Food is terrific Great New Orleans cuisine in a less touristy but more neighborhood like environment

Great food but a pretty long wait. Our server was not very attentive or talkative, a different staff member saw my glancing around and came to refill my water which I was so appreciative of. It's fun walking through the kitchen to get to your table, but definitely a tight squeeze. The front host stand/bartender staff were very easily annoyed by the waiting customers. Wouldn't recommend for large parties, grandparents, handicapped, or babies. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp Etouffee French Fries Corn Maquechoux - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Easily a top 5 dinner of my life! Our server Jonathan was so kind and generous. He went out of his way to make sure that my friends and I had a truly unforgettable dinner! Everything we ate was truly delicious, especially the fried grits, cheesecake, and blackened redfish. The restaurant has such a fun vibe, and everyone around us seemed to be having an equally great time. I cannot recommend Jacques-Imo's Cafe enough, and I will be back!! read more

This place more than earns all the praise it gets. I was starstruck by my meal. Johnathan P made the night magical.

Amazing food, awesome wait staff, great vibe - highly recommend! We had the blackened red fish and the stuffed pork chop special. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Blackened Red Fish; Stuffed Pork Chop - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Upon arrival, Two gentlemen at the bar on the corner offered me one chair. I obviously accepted as I was alone. It happened to be at the end of the bar around the corner by the service station. I did not know that was an issue as the last time I had been there we sat in the restaurant with my Friend Chef Kevin Belton. After being rudely told I couldn't sit where I was, I moved around the corner. The bartender only needed to tell me this once and not be rude about it. I didn't know. He ended up making it good. Comp'd a glass of wine and set it right at the end. Btw, there was never a server at that "service" station I was told I needed to move from. read more

A must dinner experience outside the French Quarter... neighborhood atmosphere, eclectic, exceptional food!

Jacques-Imo's is one of the most fun and entertaining dining establishments to enjoy in New Orleans.  I have often waited 3 hours or more to eat but you get to enjoy the bar (or even the bar next door at Maple Leaf).  Chef Leonardi is often at the bar (and at Maple Leaf) and he has often bought me drinks as my group waited.  Many people from out of town seem to get irritated with the wait but most locals find it just gives us more time to enjoy our drinks.  Just use some common sense and if you don't want to wait then make sure you go early!   The worst thing I can say about the place is the bathroom situation is "challenging" in that they are small, often a wait, and a bit hard to find.  Some of the tables can also be cramped and a bit close to one another but that usually just helps you meet new people (so if you're anti-social this probably isn't your place).  Chef Leonardi sometimes has a bit too much fun and gets a bit too tipsy for some peoples comfort but that only seems to bother tourists for the most part (so just enjoy his exuberance and merry making).  The only other problem here is that Jacques-Imo's is only open for dinner (but you can find the fried chicken and some tasty po boy's at Chef Leonardi's lunch time venue Crabby Jack's). The food is fantastic and great value for what you get!  The menu is very comprehensive and has a great selection of meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables (and probably a few other food groups that we only eat in Louisiana).  Jacques-Imo's also has some of the best fried chicken of anyplace in the South (much better than Willie Mae's Scotch House).  I do have to seriously caution you about the deep fried roast beef po boy (it is sometimes listed as an appetizer) in that you should probably only eat one in your entire life as it is so much fried goodness that it certainly has to have fatal levels of grease in it.  I've always had great service, great food, and great times here so it is ALWAYS a great time to go to Jacques-Imo's!!! My video review of Jacques-Imo's is here: https://youtu.be/5FAePW7BFRA read more

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My favorite place!! Everything is great! Must have the alligator cheesecake appetizer. Always great service and very cool setting

This is a restaurant with lots of parts. It is in an old shotgun house with the kitchen as part of the restaurant entrance. We found the service to be excellent. The ambiance is LOUD. Noise from diners is OK, but the restaurant has speakers around the venue BLARING music... loud music. We found it difficult to have conversations. The food is good, but nothing great. Pluses and minuses. Our drinks were excellent We enjoyed our visit but wanted a more pleasant, relaxing venue. read more

