We always enjoyed Mandina's at Canal and Cortez, and I'm not really a huge fan of Italian any more than anything else. Good stuff, although it's been many years since we ate there. There was also another place (of which the name entirely escapes me now, despite trying to remember it) where you walked way back down an alley to go in the back of the building, then turned around and came back street-side once inside. They served huge glasses of RC Cola, I do remember that. And their burgers were awesome. Of course, Camilla Grill is decent, too. :-)

I've always been a fan of the little holes in the wall. Don't get me wrong - NOLA has some of the best fine dining on God's green earth - but if you want a true taste of what makes New Orleans special, you need to go to the everyday dives that cater to real people. Debris Po'boys are a thing of beauty. Likewise the infamous muffaleta. And despite the reputation of the beignets at Cafe duMonde, there are easily a half dozen places with equally awesome treats at much better prices.

Agreed, I was just telling someone the other day, if they wanted good food in N.O. they had to find the hole-in-the-wall places.

I daresay that's the truth about dining in any city, not just NO.

I haven't had a muffaleta in a while. Central Grocery always had the best. My office is in Laplace though so I don't get out in N.O. very much any more. Mabile's po-boys is good for lunch.
My favorite for Italian has always been Venezia's. Lakeview Harbor or occasionally Port of Call for burgers. If I'm in the quarter (not very often) Masperro's is good and reasonable.

I developed an allergy to onions of all things a few years ago. My wife has a much more restricted diet than I do even. It makes going out to eat a bit harder.

Is Rocky and Carlo's still open in Chalmette?

Yes.

I hope no one minds me dragging this off topic for a second, but... does anyone have any suggestions for routes near/in NOLA that don't have awful streets or sharp stabby tire puncturing things all over the place? I live in River Ridge and ride the levee to the CBD and back very often, but there's only so many times I can do that before it gets boring.

To put the thread back on topic: Is Yo Momma's (used to be Fatted Calf) in the FQ still open? Does anyone have any other recommendations for a really good burger?

Lakeview Harbor or Port of Call for a really good burger. Ground Patti or WOW if I'm lazy and don't feel like leaving Metairie.

A smooth ride on New Orleans streets? You don't ask for much! Not that I can think of in a relatively safe area (Haynes Blvd out to Paris Rd, then up to I-10, checking out Lincoln Beach on the way? but again not a great area). Head West instead and take the levee or Airline into St. Charles parish?
Actually I've been thinking about going ride on Hwy 3127 on the westbank. Its smooth and not much traffic. Go across the Luling Bridge (not on your bike!) and take a right on 3127, once you get away from hwy 90 traffic thins quickly.