I heard it was a black own spot in wicker and I had to go. We went for bingo night and it a cute thing to do in the middle of the week. We got the wings and chicken caesar salad wrap and beignets to go. The wings and Caesar salad wrap was v good but the beignets was a little disappointing but it's probs because i took them to go so will have to go ahead and try there. The service was good and everybody in there was just having fun playing bingo! read more

It was Juneteenth in Chicago and we weren't going to make our Soul Vibez Signature reservation (I think I made a 9p.m. reservation while in Miami, but I'm now in Central time. My guest told me they actually close at 9, and no one would answer the phone, in spite of me calling a dozen times.) I Googled best black-owned restaurants and Ina Mae's was going to be open, and I was cool with the Cajun theme. Called, made a reservation and boom . . . This is a dive-inspired spot with some top-notch menu surprises. I thought I'd be able to get a decent locally brewed draft, but was disappointed with their citrus-y inspired line-up. I also got to try their Garage Beer light beer which I wouldn't describe as light. It looked like a light beer, but tasted like water. As usual, I ordered a lot. Hushpuppies 7/10 Nice size, not too heavy Crab Dip 8/10 (We had ours with seasoned crackers that were 10/10!) Crispy Cauliflower 6/10 I liked that they weren't oily. Fried Pickles There was so much food, I didn't get to these. Gumbo Ya-Ya 100/10 The most different & best gumbo I've ever had. Thick, rich and great heat Fried Chicken 8/10 Crispy, but could use more heat Biscuit 5/10 This was a great disappointment, as many commented about these. Collard Greens 7/10 A bit too soft for my taste, could use a bit of heat Mac & Cheese 7/10 I actually like the heavy butter hit, but I wouldn't order again Biegnets 8/10 I really liked these, but my guest thought they were a bit heavy. The server was attentive and helpful. I thought we got great value for what we spent. I would eat here again. read more

Disappointing, honestly. I will preface by saying both my husband and I have lived in the south and I have specifically lived in New Orleans, so we were looking forward to trying the food here but it didn't live up. We started with hush puppies, which were nicely crunchy on the outside but very gummy within. For our entrees, he had biscuits and gravy, which was served in a small bowl and he said the texture was just like mush. I got the shrimp and grits, which tasted good but had an oil slick of grease on the surface. Regarding accessibility, there is some high top seating and some regular tables. To get to the restroom you had to go down a steep set of stairs, and then get past three strobing lights (epileptics beware!) Probably the most ridiculous aspect of the meal was when two staff members set up at the table beside ours to stamp the restaurant logo onto bags. I am sure this is a daily duty for them, but the repeated smashing of the stamp was making our table reverberate, and literally every other table in the place was empty; they couldn't have set up at any one of those instead of right on top of us? As my husband put it, "This is hospitality 101 stuff." Our waiter was nice but no more than perfunctory. It was nice to see they have a "Book It" program going on to encourage kids to read. Overall, would not return. read more

Been wanting to try this place for the longest time! Finally I got my chance this week! It was a super cold night so definitely looking for some comfort food. The staff was super nice and when our waiter had to step away to take care of some other things, he let us know so we wouldn't wonder where he went. Everyone who did step in and checked in, refills, asked us if we need anything else so that was great. We split a four piece fried chicken platter with mac & cheese and Cajun fries as the sides. We all got biscuits and beignets. Those were in bad. The biscuits were giant but soft and tender inside. The beignets were bigger than I expected to and crispy on the outside. Chicken was good. Juicy and nice seasoned crust. Mac and cheese looked like it was breaking a little bit so it wasn't as creamy. I'd try other sides if I came back. read more

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Ina Mae tavern is southern inspired New Orleans style menu. Offering po boys, gumbo, and seafood. We got an order of the crab abs artichoke dip and the chicken wings. The food was delicious and had a great neighborhood tavern vibe to the place. We got seated in the back and felt like we were forgotten multiple times by our server. I felt service could have been a little better. Overall it was a good experience. read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Crab & Artichoke Dip - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute Louisiana themed bar. I have only gone for drinks but every time I had a good time. Someone next to me grabbed the deep fried shrimp and it smelled well seasoned. This location is in the heart of wicker park and has both outside and inside seating. One the Friday evening we went, there was a DJ pumping out too 40s. Everyone in here was pretty chill. Would return to see if the bayou themed food is any good. On the last occasion, my frozen cocktail was strong and spicy. It was right up my alley. I only needed one to get the party started. Hoping to come back soon as I wanna try the beignets. read more