From the moment you walk in, you can't help but be in a good mood here - it's contagious. The funky décor and welcoming staff and happy customers all add up to a good time. Every bite of food is DELICIOUS. Start with a Watermelon Mojito at the bar. I am not a mojito girl usually, but this is special. Next up, they bring cornbread muffins to the table. Hands down the best cornbread EVER. We had the Pistachio Grouper and the Drum Meuniere - both are unusual and tasty dishes. read more

Best food Perfect service Amazing Ambiance I highly recommend 10/10 Best hidden secret in NOLA read more

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I went for the Godzilla entre on Saturday 16 minutes after the opening at 4:00 pm and was told it was sold out the night before, was really disappointed. I ordered the stuffed catfish with cabbage and corn which was really good. The cornbread was tasty and warm with the right seasoning. My server comp me with a bowl of gumbo that was really good. Although I was disappointed about not getting my original preference, I will return. read more

Fun place. As the vegan in the bunch I often select the dining venue and Jacques-Imos had a vegetarian option and the restaurant had rave reviews. So looked like someplace we could all eat. Everyone else in the party enjoyed their food. I ordered the vegetarian delight-- it was awful. Flavorless curry, water sogged vegetables. If you go as a non meat eater to be with your group skip the vegetarian delight. Eat sides-spinach salad, some type of potatoes, corn etc. Unfortunately their sides with protein--beans--also have meat. Service was excellent and it's noisy but fun. read more

What is there to say that hasn't already been said a million times about this delightful, charming, classic restaurant? We came here at 4 pm on a Saturday to celebrate our engagement. We didn't have to wait at all for a table. The service was predictably friendly and attentive. Y'all we ate like 4000 calories and enjoyed every bite. Its reputation is well deserved. Here's to you, Jacques-Imo's! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp And Alligator Sausage Cheesecake, - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Five stars all the way! We heard about this restaurant from a local resident who raved about the fact that this it the only restaurants in New Orleans where you find a line of locals waiting to be seated. With that in mind we decided to get there at 5:00 PM at their opening to ensure we beat the dimmer rush. We were able to park directly in front of the restaurant and were third to be seated. It did not disappoint. Everything that mattered about this place scored off the charts. The wait staff was attentive, courteous, knowledgeable and appeared to be truly happy working. They offered excellent recommendations and provided a couple of complimentary items. The owner was also engaging and visited with every table. He even offered up additional complementary items. Everyone treated us well and made it clear they valued us dining with them. The food was well above average and every dish was cooked to perfection! The only thing not off the charts was the ambiance. It was a 3.8 out of 5 as it is more relaxed than it is upscale and could use some updating. It was fine just not as extraordinary as the food and the service. Everything was a bit pricey but worth every penny. I highly recommend! read more

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My favorite restraunt in the city and it's not really close. Jacques-Imos serves the definition of "New Orleans" food and it would be my Number 1 recommendation for visitors from out of town. The food, service, and ambiance is unmatched! read more

Just got back from the best meal we have ever had in NOLA. The staff was incredibly welcoming and fun, the food was off the hook and the ambiance was New Orleans fun all the way. Do yourself a favor and leave the Quarter and head to this joint. You won't be sorry! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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When I think of New Orleans, I'll envision Jacques-Imo's from here on out! Feels like the bayou in a bar and restaurant! WE LOVED IT! Recommend getting here when they open if you want a guaranteed table! Food was stellar and I truly don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu. This was our first taste of local NOLA cuisine and highly recommend! The inside was bustling and we were happy for somewhere with local flare away from some of the more tourist packed hot spots. Stuffed catfish was an absolute 12/10!! All appetizers were good to split! Feels like the alligator pie is a must (was recommended by someone waiting in line) but I think you can skip if you're not a fan of quiche! Two out of the three people in our party liked it, and the other didn't enjoy the dish because of the texture. Would recommend for any size group and any occiassion. read more

