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    Willie Mae’s NOLA

    4.0 (475 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Willie Mae’s NOLA Photos

    Business Info

    WILLIE MAE’S NOLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Willie Mae’s NOLA

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    Dom G.

    I think I may have found one of the best fried chicken in the country. Never been here before and glad I tried it out! Ordered a mixture of different dishes during our visit: - gumbo: came with crab, chicken and andouille sausages. Really really good! - fried chicken: the batter was out of this world and also uncommon. Loved it. - rotisserie chicken: nice but don't bother, stick to the fried chicken! - sides: got a mixture of mac and cheese, sweet potato fries and potato wedges. In hindsight I should have gotten some vegetables. The place isn't massive so I would try to make a reservation ahead of time, if possible. Definitely try this out if you're visiting NOLA. Probably one of the best meals I've had here. Wish they would open up in NY!

    Chicken Breakfast Plate
    John M.

    Arriving for our 12:30pm reservation, Willie Mae's was jumping. DJ, lots of laughs, great vibe, full house with a lot of people waiting. At the time, several two-tops were being turned over. "Good thing I made a reservation!" 15 minutes later, they had seated all those tables and asked if they had checked me in. I said that they had. Digging through the system, they said the manager had pulled me off accidentally due to a name mix-up but they'd get me back on. Surveying the restaurant, I knew we would not be seated soon. We then proceeded to observe the same scene playing out over and over again, with people asking when they would be seated and arguing, retreating, discussing whether to leave. It's unclear whether an actual reservation meant anything next to walk-ins. Some people got in quick, while others had clearly been waiting much longer. 45 minutes later than our reservation time, we were seated. I was told this is normal for Sundays, that they are always overbooked. This is not normal. In my life, I have only waited longer than 15 minutes for a reservation at one other restaurant. It was Christmas Eve, and I was told that the system didn't account for as many people showing up and staying longer for the holiday meal. That restaurant also comped our meal and the GM called me himself to apologize for our experience of waiting about an hour. But at Willie Mae's, "this is normal." Back at the old location, my understanding is that it was part of the experience to wait a long time and anticipate and enjoy the moment you get to sit down for your chicken. If we had gone in knowing that, we could have made a conscious decision to do so. If they want to run the restaurant that way, I suggest they drop the reservation system altogether. The food itself was very tasty. The chicken was super moist, juicy, and had that special crunch Willie Mae's is known for, along with a nice, subtle heat. The yams were good too. If not for the above, Willie Mae's would be on my list to return. I was looking forward to the famous Willie Mae's since a visit 20 years ago when I had walked on foot from the French Quarter to the old location and they were closed. I was redirected that day to Dooky Chase, which had also just closed when I arrived, but they kindly made me a to-go order. Sitting in the park, I'll never forget the absolutely perfect way it tasted, from the chicken to the yams and green beans. I also remember Coop's as another distinctive chicken spot with no wait and a sly attitude. Willie Mae's I'll remember as a train wreck. The food doesn't justify the experience. Reserve at your own risk.

    1/2 chicken plate with green bean side
    Christine D.

    The fried chicken came out hot and crispy. The green beans is slightly spicy and Mac and cheese side was so cheesy. Our server, Ryan, was great. The place is nice, clean and modern.

    Meagan J.

    Let me tell you, Willie Mae's is serving up some of the BEST gumbo in the city! As a New Orleans local, I'm always skeptical about trying someone else's gumbo, but this one? I'll take it every time! I also ordered the jumbo shrimp platter, and it was plentiful and very well seasoned. The sides weren't my favorite, but the sweet potatoes were definitely a winner. The vibe was another highlight. The lively atmosphere was another winner for me. I loved the R&b music, and the service was great. Overall, Willie Mae's is definitely a spot I'd recommend, especially if you're craving a good bowl of gumbo!

    Jaquita L.

    Make a reservation; otherwise be prepared to wait. Loved the relaxed ambiance and the music they were playing was fantastic. I don't think I stoped singing even when the food came. Caleb our server was great and made some good recommendations since it was our first time. Now...let's get to the food & drinks Taste of New Orleans 1/4 chicken - white meat with green beans, yams & Mac and cheese 6/10: the breading on the chicken was light and airy- almost tempura like. But on my breast there was more breading than meat. The green beans had good flavor but too many onions for my liking. The yams were sweet and had a nice flavor to them. The Mac and cheese was alright, nothing special in my opinion. I wasn't a fan of the cornbread, it was a little dry to me. Sitting on the front porch 8/10: nice portion size and the overall flavor was really good. Gumbo 9/10: excellent flavor and lots of seafood. Just really good overall. I would get it again. Peach cobbler 8/10: get flavor crust was very crispy. The peach to crust ratio was decent I did get the ice cream on the side and that was pretty good. Catfish taste of New Orleans with butter beans, green beans and Mac and cheese 7/10: Good flavor on everything and the catfish was fried hard how they like it. Not a fan that there was more beans than rice in the butter beans with rice. Chicken and watermelon tini 10/10: flavor was really good and surprisingly it didn't taste like chicken.