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Good drinks , good staff. Nice ambiance. Would definitely try this place again. Try the old fashioned ! read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Late Review(s) I used to work down the street and was a regular when I got off in time to come and have a drink and/or get food. The drinks are really good. You will not be disappointed. The red beans & rice and deviled eggs are my fan favorite. However, the entrees have always been a little subpar for me. There was ONE time I did get a really good poboy (pictured) but I'm not sure if it's because it was actually appetizing or I was just hungry as hell off of a long shift, 3 drinks, and a couple of shots deep. I will say it's a bummer that the kitchen closes so early (not sure if that's still the case). The atmosphere is typical. There's a few fun things to look at and might catch your eye when you're low on conversation or just peep something quickly. One thing about the service, it's amazing. They hire great people. Unfortunately, a couple of my favorite servers/bartenders ended up leaving because of the management. I used to work in the industry and this is not an uncommon theme. Overall 6.5-7/10 read more

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We came in for a cozy brunch on a chilly blizzard day. It was on the emptier side because of the weather I'd imagine, and I was hoping for live music but there wasn't any on a Sunday I guess. The place is definitely decked out in New Orleans/ Mardi Gras theme though which is cool. Great cocktails and specials too during brunch. I enjoyed the $10 Hugo spritz and also got the frozen tequila colada. Both were delicious, and my friends' bottomless mimosas were constantly refilled. As for food, it's all very heavy. The chargrilled oysters were fried with cheese and breadcrumbs, so not really my favorite. The red beans and rice were tasty and a good portion for a side. I shared the fried chicken with my friend - this was a huge portion though on the drier side. I liked the voodoo sauce, and wasn't a huge fan of the hot honey. This sauce went better with the bit biscuit that came with the dish. I also got a side salad though it was weirdly very salty from the breadcrumbs. Our service was very quick and prompt, but our waitress was clearly not enthusiastic about being there. However, we did enjoy the beignets - these were deliciously moist and warm. read more

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Stopped in for lunch and was not disappointed! The tenders were amazing--fried to perfection and drizzled with the most delicious sauce and served alongside a biscuit. Pro tip: order an extra sauce on the side because it's that good. We were seated right away on a Saturday afternoon--which was awesome. Our server was really attentive and checked up on us frequently. Also, the decor was cute with its New Orleans-inspired charm. There was even a band toward the end of our lunch to top it all off!! read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was my first time at Nina Mae, and we had an exceptional brunch! I came here with old friends that I had not seen in years, and it was absolutely perfect for the environment, food, and service. We started with the hush puppies and each ordered a variety of items for our main dishes. The hush puppies were definitely a crowd pleaser with the side of pimento cheese that came with them. I ordered the Chicken Caesar Wrap, and it was so big that I brought half of it home. The bulk of us ordered their bottomless mimosas, which for $20 and for 2 hours, you can't beat it if you're planning on having more than just one beverage. We had fun toddler with our group as well, and they do offer high chairs and a kids menu if you're bring along little ones for the afternoon or evening. Alex F was our server, and he was 10/10, always attentive, checking in on us regularly, and super nice. He made our afternoon with his top notch hospitality. I definitely will be back again soon. Thanks for having us! read more

I am born and raised southern so this review is legit. The food here is undeniably great. Hush puppies are the star of the show for me and I find myself ordering them every time I stop by. They have corn pieces in them. They are incredible. Tenders are amazing too, and come in hot honey and Nashville hot style (two of my fav flavors). Collard greens, red beans and rice, and the beer are all great. The outside seating is extremely lacking. The chairs are small and uncomfortable, but they're working with sidewalk space and I understand that. An ideal spot to bring visitors or anyone who misses southern cuisine read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Hushpuppies - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Full disclosure, I've only ordered takeout because I've been too busy lately to stop in, but I found this spot one night after being quite homesick for Louisiana. I'm also vegetarian and dairy-free, so the cauliflower poboy is a wonderful option! It's well seasoned, dressed perfectly to the brim and slightly messy--just the way it should be. Recently, I ordered delivery through Uber and my cauliflower poboy got mixed up with a blackened catfish poboy. It looked and smelled SOOO good, but unfortunately I couldn't eat it. I gave the restaurant a call and spoke with Kayla about how to request a refund since my order was through Uber. She was lovely and very helpful! I worked in food service for years, so I really wasn't that bothered. After Kayla spoke with a manager she told me to request a refund and that they would send me my correct order, with my poboy came a couple of their homemade biscuits! I wasn't even expecting a corrected order in the first place since I couldn't make it to the restaurant. This was a true southern hospitality kind of interaction, and I'm glad to have a nice bit of home here in Chicago. PS, if you're from Louisiana I have it on good authority that the gumbo is phenomenal! read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ina Mar is a beloved neighborhood establishment. I've been to the Voodoo Lounge (their Halloween pop up) multiple times, and it's always decked out from head to tow in Halloween lights and decor. Yummy Creole food and a great New Orleans vibe. Service was friendly, and we got our food quickly. Everything was delicious from the wings to the fried chicken sandwich. Portions were GINORMOUS and costs were reasonable. We also tried their bloody beignets which were soft and pillowy with a delicious strawberry glaze sauce. Always a fun time here - would definitely recommend for a festive meal! read more

