Decided to look for cheap eats. This place caught my eye. Prices are reasonable and the portions are surprisingly big. Ambiance is what I would call a dive bar, but clientele is young and hip. Waitress are friendly and service was fast. I went for the Ernster sandwich, which is a Po-boy served with fried oysters and roast beef. However they were out of oysters, but they substituted fried shrimp In a word.....DELICIOUS!!! This is definitely a three napkin sandwich. It is served on a sliced Italian bread hero and is stuffed with pickles, lettuce & tomatoes as well as melted cheese and a spicy mayo spread. The sandwich is accompanied by a generous helping of seasoned fries. They also have a pretty good beer selection available as well as some signature cocktails and a house wine. If you are looking for good cheap NOLA eats in anad around the Central Business or Warehouse district then the Ernst Cafe is the place. read more

Ernst Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This restaurant is very understaffed. It is dark & the food takes quite a while to reach your table. Decided to stop here on New Years Eve for a late lunch, due to not being able to get into Manning's or Grand Isle. Took over 30 minutes to be seated, then finally when we were seated the server took forever with our drink order. We knew then it was not going to be a pleasant experience considering we had plans to get back to Old Metairie for our NYE party. We quickly chose a few things to order and boy should we have just left..We ordered the fried chicken tenders with waffle fries, a cheeseburger, and the crawfish monica nachos. Out of all of the items we ordered the share the Waffle Fries were the best item. No joke. The crawfish monica sauce has watered down and barely had any crawfish pieces on the chips. The burger was charred and not edible. The chicken tenders were black..literally. The server seemed dumbfounded when we asked her to send the fried chicken back to the kitchen to recook. Thankfully she did, however my friend's appetite was gone after waiting so long from the start of this experience. We quickly asked for the check, paid and headed out. Would not recommend dining here if you are looking for "New Orleans flair". read more

New Orleans hidden gem. $1 beers great service and food to boot. If your in New Orleans drift a little from bourbon street and check it out! You won't be disappointed. read more

Outwardly this appears to be a good choice, and I was hopeful the Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage would represent New Orleans dining well, but alas, I was disappointed. Only the bland taste of the mud-like bowl of something hinted of red beans, as there were none visible. It appears they prepare the beans in a blender. A spoonful of rice adorned this "creation" and trying to find the four small slices of Andouille sausage in the mix was like trying to find a nickel you've dropped in the mud. A small slice of bread didn't last as long as the bowl of good and I had to borrow some of my wife's bread to finish eating it. The bread was necessary to give a bit of substance to the porridge like mixture. Water was served in plastic cups. The music was 60's Era and too loud for older folks. Anywhere else and they might have gotten two stars, but this is New Orleans. They should do better here. One other thing that alarmed me. When the waiter took my credit card, I got an alert for a charge that exceeded the bill. I asked him about it and he said they add a 20% tip by default and then adjust that if the customer pays less. That little "presumptive" act earned him a 15% tip. I'll be watching my credit card to see if the downward adjustment is made. read more

This place is awesome! Service and timing was great as well! We had a few appetizers. The queso and chips were very good along with the fried pickles! Wouldn't put the fries with roast and queso on the top of the list. The gravy makes the fries soggy pretty quickly! Everything that came out of the kitchen looked amazing! Restaurant was very clean. Another down side was the bar was pretty slow. Other than that would definitely recommend the place! read more

Very disappointed with the service and food. Drinks were very sugary. Food was eh. I ordered shrimp and thinking it should be fresh I was incorrect, at least it didn't taste fresh. Disappointed I ate here because New Orleans has such great food to offer. read more

Food and drink was not bad. Server was a little over whelmed. It's not often I take the bill and my credit card inside and find someone to pay. Not that she was not trying. Was just a lot of tables and one person. I am/was patient so it's ok. But, when folks be drinking. Stay on the empty glasses. We appreciate and tip for it. read more

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Great beer price but terrible bartender. He only talks to the girls at the bar and is a douche to everyone else. Had me waiting 25 minutes just for him to tell me that they're not serving anymore. I walk away and see him serving all of the other people. This is ridiculous because we used to love this bar but he ruined our experience. We will NOT be coming back. read more

Great prices, but terrible bar service if you're wearing a Bengals jersey (after the Bengals beat the saints).

