Mother's Restaurant
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My friend wanted to stop here for gumbo, I haven't been here in many years but I do remember that they had a good etouffee omelette. He insisted on gumbo. The people here are great, it's a very old restaurant with a lot of pictures and nostalgic memories. You place your order and find a seat, they bring the food to you. The gumbo was not the best, I would recommend trying other items on the menu.
I took a six day trip to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. On my first day, I stayed in New Orleans. I was staying in the Central Business District, and one of the hotel employees suggested that we walk down the street to Mother's. Best advice we could have gotten! Atmosphere was relaxed, busy, easy, friendly. Order at the cash register and pay. Food is brought to your table. Out of my entire week of traveling, Mother's won for best Po Boy. I had a fried oyster and shrimp Po Boy and it was perfect. Perfectly fried, perfectly seasoned, perfectly delicious. I am now forever spoiled by Mother's for all future Po Boys. Service was very friendly and extremely genuine. The woman seated by the door who gave us a little bit of an intro as we walked in said "God bless you," as we walked out. Her energy, and Mother's energy, was heartfelt and real. Fried oyster and shrimp Po Boy at Mother's. God bless.
I went bright and early in the morning to grab a quick breakfast before heading over to a convention. There was a bit of line, but when they let us in at 7AM, there was just enough space inside to accommodate everyone. I found out there that the early bird special isn't offered on the weekends, but I ordered an egg biscuit and a cup of coffee at the counter. After sitting for a bit with the receipt on my table, a server came by to collect the receipt and bring me my plate. The biscuit was huge and served with a square of butter and some blueberry jelly. I ordered my egg scrambled, and while it wasn't the creamiest French scramble, the helping of eggs was generous and not too overcooked. The biscuit wasn't as fluffy or buttery as I thought it would be, but it was still hearty and a good vehicle for the butter and jelly. It wasn't super dry, but the coffee was good to add a little flavor and moisture to the whole thing. For an institution described as "a tourist trap" I felt this was a much better no-frills option compared to some fancy restaurants and boring fast food options around the area, especially for breakfast. The staff were really welcoming and I could see why there was no shortage of customers even in the early hours.
Hole in the wall type of restaurant. Great vibes. Definitely worth trying for good local food. Service is good. Quick. People are friendly. Food is good. Tastes like home cooking. The crawfish etouffee is good. I think crawfish had a more seafood taste than shrimp and you can taste that in this dish. You get to choose your own sides.
We come here every time we're in NOLA. The service could be better. Came in around 4pm on a Friday, it wasn't busy. The girls that work the register were sitting on the floor on their phones as we waited to place our order. They had 5 people behind the counter but only one person was making the plates. the jambalaya was sooooo salty. Like, unbearably salty. The crawfish etoufee was the best in the combination plate. The bread pudding was alright or Maybe I'm not a bread pudding person
The food was ok, but we definitely enjoyed the biscuits. The service is cafeteria style. The ambiance could be a little loud because they seem to be always busy. No reservations, just walked in. We definitely waited in a very long line. I tried the shrimp po boy, the shrimp was good. I probably could've just enjoyed the friend shrimp by itself.
Great, lively atmosphere and definitely a no-frills kind of spot, which honestly is how you know the food is going to be good. You usually stand in line to place your order first, then grab your food and find a table yourself. If you plan to dine in, just note there's a small difference in pricing since takeout has additional packaging fees, and paying cash is slightly cheaper than card. Something I noticed around NOLA is that many establishments add a credit card fee, and Mother's is no exception. I ordered the jambalaya and gumbo, and they did not disappoint. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful, comforting, and exactly what you hope for when coming to a classic New Orleans institution. Sadly, I didn't get to try one of their po' boys this time, which seems like a must for next visit. Still, Mother's is one of those places where the look and feel alone tells you you've made a solid choice. No gimmicks, just really good, dependable food in a bustling local setting.