Lacoste was a gracious hostess. Kaycee was a great, attentive server. My special blackened grouper with asparagus and pistachios was perfect. The decor/ambiance is delightful, stimulating, and cozy. read more

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I finally came to this beautiful restaurant and had an amazing dinner here. We ordered the gumbo with duck and Alligator cheesecake and it was delicious. For our main course we ordered grilled duck breast and the ribeye steak. The duck was tender with a sweet glaze sauce. The steak was prepared perfect. I love the atmosphere with nice home decor. Make you feel like you are at someone's house. Enjoy my dinner and time. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. read more

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We just moved to New Orleans this summer, we were searching for a fun restaurant to celebrate my boyfriends birthday. I came across this gem on Yelp, it did not disappoint! The restaurant has so much personality! From the decorations, to the staff, to the food. When you walk in you are submerged in the fun culture of Nawlins. We were lucky enough to just walk in and get seated without reservations. Our server walked us through the nights specials which included fish, duck, and rabbit. You had my boyfriend at rabbit. We ordered a bottle of wine, Camp Zinfandel, and the alligator/shrimp cheesecake to start off with. I wasn't the biggest fan of the cheesecake, I expected it to have more whole chunks of alligator versus the mashed up combo it was. Our main course was fantastic. I ordered the blackened red fish which was bursting with flavor! Probably the best fish I've ever had. My boyfriend ordered the rabbit and pasta, it came with a few pieces of shrimp too. He loved it. You get two sides with your main course, we both chose mashed potatoes and corn. Both of our plates were a hit! We could not leave without ordering dessert. They only have two items for desert, creme brûlée and a coconut bread pudding. We went for the coconut bread pudding. I would solely go back for their bread pudding (and a glass of Camp Zinfandel). We are already planning to take family there when they visit. It is a true dinning experience filled with the friendliest local personalities. read more

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Food, service and ambience were perfect. Never thought I'd try the alligator cheesecake but it may have been the best appetizer I have ever had!! This restaurant is a must! read more

Why aren't more people recommending Jacques Imos?! My friends all recommended Brennan's, Willie Mae's (super duper over rated, good glad I experienced it once), Cafe Du Monde, etc you know all the Basic obvious NoLa eats. But seriously, do yourself a favor and call in book a reservation here (up to one month in advance). The special escargot pasta was divine. Loved the calamari and we devoured the fried chicken. Their fried chicken is, well how do I put this? I'm literally speechless. Our only regret is that this was at the end of our trip when we were stuffed beyond belief. Unfortunately- probably due to covid- their earliest opening was on a Wednesday or Thursday. I wouldn't call it a trip to NoLa without Jacques Imos an absolute must, Brennan's (brunch- touristy but epic, not a must but it's up there), and Gris Gris (felt local chic and really nice food) Excellent service. Love the staff. They deserve a Michelin star just for their service alone. Yes they are checking for covid vaccine status and negative tests. Best corn bread and it's on the house, say what?! Has a unique garlic butter drizzle. It's magical. Also you haven't had bread pudding until you've had theirs. We had bread pudding every chance we could and this by far was the winner. read more

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I think my expectations were a little bit high for this restaurant based on the reviews and the feedback from my friend. I just feel like the overall theme was not very appealing to me with the lack of presentation, subpar service, and older style of dishes. We came exactly at 5:00 PM and did not have to wait or have a reservation. We just walked in with a crowd and were seated immediately. We got the rack of lamb, snails, and rabbit. All of the food was fairly good but nothing to write home about. read more

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Bartender Chris welcomed us to the neighborhood with strong cocktails full of flavor without being too sweet. Our waiter Trey steered us to over-the-top entrees worth the menu prices. The entire staff seemed to work as a family picking up plates as they passed and kitchen staff thanking us for our patronage as we passed through on our way out. We'll be repeat customers. This is a great place for locals to take visitors. Don't let the tourists know about this place! read more