So disappointed. We sat in the bar area, ordered red beans & rice, and a roast beef poboy - expecting that these would be quick orders since they're not complex. It took 40+ minutes to get our food from the time we ordered until the time we got it. Missed the first afternoon breakout session at our conference! The food was decent - not awful but not anything special. The red beans & rice hardly had any seasoning on them and seemed to have been sitting in the kitchen for awhile because they had started forming that "film" that beans get on top after sitting awhile. The poboy seemed fresh. The table next to us also had to keep asking where their food was. Won't recommend. read more

Good beers at great prices, but Is it worth dealing with a rude bartender with an attitude? She never offered me a menu, but the two roaches that crossed the bar ruled out ordering food anyway. I ended up having a great meal at Lucy's, where the staff is much friendlier. read more

Great food but what really made it stand out was our server Tabitha. Made a good visit great. Enjoyed the Po'boy! If you go, make sure to ask for Tabitha! read more

This would have been The Spot if I would have stopped in sooner before my last night in town. Great beer selection, cocktails were awesome , A-1 bar food, and we had great service. read more

Definitely stick with the sandwiches and po'boys! Delicious foods but like other reviews said, not the best service. Expect to wait to order and receive your food. While you wait get a $1 beer! read more

A party of seven went there last Wednesday. We really enjoyed it. It is a bar and it has comfort food. Or wait staff made it the best experience it could be. The food was wonderful. I highly recommend theCrabcakes. Most of the people had a fish dish or the red beans and rice. We ended the meal with the bread pudding. read more

$1 beers! How many places serve good beer at that kind of price. The service was great and the food was pretty good. $1 beer Yeungling tho!

We had the Ernster poboy. It was good, but I wasn't thrilled with the meat. But the shrimp on it were really good. It made me think that if I come back, I would get a shrimp poboy instead. Drinks were good. Service was good. read more

Lisa was our server and she was great!! She knew we just had a terrible experience over at Manning's and made sure this experience was wonderful. It's small and quiet but the food and service did all the talking. I ordered the boudin balls that have been on my bucket list since we got here. So flavorful, my husband ordered the roast beef po boy since he doesn't at seafood. It was delicious, absolutely melted In your mouth. The rest of my family seemed to enjoy their meal, I've never seen them this quiet. Amazing time I will make sure to let all my traveler friends know about this place and to make sure they ask for Lisa :) read more

Rex and Sarah were the best!!! They made us feel like we were locals and family! Rex was welcoming off the bat and he made us some awesome shots! He was hilarious and so much fun to talk to. We asked them for some recommendations to eat and they were so helpful and gave us a bunch of places. We ordered some shots and we asked him to recommend some for us, they were so good and definitely lots of liquor in them but tasted good somehow. LOL also they have $1 domestic beers!!! Which was awesome! I'm sad we didn't get to try their food, but if you're ever in the area or visit NOLA definitely check them out! They were cool people, amazing staff, awesome service, and awesome prices!!!! It was also a very convenient location for us because it was below our hotel. If you want to feel like a local in NOLA definitely check out Ernst Cafe and say hello to Rex and Sarah! They definitely made our trip fun!! I would definitely come back when I'm back in NOLA!!! read more

Good quick meal for a hungry family of 4. Kid friendly, safe atmosphere and good food. Friendly staff.

Great food, convenient to convention center, and excellent service from Tabatha. She waited on our outdoor table like a champ, and friendly!

A very casual bar and grill. Nice outdoor seating. Their comfort food is good! The crispy fried catfish and red beans and rice is the best!

Walked in and was barked at to find my own table. Found a table and sat at it for five minutes went inside to let a server know that we were out there. She barked at me that she was too busy to serve me or find me a table but I could order at the bar. My husband went into order and they told us an hour for food. I'd skip this place. Food can't be that good to have such shitty service and wait that long. read more

Fried green tomatoes, boudini balls, and crab cakes! Highly recommend! Great service great outdoor venue!! read more

Ernst Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Nice little cafe on the corner with great food and great service. We dined outside so it was loud but what do you expect in NOLA!! Its part of the experience. read more

We were walking by and took a look at the menu and took a chance and walked in. So glad we did. Tired of the crowds, it was very laid back and perfect. Waitress/bartender was attentive and friendly. We ordered boudin balls to start. They were the best I've had in a LONG time! My husband ordered he chef salad that he loved and I got the grilled shrimp wrap. Not too filling and the perfect lunch! read more

Went here to grab something to eat. The waitress was awesome, she was waiting on lots of tables, had out food out within about t-10 minutes, brought a refill without us having to ask, I mean she was on the ball. My only complaint was the heat but there's outdoor seating and they had to go in and out to wait tables so the door was open. $1 beer! The food was really good too. I recommend! read more

All I have to say is Ernster Po boy. I got it twice. Luckily this place was next to our hotel, Omni Riverfront. Wow that sandwich is amazing. A recommendation from the lovely blonde bartender. Thanks girl! The sweet potato fries that it came with was also really good. Ah I miss that sandwich. I think this place was more of a locals spot. read more

$1 beer and great service! My wife and I will definitely come back every time we're in town!