The portions are good and it's a great place to get a variety of local cuisine. Hubby had the half-and-half seafood +2 sides, which were included in the price. His food was pretty good. They make their own tartar sauce and cocktail sauce from scratch which were tasty and a nice addition. I had the Ferdi Po' Boy special and a side of turnip greens. It was just OK. I found that the debris on it was kind of dry and I could've done without it. The turnip greens were tasty but a little on the salty side. I was a little disappointed with the Ferdi and wish I had gotten something else. Service was friendly and the ambiance is an unpretentious very laid-back place. It can use some dusting and cleaning though, it's obvious that the pictures hung on the wall have been there for many many years and they looked kind of grease-laden and filmy. I really would give this place a 3.5 but rounded up to a 4 because although I didn't care for my food that much, hubby really liked his.
Lunch for one. Looked out my hotel window and saw it, Mother's, and decided to try it!! I did not like the gumbo at all. I am not from New Orleans, but my gumbo tastes better. The young lady at the register was very kind and helpful. I was the only one in line, and once I placed my order, I turned around to find the line out the door, so maybe I ordered the wrong thing. A laid-back, very casual spot.
What we ordered: The mother's breakfast with sausage and biscuit Egg and meat biscuit with smoke sausage and cheese Jambalaya and gumbo Debris grits with a side of biscuits Holy. Cow. The flavors hit every single bite in every single dish. These plates were absolutely amazing and tasted incredible. This is a local's spot for soul food that was recommended to us by our Uber driver. Prices are fantastic, the atmosphere reminds me of a classier Waffle House, and as I've already said- the food incredible! Highly recommend! The staff was very friendly too. Know to order before picking a seat.
I gotta give it up for Mother's! Recombined by a dear friend in Chicago and several locals here in Nola. This place is no joke. Old school Nola spot with the looks and authentic you can only find in Nola. Fortunately I came in the week after Marti gras and it was busy but not insane as I am sure it was during the big party. The host is an older man who I would believe is familiar and well and a women whom I believe is as well. They have a cash price discount which is cool as I use cards but generally cash all cash. When I paid the cashier refund me a few bucks for using cash. He didn't have to tell me but he did. this is huge. Yep, I'm that fell that has my spending cash wrapped upon rubber bands. Old habits die hard. First you order off the paper menu at the counter from a lot of incredible items an exactly what I came for. They have ice water glasses ready for you at the counter to help yourself too. I had a hard time even deciding it all looked sooo good. After much hemming and hawing ... ...I went with the Crawfish Étouffee Omelet and a side order of grits with cheese. Off the hook was his dish. Plump with crawfish and beautiful cheesy grits it was savory and cheesy and simply true Nola breakfast. I topped it off with some of Mother's HOMEMADE hot sauce which is on every table. YES they sell it by the bottle and I took two! The best. I finished off with a regular size bowl of Seafood Gumbo. A dark rue with rise and chock full of of oysters and shrimp and crawfish. I topped it with the same homemade hot sauce you cannot miss out on. The decor is, well, Nola style. Old building, original art, cool creative decor and big tables to accommodate any size party. The service is great! They are attentive and straightforward and BUSY!. You hand the server your receipt when ou sit at a table and they find you. I mean I'm going bak in the morning for more you can bet that. You gotta try this place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Mother's SCREAMS Nola!!
If you're looking for authentic New Orleans comfort food without everything being overloaded with salt, Mother's is definitely worth a stop. The food was flavorful, satisfying, and reminded me of the kind of home-style meals you'd find at The Pantry in Los Angeles. Every bite tasted well-seasoned without being overpowering, which can be hard to find with Southern comfort food. The restaurant has that classic New Orleans energy. It's busy, lively, and clearly a favorite among both locals and visitors. Seating can be limited during peak times, so I'd recommend getting there early if you can. The customer service was outstanding. The staff brought that genuine Southern hospitality that makes you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. Friendly, attentive, and always willing to help. Easily a 10/10 experience on the service side. One surprise was the Bloody Mary. They use a pre-made mix, but don't let that fool you. It was incredibly flavorful, balanced, and one of the better Bloody Marys I've had. Overall, great food, great service, and a true New Orleans experience. Definitely a place I'd visit again when I'm back in N'awlins. read more
5 days ago
