[Photos Provided by Kim Ranjbar]

$20 and Under: A Little Lamb... (April 2017)

10:43 April 11, 2017
By: Kim Ranjbar

We're all told time and time again from our doctors, nutritionists, trainers, and other health gurus to keep our consumption of red meat to a minimum. But doesn't everyone, even Miss Mary, like a little lamb once in a while? Though it is often tarred with the same brush as beef, lamb doesn't deserve such a “baaad” rap. As a matter of fact, lamb (especially grass-fed) has less calories, more omega-3s, and less saturated fat than beef. But the nutritional benefits of lamb are beside the point, because when it comes down to it, the fact is, lamb—especially when prepared by New Orleans chefs—is altogether delicious and affordable.

$20 and Under: A Little Lamb... (April 2017)

Take, for example, the smoked lamb leg at Toups South. Chef Isaac Toups has a magical hand with anything meat-related (see his flagship restaurant Toups' Meatery in Mid-City) and he's brought those well-honed skills to the dishes at his Central City restaurant, located on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. Offered as an appetizer, the smoked lamb is thinly sliced and topped with a sweet corn “chow chow” (pickled relish), roasted red pepper, and aged sheep cheese. One taste and you'll be gobbling it up faster than you can say “fleece.” At only $13 a plate, you can also order some of his sourdough biscuits with crab fat butter, the combination of which makes an enviable meal by any standards. 

$20 and Under: A Little Lamb... (April 2017)

For a completely different lamb experience, skip over to Mason Hereford's new, yet already-famous, Turkey and the Wolf sandwich joint on the corner of Annunciation and Jackson Streets in the Lower Garden District. Employing the heady flavors of India, Hereford has created a sandwich (or wrap) featuring lamb neck that has been slow-cooked in chiles and carraway and served on roti (pan-fried flatbread) with cucumbers, onions, fresh herbs, and lemon-laced yogurt. This excellent wrap will only set you back $10.50, leaving plenty of change for a “Men About Town” cocktail with scotch, hibiscus, and honey, or a dish of vanilla soft serve with tahini and date molasses.

$20 and Under: A Little Lamb... (April 2017)

If you're looking for something a bit more “old school,” drop in for lunch at Shaya, part of Besh Restaurant Group by Chef-Partner Alon Shaya. Offering a modern take on classic Israeli cuisine, Shaya features several affordable lamb dishes like his tangy, tomato-based Lamb Ragú hummus sprinkled with crispy chick peas, or the juicy lamb kebab marinated in garlicky yogurt, grilled and served with tomatoes, pine nuts, and tahini. Naturally, you couldn't possibly eat either dish without several helpings of their wood-fired pita bread, leaving you so full you won't even be able to finish a cup of halva espresso … but we're sure you'll try.

$20 and Under: A Little Lamb... (April 2017)

Maybe all of this is just too much. You want a simpler taste, something more familiar yet completely different? How about a burger? At either location, Uptown on Freret Street or Downtown on Girod, Adam Biederman's Company Burger offers a luscious, juicy lamb burger topped with red onion, feta cheese, and a chili mint glaze served on their buttery bun for only $12. Top it off with some tater tots or a Steen's Malted Vanilla Shake, and you've got one heck of a lunch.Isn't it time you tried a little lamb? 

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