Being a college student is more than stressful. Between choosing a major and a career path and a study abroad destination, the impossible decisions can seem endless. Being a college student in New Orleans, however, presents a unique challenge—the most difficult of them all—where to go out to eat. The burden of choice is ever so apparent when living in our nation’s most prominent food city.
In order to help put an end to this indecision, we surveyed the Tulane undergraduate student body to determine which restaurants were students’ favorites in a broad range of categories. Here are the official “Spoon-approved” New Orleans restaurants:
Best Breakfast/Brunch: Satsuma
Photo by Maddie Stein
On any given weekend morning this cozy cafe on Maple Street will be filled with hungry students catching up with friends, reliving the previous night, and fueling up for the day. From breakfast sandwiches, to bagel plates, to decadent french toast, and homemade pop tarts, Satsuma makes the most important meal of the day also the tastiest.
What to order: “Green breakfast sandwich” on a croissant, french toast or pancake special, bagel plate
Best Healthy Options: Satsuma
Photo by Gillian Bayer
Does Tulane love Satsuma….or does Tulane love Satsuma? As it turns out, in addition to being students’ top breakfast pick, this cafe also serves as students’ go-to spot for nutritious food options. With rotating specials including vegan and vegetarian bites, Satsuma offers several delicious ways to get your dose of veggies, such as innovative salads and fresh pressed juices.
What to order: Any organic pressed juice (we love the “ABC” and “Immune Booster”), Mediterranean quinoa salad, tofu scramble
Best Pizza: Pizza Domenica
Photo by Alana Bercu
Tulane students go crazy for John Besh, and his Uptown pizza joint is no exception. The thick, doughy crust, coupled with the unique flavor combinations, such as carrot with goat cheese, Brussels sprouts, beets, and hazelnuts, make this pizza some of the best that this city has to offer. Students especially love this spot for its happy hour, which offers half-priced pizzas and rotating drink specials 3-6pm daily.
What to order: Gorgonzola pizza, clam pizza, roasted carrot pizza, whole roasted cauliflower
Best Deli/Sandwich Shop: St. James Cheese Company
Photo by Jamie Handelman
St. James Cheese Company knows that no sandwich is complete without ooey, gooey cheese, and lots of it. And no, we’re not talking about your typical Kraft American slice. These sandwiches are the real deal, featuring only the finest cheeses from the shop’s gourmet selection. Equally popular is their happy hour special, which includes a cheese & charcuterie board with a glass of wine for $15. Is their a classier way to kick off the weekend?
What to get: Hooks Cheddar sandwich, Gruyere sandwich, Cantal salad, cheese & charcuterie board
Best-Late Night Grub: Boot Pizza
Photo by Annie Raifaisen
This beloved pizza joint (previously known as the Dough Bowl) broke hearts everywhere this summer, when they announced that they were closing, but students can now breathe a sigh of relief as it is back up and running. Located right next to the #1 college bar in America, and accepting students’ meal plan swipes, this pizza stand is the absolute go-to spot for satisfying late night drunchie cravings.
What to order: Pizza slice, duh.
Best Burger Joint: Company Burger
Photo courtesy of companyburger.com
The use of simple, quality ingredients is the magic behind these gourmet burgers. Tulane students aren’t alone in their love for this Uptown eatery; this burger joint has topped nearly every list of best burger places in New Orleans, and is a Thrillist favorite.
What to order: “The Company Burger” with a side of onion rings
Best Vietnamese Food: Mint Modern Vietnamese Bistro
Photo courtesy of mintmodernbistro.com
The competition was tight for this category, due to the abundance of quality vietnamese restaurants in New Orleans, but Mint took the cake this time. Top-notch dishes at affordable prices makes this a student favorite for anything ranging from banh mi’s to fresh rolls and everything in between. Here you’ll find Vietnamese classics like pho and fresh rolls as well as more unique dishes such as the Mint’s Moon Crepe and Kim Chi Burger.
What to order: Any type of pho, fried chicken & green waffle, lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl
Where to Take Your Parents: Jacques-Imo’s
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Between the funky atmosphere, lively music, and heaping portions of “real Nawlins food”, Jacques-Imo’s provides the ultimate Big Easy family dining experience. Enjoy Creole and Cajun specialities like crawfish etouffee and red beans & rice, or indulge in more adventurous dishes like their famous shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake. The already sizable entrees come with your choice of two sides, a house salad, and delicious corn bread muffins, so make sure to come prepared to feast.
What to order: Shrimp & alligator sausage cheesecake, “The Godzilla,” fried green tomatoes with shrimp
Best Latin-American Food: Rum House
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
It might as well be a sin to be a Tulane student and to never have dined at the Rum House. This island-inspired Caribbean taqueria boasts an extensive menu of tacos, exotic salads, gourmet nachos, exotic cocktails, and so much more. Students will pack the restaurant (even more-so than usual) on Taco Tuesdays, to devour $2 tacos with friends. Does it get any better?
What to order: “Two Dat combo” (two tacos and choice of two sides or a side salad) with fried plantains and mac & cheese
Best Dessert: Creole Creamery
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Clearly the “eat ice cream, be happy” rings true for Tulane students, given their undying love for this ice cream shop (which happens to be one of the best in the nation). Between the rich, creamy texture and unique flavor options, we can guarantee that you’ve never had an ice cream experience like this. The extensive flavor list can be a bit overwhelming, so the six mini scoop sampler is the best way to sample a variety of mouthwatering flavors.
What to order: Lavender honey, Creole cream cheese, Mexican hot chocolate