My friend wanted to stop here for gumbo, I haven't been here in many years but I do remember that they had a good etouffee omelette. He insisted on gumbo. The people here are great, it's a very old restaurant with a lot of pictures and nostalgic memories. You place your order and find a seat, they bring the food to you. The gumbo was not the best, I would recommend trying other items on the menu. read more
I took a six day trip to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. On my first day, I stayed in New Orleans. I was staying in the Central Business District, and one of the hotel employees suggested that we walk down the street to Mother's. Best advice we could have gotten! Atmosphere was relaxed, busy, easy, friendly. Order at the cash register and pay. Food is brought to your table. Out of my entire week of traveling, Mother's won for best Po Boy. I had a fried oyster and shrimp Po Boy and it was perfect. Perfectly fried, perfectly seasoned, perfectly delicious. I am now forever spoiled by Mother's for all future Po Boys. Service was very friendly and extremely genuine. The woman seated by the door who gave us a little bit of an intro as we walked in said "God bless you," as we walked out. Her energy, and Mother's energy, was heartfelt and real. Fried oyster and shrimp Po Boy at Mother's. God bless. read more
I went bright and early in the morning to grab a quick breakfast before heading over to a convention. There was a bit of line, but when they let us in at 7AM, there was just enough space inside to accommodate everyone. I found out there that the early bird special isn't offered on the weekends, but I ordered an egg biscuit and a cup of coffee at the counter. After sitting for a bit with the receipt on my table, a server came by to collect the receipt and bring me my plate. The biscuit was huge and served with a square of butter and some blueberry jelly. I ordered my egg scrambled, and while it wasn't the creamiest French scramble, the helping of eggs was generous and not too overcooked. The biscuit wasn't as fluffy or buttery as I thought it would be, but it was still hearty and a good vehicle for the butter and jelly. It wasn't super dry, but the coffee was good to add a little flavor and moisture to the whole thing. For an institution described as "a tourist trap" I felt this was a much better no-frills option compared to some fancy restaurants and boring fast food options around the area, especially for breakfast. The staff were really welcoming and I could see why there was no shortage of customers even in the early hours. read more
Hole in the wall type of restaurant. Great vibes. Definitely worth trying for good local food. Service is good. Quick. People are friendly. Food is good. Tastes like home cooking. The crawfish etouffee is good. I think crawfish had a more seafood taste than shrimp and you can taste that in this dish. You get to choose your own sides. read more
We come here every time we're in NOLA. The service could be better. Came in around 4pm on a Friday, it wasn't busy. The girls that work the register were sitting on the floor on their phones as we waited to place our order. They had 5 people behind the counter but only one person was making the plates. the jambalaya was sooooo salty. Like, unbearably salty. The crawfish etoufee was the best in the combination plate. The bread pudding was alright or Maybe I'm not a bread pudding person read more
The food was ok, but we definitely enjoyed the biscuits. The service is cafeteria style. The ambiance could be a little loud because they seem to be always busy. No reservations, just walked in. We definitely waited in a very long line. I tried the shrimp po boy, the shrimp was good. I probably could've just enjoyed the friend shrimp by itself. read more
Great, lively atmosphere and definitely a no-frills kind of spot, which honestly is how you know the food is going to be good. You usually stand in line to place your order first, then grab your food and find a table yourself. If you plan to dine in, just note there's a small difference in pricing since takeout has additional packaging fees, and paying cash is slightly cheaper than card. Something I noticed around NOLA is that many establishments add a credit card fee, and Mother's is no exception. I ordered the jambalaya and gumbo, and they did not disappoint. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful, comforting, and exactly what you hope for when coming to a classic New Orleans institution. Sadly, I didn't get to try one of their po' boys this time, which seems like a must for next visit. Still, Mother's is one of those places where the look and feel alone tells you you've made a solid choice. No gimmicks, just really good, dependable food in a bustling local setting. read more