OMG you have to visit. Ate here last week and everything was great. We weren't very hungry and want to share a meal, it was prepared and served to us like we ordered two entrees. The waitress and entire staff were super attentive and very accommodating. The opportunity to walk through the kitchen in this quaint restaurant was an added treat. Hands down the staff made this experience one to remember. We will be back! read more

This is a top five restaurant in New Orleans in my opinion. Love everything from the food, the cocktails, to the charming ambience of the dining area. Old school. Converted old house. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the seating area. My personal favorite, alligator cheesecake as appetizer. Don't let your name scare you off. read more

The wait time was unexpectedly long for a Wednesday at 5 PM--50 minutes just to be seated, followed by another 30-minute wait for the food. The food itself was decent, but the chicken was a bit dry, and the sauce selection was quite limited. Overall, not the best experience, especially given the wait. read more

Took an Uber here while visiting New Orleans because of all the hype around this place. Really glad we ended up here because the food was great. Started off with the complimentary corn bread which was delicious. I ended up getting the Brussels sprouts as a veg and the fried chicken platter. The Brussels sprouts were great and had a nice crunch. The fried chicken itself might have been a bit salty, but I still enjoyed. The sides may have been the best part of the whole meal, especially the red beans and rice. I would come back here just for those, they were outstanding. Fun place, but a little bit of a drive from the French Quarter if you're staying there, but worth the trip! read more

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The best restaurant in New Orleans. It's tucked away in a neighborhood off the beaten path so you know it has to be amazing to stick around for over 20 years. You will leave stuffed. The shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake was one of the most wonderfully unique things I've ever tasted. It's called cheesecake but it has almost more of a quiche-y flavor/texture. It's unbeatable. My boyfriend devoured the Brussels sprouts and he hates vegetables with a passion. One of the most wonderful parts was that Jacque himself greeted our table and ended up giving me and my boyfriend a tour of the kitchen. He also introduced us to the entire kitchen staff. Incredibly friendly and welcoming! If you are in New Orleans this is a must. read more

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Our best meal during our New Orleans stay -- and the most fun. Make your reservations early as this place rocks. Had a Hurricane at the bar first but the Watermelon Mojito was the star. They start by sending out free cornbread muffins for the table that were quickly gobbled up. Our crew of six loved: - Grouper with shrimp and pistashio sauce 10/10 WOW so different and we can't find that fish here in Los Angeles. - Pan Fried Drum with pecan topping - another 10/10 - Crispy Brussells - nice sauce and they went fast 10/10 - Fried Green Tomatos with shimp 9/10 devoured by all. You don't HAVE to get fish as they have other things so that means we have to come back! read more

Get some real Nawlins food here! My sister and I came by Jacques-Imo's based on personal recommendations and google searches. It is a little out of the way if you are staying in the touristy French Quarter like us, but it was definitely worth the visit! We got there soon after they opened and were able to grab two spots at the bar. It got really busy though throughout our time there so be prepared to wait for a bar spot or a table if you plan to visit during a peak time. Note that they only take reservations for parties greater than 5 people. Overall, the bar service was great - the bartenders gave honest recommendations about the items on the menu and were prompt and friendly. To start, the drinks were great. They have a hurricane that is nearly as deadly and just as yummy as Pat O'Briens. They also had a special watermelon mojito that featured fresh watermelon and mint - highly recommend if it is available when you visit. As for food, we were given corn bread with a melted herby garlic butter and a small spinach salad before the main entrees. Both had great flavor and were a fresh way to start the meal. My sister ordered the seafood bouillabaisse - the mussels and shrimp were fresh, the crawfish was frozen as it's not in season, but was still very tasty. I ordered the redfish which was perfectly blackened and atop an excellent crab flavored hollandaise. I would absolutely recommend this fish! Each entree came with two sides. Between both of us we tried four different sides and the winners were the red beans and rice and the mashed potatoes. Both were super flavorful and cooked well. My only complaint was that I thought it was a little expensive given the casual setting even in the restaurant area, but I will for sure be back to this unique place next time I am in NOLA. read more

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