    Kai M.

    When I say this was the BEST experience ever! Service: expect a brief wait time even with reservations. The place was packed so we had to wait 10 minutes for a table to become free before being seated. Our waitress, FeFe was the best! Service was excellent and smooth. I especially appreciated the quality hospitality which FeFe provided. Ambiance: it's a really cute and cozy spot, felt like I was dining in someone's large dining room and I loved every moment. Felt cozy! Drink: I had the NOLA style street car and honestly I'm not sure that I'll accept it any other way once back home lol the bartenders in my state better be ready for me to adjust it to match this amazing drink. Food: My mom loved the gumbo so I was sad that I didn't get a bowl. The fried chicken....BEST there is! I ordered dark meat and my only complaint was that I wanted more lol. Paired with a side of rice and beans, this dish was the best there is. The cornbread was simple but tasty but the star of the show was the chicken. No dessert, unless chicken was a dessert lol seriously this was amazing and I had no complaints

    Menu
    Danielle F.

    So this is a staple restaurant in NOLA and as many times as I have visited I have never been there but this time I did. If you're looking for soul food, this place came highly recommended. They apparently were voted the best fried chicken in the country, so my family wanted to test it out. First, reservations are strongly recommended especially for large parties. This place was booming and bustling for about 30-45 minutes before we got seated without a reservation but we opted for bar seating as well. We sat and I always scoped out the menu so I knew I wanted the smothered catfish etouffe and somebody was going to try the chicken. Food came fairly quickly and we all liked our meals but they are spicy. If spice if your thing, you would love it here. The chicken was great, sides were great, catfish was great and overall we rated the food an 8.5/10. I enjoyed it but don't have to go back. I'm just used to some of the other places and their offerings but this is a simple straight forward menu and I enjoyed the meal.

    Gumbo, Mac and Cheese, Fried Chicken
    Teresa T.

    Wow, best fried chicken I have had in my life. Whatever crack they put in the breading for the chicken, I need it. The food here is amazing. We got Gumbo, Fried Chicken Entree with Mac n Cheese side and cornbread. Gumbo is like a seafood gumbo. My friend who is not a big fan of seafood liked it! Mac n cheese was thick and creamy. And the cornbread was so soft! The fried chicken was so good. The breading / crusting of that fried chicken was addicting. The chicken meat itself can still be quite dry, but loved the seasoning for this chicken. For dessert, we tried the Praline Banana Pudding. Amazing! Not overly sweet. I would love to get it again. It was very crowded. Definitely recommend getting a reservation. We didn't know and had walked in, so we were only available to be sat at the bar. Service was very friendly. It did take some time to get food and serviced, however it was basically a full house! So I understand. The place is so lively and everyone there, staff and customers included, were so friendly and nice. It makes you feel so welcome to eat there! Overall, a spot I would love to come back to if I revisit NOLA.

    Christine M.

    I'm not a huge fried chicken fan, I only eat it when my husband craves it But this is suppose to be THE spot for it in NOLA. So we had to try. Reservations were fully booked, but I'm so glad when we walked in, they were able to squeeze us in shortly. We had a party of 8 so we had two tables side by side which was totally fine. WHOOHOO Very swanky old school but clean and new vibes. There was a DJ playing music, and some folks were even dancing. Very fun. Chicken - it was very juicy but the skin wasn't that crispy. Solid but its fine, nothing special to me. seafood gumbo - now this was pretty tasty. lots of seafood and hearty. The sides were fine. Overall a nice visit, and glad we didn't have to wait long! I'll be on the look out for more fried chicken when the hubs comes along.

    Menu
    Tasha W.

    Willie Mae's NOLA Restaurant is a must visit. Although we didn't see anything about it on the website, the restaurant appears to be reservation-only, even for bar seating. We walked in without a reservation and were initially told they were only seating guests with reservations. I asked if there were any openings, explaining that we were not aware, we were visiting from out of town, and heading to the airport later that day. Since there were only two of us, the host kindly said he would try to squeeze us in. For that, I am thankful. We ended up with seats at the bar, which was perfectly fine with us. The restaurant features high ceilings, modern, natural, earthy décor, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. There was also a DJ playing, adding to the lively, upbeat vibe without overwhelming the space. I ordered the gumbo and fried okra. The gumbo was loaded with sausage, shrimp, and crab, making it hearty and flavorful. The fried okra was crispy on the outside without being dried out inside. My daughter ordered the fried chicken with yams and macaroni and cheese. She didn't have much to say about the sides, but she thoroughly enjoyed the fried chicken. I tried some myself and thought it was excellent. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and welcoming, and the overall atmosphere was fun and energetic. The only downside was the restrooms. There were two gender-neutral, single-stall bathrooms, which were convenient, but they could have been a tad bit cleaner. Overall, the quality of the food, the decor, and vibe made this a great way to end our trip!

