Uglesich's Closing for good in April

It is a great regret that I will never eat at this place.

Nothing in the Times-Picayune again yesterday about closing. Did you notice the NYT article said they had renewed their liquor license? I have a one-day window of opportunity to eat at Uglesich's next month. Now I have to try to decide if the crowds might make it unbearable--if indeed they are still open.

quote:

Originally posted by michaelgemmell

Nothing in the Times-Picayune again yesterday about closing. Did you notice the NYT article said they had renewed their liquor license? I have a one-day window of opportunity to eat at Uglesich's next month. Now I have to try to decide if the crowds might make it unbearable--if indeed they are still open.

I talked with John last week (in connection with a t-shirt order) and he indicated that they now expect to stay open until their usual summer closing date. In the past, they have closed for the summer on Friday before Memorial Day. Your best bet is to take along a book to read while you wait, get there between 9:30 and 10:00 for the 10:30 opening. On our most recent visit (good Friday, which was apparently the day the NYT reporter was there) we sat at one of the outside tables and read until we started lining up.

Thank you for that post, Hillbilly. This is the most current info available anywhere. You were very kind to share that. This information makes it more likely I will try to get in. Thanks again!

FYI - For those attending Jazzfest - It is closed this year on Saturday

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Rushmore Jr.

FYI - For those attending Jazzfest - It is closed this year on Saturday

Then try the 2nd best in New Orleans--"Irene's" on St Phillip Street between Decatur and Chartres, just across the street from the French Market in the quarter. Very small.

"Mandina's" a couple of miles up Canal Street from the quarter is also outstanding.

A ride across the river via the Huey P. Long Bridge to "Mosca's" in Waggaman will also give you an experience to remember for the rest of your life--both atmosphere and food. Absolutely unforgettable.

Other favorites include the "Palace Cafe" on Canal just down from Bourbon; "Mr. B's"; "Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse". These are 3 more owned by members of the Brennan Family, and their other facilities (Brennan's and Commanders Palace) are better known.

And I report to New Orleans next week for a 2 month project! Oh well, somebody's got to do it.

Irene's Cuisine and Uglesich were our two "must dines" while in New Orleans. We'd try new places after that, but never without those two! Now for a fun time, we've been stopping for cocktails at that joint across from the French Market on Decatur and we've noticed happy faces on those dining, so next trip we'll try the food. (and remember it's name)!!!

Coop's is the name I had could not remember in the post above.

Then try the 2nd best in New Orleans--"Irene's" on St Phillip Street between Decatur and Chartres, just across the street from the French Market in the quarter. Very small.

I should have included this disclaimer on my previous post:

I have never eaten at "Irene's" (a situation I intend to change later this month), but it has been recommended by mbrookes and sbrookes, people whose judgement I respect so highly that I feel comfortable in passing it on to the Roadfood crew. I will provide details about my first visit within a couple of weeks.

quote:

Originally posted by Hillbilly

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Rushmore Jr.

And I report to New Orleans next week for a 2 month project! Oh well, somebody's got to do it.

Hillbilly,
You might also want to go out St. Claude Avenue into the Bywater to eat lunch at Mandich's. It's on the right side of the street, heading toward Chalmette. This is another fine old New Orleans neighborhood restaurant.
Another place you ought to check out is Berdou's at 300 Monroe Street in Gretna. This is a place so venerable that they exist in a time warp all their own.
And if you see that the big band of Wardell Quezergue is playing anywhere, by all means go and catch that... "The Big Q" is a noted arranger-producer-writer of many of the greatest New Orleans rhythm & blues records of the 1960's and 1970's - "Barefootin'" by Robert Parker, "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight, and the less-known-but-locally-revered "Me Big Chief, Part 2" by Professor Longhair (with uncredited vocal by Earl King) were all arranged, produced, and/or written by him... along with local hits like "Girls Are Made For Lovin'" by Elliot Small, "Walking Up A One-Way Street" and "Thank You, John" by Willie Tee, and "Ring Around The Rosey" by Raymond Parker. I own and prize every one of those 45s....
Thinking Crescently, Ort. Carlton in 551-Mile-Northeast Athens, Georgia.

Thanks, Ort! There is anothe old blues man that I always seek out--Bryan Lee. I lost my favorite late night/early morning hangout when they turned Bryan out of "The Old Absinthe House" and turned it into a daquiri bar. And I can't walk down Bourbon or St Peters without going into Preservation Hall for at least one set with the old timers.

I do like the food in New Orleans, but I like the music and quarter atmosphere even more.

[}:)Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler

We got by Uglesich's again on May 4, for the usual fantastic meal. I parked across the street just after 2:00 and got in the long line. They kept bringing beer and bloody mary orders while we waited, and then closed the line at 3:00. We were seated a little after 4:00, and the last of the line was just ordering when we left around 5:00.

Back in the neighborhood at lunch time today, I was disappointed to see them closed "for the Summer" (according to their web site). Was this the end? Or is there hope for the Fall?

