Joey K's
3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA
Uptown 2: Washington To Napoleon
It's a classic New Orleans casual menu that stops short of being a cliche. They take all of the cooking seriously, something best seen in the daily specials. Many customers know exactly which day to be there for what. Portions are almost grossly oversize, and if that's not enough, they have an all-you-can-eat catfish deal that runs every day. Despite that, seafood in general is a strong suit here.
Anecdotes & Analysis
The rebirth of Magazine Street from a place with few restaurants into one with many began with the opening of Joey K's. Even though many Uptown bistros appeared along Magazine a few years before, it wasn't until casual, inexpensive neighborhood eat shops began popping up that the Street Of Dreams became a phenomenon. Joey K's was the first such eatery. With slightly modernized versions of the classic New Orleans neighborhood restaurant, it grabbed the attention of a wide range of diners. These ranged from dressed-up Uptowners taking a break from renovating their nearby cottages to college students who liked the low prices and big portions. Two decades and one reverse renovation layer, Joey's K's keeps its attractions and stays busy.
Backstory
Joey K's opened in 1992, when neighborhood restaurants were in steep decline around town. In its early years the restaurant was self-consciously nostalgic, serving famous dishes that not many people ate in restaurants anymore. When neighborhood joints had a resurgence, particularly after Katrina,. Joey K's was a perfect example of the genre--especially after owners Sam and Cindy Farnet brought the antique decor that had been hiding under modren [sic] paneling back to light.
Dining Room
A big room has big windows on two sides (it's literally a corner cafe), with some nooks and crannies here and there for added space. The place looks (and is) much older than the current restaurant. Although it looks like the kind of place where the main clientele would be cab drivers and cops, in fact you see the entire assortment of Orleanians here. The wait stuff is fun.
Why It's Essential
It's a super-neighborhood restaurant, drawing customers from all over town with a menu bigger than is usually found in places that look like this. All the essential dishes of casual New Orleans eating are here, from beans and jambalaya to seafood platters and great old-time daily specials.
Why It's Good
It's a classic New Orleans casual menu that stops short of being a cliche. They take all of the cooking seriously, something best seen in the daily specials. Many customers know exactly which day to be there for what. Portions are almost grossly oversize, and if that's not enough, they have an all-you-can-eat catfish deal that runs every day. Despite that, seafood in general is a strong suit here.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>starters</strong></em> Gumbo Grilled tuna salad Shrimp remoulade salad Fried artichoke hearts Red beans & rice <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em> Hamburger steak, brown gravy Fried chicken Shrimp Magazine (sautéed in olive oil, garlic, artichoke, Ham, green onions, angel-hair pasta) Trout Tchoupitoulas (sauteed, shrimp, crabmeat) Rib eye steak Fried catfish (all you can eat) Fried oysters, shrimp, soft-shell crab or combo Eggplant Napoleon (fried medallions, fried shrimp, crawfish cream sauce) Veal, chicken or eggplant parmesan, angel hair pasta <em><strong>Daily specials</strong></em> White beans, fried pork chop Corned beef and cabbage Beef brisket, rice, gravy, cabbage Bell pepper stuffed with ground beef and shrimp Lima beans, ham hock Chicken Cordon Bleu Creole jambalaya Shrimp & mushroom fettuccini Fried fish tacos Liver & onions, mashed potatoes and green peas Braised lamb shank <em><strong>Sandwiches</strong></em> Fried oyster, shrimp, catfish, or soft-shell crab poor boy Roast beef debris poor boy Grilled Reuben sandwich <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em> Bread pudding, rum sauce Blackberry or apple cobbler a la mode
Deficiencies
Some of the specials swap quantity for careful cooking. The fried seafood is crisp and hot, but the coatings all taste the same.
For Best Results
Order light. They serve too much food here. Don't wear your best clothes. It's usually hard to get a table in the peak of lunchtime.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Environment
1
Hipness
2
Local Color
2
Value