Giorlando's
741 Bonnabel Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005, USA
Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd
Backstory
Giorlando's opened in 1972 as a self-service poor boy shop called the Triple Crown. It kept busy at that endeavor until the hurricane. Then John Giorlando--who took over the restaurant from his father earlier that year--embarked upon a slow but steady program of expansion, both of the facility and the menu. The place has become a full-fledged neighborhood restaurant with table service, wine, and dinner every night.
Dining Room
It looks much nicer inside than the utilitarian exterior suggests. It's decidedly casual, but comfortable enough that it feels like you've gone out to eat, not just grabbed a bite. A surplus of windows adds to the spaciousness. Service may strike some as a little slow, but it's in line with the cook-to-order food.
Why It's Essential
After establishing itself as a maker of excellent poor boys for decades, Giorlando's has grown into a full-service neighborhood restaurant, comparable to the great neighborhood eateries like Mandina's. The menu focuses on seafood and Italian dishes, but it heads off in other directions, particularly in the daily specials. And the poor boys remain as good as ever.
Why It's Good
Despite the upscale move, Giorlando's makes no claim beyond that of cooking good, basic New Orleans style eats. It's prepared to order when frying is involved, and served more generously than you or I really need. The Italian cooking would suit the palate of a child--but most of us never got over our taste for smooth, slightly sweet red sauces.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em><br /> Onion rings<br /> Cheese and gravy fries<br /> »Fried calamari<br /> »Eggplant sticks<br /> Shrimp, artichoke and spinach bread<br /> Spinach artichoke dip<br /> Dinner salad<br /> »Italian salad<br /> Blackened chicken salad<br /> Shrimp or fish salad<br /> House salad<br /> Caesar salad<br /> Chicken club salad<br /> »Shrimp, bacon and avocado salad<br /> <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em><br /> »Meatballs and spaghetti<br /> »Lasagna<br /> Chicken, shrimp and sausage pasta, tomato basil sauce, penne<br /> Shrimp or crawfish ravioli<br /> »Mama G's eggplant, angel hair pasta shrimp au gratin sauce<br /> Shrimp or crawfish fettucini<br /> »Italian sausage and spaghetti<br /> Beef round cutlet and spaghetti<br /> »Chicken alfredo, fettuccine<br /> Grilled chicken tomato basil pasta<br /> Ribeye steak<br /> Hamburger steak<br /> »Eggplant, chicken, or beef round parmigiana<br /> Cheese ravioli<br /> Stuffed crab dinner<br /> Shrimp or crawfish etouffe<br /> »Fried shrimp or oyster dinner<br /> Fried fish dinner<br /> Seafood platter<br /> Cutlet<br /> »Grilled or blackened shrimp<br /> <em><strong>Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> »Muffuletta<br /> <em>Poor boys:</em><br /> »»Roast beef <br /> »Meatball <br /> Barbecue beef <br /> Club <br /> »Fried oyster, fish or shrimp <br /> »Blackened or grilled chicken <br /> Hamburger <br /> Turkey<br /> Ham<br /> »Hot sausage<br /> »Italian sausage<br /> Stuffed crab<br /> Beef round cutlet<br /> Fried potato<br /> <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em><br /> »Banana and white chocolate bread pudding <br /> Chocolate mousse cake<br /> »Cannoli<br /> »Bananas Foster cheesecake<br /> Plain cheesecake<br /> Lemon drop cheesecake<br /> Chocolate lava cake<br /> Chocolate or vanilla ice cream<br />
Deficiencies
If they would toss the pasta with its sauce, the many dishes involving spaghetti would be twice as good.
For Best Results
You will not be insulting the management by getting a roast beef poor boy. It's always been in the ninety-ninth percentile. Sometimes a crush of business at the peak of lunchtime slows things down. They automatically heat the well-stacked muffuletta, but it's better not heated.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
2
Local Color
1
Service
3
Value