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Finally made it back to Ina Mae so I could introduce my homie to this delicious menu! The hush puppies and cheese curds were an excellent starter. And then I filled up with the fried gulf shrimp, a fluffy biscuit and some of the best red beans and rice I've ever tried. The waitress was a joy and the decor remains a standout. They've got good margaritas too! This place is staying in the rotation! read more

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excellent food and great cocktails. love the decor. excellent pregame before a night out in wicker park. definitely will be back. me and my wife had a wonderful time last night here. friendly service too! great sweet tea and fried chicken. read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been here several times now and it's delicious and a great time every time!! I've been for brunch, dinner, and drinks at the bar. Its such a treat to have Ina Mae in the neighborhood. It emanates a good time even from down the street as you walk toward it, with its layers of bright string lights and its glow from the inside out. When you walk in, it's festive in every way and always up to date with the season. Service is also super friendly and they add to the great vibe! We came here yesterday to catch up with friends for dinner, and they were having their Friendsgiving Friday special for November! I love they have so many festive and unique specials throughout the week. Check out their website to see what's happening! For Friendsgiving Friday they had $8 Margs and $10 martinis all night!! We each got a marg and they were delicious. You can choose from coconut, mango, or make it spicy. And you can choose sugar, salt, or tajin rim. I got the chicken tenders with voodoo sauce drizzle, and it came with 2 sides. We got corn and fries and everything was so tasty. Fried pickles were delicious. We also got biscuits and they were the best biscuits I've ever had! So soft and fluffy inside and crispy outside. And so warm and fresh all around. The beignets were also a hit at our table. Fresh out of the fryer with a generous mountain of powdered sugar on top. We will keep coming back and bringing friends :) read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Chicken tenders, corn, and fries - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cool and fun place. We were told there was a live artist playing but we never saw them. I had the spritz jr mocktail. It was very good! Then I tried the crab cakes, red beans and rice and collards. The crab cakes were not the greatest and they were lukewarm when served. The red beans and rice were flavorful and delicious! So were the collards if you like a lot of smoked meat in yours. The service left much to be desired. We had Steph as our sever and she was pretty inattentive and a little condescending at the start of the service. She didn't check on us much in the beginning and then way too much in the end. That could have gone better. Overall, I'd recommend here for dinner. Cute and fun. Oh and the chairs were not comfortable at all. That's another area for improvement. read more

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LOVED IT. The catfish was great, as was the potato salad, BUT THE MAC & CHEESE WAS THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD. And I told them so. Better than mine. Better than my Kentucky grandmother's . Ouf-of-this-World. A reason to make the trek to Wicker Park. The service was super nice. ambiance is sort of flashy and strings of lights everywhere. I wish Ina Mae would represent in other neighborhoods. This is a real Chicago find. read more

We just relocated to Chicago from the south and were excited to find this tavern. Whoever is cooking these biscuits, God bless you... they are bangin! My breakfast plate also had really good grits. We sat outside with the dog and had great service. Our only complaint is the true lack of condiments. The wings and pancake come out with syrup already on it, I'd much prefer being given some butter and syrup to control myself. Same with the plate - had to ask for salt and pepper, came with no butter or jam or anything for the biscuit. No ketchup for potatoes. No hot sauce for wings. I just think it would be nice to have on the table instead of having to ask for 10 things. I asked for salt and pepper but didn't want to keep sending the waitress for these requests. Other than that, we left fat and happy! read more

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A taste of NoLa in Chicago The decor is fantastic, really evokes sitting in the French quarter/ Bayou/ insert your favorite parish name here. The staff were prompt and the food came out timely considering the crowd. Minor annoying thing was the Sazerac not even mixed the namesake liquor. Crispy Cauliflower: little too much salt and not evenly cooked. Some of the bigger pieces were extra crunchy. I know the fried cauliflower trend is old, but some of us love it! Fried chicken with greens and red beans and rice as sides. The chicken was rather disappointing despite being a southern staple. A little dry and the meat didn't have much flavor. The skin was crunchy and the amount is plenty for a person. Greens: I think it had too much meat, but not uncommon if you go to a bbq restaurant. Soft and probably not as healthy as you think :p Red beans and Rice: this side dish made it for me. The flavors were on point from the smokiness of the andouille and the roux with the trinity. I could have a whole bowl and finish my Monday laundry and be happy. Beignets: fried crispy dough with powdered sugar. How can you hate it? read more