The portions are good and it's a great place to get a variety of local cuisine. Hubby had the half-and-half seafood +2 sides, which were included in the price. His food was pretty good. They make their own tartar sauce and cocktail sauce from scratch which were tasty and a nice addition. I had the Ferdi Po' Boy special and a side of turnip greens. It was just OK. I found that the debris on it was kind of dry and I could've done without it. The turnip greens were tasty but a little on the salty side. I was a little disappointed with the Ferdi and wish I had gotten something else. Service was friendly and the ambiance is an unpretentious very laid-back place. It can use some dusting and cleaning though, it's obvious that the pictures hung on the wall have been there for many many years and they looked kind of grease-laden and filmy. I really would give this place a 3.5 but rounded up to a 4 because although I didn't care for my food that much, hubby really liked his. read more
2 months ago
Lunch for one. Looked out my hotel window and saw it, Mother's, and decided to try it!! I did not like the gumbo at all. I am not from New Orleans, but my gumbo tastes better. The young lady at the register was very kind and helpful. I was the only one in line, and once I placed my order, I turned around to find the line out the door, so maybe I ordered the wrong thing. A laid-back, very casual spot. read more
Oh my goodness this space is fun! I thoroughly enjoyed my vegetable omelette and the homemade biscuit with the raspberry jam. We had just arrived and we were very hungry and needed a quick place to eat. This place is very popular as it was very busy. Glad that we stopped by. read more
What we ordered: The mother's breakfast with sausage and biscuit Egg and meat biscuit with smoke sausage and cheese Jambalaya and gumbo Debris grits with a side of biscuits Holy. Cow. The flavors hit every single bite in every single dish. These plates were absolutely amazing and tasted incredible. This is a local's spot for soul food that was recommended to us by our Uber driver. Prices are fantastic, the atmosphere reminds me of a classier Waffle House, and as I've already said- the food incredible! Highly recommend! The staff was very friendly too. Know to order before picking a seat. read more
3 months ago
I gotta give it up for Mother's! Recombined by a dear friend in Chicago and several locals here in Nola. This place is no joke. Old school Nola spot with the looks and authentic you can only find in Nola. Fortunately I came in the week after Marti gras and it was busy but not insane as I am sure it was during the big party. The host is an older man who I would believe is familiar and well and a women whom I believe is as well. They have a cash price discount which is cool as I use cards but generally cash all cash. When I paid the cashier refund me a few bucks for using cash. He didn't have to tell me but he did. this is huge. Yep, I'm that fell that has my spending cash wrapped upon rubber bands. Old habits die hard. First you order off the paper menu at the counter from a lot of incredible items an exactly what I came for. They have ice water glasses ready for you at the counter to help yourself too. I had a hard time even deciding it all looked sooo good. After much hemming and hawing ... ...I went with the Crawfish Étouffee Omelet and a side order of grits with cheese. Off the hook was his dish. Plump with crawfish and beautiful cheesy grits it was savory and cheesy and simply true Nola breakfast. I topped it off with some of Mother's HOMEMADE hot sauce which is on every table. YES they sell it by the bottle and I took two! The best. I finished off with a regular size bowl of Seafood Gumbo. A dark rue with rise and chock full of of oysters and shrimp and crawfish. I topped it with the same homemade hot sauce you cannot miss out on. The decor is, well, Nola style. Old building, original art, cool creative decor and big tables to accommodate any size party. The service is great! They are attentive and straightforward and BUSY!. You hand the server your receipt when ou sit at a table and they find you. I mean I'm going bak in the morning for more you can bet that. You gotta try this place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Mother's SCREAMS Nola!! read more
Mother's was on my bucket list for a long time so had to make a stop on our last day in Nola. Very crowded as expected but the line moves quickly. First rate biscuit but honestly, not as good as Popeyes. But the reason i came was for the Poboy. I had the Ralph's, which has ham and roast beef. It was spectacular! I will return! read more
24 days ago
I had a shrimp Po' Boy and my honey had a Ferdi with cheese (the Ralph). We really enjoyed both!! Servers were attentive and nice. Had heard the line can get long so it of course made me want to try it. It wasn't bad at all. Walked in at a good time. Would definitely recommend. read more
We stopped here by a friends referral ... noticed that it says worlds baked ham. My hubby loves ham . I had the debris sandwhich and it was absolutely delicious. That pickle in it gives it a ceunch and pop of different flavor. My hubby had the mother breakfast. The eggs were cooked perfect. He said the ham was just ok . He had toast but we were given a biscuit which was super soft warm and yummy. We liked the jam too. Coffee was nice and strong. The people were so nice and friendly. The place is big and it was popping with people... Definitely recommend at least a try while around there. read more
