This restaurant is an old favorite by some great old regulars. The food is good. We enjoyed the seafood gumbo. The hamburger steak was actually to large and needed a better onion gravy. We used to totally crave the fried chicken from Tessie's... look forward to trying how it is now. Pleasant ambiance. Good service. Very fair pricing. It's a 3.5 star restaurant... but can't do that so we will give them a 4! read more

I love this down home hole in the wall.. it's a get what you get kind of place. They're stuffed fish and chicken livers are always on point, but this visit everything was a bit undercooked. The seafood gumbo also had no flavor. Service was great, though. I'll still be back.. just no gumbo for me. read more

Tessie's Place - Seafood gumbo, fried chicken liver app, garlic bread - Seafood Near Me - Metairie, Louisiana

I hate to even do a review on this joint as I want to be selfish and keep the secret to myself and not have hordes of tourists take over this authentic old school NOLA neighborhood diner. This place is truly one of the very few remaining authentic and unchanged neighborhood dining venues of its kind in the NOLA area. It is literally like stepping back in time here and that holds true of the prices too as they offer a good value for your money. Tessie's offers a menu of amazing New Orleans classics and refuses to cave into Yankee political correctness as they still proudly offer their WOP Salad on the menu (if you are going to show up and complain like a snowflake about it then keep your PC cultural Marxist ways with your local ANTIFA potluck dinner and stay away from my WOP salad or I will put on a MAGA hat to trigger you... after I go and purchase one first then wear it to trigger you). They really aim to please the customer here and offer a lot of choices and variety within the selections. I think this might be the only restaurant I've ever been to that actually offers you a choice between thick cut or thin cut onion rings! They also give the option of a regular size burger or a large size burger. Daily specials are offered along with delicacies like soft shell crabs (available in multiple sizes), pasta specials, fried chicken, soups, sandwiches, po boys, burgers with seafood and non-seafood choices all abundant so with so many options available there should be something to please almost anybody. The only negative about this place is the parking is very limited and it can be challenging to find a spot in the area around lunch time when this place is popular. Overall this is just a classic in every sense of the word and just a pure delicious slice of old NOLA neighborhood life that gives us the amazing gift to see how awesome just a regular joint for normal folks in a neighborhood used to be. My video review of Tessie's Place is here: https://youtu.be/QqbTPpuvTlw read more

Well I had lunch there yesterday. What I can say is the service was excellent. The place is relatively small but cozy. The staff is more than helpful. I had a shrimp salad and it was delicious. The shrimp were cooked perfectly. Big shrimp is all I can say. But they tasted great. I accompanied that with a bowl of seafood gumbo. Again, served hot with a nice flavor. Not the best one in the city but it was very tasty. The same size shrimp as the salad so that was delightful. Didn't notice any other seafoods in it but that could just be me. All in all a great place for lunch with better than normal prices. read more

Found this little restaurant in Metairie and it was great. Small, old school restaurant with the greatest Roast Beef Po-Boys in GNO. There I said it prove me wrong. The way a New Orleans Style Roast Beef Po-Boys is supposed to taste. They also have a great deal on box fried chicken to go that reminds me of the Old McKenzie's Chicken in a box out in Gentilly neighborhood in New Orleans. I've also had their Potato Salad that was fresh and tasty. I hope this helps out anybody looking for good food at really reasonable prices. Cheap compared to other places. They open 11am til 3pm Tu-Sat with an after hours menu till 6pm for take out orders. Enjoy. read more

Tessie's has really good comfort food and great daily lunch specials. I also think they have really great seafood plates and sandwiches.

Tessie's Place is a typical neighborhood joint. The exterior is rather plain, with a gravel parking area, and the interior is classic 1977. It is a clean restaurant. We ordered the following: Fried Seafood Platter (stuffed crab, oysters, shrimp, and catfish, fries, & lettuce salad), Fried Shrimp & Catfish Platter (with fries & lettuce salad), and Red Beans & Rice, with Sausage. Everything was fresh, hot, and expertly done. All of us considered it to be an excellent experience. We plan to return, to check out some of their Italian selections. RJT read more

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Off the main thoroughfare of Airline Dr, this lil d time restaurant offers an array of menu options. The service is impeccable. Was very friendly and informative. One server handled the entire restaurant and attended to everyone's needs promptly. Inside brings you back to eating out in the 70s. The old time jukebox is a nice touch as well. read more

