Vucinovich's
4510 Michoud Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
New Orleans East
As a ratio of goodness of the food to obscurity, this may be the best restaurant in New Orleans. It's a throwback to another era. No web site, only open for lunch only on weekdays, nothing on the menu even slightly off the standard New Orleans neighborhood eatery beat. But what they cook they cook well, and serve in obscenely large portions at prices that almost make the many nearby Vietnamese restaurants seem expensive.
Anecdotes & Analysis
As a ratio of goodness of the food to obscurity, this may be the best restaurant in New Orleans. It's a throwback to another era. No web site, only open for lunch and then only weekdays, nothing on the menu even slightly off the standard New Orleans neighborhood eatery beat. But what they cook they cook well, and serve in obscenely large portions at prices that almost make the many nearby Vietnamese restaurants seem expensive.
Backstory
Vucinovich's has been a staple in the East since long before the hurricane, and came back shortly after the water went down. Owner Herman Vucinovich is always there, as he is at the Jazz Festival every year, serving fried seafood poor boys.
Dining Room
The dining room cannot be mistaken as anything but a pure local establishment. The walls are covered with memorabilia, from religious items to family photographs to hard-to-figure items. It's a good place to dine in if you have a taste for local color. The owner will engage you in conversation if you've a mind to listen.
Why It's Essential
Once you're past Paris Road heading east on Chef Menteur Highway, if you're hungry you have two choices: the community of good Vietnamese restaurants just past Michoud, or Vucinovich's. The latter is a long-running neighborhood cafe in the local style, with a long list of poor boy sandwiches, the basic seafood platters, and the traditional daily specials. All of these are marked by lower prices than you'd find elsewhere in town and amply-filled platters. People who come here to eat have been doing real work, and need a bellyful.
Why It's Good
The big surprise here is the seafood. Although the list of options is short, everything comes out golden and crisp, in perhaps too large a pile to finish. The "-ich" on the end of the proprietor's name is a good sign; lots of Croatian people hereabouts are in the seafood business, and they help one another. The fried chicken is also good.
Most Interesting Dishes
Poor boy sandwiches. Seafood poor boys. Muffuletta. Chicken or tuna salad. Chef's salad. Daily specials. Fried seafood platters. Fried or grilled chicken.
For Best Results
The daily specials can usually be checked on a recorded message at 504-254-5246. The hours are pretty strict: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Don't consider going later.
Bonus Ratings
1
Local Color
2
Value