4 months ago
Second stop in. It's been about three months to be here again. WORTH every mile from Muskogee, OK. Take a gamble and eat in. If I could, I'd eat everything on the menu.. The family and I like to meet with friends for breakfast here. If you're a breakfast big eating family, eat big here. We're also in for the Mardi Gras parades, hope you all get to experience those too. I am taking a jar of their grape jelly!! read more
17 days ago
This place is legit! The debris and seafood gumbo ! Mimosa ! No sweet tea ! Omg ! Pie bread pudding ! Etouffee and lots of love! There is no wrong just right ! read more
4 months ago
Visited Mother's for lunch on the day I was flying home on a Monday around Noon. We were staying right across the street so it made sense. There was a line, but it went quick. We were placing our order after about 10 minutes.Placed my order of Roast Beef Po Boy, File Gumbo, and an Abita Amber. You sit at a table and a server comes by, grabs your receipt, and your food arrives shorty thereafter. My gumbo was absolutely delicious. Hit the spot. My Po Boy was very good but the bread was really soggy by the time I bit into it. The beer was ice cold and went great with my lunch. Great end to my time in New Orleans. I would definitely return next time I'm in town. read more
Brunch at Mother's introduced us to yummy Po'boys! We also met the Jerry who not only welcomes all his patrons at the door but also stopped to chat with us about the history of his restaurant & the most interesting walls of photos. This was our 1st time to eat Po'boys & Jerry truly made it very memorable. Note: don't let the line outside intimidate you. It moves fast because of Jerry. read more
We got the munchies after some R&R but was too lazy to walk far and found this great place about 3 blocks away with about 17k reviews on Google. It was delish! The red beans and turnip greens were great and not to salty! Same with my seafood gumbo. So light and yummy! The size of the soft shell crab! Wow! So so good! There house made hot sauce vinegar was so good! Service was excellent, the gentleman kept our drinks filled. Loved the simple family style low key ambiance of the place. Loved all the pics of famous people. read more
Delicious place to get po boys & fried chicken here. We came on a non busy day so we were lucky to come and get take out here. Our hotel was right across the restaurant which was nice and convenient. We ordered their signature ferdi special po boy, shrimp bo poy, fried chicken w 2 sides (mashed potatoes & rice w beans), Arnold Palmer & iced tea. Wow the bread they use for the po boy was very soft. Their signature Ferdi special po boy was very delicious, it reminded me of a good italian sandwich we eat in NYC. The shrimp po boy was also very delicious. I preferred the signature Ferdi special po boy more as it had so many flavors. The fried chicken was amazing- super crunchy on the outside & super moist and juicy on the inside. The batter they used was seasoned exceptionally well. The sides were good, I liked the rice and beans more than the mashed potatoes. The Arnold Palmer tasted so good & the iced tea was unsweetened so it was ok. Staff was nice. There is a lot of seating inside. read more
The restaurant was busy but the line moved quickly and orderly. Service was good, no complaints. There is not a lot of variety on the menu. I chose the Etouffee omelet and the crawfish Etouffee was very good, the cheese grits on the side were good and made better by the addition of the Etouffee, the eggs were...eggy and the biscuit was very dense and gummy. I was traveling with other people and wouldn't normally go somewhere so touristy. This was a first, I may go back some time for lunch but I think it may certainly be the first and last time I have breakfast here. read more
Get there early. Order at the counter, find a table and they bring your food out. Early bird special is a great deal if you are hungry (eggs, meat, grits, biscuit and coffee or juice). The biscuits are some of the best I've had! Plenty of options for everyone. A NOLA institution with a lot of character! read more
It's been well over fifteen years since Jamie W and I ate at Mother's. While we weren't blown away (see my original review), we were looking for something quick after a long day in the French Quarter and the National WWII Museum. So why not give Mother's a second chance, right? No surprise that the place looked exactly the same as before with florescent lights, formica tables, framed vintage photos, and the veteran employee handing us the menus. I don't know whether time mellowed our persnickety appetites or our expectations were already lowered, but the food tasted better this time around. We both ordered Po' Boys but wisely not whole ones. Jamie got the $10.50 Famous Ferdi Special Half Sandwich, which placed ham, roast beef, and their signature debris (shredded beef drippings) unadorned in a soft French roll dipped in au jus (Photo 10). Pretty meaty and a half was more than enough. I went with the $10.50 Original Debris Half Sandwich and had them add the fixings (shredded cabbage, sliced pickles, mayo, and both Creole and yellow mustards) to the French roll (Photo 9). Not bad and the crunch of the cabbage and pickles provided a nice contrast. We decided to share a couple of single-size sides, the $6 cup of Red Beans & Rice (Photo 8) and the $3 Buttermilk Biscuit (Photo 7). Both were just right as po' boy accessories. Mother, we're home. FOOD - 4 stars...meaty sandwiches in soft rolls, better with the fixings AMBIANCE - 3 stars...still pretty basic in here SERVICE - 3.5 stars...solid folks here TOTAL - 4 stars...pretty traditional fare in NOLA RELATED - Exploring New Orleans? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/kqhd8zS441 read more