Cassemento's closes for June, July and August, so we will hit there next week. Then it will be Irene's, La Riviera, Mandina's, Paschal's Manale, Palace Cafe, Mother's, Mr. B's Bistro and Acme for the next 2 months. With frequent visits to Cooter Brown's in an ongoing effort to try all of their draft beers.

quote:

Originally posted by Hillbilly


Cassemento's closes for June, July and August, so we will hit there next week.

Don't they follow the old "eat oysters only in 'R' months" thing in LA? I mean what would be the point of Cassamento's without local oysters? I grew up in Maryland and this was pretty ironclad--I actually think commercial oystering wasn't legal in the Chesapeake in non-R months (it also wasn't legal to dredge under power so the wonderful old skipjack sailing oysterboats were still plentiful).

quote:

Originally posted by Hillbilly

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Rushmore Jr.

FYI - For those attending Jazzfest - It is closed this year on Saturday

Then try the 2nd best in New Orleans--"Irene's" on St Phillip Street between Decatur and Chartres, just across the street from the French Market in the quarter. Very small.

"Mandina's" a couple of miles up Canal Street from the quarter is also outstanding.

A ride across the river via the Huey P. Long Bridge to "Mosca's" in Waggaman will also give you an experience to remember for the rest of your life--both atmosphere and food. Absolutely unforgettable.

Other favorites include the "Palace Cafe" on Canal just down from Bourbon; "Mr. B's"; "Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse". These are 3 more owned by members of the Brennan Family, and their other facilities (Brennan's and Commanders Palace) are better known.

And I report to New Orleans next week for a 2 month project! Oh well, somebody's got to do it.

I always try to eat at Irene's when I'm in N.O. I don't know if it's "second best", though, since there are too many places I haven't tried. Two potential candidates are Dooky Chase and the Bon Ton Cafe. Have you been to them? How do they stack up? A place I liked very much that you don't hear much about was Liborio: excellent Cuban food in the CBD. And I'll put in another boost for the sweet ladies at Dunbar's and their great red beans/rice and fried chicken.

so is it absolutely closed already?

According to Hillbilly's post of 5/17 they are closed for the summer as they are every year. Only this time no one expects them to re-open. Only time will tell.

Two potential candidates are Dooky Chase and the Bon Ton Cafe. Have you been to them? How do they stack up? A place I liked very much that you don't hear much about was Liborio: excellent Cuban food in the CBD. And I'll put in another boost for the sweet ladies at Dunbar's and their great red beans/rice and fried chicken.


I have eaten at Bon Ton several times, and it is very good. The most memorable thing at Bon Ton is their bread pudding, which is among the best I've had. I have not yet been to Dooky Chase.

With Uglesich's now closed, my new favorite is Lola's. A spanish restaurant across from Gabrielle. I think it's still b.y.o.b. with a $2.50 corkage charge. The paella is wonderful, the appetizers and soups are great and they've been there forever. Was there most recently two weeks ago and enjoyed just a great dinner.

quote:

With Uglesich's now closed, my new favorite is Lola's. A spanish restaurant across from Gabrielle. I think it's still b.y.o.b. with a $2.50 corkage charge. The paella is wonderful, the appetizers and soups are great and they've been there forever. Was there most recently two weeks ago and enjoyed just a great dinner.

Where would you put Dick and Jenny's?
Willie Mae's Scotch House?

MilwFoodlovers:

quote:

Where would you put Dick and Jenny's?
Willie Mae's Scotch House?

Haven't been to Willie Mae's but Dick & Jenny's is another great place. Food would be as good as almost anywhere in the City but it's a little more "upscale" than Lola's; however, it's still not fancy/fancy. When I suggested Lola's it was as a replacement for best "undescovered gem / joint".

Have been eating in NOLA for 20+ years now and I truly believe that per capita nowhere else has as many great meals to be had.

"So many restaurants, so little time!"

quote:

Originally posted by NOLA Foodaholic

When I suggested Lola's it was as a replacement for best "undescovered gem / joint".

Uglesich's, alas, had not been an "undiscovered gem" for a very long time. I decided to try it the first time several years ago because I had overheard a friend, a native of Lake Charles from a Cajun family, talk about it admiringly. Otherwise I might have considered the recommendations in guide books so much hype, but just about every NO travel guide did recommend it.

Willie Mae's may also be gone, or if not, it soon may be. Last time I was there, a couple of years ago, she said she was thinking of retiring soon. It is tiny and Willie Mae is quite elderly. The food is soul food, and generally there are (were?) only a couple of choices each day, prepared with love and care.

Lola's is one of our very favorite restaurants in New Orleans. You gotta love garlic, though!

From another site posted today re: Uglesich's
This was in Tom Fitzmorris' New Orleans Food Newsletter:

"On the radio last night, my friend Mike Thiess (92.3) was
interviewing the son and at the end of the interview he said that
his mother's surgery was a success and that his parents were
considering reopening late in the year. What do y'all think the
odds are?"

Having experienced a 93F day on May 23 in New Orleans, I can understand why anyone would want to wait until it cools off to cook there again. I'm just glad they'd already closed for the summer so I wasn't standing for hours in line outside in such weather.