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Mother's

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Emily
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4 out of 5
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15
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Editor Pick

Just as Good as I Remembered

  • June 27, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by MilwVon from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Just as Good as I Remembered

Having been here in New Orleans for the SHRM Conference in 2004, Mother's was something familiar and safe for our first night in town. It was good to know that they've been around since 1938, so it was a safe bet they'd still be here five years later.

We arrived at around 7:30pm and as before, there was a line of around 20 people waiting to get into the place. This is a good sign as they control the number of patrons they allow in to avoid crowding in the front area of the restaurant. It is in this front area where you walk by (still in line) to see the various items they have available . . . including jambalaya, beans & rice, shrimp creole, seafood gumbo and their world famous po boys.

The steam table is probably the best way to figure out what the various Creole and Cajun food items are. Folks in front of us asked "So what is etoufee?" or "How is gumbo different that jambalaya?" I had to wonder how many times a day do these patient locals have to answer the same touristy questions. Admittedly, shrimp creole in Milwaukee is nothing like what you get in New Orleans.

In addition to traditional creole items, you can also find southern faves like fried chicken, shrimp (fried or broiled) and seafood platters. They also have some wonderful desserts including homemade pecan pie, warm bread pudding and brownies.

They are most known for their assortment of cut meats, especially the baked ham and roast beef. Served breakfast, lunch and dinner . . . you can't go wrong with a po boy sandwich and fries at Mother's.

Once you walk through the line, place and pay for your order, you are given your beverages (soft drinks, iced tea and beer available) and are off to find a table. Because of how they control the traffic in, you are assured to find a table. Once seated a server greets you, takes your receipt and returns shortly with your meal.

As for dinner, I had the shrimp creole and a slice of the pecan pie. David enjoyed his jambalaya and a blueberry muffin. Both dishes were served with a nice chuck of french loaf bread & butter. We had the "regular" sized dish, but you can order a cup or meal size (which looked huge). At $8.50-$8.75 the regular sized serving was plenty and at a very fair price.

With a soft drink or iced tea, our meal came to $32.00 for the two of us. As a way of comparison, their dinner meals (shrimp or seafood platters for example) were $15.00.

Mother's is not in the French Quarter area but on Poydras in the Warehouse District . . . approximately four blocks for Harrah's Casino and about a mile from the convention center. It is very convenient for those looking for a quick bite within walking distance of the many hotels in this area of the city.

Mother's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner . . . seven days a week . . . 7:00am - 10:00pm. There is parking nearby and they will validate your parking while dining with them. For more information including their menu (dining and catering) go to www.mothersrestaurant.net.

ADDED 7/1/09: Today we stopped into Mother's for breakfast. It was outstanding. The breakfast special was $9.00 and included two eggs, grits, choice of meat and toast or biscuits plus coffee. Both of us had the ham since that is what they are most known for. It did not disappoint. The biscuits (yes two of them) were homemade and outstanding! I've added a couple of photos from our breakfast.

From journal Dining in New Orleans

Mother's

  • July 6, 2006
  • Rated 2 of 5 by ronanusa from Goose Creek, South Carolina
Mother's has New Orleans foods. They had mostly sandwiches. I had a catfish poughboy. It was good, but it wasn't worth the $5 for half a sandwich. My friend's debris was interesting. It was basically scraps from the kitchen thrown together in rice. The dining area wasn't particularly clean, but it wasn't in danger of a health code violation either. The place is/was in walking distance of the Superdome.

From journal Pre-Katrina New Orleans

Mother's

  • January 11, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by kimgallegos from Hardy, Virginia
You may stand in line at Mother's to get in. Be patient because the wait is definitely worth it. We both got the breakfast special which includes two eggs any style, grits, biscuits or toast, and choice of meat. I also ordered a side of "debris" or their homemade gravy (they are famous for it). My friend also got red beans and rice.

It is best to keep moving once you are at the counter placing your order--they are busy and don't hesitate to tell you to speed it up. Know what you want beforehand.

From journal A Week in New Orleans--Pre-Katrina

Mother's

  • August 17, 2005
  • Rated 3 of 5 by simplerich from Des Moines, Iowa
The ordering process is strange, but there's a man at the door to explain it to you. This was the first place I ate in New Orleans, and it was a good introduction to both the pace of dining in New Orleans and the food. The food is good. The pace is almost uniformly not fast. Dining in New Orleans isn't about fast food, even at a fast-food place. It's about the eating. Don't eat fast. Don't think you're going to eat fast. Eat to enjoy it and the company. Oh, I recommend the ham.

From journal 3-Week Business Trip to the French Quarter

Editor Pick

Mother's

  • July 1, 2004
  • Rated 3 of 5 by MilwVon from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
DO NOT LET THE LINES OUTSIDE KEEP YOU AWAY FROM THIS WONDERFUL HOMESTYLE DINING EXPERIENCE!!

You will frequently see lines outside the restaurant but this is just to control the serving line inside. They allow approximately 10 people at a time "inside." With a walk through ordering system, you will have ample time to see the food being prepared for other guests as you decide what to order. Once you've ordered and paid for your meal, you help yourself to a table where a server will greet you and bring your meal when it's ready. Tipping is not permitted.

The menu offers everything you'd hope for while dining in New Orleans. Jambalaya, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, red beans/rice and baked ham are some of their specialties. Fried foods such as shrimp, calamari and chicken are also offered. They are "world famous" for their Po-Boys (that's sub type sandwiches for us northerners).

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner I enjoyed dining here several times during my week's stay in New Orleans. It is within walking distance of many of the CBD hotels and Harrah's Casino. Breakfast featured cooked to order eggs and omeletes, a variety of meats, as well as wonderful homemade biscuits.

From journal New Orleans in the Summer

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