    Taste of New Orleans
    Aliyah S.

    This some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. Which is crazy to think but it's no lie. The crunchiness and juiciness is undeniable. Anddddd the damn candies yams are the best I've ever had at a restaurant. I literally ordered some to go because they were so good. I can see why this place is so recommended because the flavor is all there. Whewww I miss it already. lol

    Gumbo
    Olivia A.

    Sometimes you just need a good Southern comfort meal, and this definitely delivered. The gumbo was our appetizer and it was very good. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and easily the star of the plate. I wish I could've tried yams but they were out for the day. The potato wedges were perfectly seasoned, the mac & cheese was creamy, and the cabbage added a nice balance which was so flavorful. The cornbread was warm, buttery, and the perfect finishing touch. Portions are generous, so come hungry. I'd absolutely order this again the next time I'm craving comfort food. The restaurant itself was very nice and Our waitress was friendly and my only complaint would be having to wait an extra 15-20 minutes even after our reservation time.

    Interior
    Jyreka N.

    I really liked this place. It had charm, it had posh & how they somehow mixed the southern style with posh and created Willie Mae's! It was clean & decorated nicely with crisp edges everywhere i looked. I can't explain it but there's something about how southern food is plated that either or makes it or breaks it for me & i love that they know what they were doing. I sat at the bar because no reservation. I had the fried shrimp, yams, mac and cheese & green beans. My only complaint is the yams texture. (It was kinda like baby food, I like mine still a little whole and not so purreed but flavor was on point- didnt hold it against them.) It was nicely presented and the server took excellent care of me. I was too stuffed to order anything else.

    1/2 fried bird with side of Mac n cheese and potato salad

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    Willie Mae’s NOLA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Willie Mae’s NOLA

    When is happy hour?

    When a few food Items also drinks are mark down for about 3 to 4 hours.

    How is the parking?

    There is street parking around the restaurant, and not too busy there depending on the time of day. A couple of lots within walking distance too. But that will of course change with special events and weekdays and the like.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Southerns - Boudin Balls

    Southerns

    4.4(176 reviews)
    7.9 mi
    $$

    I came here under advice of my lovely nephew. I ordered the original chicken sandwich-mild, an…read moreorder of fries, and a drink. My order was delivered to me in a short time and I set to eat. Guys, it was THE BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH I'D EVER HAD. It was lava hot, juicy, and greasy. It was also absolutely delicious. I was concerned that the thigh meat was going to taste different. But I could not tell.The fries were crinkle cut, but were seasoned well. Didn't even need ketchup for them. The place is very clean and they had 80s music playing in the background, my favorite decade of music. Not surprising, being an 80s kid. The damage all told, including a tip, was $25. Is it expensive? Yes. Is the quality and quantity of the food commensurate to the price? Also yes. Is it worth the hype? ABSOLUTELY YES. I was also informed there's a Hammond location. I will definitely bring my family there, as it's closer, to try them out as well.

    With its humble beginnings from a food truck to several locations around southern Louisiana. Please…read morerefer to the website for locations. We went to the restaurant in New Orleans (Metairie). It is off Veterans Blvd. It is on the right side as you are driving east. Please be on the lookout. Otherwise, you might pass it by. Tends to spring up and drive by. We almost missed it. This is a fantastic location! Kinda tight and almost missed it. Parking is very limited. If you get discouraged you cannot find a good parking spot. I believe you may park on back street? Do not hold me to that. Worst case, you can always get your order to go. It was our first time. We were curious about and not many restaurants offer fresh made pork cracklings. Usually you have to buy it at a local market or know someone. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They briefly went over a few recommendations. We started with of course, order of adobo fresh pork cracklings. Adobo or traditional** crispy pork belly, adobo sauce, topped with garlic peanut rub Southerns Queso burger - 6 oz. beef patty*, pickled jalapeño, queso, beer battered onion ring with order of fries. Tender meal - Choose your spice level. 3 jumbo chicken tenders, fries, and tender sauce. (Mild) Southerns Original Chicken Sandwich - Choose your spice level. Boneless chicken thigh, Yuzu aioli, slaw, housemade pickle. (Mild) I was curious about the Phuket Sauce. So I got an order too. This tastes great! Not spicy at all. Do not let the pepper fool you. It has a little kick but not spicy at all. All are well seasoned. Few of them you can choose your spice level. We all washed down with fountain drinks. They do offer catering services and possibly call ahead ordering. Please reach out to them for options. If you are in the mood for something different but great food. Give them a try if in the area.