Staff are friendly as heck and it's my favorite place in NOLA. Dont pay more money for less. Pay little money for great. I recommend the fried shrimp wrap. Delish! read more

This place has the worst customer service! We never got menus at the table. We had to look online. my husband had to get a waiters attention for service while everyone around us got their food and drinks. We stayed only because my husband didn't want to go to far from the hotel for food but I wanted to leave the second we didn't get any menus. read more

First of all these lovely people (staff) are some of the most hard working employees in NOLA. I can't believed they stayed open late on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After a long day at work. Sarah and Stevie made me the most amazing margarita. Definitely made up for the long day I had. I love them and I am very grateful for the staff and the GM Chris. He is such a hospitable person. So welcoming to come here. Definitely recommend you be patient because it worth every sip. read more

Great old bar and cafe surrounded by Harrah's. Inexpensive NO food and drink, friendly bartenders, neat bar, floor etc. Being a native San Franciscan it reminded me of places in the City in the 50s and 60s. O course part of the reason it has existed since 1902. Dined there 3 days in a row and could go back at least another dozen times before i had everything on the menu. And did i mention the bread pudding is outstanding! read more

The great location along Fulton Alley combined with good food, quick and friendly service, and inexpensive prices earn five stars for this little cafe. We stopped in after the snowfall during Miracle on Fulton. The restaurant has a huge bar area, a small corridor with tables, and patio dining. The menu is simple-- burgers, sandwiches, and New Orleans staples like gumbo and red beans. The food is good. Prices are in the $8-$12 range. The service is quick and the staff is friendly. Even on a hectic Saturday night we did not have a wait for a table, and our orders were delivered correct in about ten minutes. read more

Hard to beat these beer prices and it's in a really good location right next to our hotel, the casino, and a little comedy club! This place has a laid back, divey sports bar atmosphere complete with peculiar swastikas decorating part of the floor near the bar. That is literally my only complaint. Never tried the food because we got so full off beer every time we went but I'm sure it's nothing spectacular otherwise the drinks wouldn't be so cheap lol. Anyways, highly recommended! read more

Not recommended. We showed up one hour before closing and the staff was rushing to close up. The sign said seat yourself, so we sat at the only available table, one which hadn't been cleaned yet. The waitress appeared cranky about that. She ignored us until her colleague (manager) asked how we were, and we told him we hadn't been served yet. read more

Our waitress,Tabitha was so nice and friendly and very helpful with suggestions on what to order. I got the shrimp po'boy with Buffalo sauce. It was 2 meals!! The slaw was incredible and of course $1 bottle of beers anytime ,all day long and ICE COLD is amazing. It's in a great location and I'm so happy to of found this place. Thank you Tabitha!! read more

Enjoyed her another stop at Ernst Cafe in New Orleans. $1.00 beers "all-the-time" is a big draw, but the food is excellent too! The grilled chicken tenders are the best we've had. The seasoning is delicious, and they are grilled to be crispy on the outside yet still juicy on the inside! And the jalapeño coleslaw is The best thing about our most recent visit was having Tabitha as our server. She was very attentive, and she has a great personality. She is a true asset for Ernst Cafe! read more

Great server! Beautiful evening to sit outside Perfect for a casual evening out with family.

Still in New Orleans for that wedding and looked for somewhere to have lunch. Our concierge suggested Ernst Cafe and so off we went. A simple place with outside seating, we chose a seat and sat down. A waitress came and was matter of fact, no nonsense and if I were in a bad mood I would have called her a bit grumpy. I chose gumbo and chicken ( when in Rome, right ) and by the time the food came the waitress and I were best friends. The gumbo arrived with two good size pieces of chicken and I dug in. The Gumbo was outstanding, the chicken very tasty but a tad dry but it didn't matter cause the gumbo was SO good. I just wish they had put more in the bowl. Can you ask for seconds? My wife ordered the grilled chicken salad and it looked amazing and she liked it very much. Today we would have gone back there but come on in a town dirty with great places to eat we had to try something different. More on that soon Hope your day is as good as mine has been. Go out and make it so. read more