Too many choices in New Orleans!
Only one day in New Orleans...where do you go? It doesn't really matter on a gorgeous day in March, when you're visiting some of your favorite people!
We trusted Dave and Amy to find us a good dining adventure in or near NOLA. They drove us out on the River Road to Convent, LA, where we found Hymel's. We parked, walked past the gas pumps, (they sell gas, too!) and headed for the door.
1 bonus point for any place that serves food and gas!
We trusted Dave and Amy to find us a good dining adventure in or near NOLA. They drove us out on the River Road to Convent, LA, where we found Hymel's. We parked, walked past the gas pumps, (they sell gas, too!) and headed for the door.
1 bonus point for any place that serves food and gas!
New to blog...
This is my little brother, Dave's first time on the blog. I'll sneak in some good bonus points for this guy and my wonderful sister-in-law. They have lived many places and have managed to find the quaint and curious wherever they are!
5+5 bonus points!
Atmosphere
You have to love a place that doesn't cater to tourists. Most of their customers are locals and nearby plant workers. They do not sell tee shirts with their name. 1 bonus there!
Our server was not the friendliest and that's why she is not photographed. She was fairly abrupt when I ordered iced tea. "Sweet or No?" she sort of demanded. I have to give her 1 bonus point for not caring too much about her tip. That's okay, she did get one.
Our server was not the friendliest and that's why she is not photographed. She was fairly abrupt when I ordered iced tea. "Sweet or No?" she sort of demanded. I have to give her 1 bonus point for not caring too much about her tip. That's okay, she did get one.
FOOD
Anything from crawfish etouffe to frog legs.
Anything from crawfish etouffe to frog legs.
You can see the sherry going into the turtle soup on the left. Pretty tasty, along with the Jumbo Mug of beer! The cheesy dish on the right is Sea Spud! That would be a baked Potato with with Crabmeat, Shrimp, Cheddar and Swiss.
5 points for Hymel's seafood!
5 points for Hymel's seafood!
Where's the action at Hymel's?
At least some of the time, the action is in the bar half of Hymel's. I asked Brook, the young woman behind the bar what kind of entertainment they had. "It's not that good tonight." She admitted. She recommended coming on Thursday when they have a big seafood buffet and her Grand-Daddy's band plays. "He's not alive anymore, but the band is still really good!"
3 bonus points for imagining Grand-Daddy's band performing in this cozy bar with stuffed gators, sharks, and owls.
3 bonus points for imagining Grand-Daddy's band performing in this cozy bar with stuffed gators, sharks, and owls.
Some friendly chat!
Brook introduced me to her Dad, James Hymel. He said his grandfather opened the place in 1900. He started out washing dishes here when he was five. Mark, the customer was a good sport. He had stopped by for a Dr. Pepper. (his excuse) "I'm working today." He was happy to have Brook replace his soda with an unopened bottle of beer for the photo.
5 bonus points for an entertaining people encounter with family history! 3 bonus points for catching a sweet father/daughter moment!
5 bonus points for an entertaining people encounter with family history! 3 bonus points for catching a sweet father/daughter moment!
TOTAL
29 points for Louisiana Regional dining at Hymel's!!
29 points for Louisiana Regional dining at Hymel's!!
Just remembering...
Can't visit New Orleans without being reminded of some great (pre-blog) dining adventures!
Here's Eland at Parkway! She served us up delish Po-Boys, along with a great story of Obama's visit to this bakery/tavern!
And here is Mark, who prepared a completely different kind of meal at K-Paul's! From our Sazerac's cocktail to the bread pudding for dessert...unforgettable dining with friendly service, as well!
CAN'T WAIT TO RETURN TO NOLA!
CAN'T WAIT TO RETURN TO NOLA!
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