Hi -- looking to visit N.O. next month... looking for non-touristy, non-Emeril, way off the beaten track local kinds of restaurants/shacks/stands -- any suggestions? I'm flexible money-wise, happy to leave Bourbon St and other tourist spots. Thanks!
PS Doesn't necessarily have to be po'boys/gumbo -- I've heard NO has a large Croatian and Vietnamese communities.

Uptown has many great, non-tourist restaurants.

Been here for years and never heard of a large Croatian community here. In fact, I don't even know of any Yugo-centric restaurants in the entire metro area.

Most good Viet places are on the west bank and not easily accessible to tourists without a car. Even then, they don't measure up to many other cities' asian foods.

In the shack category and about 30 minutes outside NO, you might try Mosca's.

Try Deja Vu - a hole-in-the wall off Bourbon St. on Dauphine away from the river. It's open 24/7 so you don't have to worry about fitting it in at any certain time. Also there's Poppy's Grill at 717 St. Peter St. Again off Bourbon, but this time towards the river. Good for breakfasts and burgers. Enjoy!!

I had to "speak up" when I saw Poppy's recommended - I had by far the worst experience that I have ever had in a restaurant at Poppy's. While the fault was the waiter's (as opposed to the passable diner food), the fact that there was no rational person to resort to in the face of his insanity makes Poppy's a non-starter. However, for a 24 hour dive with an interesting crowd and execellent breakfast food, I recommend Hummingbird Grill.

Hummingbird? The place with the homeless people and barely edible food? No thanks, not in a city like New Orleans.

Uglesich's------just what you're looking for,small, great food, in an out of the way place(only open for lunch).

CLassic 'Neighborhood' place -- Mandina's on Canal. Great seafood, turtle soup, po-boys (esp the roast beef -- sloppy)

Mid-scale -- Gabrielle on Esplanade or Upperline uptown.

Upscale -- Restaurant Indigo.

Suburban family place -- Drago's in Metairie (run by a Croatian family). Great char-broiled oysters.

Only locals go here -- Tony Angelo's. Don't bother with the menu. Get the "feed me." Go hungry.

On our last trip to NO, outside of the usual places in the French Quarter, we ate at Sid-Mar's in Bucktown (fried seafood with a water view), Figaro's (good pizza in Uptown) and Cafe Degas (lovely place in Mid-City, on Esplanade I think). Indigo is on my list for the next time!

Hey Diane:

I was down in New Orleans for the 4th of July and every cab driver I spoked with said to try Dookie Chase!

I hear it was above Rampart just north of the French Quarter. The food has gotten great reviews, so I would grab a cab on Canal Street (or wherever you are) and head to Dookie Chase!

I'll ditto Susan's Mosca's! Fabulous food, way out of the way, down River Road on the West bank. You drive up to this joint with eyebrows raised, but the lot is full, full with luxury cars at that. When we lived there, don't know if this is still the case, the chef had been Carlos Marcello's (NO alleged Mafia boss) chef. The barbequed shrimp is the proverbial, "to die for".

What about Port O' Call, on many lists of the best burgers in the country, or Feelings, which despite its name and location serves some pretty interesting food.

Definitely Frankie and Johnnie's uptown for seafood/poboys, etc. Love it. And I second Port of Call for a Monsoon and the best hamburger ever.
Go to Cafe Giovanni in the quarter and ask Duke to feed you seafood - not on the menu. It's awesome. And if you go to Galatoire's, sit downstairs!

Jacques-Imo's Cafe(pronounced giacomo). About a 20 min. ride from the Quarter. It is right next to The Maple Leaf-great music. Crazy, crowded, you can get a reservation for parties of 5 or more. Above all, excellent food.

La Madeline on the corner next to St. Louis Cathedral (Jackson Square) has great French pastry for breakfast.

It's been awhile so I hope these places are still around...Charlie's Steakhouse on Dryades...there are no menus only t bone or filet and a homemade blue cheese dressing that will bring tears to your eyes...Lawrence's Bakery on Elysian Fields is a pastry lovers haven...Mosca's, Mandina's, Compagno's, and Liuzza's...for a muffuletta try Napoleon House and for a beignet try Cafe du Monde.

NEW ORLEANS -- A New Orleans landmark is closing its doors.

After nearly six decades, the Hummingbird Hotel and Grill at St. Charles Avenue and Julia Street will become part of the city's history. It is set to close at the end of October.

The news is saddening people who work there and those who frequent the Hummingbird.

A local businessman bought the building and plans to build condos.

Well, if you have wheels in one fashion or another, here are my suggestions for off the beaten track;

Vietnamese ($): Pho Tau Bay and Nine Rose on the West bank; Dong Phuong way the hell out in New Orleans East (great stuff, though, including their bakery)

Jacques-Imo's on Oak St.-$$(though its been discovered by tourists; not pronounced as the above post suggests); also try Crabby Jack's (sister place) for lunch
Dick & Jenny's ($$$)
Upperline ($$$)
Gautreau's ($$$$)
Lola's for spanish ($)(BYOB)
Mosca's ($$) for a garlic infusion
Harbor Restaurant ($) for soul food
Cafe Indo ($$)(French/Vitenamses)
Cote Sud ($$) for classic french
La Pupuseria de la Divino Corazon ($)(El Slavadoran)
Dunbar's ($) for soul food
Liuzza's by the Track ($)(classic NO)
Mandich's ($$) (classic NO)

Tom seems to know his stuff....shame on you for giving away some of the local secrets.

My List

Moscas for sure

Equator - new Thai rest off Veterans near lakeview mall (excellent!)

West End Cafe, for some of the best seafood in town (mondays they do lobster dinner for $9.99)

Can't believe no one mentioned Camillias Grill