10 days ago
This is an old school restaurant. Food is comfort. Great place to go for breakfast just outside the French quarter. read more
2 months ago
Mother's Café came highly recommended by our Lyft driver, and the location couldn't have been more ideal--right across from our hotel. Convenience alone earned it a visit... but the food brought me back for a second round. The ordering system is casual and efficient: place and pay at the counter, grab your number, find a seat, and your food is delivered to the table. It keeps things moving, which I appreciated--especially during a busy morning. Now let's talk about the star of the show: the crawfish étouffée omelet with cheese grits and a biscuit. Absolute standout. The étouffée was rich, flavorful, and generously portioned, pairing perfectly with the eggs. The cheese grits were creamy and comforting, and that biscuit? Buttery, soft, and exactly what you want on the side. It was so good I didn't even consider trying something new on my second visit--just reordered the same dish, this time adding a mimosa for good measure. That said, the ordering experience could use a little finesse. The cashier moved through the line quickly--almost too quickly--which made me feel a bit rushed while deciding. A little more patience or menu guidance would go a long way, especially for first-timers trying to take it all in. Overall, Mother's delivers where it counts: bold flavors, satisfying portions, and a no-fuss dining experience. Just be ready to order when you step up to the counter. read more
2 months ago
Ordering is super chaotic here and the staff wasn't very keen to help us understand it. They also weren't really willing to offer up a recommendations, so l ended up getting the Famous Ferdi Special, which was honestly nothing special. read more
3 months ago
Such a great local stop! Order at the counter, they deliver it to the table. Everything was lovely. It was the home stile meal I had been craving! The service is so kind. There's a reason everyone comes here. read more
3 months ago
Definitely a cafeteria-style restaurant. I'm not mad at it at all. Although they weren't a traditional setup with a waiter, and I liked that better if we're gonna be honest. I only got the jambalaya. A splash of hot sauce took it to the next level, and it was even better reheated the next day--a definite must-try. read more
So, we ate here during Mardi Gras and the restaurant was right at a parade location and there was a line to get into the restaurant. Cool we waited. We got in and the food is served cafeteria style I guess you call it. I got the ham plate that comes with three (3) sides. So, I had baked ham (comes in thick slices or chunks), cabbage, greens, and red beans and rice. Came to $18 and some change. Paying with cash costs less than paying with a card just so you know. Also, I just ordered food to eat in the restaurant and I didn't order a drink. They have free ice water if you want it. We get our paid receipts and sat down and the restaurant worker that worked the hot food counter picked up the receipts from the table and goes back to the counter and fixes the plate and brought it to me. I think this runner type of service was just the way they were serving the steady influx of hungry Mardi Gras customers. I suspect that on regular days you'd just walk along the line pick your food and they serve it like at a cafeteria as you walk along. The food was ok. I loved the ham. I didn't taste one piece that was dried out or hard (it was juicy and tasty). The cabbage seemed a bit undercooked to my liking (cabbage I cook is seasoned and tender) but this wasn't tender to me. The greens disappointed me. They were alright but tasted like turnips or mixed CANNED Glory greens. I was expecting some fresh cooked seasoned greens and not canned. I'm not above eating canned greens but when I come to the South I expect to eat like I'm in the South with fresh farmed food- ok. The red beans and rice were good but were also lacking seasoning and were a bit cold (cold like I got the end of the pot or pan cold). Also my red beans and rice were swimming in juice probably from the cabbage and greens not being drained when served. There were slices of the sausage that they love to mention here in Louisiana but even that sausage to me tasted like it was bland or missing something. I just added hot sauce to my food and ate (I didn't add salt because I was eating everything with ham). I will say the portioning