It has been said that the best way to experience a particular area is to experience as much of that place's food as you possibly can. Food is the greatest (and tastiest) gateway to understanding the culture, community, and way of life for everywhere in the world, and this is especially true of New Orleans. This naturally includes places that surround New Orleans, like my neck of the woods, the Westbank. From our huge selection of Vietnamese food spots to seafood and sandwiches, the Westbank has much to offer in the way of good food.
I'm here to present part three (or the holy trinity) of my coverage of great places to eat on the Westbank. Of course, there's no way I'm able to put every single Westbank restaurant on this list (I would if I could, but I don't have the time or space to write Lord of the Rings: Bestbank Edition). So, the best way to truly experience the Westbank is to hit up as many restaurants as you possibly can. Don't worry, we don't bite, and the drive across the bridge isn't that scary, despite what your mamas and papas might have told you.
Cleopatra Mediterranean Cuisine
2701 Manhattan Blvd. #24, Harvey
cleocuisine.com
As one of the few spots to get good, sit-down Mediterranean food on the Westbank, Cleopatra Mediterranean Cuisine prides itself on giving patrons unique-tasting dishes that are said to take your taste buds on a tour all over the Mediterranean. The menu offers a large selection of flavorsome and sizeable entrees, which are served with hummus, rice, and salad. Dishes include shish kabobs, lamb shanks, and the Chef's Vegetarian Plate, which includes falafel, couscous, baba ghanouj, hummus, and tabbouli. Cleopatra's also offers many seafood dishes like shrimp shish kabob and sayadeia samak, as well as specialty dishes like lamb chops and ribeye. It's a lot to digest, but make sure to save room for some of the delicious, freshly baked desserts that are available, like kulaj and baklava.
Want to get a taste of the Mediterranean while saving some money on plane tickets? Then come on over and experience Cleopatra Mediterranean Cuisine.
Juneau's Sandwich Shop
4016 7th St., Marrero
juneaussandwichshop.com
Everybody in Louisiana loves po-boys. Period. It's a given fact of life and shall not be argued against (unless you want to look certifiable). So, if you're looking for a place that has been making amazing po-boys for many a decade, then Juneau's Sandwich Shop is just for you. Since the 1950s, Juneau's has been providing the Westbank with hot, fresh, and affordable po-boys that are basically heaven on a bun. Some of their signature po-boys include the weiner po-boy and the roast beef po-boy, as well as other succulent fillings like breaded veal, chicken patty, and fried fish. Open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Juneau's also offers a selection of daily plates that range from lasagna and stuffed bell peppers on Tuesdays, to hamburger steak and white beans and rice on Thursdays. They also provide breakfast items, seafood platters, and salads, for anyone looking for something more than sandwiches.
Come on into Juneau's Sandwich Shop, smell the fried food and meat in the air, and order yourself some of the most delicious po-boys around.
Perino's Boiling Pot
3754 Westbank Expy., Harvey
perinosboilingpot.com
It's practically a sin to live in Louisiana and not eat seafood. As a result, there are a number of great seafood places in the Greater New Orleans Area, including Perino's Boiling Pot in Harvey, Louisiana. Having been serving delicious seafood since 1972, Perino's strives to provide families with the freshest boiled seafood around like crabs, shrimp, crawfish, and Dungeness crabs, all at seasonal prices. They have many different fried seafood baskets to choose from, which all include curly fries, such as soft-shell crab, crawfish tails, catfish, and alligator. Perino's also offers appetizers like crawfish boudin and fried calamari, salads, gumbo, and oysters on the half shell.
Make sure to bring the entire family, because each of the dishes they hand out is big and very filling. If you go by yourself, you will need a take-out box. And don't forget to bring your bib—you're really going to need it with all of the tasty seafood you'll eat at Perino's Boiling Pot.
The Point Restaurant and Bar
2800 4th St., Harvey
facebook.com/pages/The-Point-Restaurant-Bar
Are you in the mood for a hot lunch at a charming neighborhood joint? Honestly, who in their right mind isn't in the mood for that? Well, The Point Restaurant and Bar has got you covered. Decorated in a retro 1950s design, The Point is a cafeteria-style kind of place where you walk up, tell them exactly what you want, and then seat yourself. Open only from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, The Point offers different kinds of home-style grub like po-boys, hamburger steak, red and white beans, soft-shell crab, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and shepherd's pie. Make sure to check out what specials they have available, because they change daily.
Want something like how your mama used to make it? Then The Point Restaurant and Bar is there for you.
Tan Dinh
1705 Lafayette St., Gretna
tandinhnola.com
Since the Westbank is home to a good-sized Vietnamese community, there is no short supply of great Vietnamese restaurants over there. If you are looking for one of the most popular ones, by far, then look no further than Tan Dinh. This Vietnamese staple is well-known for giving its customers giant proportions of some really great-tasting food. Tan Dinh's menu has a lot to offer: vermicelli noodle bowls with egg rolls, chargrilled pork, or lemongrass tofu; steam buns with lemongrass chicken; and chargrilled pork spring rolls. They also have a number of specialty dishes like roasted quail, stir-fry rabbit, and sticky rice cakes with Korean short ribs. Make sure to try Tan Dinh's signature dish Pho Ga, which is basically Vietnamese chicken noodle soup. Don't forget to order one of their many flavors of bubble tea with your meal or on-the-go.
If you're looking for good-quality Vietnamese, the Westbank is the best place to be. And if you're looking for one of the best of the best, then Tan Dinh is the easiest (and most delicious) choice.
Be sure to visit Parts 1 & 2 of Great Westbank Eats as well!