Crummy salad but delicious seafood gumbo. Doggie there if you're on a schedule. Service atrocious. Waitress ignored us. Not that busy but we weren't served for over an hour. Won't go back. read more

We used to get takeout from Tessies when we were young. Every Friday my Dad would bring home Fish dinners with homemade tarter sauce. Last week I went there for the first time in many years and it was just as good as it was back then. I absolutely love the wop salad. read more

My husband and I try to give back to the mom and pop restaurants during covid by visiting a restaurant once a week. We decided to go on Fri. Night Feb 22 to celebrate Valentine's day early. We were seated at 5:55pm we did not get out food til 7 pm. I ordered broiled fish and veggies. They arrived without anything seasoning. The talipia was frozen and broiied from there. It took a knife to cut it . A couple behind us were served there salad and mixed drinks , ready at their table , BEFORE , they arrived. They finished there meal before we did. As a school employee I work very hard for my money. This was our third visit and certainly our last I am sorry to say. Covid or not I work way to hard to throw ( up) my money. God bless read more

Three couples go to Tessie's Place at least once a month. Very good food. Reasonably priced.Great service. A very good neighborhood restaurant having been in business a long time. Fried seafood very well done. Large menu. Weekly specials . Fried chicken fried on order so takes longer to serve. Server very friendly with great efficient service. read more

I was looking for a decent spaghetti & meatball special. I had been here before and enjoyed my meal. I got the meatball & spaghetti and it was soooo goood, the meatballs were huge and seasoned to perfection!! The sauce was simmered for hours, I am allergic to fresh tomatoes so the sauce has to be cooked awhile or I will break out. The price is right, especially since all these new comfort food places have popped up with $12.00 daily specials, and the portion was enough to have for lunch the next day. My favorite part of the lunch, other than the service which was wonderful, the salad. I loved the homemade Italian dressing. It isn't just an oregano and vinegar regular dressing, no this dressing is a homemade olive salad with all fresh ingredients; crispy celery, fresh garlic and the perfect amount of parmesan cheese. The olive oil was so light and fresh!! I would recommend this place highly. read more

Love this place. Fried chicken, gumbo, potato salad, calamari... All quite good. A great value, great little place

Service was great and fast, lunch specials until 4. Potato based side-dishes were bland but overall the food was great. If you like olive salad be sure to hit this place up for their house dressing/salad (see photo). read more

Tessie's Place - House salad with house dressing - would you like some lettuce with your olives? - Seafood Near Me - Metairie, Louisiana

We learned about Supper Clubs when we lived in Wisconsin and this place is as close as we've found in Louisiana. A neighborhood favorite with a big menu of outstanding food that is homey and welcoming and with a cushy bar full of characters and regulars. We've only gotten takeout but you can call it in or order there and get a drink while it's prepared - I strongly suggest that you do the latter. The menu is BIG. Don't skip the fried chicken. We've seen them customize a variety of plates (saw a lady get the spaghetti and meatballs but with buttered noodles and the virtually sauceless meatballs on the side) so don't be scared to ask. They are absolutely lovely here!! read more

Good but could be great... Their po-boys could be great; but the bread ruins it. I'm pretty sure they store their French bread in an air tight container, which any po-boy connoisseur knows, is a no-no! It makes the bread soft and chewy. Honestly, my bread was flat out stale. It's really a shame. The meatballs were fantastic though! I don't know why they don't have a meatball po-boy on the menu, but all you have to do is ask for it. The fries are great also. They use steak fries which are always fried perfectly. Their salads are great also and they make most of their own dressings. The homemade thousand island is really good. Most of their fried foods are great. I was not a fan of the chicken tenders though. They were dry. The turkey & sausage gumbo would be perfect if they didn't use sausage with a thick skin on it. Also, I don't get why they can't invest some money in to renovating and deep cleaning the place. It wouldn't take much. It is a family run business and the workers are very friendly and personable. Their French bread, and the décor/condition of the place keep this from being a 5-star review. read more

Our review is for the QUALITY of the food,Especially the Grilled Softshell CRAB. Have not had one that had the "flavor of fresh caught " , since I was a youngster and. Mom prepared them. The service was great and ambience of the dining area was a clean enjoyable eating eatery. read more

Best tartar sauce I've ever had. Onion rings cut to order. Amazing Italian salad with olives!

