Cochon Butcher**

Located right next door to Cochon, Cochon Butcher is the more casual, order at the counter, sister restaurant. They serve a variety of sandwiches and meats as you can imagine. Noteworthy options include the pork belly with mint and cucumber, le Pig Mac, and the Brussels Sprouts.

St. James Cheese Company

This café serves excellent salads and sandwiches but is famous for its extensive cheese and charcuterie selection. When choosing your cheese plate, an expert monger will guide you through the high stakes decision of choosing 4, 6, or 8 kinds of cheese and or meats. An awesome spot if you are trying to pick up delicacies for a picnic or cocktail party. Multiple locations around New Orleans. 

Clover Diner

A fantastic drunk/late-night bite located on Bourbon Street. Burger and fries to die for. You can eat at the counter and devour a massive bacon, egg, and cheeseburger. It isn't very easy to genuinely comment on the quality of the burger because you rarely enter this establishment or street, not under the influence; however, I enjoyed my 2 AM meal. Be sure to pass on the bathroom. 

1000 Figs**

Middle Eastern street food with very fresh ingredients. Huge portions for a reasonable price. A charming restaurant as well. There is usually a long wait because they do not take reservations; however, if you go at an off time, you should be able to get a table. It is in Mid City, so it is relatively close to City Park and the Fair Grounds if you are in town for Voodoo or Jazz Fest, respectively.

Red's Chinese

If the Bywater area of New Orleans was an adjective, it would be perfect to describe Red’s. Hip and industrial looking yet not in an artificial way. Red’s looks like a hipster couple’s first apartment in a metropolitan area that isn’t as expensive as New York or San Francisco. By no means is it a traditional Chinese place. I really enjoyed their General’s Chicken dish. They’re famous for their fried rice, particularly their cheeseburger fried rice, which is an interesting concept but may be an over stretch. You have to get it for the photo though.

Nomiya

Casual ramen bar. No reservations. Good ass ramen. They are famous for their pork broth. Warning: if you like spice, get their spicy dish with half spice. I like spice and tried it with half spice and it may have given me ulcers. If you don’t like spice then disregard because this place is still worth it. Unfortunately it is closed on Mondays and while that normally would not be a problem, I most frequently crave ramen on Mondays.

McClure's at NOLA Brewing Company Tap Room

Solid BBQ stand inside a famous local brewery. Easy way to kill two birds with one stone. As one of the most renowned beer manufacturers in New Orleans, NOLA Brewing Tap Room combines their beer with fantastic BBQ. I must say, the two complement each other well. In addition to their hefty plates, I recommend the fried boudin balls, after all, it’s the best part of the boudin.

Dian Xin

For years, I have been looking for above-average Chinese in New Orleans. In a land full of Vietnamese hotspots, Chinese food is hard to come by. At last, Dian Xin satisfies this craving. Located deep in the French Quarter, Dian Xin is relatively authentic. That being said, my favorite thing on the menu was the crawfish and crab meat soup dumplings. 

Vals

Listing this new NOLA hotspot as a “$” restaurant, although it is very easy to increase that single dollar sign with several margaritas. Throughout my tenure in New Orleans, I found it difficult to find an adequate Mexican restaurant. Vals; however, comes close. Vals is a concept created by another one of my favorites, Cure. The curated cocktail bar opened this fresh and vibey Mexican eatery across the street. And the vibes are definitely there! Great for a date spot for a few quick margaritas and great for a 6 taco feast. Their green tomatillo salsa was excellent and their drinks were refreshing. Regrettably, I wasn’t hungry enough as I should have been when I went so I will have to return.

Cowbell

An outstanding lunch and dinner place where you can get a fantastic burger, particularly the one with onion bacon compote. Very relaxed atmosphere with funny pictures on the walls. They serve with fresh ingredients and change the menu seasonally. One of the best things they serve is the lobster mac and cheese. Dogs are also welcome here.

Tal's Hummus

Israeli street food located on Magazine Street. Easy to stop by for a quick bite if you are window shopping on Magazine. Also, it is reasonably priced.

Domilise's**

One of the famous Po’boy places. A world-famous spot. My favorites are the shrimp and the oyster sandwiches. If shellfish is not your thing, the meatball is also superb.

Taqueria Guerrero

It took me almost 4 years to find tacos comparable to LA. These are pretty damn close. Some of the best Mexican food in New Orleans and very authentic.

Singleton's**

A convenience store that occasionally serves Vietnamese food. I say occasionally because there are daily specials and rotating chefs. The store itself is open the majority of the day. Still, the kitchen is only open from 10AM-4:30PM Monday through Saturday. I only went once and it was 4PM on a Saturday, and they were already sold out of all of their most famous dishes. It was still worth it. Some of the best Vietnamese food I’ve ever had.

High Hat**

My dad’s favorite place. This restaurant has a special significance, as I went move-in weekend my freshman year, and after graduation my senior year :(. It’s a local place close to Tulane’s campus. Pretty much everything is out of the park good, whether it be deep-fried catfish, burgers, homemade pies, or BBQ gulf shrimp. One of my favorite things on the menu is the blue crab salad, which is ironic because it is by no means a salad whatsoever. I don’t even think the restaurant purchases lettuce. The other item that patrons can’t go without is a sazerac. A classic New Orleans drink, and this place does do them well!

Dat Dog

Legendary hot dog restaurant with a super playful ambiance. There are several in the New Orleans area. Various options and ways to dress them. Sometimes there is trivia night.

Auction House Market

The same company and concept as St. Roch only in a more central location. Easier to get to. I personally think the food vendors at St. Roch are better, but Auction House has better aesthetics. It shares an Elysian stand and a Mayhaw stand with its sister restaurant.

Turkey and the Wolf**

Crazy ass sandwich place. Same owners as Molly’s Rise and Shine, yet I like this place exponentially more. Each sandwich is an outrageous work of modern art. They always change the menu, but the classics are the collard green melt and the fried bologna. Cocktails sport crazy names like “You Cannot Touch The Rainbow” or “Last of the Denver, The Last Dinosaurs.” It’s one of those places that you can seem like a local and brag to your friends about how hip you are.

Blue Oak BBQ

Wild barbecue with a variety of meats. All of the BBQ classics you can imagine. I recommend getting a combo plate where you get to choose between 2 and 3 types of meat and a variety of sides. The beef brisket and pulled pork are to die for.

Company Burger

Popular burger spot around New Orleans. There are multiple locations. Not only are the burgers fantastic, but they also have terrific fries that come in several shapes and sizes. One of my favorite parts about this place is that they have a sauce bar where you can scoop an unlimited amount of sauce to accompany your burger. Not to mention, they have great drinks.