Vacherie — Restaurant in New Orleans

Not sure how to put this. I went in about 8:30 on a Wed night. It was slow, one couple and one guy at the bar, a bartender who was also my waitress. My catfish dinner with french fries and a dinner salad was good well the salad was a bit limp like it had been sitting about and the cucumber in it had been frozen at some point and was now mushy and sort of gross but pick out the cucumber and the rest was okay. I really wanted to like this place, a friend recommended. Here is the part I feel I don't want to say but should say. There was a point I noticed I was alone in the bar/dinning area. as the Bartender stepped out. I then noticed movement at the bar. I look up to see a large brown rat up on the ledge with the bottles behind the bar. It was sniffing about and headed across up and over the keys of the cash register then down and out of sight. I tried to get my phone out ot get a photo because it was well odd and strange and a first for me. I was not sure how to react. I looked around to see if anyone else was seeing this. I was the only person in the room. And then it was gone. I was not sure how to respond, It was almost like i felt I was being punked. I am an old punk guy and well I am not shocked this could happen. It's a city next to a river. It's not the first rat I have seen in the French Quarter but they are usually flat on the street. The door was open, it easily could have wandered in but then it would be on the floor and over my feet and not up on the back of the bar. I was in shock, confused, should I even mention it? The bartender returned and I still was sort of in shock when she asked how everything was? I then said , "weill i am not sure if I should tell you or how to tell you this?" She interrupted me, "well now you have to tell me." I said, "while you were out, I looked up and there was a good sized rat on the back of the bar" and I proceeded to point out where it was and the path it took. It was not there now and well she could think I was lying to try and get out of paying the bill. It happens in movies all the time doesn't it? As I am explaining it who should decide to return but the culprit him or herself and proceeded to go up across where I had just pointed out only this time it took a turn up the small side of the bar and was headed down directly towards us! I was almost sure it was going to leap at us and we both sort of screamed at it and laughed and it turned and jumped down behind the bar and ran off into that doorway into the building where ever that doorway went. She started to say something about knowing about a rat, they had seen them at night or something I was unsure exactly what. I felt this odd need to say I was not trying to get out of my check. But it was odd funny and we had something to laugh at. Then a few drunk or on the way to being drunk woman came in ordering drinks and then their friends and the guys they were showed up and I wanted out of there, so I paid my check making a joke about how I wished old Rat Johnson would make an appearance NOW, because I would have loved the chaos that was sure to ensue had it jumped back up on the bar! Who would scream louder the girls or the drunk dudes that they were with? Anyhow I paid my bill even a decent tip for the amazing bartender and left, with a new story to tell and I have eaten way worse. But in hindsight they need to do something about the rat. What should the establishment done when this happenes ? Should I have been comped my dinner? What sort of thing would have been customary in this situation? I don't know it leaves me feeling odd. I am sure every restaurant in the French Quarter has or has had a rat or two. But for them but to come out across the bar in the early evening seems a bit like an issue? I sort of feel bad being honest about my experience but this all happened that Wed night a couple of weeks ago. I doubt I will go back because well one Raton the bar. who knows what's in the kitchen.? Besides they most likely would refuse me service and kick me out. The Bartender was cool tho,...

Just wanted to give a big thanks to Carol, Jesse, and Anthony for taking care of me and my husband New Year’s night. We were staying at the Four Points Sheraton which had to be evacuated at 4 am due to the Bourbon St attack in the early morning hours. There were no restaurants open on Bourbon St that night so our options were extremely limited. Vacherie was at the corner and open to serve guests… a lot of guests from the neighboring hotels. When we arrived, the small restaurant was packed with several people waiting. Carol let us know that the wait time was long and staff was limited. We decided to wait and grab a drink from the bar. The bartender, Anthony, was pouring drinks for a full bar and dining overflow. He did this with ease and a smile on his face. Our wait was about an hour but during this time we met some cool folks and enjoyed some good drinks. When we were finally seated, Jesse, the only server, was prompt and courteous even though he was covering all the tables. Our food came out quicker than we expected so that was a plus. The grilled chicken caesar salad was highlighted with unique crispy croutons that enhanced the overall flavor. The fried shrimp were lightly breaded and crispy. Our meal was good, but the dining experience was made even better by the calm and professional service provided by these three employees! This was not what we had planned for New Year’s Day dinner yet it was exactly what we needed as we processed the events of the day.

PS-try the grab n go breakfast! The grits bowl and breakfast...

Updating my review: I used to love this place but now I will NEVER RETURN… the GM (who may or may not have been DRUNK) pulled me to the side today to confront me about my review and my opinion. I told her that she had her employee privately message my friend that was with me that day and she said she thought was “very thoughful” and my response was as a GM THAT WAS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. Then she proceeded to say that she overheard me two weeks ago in another store completely bashing her staff and like I said in my previous review…. I never bashed the entire staff just the people who act like complete crackheads and drop stuff in the floor and re use it without cleaning it. She kept cutting me off as I told her exactly what I said in the store and online… but pulling me to the side to be confrontational is also unprofessional. I am entitled to my own opinion and until there’s a new general manager, none of us that frequent there will ever return. jessie is the only one keeping this place together that’s who they need to promote to general manager!!!

Been coming here for years because I work in the French quarter. However the new hire grossed me completely out today. She dropped the little cup that the espresso goes in on the ground, picked it up, didn’t rinse it off and said “sorry I’m new here” and continued to make coffee. I’m so grossed out and I’ll never go back while she...