The Oyster Temple

Food. Just saying the word makes many of us happy. Trying to eat your way through New Orleans requires stamina, discipline, and elastic in your waistband. We’re going for it!
- Cris

Coop’s Place

They don’t suffer fools

I 💜 any place that makes it clear that fools will not be tolerated. These are my people! Coop’s Place is tops on my list of places to eat in New Orleans. Don’t be misled by the cute napping alligator on their menu - they are very serious about great food. Right on Decatur Street but stubbornly un-touristy, Coop’s is a dive that locals love for late-night bites and no-nonsense service. Get the rabbit and sausage jambalaya, then try not to order a second round. Spicy, smoky, and unforgettable.

Not hungry? (seriously? no one believes you) You can still enjoy their sense of humor by checking out their website. Their chosen review makes me laugh. If you want to see actual pictures of food then head to Instagram - but bring a napkin because drool is unbecoming.

Casamento’s

The oyster temple of uptown

Step into Casamento’s, and you’re not just stepping into a restaurant - you’re walking into a seafood cathedral made of white tile, Gulf Coast grit, and pure New Orleans tradition. Open since 1919 and still family-run, this narrow Uptown gem looks like it was sealed in a time capsule, then reopened just for you and your appetite.

Locals love it. Tourists whisper about it. And if you know what you’re doing, you bring cash and don’t show up in summer because Casamento’s shuts down when oysters aren’t at their briny best. Quality, after all, isn’t seasonal - it’s sacred.

🦪 What to Order:

• Fried Oyster Loaf – Forget your standard po’ boy. This bad boy is served on thick, toasted pan bread, piled high with golden oysters and slathered in flavor. Crunchy. Salty. Heavenly.

• Raw Oysters on the Half Shell – Freshly shucked right in front of you, ice-cold and impossibly clean. The kind of oyster that doesn’t need cocktail sauce but go ahead, live a little.

There’s no slick branding here. Just tight tables, quick service, and the undeniable sense that you’ve just joined something timeless. Casamento’s isn’t a stop. It’s a rite of passage.

Know Someone Who Is a Great Dog Dad?

Dog Dads are some of the best people. This Father’s Day, send a heartfelt (and hilarious) treat for the man who picks up the poop.

One box. Two kinds of cookies. Endless tail wags.

Half the cookies are for him. Half are for the dog. All are made with love - and safe for sharing. Because dog dads deserve a little love too. This one-time cookie box was created by a company dedicated to happiness for both pet parents and pups. These are selling out quickly so order yours before your neighbor does. Ships June 11 for Father's Day delivery.

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant

Where civil rights met Creole gumbo & the flavor still speaks volumes

At Dooky Chase’s, you’re not just having lunch - you’re tasting history.

Founded in 1941 in the heart of Tremé, this iconic restaurant became a hub for civil rights leaders, jazz musicians, artists, and presidents alike. Dr. King strategized here. Ray Charles sang about it. Barack Obama sat down for gumbo and left with a heart full of respect. Dooky Chase’s has had the pleasure of serving both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, Hank Aaron, Ernest Gaines, Quincy Jones and a list of others.

But the real queen of this kitchen was the late Leah Chase - chef, activist, and culinary legend. She turned red beans and rice into a political statement and gumbo into a love language.

🍲 What to Order:

• Creole Gumbo – A steaming bowl layered with shrimp, chicken, sausage, and soul. It’s not just food - it’s storytelling by the spoonful.

• Fried Chicken – Crispy, golden perfection that once made Anthony Bourdain pause mid-sentence. 🫨

• Peach Cobbler or Lemon Meringue Pie – The kind of dessert that makes you want to call your grandma and say thank you.

The dining room is warm, the walls are lined with African American art, and the service feels like a hug. Dooky Chase’s isn’t just a place to eat - it’s a place to remember who paved the way.

I’m just going to nap for a few hours, dreaming of fried crabs.

See you next Wednesday.

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