This place is old school Metairie. Good poboys and other traditional new orleans fare. Very filling nice for a lunch break not somewhere I'd go everyday but the prices were low. Only one waitress was working so it was a little slow but she was very sweet. read more

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Sad that they have a salad on the menu called "Wop Salad". Would it hurt to rename it an Italian Salad like every other restaurant has done over time? SMH read more

Get the fried chicken or club sandwich, or the best dang old fashion cheeseburger around.

This place is like stepping back in time and it has a great history. Think blue checkered tablecloths and decent Italian food. For $14 you get some fried shrimp (vein included) & steak fries on a plate accompanied by a small iceberg salad. I was surprised their prices were on par with French Quarter entrees - except with Clover Grill-meets-VertiMarte quality food. I love the staff - they were wonderful. The restaurant was full and there was only one server so she was hauling butt. Our food took a long time to come out. I hear they have a great burger. :) read more

Great neighborhood restaurant!! Great lunch specials!! Great friendly quick service!! Will surely be back read more

The best fried chicken in the city. The service is great and fast. Got to love the old school crackers and butter on the table. The Italian olive salad is wonderful. Oh and the French onion soup is delicious. I haven't ever had a bad meal. read more

Tessie's Place - Crackers and butter, yum! - Seafood Near Me - Metairie, Louisiana

Hope this is not too long, but Tessie's is really something to write home about. Before going there research their Menu online with pictures! Don't know where one finds better food or more generous servings. The timing of the diverse orders were perfect. All came at once, all piping hot, and the server was dedicated to our pleasure throughout. The Salads we were served (party of six) were each regular dinner sized and different. I sampled all six and it was a max out. I never was fond of Thousand Island salad dressing until tonight. The Thousand Island was stellar and totally an unexpected knock out departure from Ho Hum Thousand Island.. Really a treat. You should experience Tessie's version of "Italian Dressing"! The Italian Dressing was another unexpected surprise. The Ranch Dressing was savory, spicy, and creamy and perhaps home made too. The Fried Chicken was not as spicy as I was expecting but a huge serving and very moist delightfully battered. The salt content was perfect and hard to achieve with fried foods. I may have missed the spicy option too and of course could request it upon ordering. Everything seems served to order. One of our Fried Chicken platters was ordered with French Fries, the other, Onion Rings. The Fries are a treat and cut larger than I am used to but were perfectly cooked. Tender and freshly prepared. My Onion Rings had a very nice battering, I chose thick, and were as all other servings quite liberal in portion dimension . A great side order with any dish I can think of having at Tessie's. The third Chicken Dish was ordered with the broiled/roasted option. Again reflecting portion and cooked to perfection observations as above stated. Garnished with shallots and a touch of garlic. The Veal Parmesan was also very well done and obviously freshly prepared as ordered. Easily a portion for two hungry adults I might add. The Barbeque Pork Ribs! I think that was the biggest surprise of all. I am a real barbeque fan. These ribs were quite different from what I usually encounter. They were tender fall off the bone prepared in a unique sauce and easily would be a dish for two adults and perhaps some to take home. The Iced Tea was fresh brewed and despite a very busy server never got below half a glass. The server even rescued my friend who accidentally spilled sauce on a sweater with soda water and a paper blotter. The restroom facilities for both genders were quite adequate and depicted the higher end of hygiene in any ABO / Restaurant I have visited. The place is swell and very comfortable and kept up just like my grandmother was KP there. Next time I go there, after checking out Tessie's website, I am doing the shrimp salad, and, the thin O Rings this time. All of the shrimp dishes look like a knockout. So thanks Tessie we had a very enjoyable meal and are all looking forward to showing off your cosine to our frequent out of town guests. Lastly the parking. It too was unique but adequate and handily served one of our 96 YOA diners. I usually do not participate in ONLINE REVIEWS but was excited to not only dine with you tonight but was also well served by your website. It is really outstanding. See you soon, Carol and Family read more

I totally do not get how this place has such good reviews. I have been here twice, but will not be going back. The first time I tried the fried fish special which I assumed would be catfish. It was not...it was trout. Ehh..just so-so. The real travesty was their "homemade" tarter sauce... it has CARROTS in it!! OMG, that was some nasty stuff. So, about a month later I decided to give them another chance. Other reviewers have raved about the fried chicken, so i figured I couldn't go wrong with that, right? Wrong! This fried chicken was crispy, but had absolutley no salt or seasoning whatsoever. Blah! Sorry, but I definitely will not be giving this place a third chance. read more

