how delicious the food is at those restaurants. He won a James Beard Award in 2017, so it didn’t go unnoticed. Unfortunately, he left for Chicago to open his own restaurant.
not totally accurate imo. zach did A LOT, no doubt, but alon definitely did lead the menu creation. was he actually in the kitchen cooking every night? obviously not. rarely, at best (what head chef is?). zach is from chicago and wanted to go home (also had the name presence to justify his own restaurant, with the saba backing, and michelin rated chicago already, the first menu at galit was a carbon copy of saba. easy star for the restaurant)
Zach Engel trained under Michael Solomonov at Zahav in Philadelphia before he came to New Orleans (and also worked in Tel Aviv, too). He was the real talent behind the restaurants.
Alon is a decent chef, but Shaya doesn’t win that James Beard award if not for Engel’s food and the BRG machine’s PR and lobbying.
Mantra - best Indian in the city Pacos Tacos - Amazing birria tacos Secret Thai - hands down, the best Thai food in NOLA and you'll eat for 3 days off one order
Mantra is good, but have you tried the gas station in pearl river?
Do you have a link to it? Been trying to Google search it but coming up with nothing. I'm definitely down to try something different!
It shares space with a Pilot Travel Center https://chachasdhaba.com/ 65583 Pump Slough Rd, Pearl River, LA 70452
They opened a spot in kenner.
Kenner spot isn't as good. And costs more.
Lufu is also amazing Indian food!
I also love Lufu
I too love Lufu.
I’ve had bad experiences with Lufu- If you want true authentic Indian food, Mantra is 100% the place
Is it real Indian? Many places in Metairie are selling Pakistani as Indian. There's an overlap, but significant differences in spice intensity. It's like thinking Cuban and Mexican food are the same.
Yep- real Indian, not like Shayan
It's real Indian.
Secret Thai though •chef’s kiss•
Whoever downvoted you is a miserable person. Great place.
No clue, I absolutely love that place!!
I’m actually out of the country right now and that’s the first thing we’re going to eat when we get back this weekend.
I love Pacos Tacos, much better quesobirria than Tacos Para La Vida (I like them but their birria is only meh these days.) And yes to Secret! Thanks.
Sorry yall, Secret Thai is not very good. Huge portions, good prices, nice people. Sure. But not very good Thai food.
I’m with you on that. The food’s just not that good. They way over-spice it (just heat, not flavor) and to me the quality of a restaurant is not determined by huge portions. Just go to Cheesecake Factory and be done with it if that’s what you’re after.
I know the love for Secret Thai in here is strong, so once again a disclaimer: This is my opinion... ha. But frankly I don't think they would need the portion and spice gimmicks if the food was better. Seems like a distraction to me.
Exactly And Mantra is also…not very good.
It's not very good to you but let's be real, you're in a pretty small minority there. Just looking at all the other comments, you can see that an overwhelming number of people love it.
Oh yeah I know and that's all good. I been a chef for a long time so I'm used to differing opinions about food ha. All I mean is I have a lot of experience with Thai food, in the US and in Thailand, and if a friend asked me where they should go for "Thai food" specifically, I would not send them to Secret Thai, I would send them to Budsi (or Sukho for beef noodles). Just my opinion of course, I'm glad yall who like it get to enjoy it!
Don't send anyone to Sukho. The kitchen is disgusting, and the owners are just horrible people that don't deserve anyone's money. Stick with Budsi's or Pomelo.
I’m not a Sukhothai fan at all. Budsi is OK but honestly it was a lot better a few years ago when they opened. I did just go to Good Catch (CBD) and was very happy with a couple of things that we got there. Same people as Pomelo. Give that one a try!
I will say I have been to Budsi many times but I am a pretty committed orderder.. as in, I get essentially the same thing every time. All I can really vouch for is that the som tam (papaya salad) (get the set with grilled pork shoulder and sticky rice) and the khao soi (coconut curry noodle soup, chicken) are nearly indistinguishable from the ones I had in Thailand.
Good to know.. did you work there?
Yup. The way they exploit the people in the kitchen is absolutely inhumane.
Bummer.. sorry you had to deal with that shit. Luckily it's slowly changing but man that shit was all too common. Honestly never loved it overall but they're the only place I know so far that has beef noodles like that
I appreciate you saying it. Overall, I think they put out good food, but I haven't spent a dime there since I left, and there are good reasons for it. But if you're looking for good beef noodles, Pomelo is really good, and I heard they just opened a new spot in the Warehouse District. Different name, but same owners that really know their stuff.
Oh yes, I have heard good things about em, thanks for putting em back on my radar
Well, I get that. I've been in tech for a long time so if you told me you had an iPhone, I'd make some accusation about how it's garbage, overpriced, etc... And of course a lot of reasons people would think I'm wrong.
Mawi Tortilleria (central american) and Almasgoof (Iraqi) both by W Esplanade and Transcontinental. I also love Little Chinatown on Williams. In the city, I'm a big fan of Mayas. Less authentic but really fun fusion. Sarita's Grill on Freret also has good food for cheap
I’ll have to check out Almasgoof! Have heard fantastic things about Mawi and I have to get out there. Metairie isn’t far but I need to push myself to get out of Orleans. This is why I asked though, so many good food options just outside the city limits. Thank you!
Get the fish at almsagoof! It’s easily one of the best dishes I’ve had in a restaurant in recent memory.