    Photos
    Southerns - Metairie store menu and front counter - September 2024

    Metairie store menu and front counter - September 2024

    Southerns - Mardi Gras Burger

    Mardi Gras Burger

    Southerns - The furniture is super heavyweight, can definitely hold up any big back

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    The furniture is super heavyweight, can definitely hold up any big back

    Café Amelie - Pork chops and grits

    Café Amelie

    4.3(3.3k reviews)
    1.2 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    We had an absolutely exceptional dinner at Café Amélie tonight! With the recent rain, the usual…read morepotent French Quarter street smells were washed away, leaving the air beautifully fresh and the temperatures perfectly cool. Though pop-up showers were still lingering, my husband and I decided to take a gamble on courtyard dining--and I am so glad we did! Sheltered under the green umbrellas surrounded by historic brick walls, lush greenery, and rain-kissed citrus trees, the atmosphere was incredibly romantic and peaceful. The courtyard's intimate layout even brought a bit of extra magic to our evening. We sat near another wonderful couple (and their adorable daughter) and became fast friends, sharing laughs and conversation throughout the night. What truly anchored the experience, though, was the incredible service. The staff was remarkably personable, helpful, and welcoming. The dinner itself was excellent from start to finish, showcasing immense culinary skill across every dish. We started with the delicious brussels sprouts and a uniquely seasoned spring/summer gumbo that was unlike any version we've had before (oh, what I would give for the recipe). As for the entrées, the shrimp and grits were phenomenal, and the blackened catfish sandwich with a fresh salad was executed flawlessly...and the bread pudding was fantastic, too! It is rare to find an experience where top-tier hospitality, a breathtaking environment, and great food come together so (seemingly) effortlessly. Café Amélie is an absolute must-visit! We will be back.

    We were walking around open to going anywhere for dinner and it was fairly early for dinner. We…read morecame across Cafe Amelie and it looked cute inside and was able to get sat right away. The host was extremely welcoming and friendly. Our server and helpers were over quickly to drop off waters and greet us. I ended up ordered the salmon. With it being so early and only one or 2 other tables besides my friend and me, the food did take longer to come out than I expected it to. Both of us did thoroughly enjoy what we got. The salmon was crispy on the outside with a nice sauce over it. We thought we'd have time to get dessert so we ordered a couple but that too took a very long time. We finally waved down our server to cancel and get the check since we had to be somewhere and he apologized and said their WiFi was going in and out so it could be that it was registering on the kitchen side. That may have explained why our entrees took too long. If it wasn't for the service and the food being great - I would not be thrilled about timing. We got there around 5:30p and had to leave by 7:15p so an almost 2 hours experience that probably could have been 1 hour.

    Photos
    Café Amelie - The dining room as we were leaving.

    The dining room as we were leaving.

    Café Amelie - Spring salad

    Spring salad

    Café Amelie - Shrimp and grits

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    Shrimp and grits

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - One leg one thigh and max and cheese.

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    0.5 miWarehouse District, Lower Garden District
    $$

    We stumbled upon Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken while exploring New Orleans, and I'm so glad we…read moredid! The fried chicken was the star--served hot and fresh, perfectly crispy on the outside, and incredibly juicy on the inside. Just good, classic Southern fried chicken done right. The sides were great, but the fried green tomatoes are a MUST. They were fresh, crispy, flavorful, and had the perfect crunch without being greasy. This was also my first time ever trying chess pie, and WOW! It was absolutely to die for--rich, sweet, buttery, and the perfect ending to the meal. The service was friendly and welcoming, and everything came out fresh. Sometimes the best food spots are the ones you just happen to stumble upon. Great fried chicken, delicious sides, amazing chess pie, and friendly service. Definitely a 5-star New Orleans stop!

    Oh my lanta, even thinking about this place is making my mouth water. I've traveled alot in the…read moresouth for work and driven to and from FL TX and CA and this is one of those places you hear about and figure you have to visit. Well I visited and MAN did I enjoy the spicy fried chicken. The crunchy exterior, juicy meat and hearty sides following by a slice of perfect pie washed down by a beverage of your choose your choice-choo-choosing makes it evident why the chicken crossed the road- to get to Gus's You order at the counter and in my case, take a seat and enjoy one of the many tables in an open seating area it lens itself from one person table, top to multiple people in larger parties. You sit and chill and it's brought out to your table which I think is a nice touch of customer service. What happens next is nothing short of Magic. This isn't Gus's county, famous or city, famous municipality, famous state, famous, or even region famous chicken: it's Gus's world famous fried chicken.

    Photos
    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Comfortable

    Comfortable

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - White chicken wing and breast

    White chicken wing and breast

    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken - Dark chicken drumstick and thigh

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    Dark chicken drumstick and thigh

    Willie Mae’s NOLA - soulfood - Updated September 2026

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