New Orleans in 2003 was a city Bourdain absolutely revered, and this Season 2 episode of A Cook’s Tour marked the beginning of his deep, lifelong love affair with the Big Easy. The culinary scene in NOLA is legendary, a deeply rooted, slow-cooked fusion of French, Spanish, West African, and Caribbean influences. From the messy perfection of a fried roast beef po-boy and the intricate layers of a muffuletta to the pure comfort of a backyard crawfish boil, the food here is a religion. Bourdain’s angle was to completely bypass the tourist traps of Bourbon Street and dive straight into the neighborhood joints, dive bars, and swamps where the real, unapologetic culture thrives. He wanted to highlight the city’s unique ability to find profound joy and decadence in everyday life. To truly understand the soul of New Orleans, you have to eat where the locals eat—starting with these iconic spots.
When Anthony Bourdain visited New Orleans on his show A Cook’s Tour, he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are all the addresses and the dishes showcased in a convenient list.
This is A Cook’s Tour, season 2, episode 2. It first aired on February 28, 2003.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN MANHATTAN : ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON NO RESERVATIONS
DISH – Deep Fried Gator Nuggets
WHAT IS IT?
These nuggets were marinated simply by mixing mustard, hot sauce, peppers and breading and then deep fried for crispy goodness. Don’t forget to dip it in cayenne pepper sauce!
“Oh, That’s good–That is good. Golden brown crust dip in a cayenne pepper sauce and mmmm~ it’s rep-delicious!” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Zam’s Swamp Tours
141 Kraemer Bayou Rd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, United States
New Orleans, United States
NOTES
“I hate to say that it tastes like chicken, it’s such a cliché but it kinda—it-it is chicken-y”, said Anthony.
DISH – Frosty Ice Cup
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain looks for something sweet and tasty in New Orleans and finds a Frosty Ice Cup from Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, a crushed ice mixed with homemade syrup and then topped with condensed milk.
“Whatever their secret, the Hansens had made me feel welcome” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Hansen’s Sno-Bliz
4801 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115, United States
New Orleans, United States
NOTES
The restaurant was temporarily closed at the time of publishing this article.
Anthony jokingly said that the secret of Hansen’s Sno-Bliz is that NASA is involved in their state-of-the-art machine.
DISH – Local Beer
WHAT IS IT?
While Anthony Bourdain is having his laundry done, he goes into the bar called Check Point Charlie in New Orleans. They offer beers and other beverages as well as some food. There sometimes are live bands, too.
WHERE IS IT?
Check Point Charlie
501 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
New Orleans, United States
DISH – “Soul Food”
WHAT IS IT?
Harbor Restaurant & Lounge is a cafeteria-style restaurant. You can mix and match a lot of food. Anthony picked ham hock, some vegetables and a cornbread to complete his meal.
“Don’t be fooled by the cafeteria-style service. This stuff is so good—What do they say down here? It makes you wanna smack your mama” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Harbor Restaurant & Lounge
2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117-7802
New Orleans, United States
NOTES
This restaurant has since closed.
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DISH – “Real New Orleans Food” – Anthony Bourdain New Orleans
WHAT IS IT?
They started with appetizers. First, shrimp and alligator sausage. Second, cheesecake made with gouda cheese, cream cheese, parmesan, alligator sausage and shrimp. Next is sauteed chicken livers with brown gravy and soy sauce. Next is Roast Beef Po-Boy : they hollowed the bread out and inserted the beef, cheese, peppers, then dipped in egg wash and flour and then fried up. Their special is called Godzilla, a softshell crab topped with fried green tomatoes, fried eggplant and topped with a crab chile hollandaise. And last but not the least, the legendary fried chicken.
“No problem, ahh that’s so good” as said by Anthony while binging on shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake.
WHERE IS IT?
Jacques-Imo’s
8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States
New Orleans, United States
NOTES – Anthony Bourdain New Orleans
“Jacques-Imo’s is one of the most swinging joints in New Orleans local scene” said Anthony.
DISH – Jambalaya – Anthony Bourdain New Orleans
WHAT IS IT?
Creole cuisine is a mix of French, Spanish and African influnces unique to Louisiana. Jambalaya is a Creole standard. Made with smoked sausage, onions, celery and bell pepper, tomato sauce, water, spices and lastly, rice all goes in one pot.
“I’m very happy and this is my first jambalaya experience” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Tee Eva’s
5201 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115
New Orleans, United States
DISH – Muffuletta – Anthony Bourdain New Orleans
WHAT IS IT?
A muffuletta is a sandwich piled with salami, mortadella, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone and olive salad.
WHERE IS IT? – Anthony Bourdain New Orleans
Verti Marte
1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
New Orleans, United States
DISH – “Local Food and Drink” – A Cook’s Tour New Orleans
WHAT IS IT? – A Cook’s Tour New Orleans
Vaughn’s Lounge is a bar located in the 9th ward. It was established in 1959.
WHERE IS IT? – A Cook’s Tour New Orleans
Vaughan’s Lounge
4229 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117, United States
New Orleans, United States
READ MORE: Anthony Bourdain in New Orleans: All of the restaurants picked by Anthony Bourdain on The Layover
This early foray into New Orleans is historically significant for establishing Bourdain’s enduring connection to a city he would fiercely champion for the rest of his life, especially post-Katrina. It highlighted his profound respect for the unique, unvarnished culture of the American South and the deeply ingrained culinary traditions that define it. He showed us that the best of NOLA is found in its neighborhood bars, corner stores, and the warm hospitality of its people. The episode remains a vibrant, essential guide to the city’s true flavors. Let the good times roll, order a po-boy, and experience the magic of New Orleans yourself.