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The person seating people was a little rude, he tried to kick a guy off the bar because he wanted to save a seat at the bar for the person he was waiting for. I get it is a policy or something but I was surprised he would treat a guest like that. Not in my party but still. I got a "Santa Hurricane" and when I ordered it the lady was like do you know it's just a hurricane in a Santa boot.. not sure that needed to be said. The food was okay, I got the Nashville hot chicken. It was wet with a sauce sprinkled on it and it was not spicy it was average. It was sauce. And I wish I had gotten hot sauce. I had a biscuit and fries as sides. They were mid. My partner got the blackened catfish and a gumbo. He liked it. He said it tasted traditionally Louisianan. The vibe was cool, lots of decor and fun tchotchkes. read more

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Listen this place "once it gets started" is lively and fun all around! Small, but lots of energy when full. Service was spot on! Loved the spirit of my server. Gave great suggestions. She new the menu and what to offer. She asked the right questions. That said, i oreered the shrimp po-boy, although seasoned well, left a lot to be desired for me. The fries was fire!!! Awesome. The drink was flat. Will i come back???? Hmmmmmm read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Yep - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very nice (probably 3.75 stars. It's still a dive but too nice for "3"). Gumbo is a real rib-warmer on a frigid day. Baked oysters really well done. Oyster po'boy fantastic. Chill atmosphere. Sit at the bar for the best belly-up experience. read more

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We do a weekly staff lunch and ordered catering to try out the po boy platter. We were super excited to try them out as they have really good reviews. Our food was 45 mins late and it was missing a dish. When we opened the container for the beignets we were confused as to what they were because they were burnt and flat. It was hard to bite into them. Truly disappointed because i took a bite of a softer one and it wasn't bad at all but just overly cooked. The food had good flavor especially the fried cauliflower which was a hit. I think everything was just rushed but if time was allotted i feel like it would've been good. But alas here we are. read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went here for brunch on a Sunday. I did make reservations but arrived early. We were seated right away at a high top table. Our server was pleasant and knowledgeable. She answered the questions we had and made good recommendations. I ordered a shrimp poboy which came with large shrimp that filled the sandwich and Cajun fries. The batter was good but could of had a bit more seasoning. We also ordered the collard greens which were flavorful and tender. The red beans and rice was also flavorful and had a good amount of gravy in it. The beans were a filling meal for it to be a side. The chargrilled oysters melted when you ate them and were flavorful as well. We ordered beignets to go and warmed them up slightly. With a cup of coffee they were a good compliment to end the meal. Overall I had a good experience with staff, the food was hot, fresh and favorable and I will revisit them if I am in the area. read more

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Good place to go to watch a game grab a drink and have some creole food. Would highly recommend the red beans and rice and collard greens as side. The fried chicken was just okay I've had better and wouldn't order it again but the staff was very friendly and overall I would go back. read more

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The smash burger was dried out with barely any sauce on it. The Cajun fries were overly salted. The Smash cocktail was good. The servers were unwelcoming seemed annoyed we arrived around 9pm and asked to be seated on the patio. All 3 of them got confused about our Cajun fries order, 3 times. First time we didn't receive any. Second time we got one order to which she explained came combined as two orders, and the third time they brought out another order after telling us our original order was combined. No line of communication between the 3 people that took our order/ brought our food/drinks over to our table. Simple order two burgers, two fries, two smash drinks. Definitely won't be going back based on the welcoming vibes. read more

This place is a low-class tavern with mediocre food and nothing special to offer. Most of the meats seem pre-cooked, and the vegetables are low quality. Overall, a disappointing experience. read more

everytime I'm here (drunk or not) it's a great experience with kind wait staff and incredible service. The food is always good and the portions are decent. I love the New Orleans feel of the place, it's real wavy. I'll definitely be back read more

Take out order Gumbo and hush puppies. Gumbo extremely thick with shreds of meat that I could not figure out. A small scoop of rice and potatoe salad was provided on the side. The thick consistency of the gumbo I didn't care for. Hush puppies were extremely greasy, spongy and tasteless I ate one. read more