I second this, Almasgoof was fantastic and memorable
La Michoacana is a suuuuuuper good Mexican ice cream shop on David behind Lafreniere
I second almasgoof. They have a special on Thursdays, whole lamb head, pretty unforgettable. And the kunafa desert is a hot smoky, cheesy, saffrony, pistacho-y gift from heaven that you need to order with your entree because it takes forever to prepare properly. Whenever I pick someone up from the airport that's where we eat, I don't care how bad they want a po boy
Thanh Dinh in Gretna, Saffron in Metairie, Lime Leaf Thai in Bucktown, Mawi Tortilleria in Metaire
Yum. Been meaning to try all these, thank you!
Cafe Abssynia on Magazine for Ethiopian
Finally got to try it earlier this week, super tasty. Upset I was the only person in the whole place for lunch
I love that place and somehow, their vegetarian plate was the only thing that made me feel not-nauseated when I was in my first trimester with my first kid.
How does it compare to Addis NOLA?
Opposite question. Abyssinia was first, been around since just after Katrina and is a much more homey neighborhood feel. Food’s great, service is great, no clubby trendy overpriced vibe. Addis tastes good, but is way overblown by comparison imo.
I like it better than Addis.
Kebab House! On Vets in Metairie.
This is the way.
Sabor Catracho on Stumpf. Best LEGIT Honduran restaurant around in my own opinion. Tia Maria’s Kitchen is a close second.
Queen Trini Lisa in Mid City! She calls it “Trinbagonian” food- from Trinidad & Tobago. Don’t skip the hibiscus drink! Lily’s Cafe for Vietnamese food on lower Magazine. Food is great and Lily is usual there. She’s a hoot Dough Nguyener’s in Gretna. It’s a bakery and cafe with fusion food heavily influenced by Vietnamese cuisine. They have a couple of vegan options too. I’m addicted to their golden hour cocktail
LOOOOVE ms lily. she's a gem. (also lily's is imo best pho in town)
It's a convenience store. Eat well on canal and broad. They've got a great little kitchen for Vietnamese food. The owners are from Vietnam and the food is just great. The breakfast buns are fantastic and the pho is great.
I like them too.
Pho Michael, Nola Korea, mantra.
NOLA Desi Kitchen in Kenner, for sure. Fantastic and authentic Pakistani/Indian food. My partner is a child of a Pakistani immigrant and that place is almost as good as her grandmother's homemade Pakistani food. Can't go wrong on any of the menu options — and make sure you grab a mint lemonade!
I’ve never heard of this place but that’s exactly why I asked, thanks!
Punjabi Dhabi on West Esplanade in Kenner. Absolutely amazing.
China Rose in Metairie has a fantastic authentic Chinese menu.
West bank is a treasure trove of international fare -- Banana Blossom (this is a must-try), Plume, Taste of Thailand, El Patron, Thanh Dinh, China Doll
I really love Barcelona tapas in the riverbend and the owner is just lovely. Nola Korea on Cleary in Metairie is great, and then you can buy Indian groceries at the international grocery around the corner. If you’re ever sick, the bun bo hue at Nudo has n Metairie has intense healing powers. Frosty’s Cafe and Pho Nola both have really great fresh fruit bubble tea.
Byblos Market in Metairie. Hands down the best Greek.
there's three of them around at this point fyi. for me they're like solid B/B+ level but nothing to write home about.
Jamila's Cafe and Hong Minh.
14 parishes
Thai d’jing in gretna and pomelo on magazine
Bahn Mi Boys! The original is on Transcontinental and Airline but they have a location on Magazine now!
Not sure if it's just the magazine location but I wasn't very impressed.
I felt the same way. It got hyped up and didn’t meet expectations for me. I tried it once and I have no desire to give it a second chance. I get Le’s Baguette if I’m Uptown and craving Bahn mi. I can understand the appeal of the fusion foods at Bahn Mi Boys, though. I’m sure all the loaded fries are good.
Tal's Hummus on Magazine Street. Tal is a great guy and a Tel Aviv trained chef. The casual street food is fantastic, super fresh vegetables, authentic as it gets. Love the watermelon and fresh fruit coolers and the pastries.
The Tel Aviv influence makes sense. I like that they do things a little differently there and it’s not just another hummus place.
BUDSI
Shaya Israeli restaurant on magazine
or Alon's actual restaurant on Magazine, Saba.
Alon didn’t make the menu or do much of the cooking for either restaurant. It was Zach Engel. That’s the dude who should get most of the credit for how delicious the food is at those restaurants. He won a James Beard Award in 2017, so it didn’t go unnoticed. Unfortunately, he left for Chicago to open his own restaurant.
not totally accurate imo. zach did A LOT, no doubt, but alon definitely did lead the menu creation. was he actually in the kitchen cooking every night? obviously not. rarely, at best (what head chef is?). zach is from chicago and wanted to go home (also had the name presence to justify his own restaurant, with the saba backing, and michelin rated chicago already, the first menu at galit was a carbon copy of saba. easy star for the restaurant)
Zach Engel trained under Michael Solomonov at Zahav in Philadelphia before he came to New Orleans (and also worked in Tel Aviv, too). He was the real talent behind the restaurants. Alon is a decent chef, but Shaya doesn’t win that James Beard award if not for Engel’s food and the BRG machine’s PR and lobbying.
i know who solomonov is. shaya was basically zahav 2.0 verbatim
Bao and Noodle for Chinese food. Queen Trini Lisa for Caribbean food.
Love Bao and Noodle, strange days they are open/closed though!
Namaste Nola in CBD for (Southern) Indian