I've lived here 35 years and discovered Tessie's about 20 years ago , excellent gumbo. About every food here is great comfort food. Best fried livers if you like liver. ( I know few and far between) salads not so much tho. The italian salad is tasty but all iceberg and gets wilted quickly. read more

This is one of my favorite lunch spots. Really good food in an old forgotten type of atmosphere from an old New Orleans neighborhood type family restaurant with many dishes that you won't see in other restaurants. Very casual, small and even has a small bar section if you would just like to stop and have a drink. read more

Gumbolaya! Cup or Bowl of gumbo, cup of Jambalaya, and their unique home-made salad with a side of bread. Everything tasted home made. Flavor profile in the seafood gumbo is deep. Jambalaya was very meaty with chicken and sausage. Price is good too. Hospitality and service is great. You can taste the love. read more

Had to cut the large burger up to eat it. They make their own onion rings and they are amazing. Great place. Great Food.

I went here for lunch today. Neat little place with lots of different things on the menu. Overall impression was good. We were seated immediately. Table was clean and the waitress was very attentive. Since it was my first visit I had a hard time deciding what to order. I settled on the lunch special white beans and sausage withe the side WOP salad. Onion rings as appetizer. Onion rings were as good as I had hoped, and the salad was also really good. The white beans were OK, but in my opinion they lacked seasoning. But I am a true New Orleanian and like my food spicy. Others may think that the beans were well seasoned. Both my business associate and I were reaching for the salt and hot sauce immediately. Overall it was a decent lunch and was very reasonably priced. I'll definitely go back, but I'll go for the fried chicken, which I am told, is very good. read more

The food is home cooked. My mom and I go here at least once a week. The fried chicken and vegetable soup hit home! I know what I am getting when I go the service is fair, the restaurant is clean 50% percent of the time. I give it 5 stars just for the food alone. read more

The worse dining experience of my life. It took two hours for the food to arrive & every time we asked about our order the waitress had an attitude about it like we were bothering her. We asked to speak to the manager who never came to the table, and when we got the food the waitress got the order wrong. We will never go there again. read more

This is one of those neat neighborhood joints I have never heard of in the all too many years I've been around. I totally like the place itself, a typical divey seafood place, and the service was competent and friendly. The food is a little uneven based on what my dining companion and I ordered. She ordered a fried shrimp sandwich, and I ordered crawfish etouffee. We split onion rings. The rings were above average although they needed another 30 seconds in the fryer. But they were nice and thick and the batter was excellent. They also offer a thin version. My friend's fried shrimp were excellent, about as good as you get anywhere. And I saw other fried food come out that looked to be the same high quality. Unfortunately, the etouffee was pretty bad. It's always dangerous to order etouffee at any restaurant not to mention a neighborhood joint. But I was in the mood for it so I rolled the dice.... and came up snake eyes. It was was an orange, over thickened, over celeried over tomatoed (I guess) affair not to my liking. So bottom line is I can highly recommend anything out the fryer. Off the stove and you're on your own. read more

Went to Tessie's 11/7/17 had a seafood platter ,grilled chicken dinner, and a chicken salad sandwich w/ veg. soup. Everything was great. I live in Ponchatoula now and haven't been here in 5 yrs. read more

awesome little old school neightborhood restaurant, where you would expect to find the ubiquitous mix of new orleans/italian specialties. great spaghetti and meatballs, and equally great fried seafood. stuffed crabs were excellent, as were the stuffed mushrooms. extra points for making their own tartar sauce and for home made salad dressings, and some of the best cole slaw anywhere. service is as friendly as friendly gets. Just a really good little old neighborhood restaurant that is a welcome change from the pretentious tourist traps of the city or the silly suburban restaurants that just try to0 hard to be something they aren't. read more

Ordered fried catfish and shrimp. It was excellent. Service was friendly and reasonably quick. A very mom and pop place popular with locals. A good choice. read more

The best fried chicken around, my husband loves the fried chicken livers; everything we have gotten here is delicious

Seafood and chicken fried extremely well and non-greasy. Great onion rings and bleu cheese dressing. Old fashioned "steakhouse fries." Best tartar sauce ever; totally unique! Jukebox from the 50%. Like eating in a great neighborhood restaurant was back in the good old days. read more