was a lot for me. I could eat at least 2-3 meals off of the one plate of food. So I was full after s few bites and had plenty to take back to eat later. Which fine to me ( more food for later). The staff were nice. There was a nice young lady running the cash register, a snappy almost rude older lady at a greeter or second register area that wasn't taking orders ( but I thought she's probably nice on regular days but today was probably overwhelming and a lot for her-so it was a off day I'm thinking for her). There was a nice Hispanic young lady serving the food (fixed my plate) and two fabulous African American gentlemen that worked the kitchen and cooking area that were pitching in as extra help to the service. Those two gentlemen were so accommodating to me and the other customers. The seating were tables and no booths from what I saw. Three (3) out of five (5) stars for the watery bland food and canned greens. read more
I'm surprised this joint isn't rated higher, to be honest! I guess it depends on what you're expecting... I would expect a very casual, comforting, delicious meal in an eclectic and historic-feeling spot. They clearly have such a strong and long presence in the community. My colleagues and I got a spread of different foods (photos attached)- so flavorful!! I wish I had taken some back with me to my hotel. Food was the type you'd expect in NOLA (e.g., meat/seafood, red beans/rice, grits, etc.). We went in on a super rainy night, and the staff helped us to dry off with towels, got us a table quickly, and were generally fun and great. When I'm back in NOLA, I'll be returning 100%! read more
7 months ago
My first real po boy! It looks dry in the picture but it had mayo and pickles and coleslaw, which helped break up the fried shrimp and bread. The extra mayo provided was also nice for dipping. I liked the flavor of the shrimp and it wasn't too heavy or salty! The half portion ($12) was filling enough for a light dinner but more expensive than I expected. My friends loved the crawfish etoufee so that seems to be a good option as well! The service was incredibly friendly and hospitable. They were kind enough to move us to a bigger table since we came with a big group, and we were served promptly after switching seats. read more
Visited Mother's Restaurant while in New Orleans. The atmosphere was historic and cafeteria-style, and the service was efficient, keeping things moving the way they've been doing since 1938. It had been many years since my first visit, so it felt right to come back. Tried the Fried Oysters, Mother's -- coated in a cornmeal crust that was crunchy on the outside while still salty and tender inside. We also ordered a few Combination Platters, which is basically a Greatest Hits tour of New Orleans on one plate -- the Crawfish Étouffée stood out as buttery, rich, and yummy. Overall, a classic spot worth revisiting, especially if you want an iconic taste of Creole comfort food. Saluti read more
Seems to be a beloved local favorite. I thought my grilled shrimp were super tasty. The Red Beans and Rice were also tasty. The grilled fish was a little dry but well seasoned. It has sort of a rustic and run down vibe which has charm. Service was good-- it's an order at the counter sort of spot. With so many good spots in NOLA, I wouldn't stand in line to eat here as some people do, but we were able to go in and get a good meal pretty quickly that was tasty - so thumbs up for that. read more
We are visiting New Orleans and I want to try authentic foods. My husband who had been here highly recommended Mother's Restaurant. We ordered gumbo, jambalaya, cat fish with red beans and rice, and turnip greens. I enjoyed everything I ordered and would really miss this place. I would come back here in a heartbeat. Servers were all so sweet and kind. I highly recommend to check this restaurant if you are in NOLA. read more
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More info about Mother's Restaurant
401 Poydras St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Central Business District
Directions
(504) 523-9656
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http://www.mothersrestaurant.net
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Ask the Community - Mother's Restaurant
What is Debris? It looks like pulled beef or pot roast in the photos, and if y'all recommend it, that is what I will order when I go next week.
The Debris sandwich is a roast beef sandwich - but the debris is a topping. It's the beef that fell into the pan during the roasting/cooking process, and is typically extra crispy. Quite delicious!
Is there a good day/time to come here when it's not-as-busy?? The lines look insane, LoL
As soon as they open is the best time. otherwise it's always busy!
Is this place pet friendly? I would assume not with out outdoor seating?
This is not a pet friendly restaurant and there is not outdoor seating. There's usually a line outside to be seated but no worries it moves pretty fast.
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Mother's Restaurant - cajun - Updated May 2026
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