"You visit another city and they "claim" to have Cajun food - but you know better." ~From You Know You're From New Orleans If..

On the corner of Toulouse and Decatur Streets is Cafe Maspero, where Andrew Jackson discussed plans for the Battle of New Orleans with Privateer Jean Lafitte. I arrived just when the restaurant opened at 10 or 11am. It's always better to get there when it opens, because lines tend to wrap around the building until 1pm. The restaurant is surrounded by French doors that can open on humid days and a bar with a variety of drinks. Brick columns stand in the middle of the room with paintings, and there is even a wall portrait of the city on the back wall. The restaurant served Creole, New Orleans-style dishes.

This has been my favorite lunch place since my high school days. It's cheat, fast and oh-my-god good. If it's pouring down rain and a line of people are stretched around the corner don't be surprised. The line moves fast and it's worth the wait. If you order seafood they will bring you horseradish and ketcup (you have to make your own cocktail sauce). Their tartar sauce is the best on the Gulf Coast! Just thinking about it makes me want to go!!!