Totally unexpected, totally delightful Christmas pop up inside this title corner pub that actually is also a full New Orleans style restaurant. No reservations on a Sunday night they had a table for the 4 of us right away while other area spots are 30+ minute wait. Delicious Christmas cocktails! read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Christmas cocktail menu - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food: I really wanted to like it and was hoping it gave me a true NOLA experience and it didn't. For the first visit, I went for lunch and had Catfish and Grits. The Grits were ok and the Catfish was cool. The Deviled eggs were good. I recommend them. For the second visit, I went for dinner and took advantage of a special event. It was a dinner for 2 that included Catfish, a Crabcake, Shrimp, Fries, Hush puppies, and salad. The Catfish was the best thing. The crabcake was too fishy/I wasn't a fan, the shrimp was good, I'm not a huge fan of hush puppies but I tried them and they were alright. The salad was cool. Drinks: First visit: I had Ina Mae's Tropic Punch. It tasted like a glass of Kool Aid. I tasted no alcohol at all. Second visit: A Double Bubble shot and a Highway Main shot. The shots were good. I liked The Double Bubble one more. Service: 1st visit: The service was just barely ok. The server seemed to be in a zone/clueless. 2nd visit: The service was better than the first visit. Atmosphere: 1st visit: It was LOUD due to a band playing. It was so hard to hear anyone. I had to practically yell to talk. 2nd visit: There was no band so the noise level was normal/moderate noise. Final thoughts: Nothing wowed me. Good effort. I don't necessarily have to return. I always encourage folks to try things for themselves soooooo......good luck! read more

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A friend brought me here to celebrate my birthday and I was so astounded by how cool this place is! We came right before Mardi Gra and the decor was incredible. There was also a live band while we were there and they were so talented. It truly felt like we were in NOLA. Our waiter was such a vibe and they really added to the experience. The food was also perfect and I would've tried the whole menu if i could. I think my favorite was the mac n cheese. The drink I had was also delicious and served in an adorable glass. The beignets they brought for my birthday were pillowy deliciousness. I loved this lunch! read more

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One thing about Ina... she gone be packed! Granted the day I visited it was pouring raining outside so many folks didn't want to leave. The smell was so enticing that my friends and I were willing to wait for a seat (~30 ish minute wait). Upon being seated we had the best server. She was upbeat and really loved her job and the food they served. I ordered the order of fried catfish and a side of red beans and rice. Chileeeeeeee DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Do you hear me?! Everything hit, slapped and smack. I don't think I ever ate anything so quick. I don't know who big mama in the kitchen but give my girl a raise. 100/100 no complaints or anything. Try everything yall. Thank me later. read more

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I stopped in on a Thursday night around 8pm. The bar wasn't full and my server was quite talkative. The place gives a laid back feel and seemed that many locals were there. I ordered a drink and dinner, both of which came in a timely manner. I tried their Hurricane. It wasn't NOLA, but it was tasty. For an appetizer I ordered the crispy cauliflower. It was fried well and the sauces complimented. For dinner I went with the blackened catfish, greens with turkey and red beans and rice. The flavor of the catfish was delicious. The greens were great and had just the right amount of meat. The red beans and rice were good, but not my favorite on my plate. read more

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Amazing decor (New Orleans style) and such a cozy corner bar! It's located just off the Main Street in wicker park and while parking is limited on the street, it's well worth the trip. They have great food and drink specials and bottomless mimosas on the weekends. There's only a couple smaller TVs so it's not the best place to watch sports. read more

I'll start by saying this place is a solid 3.5 but we don't have half stars here so the service and overall experience pushed this to a 4. It's a Nola inspired menu and if you've been to Nola you know the seafood there is amazing. This restaurant did pretty good. My cousin enjoyed the oysters and we loved the blue crab dip and the hush puppies. Pro tip although the dip comes with delicious house made chips, try a few bites with the puppies, so so good!! The fried shrimp and catfish were ok, could've used a tad bit more seasoning. It's slightly pricey especially for the portions but expected for the area. The service was excellent, our waitress and trainee were very attentive and offered great cocktail recommendations. read more

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods - Fried Catfish Fried Gulf Shrimp - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food is always amazing, the gumbo is my absolute favorite, with the catfish a close second. The vibe is always great, and the service never disappoints. This has officially become my new go-to spot. read more

Really confused why Ina Mae isn't 4+ stars on Yelp! It's always solid, delicious food and a great atmosphere. I've been for brunch, which is good, but I'm personally just such a po boy fan so I'll always prefer dinner here. And with dinner you can try more of the delicious cocktails ;) Last trip our server on the patio was Jordan (sp?) and she was so attentive and had a great attitude. She was getting along like friends with everyone on the patio. Food came out soooo fast too, and the Cajun fries were FRESH out the fryer. read more

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