New Orleans Food Guide (Part 2) 🍤🔥

Compared to Seattle — which also has great seafood but focuses on clean, fresh flavors — New Orleans seafood is all about bold spices and rich seasoning. It’s vibrant, loud, and full of life! This trip, besides booking "trendy" spots in advance, I left room for local recommendations from Uber drivers and servers. These three spots brought so much delicious surprise! 🌟 Jacques-Imo's An absolute highlight, highly recommended by locals! Located about 3 miles from the touristy French Quarter in the Uptown area, the sign on the door says: Real “Nawlin” Food. Walking in feels like entering another world — quirky, hippie, slightly surreal decor with folk-art vibes, walls and ceiling packed with character. It’s artsy, lively, and wonderfully chaotic — the kind of place you’d take friends for a laid-back hangout. The food? 🌽 Cornbread was so good we ordered a second round! 🦐 Shrimp & Alligator Cheesecake — yes, you read that right — sounds wild but tastes amazing! 🍚 Jambalaya ordered as a main vs. as a side tasted totally different — the main version was richer and the rice wasn’t dry. 🐟 Grilled Grouper was the star — fresh, tender fish that melted with a touch, paired with mushrooms, crawfish, and tomatoes in a creamy, savory, slightly tangy sauce. 🍮 Coconut Bread Pudding was not too sweet, not heavy — just perfect! We rolled out happily — the perfect last dinner in New Orleans this year! 🥹💯 🌟 Mr. Ed's With several locations across the city (each with a different suffix!), this spot came recommended by an Uber driver who insisted: “Must try the Charbroiled Oysters!” I’d only had raw oysters before — but buttery, garlicky, Parmesan-crusted, flame-grilled oysters? Impossible not to love. We also tried: 🔥 Bienville – charbroiled oysters topped with shrimp, onions, and mushrooms. 🥓 Rockefeller – oysters with crawfish and bacon. Both were fun twists on the classic oyster experience! 🌟 Gus's Fried Chicken You can’t visit the birthplace of Popeyes without trying fried chicken! Recommended by another Uber driver, this might just be some of the best fried chicken of my life — maybe not the best, but definitely top-tier. Walking in, the vibe tells you it’s legit. Each order is made fresh, never pre-made — the anti-thesis of fast food. We waited about 15 minutes, and it was worth it: juicy, tender, crispy, perfectly seasoned chicken that dripped with flavor. Pure happiness in fried form. 🍗✨ #NewOrleans #NewOrleansEats #CajunFood #Seafood #FoodieFinds 🎉🍽️