Ernst Cafe
600 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA, 70130
Ernst Cafe Menu
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Address :
600 S Peters St
New Orleans, LA, 70130 - Phone (504) 525-8544
- Website https://www.ernstcafe.net/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Everett B.
This is our trivia bar Tuesdays at 7:30 (Geeks Who Drink). While everything here is pretty good, nothing is really great: 1. Best thing on the menu might be the crawfish nachos, but I'm biased towards nachos. Regardless they're delicious. 2. Other notables are the chicken sandwich and bread pudding for dessert. 3. Good beer selection, yet they always seem to be out of a lot. 4. The wait staff here seems very inattentive. It's always a struggle to place our order, get refills, get our check, etc. orders have frequently been wrong. It's your pretty run of the mill place, probably wouldn't come back much if it wasn't for trivia. 3 stars!
(3)Bonnie B.
Cute little spot away from the madness! $7 12 0z Absolute Bloody Mary's! Perfect pre lunch appetizer! The boyfriend said the Crawfish Nachos were good... But he's no foodie! Lol. Menu looks yummy & so does food coming out of the kitchen!!
(4)Patricia O.
Went there for a break between parades. Amazing red beans + rice, delicious, creamy and heavy!!! Food came out on time, nice and hot... However our waitress took almost 20min to bring us our check, a bit ridiculous... Either way, I would def go back.
(3)Christine F.
The OYSTER PO-BOY was plain, no sauce. Greasy. Bread was plain as well. The FRIED GATOR BITES were too salty, in my opinion. Service was good, but lack professionalism.
(1)Michelangelo S.
Iconic Stop For Any Bar Crawl in NOLA! SITREP The drinks are wonderfully tasty and strong: my usual Rum & Cokes and Jack & Cokes choices were full-on fantastic here! And being centrally located in downtown New Orleans, this spot is a great location for everyone to get together and meet at for Bar Craw Madness! A SALOON IS BORN Originally founded by three (3) brothers - John, William and Charles Ernst - Ernst Café has been locally owned and operated for more than 100 years, and Ernst Café is a premier saloon meeting the needs of customers with a touch of fun & "nostalgic class". From the civil war, through prohibition, and up to today, this location has always managed to be a successful place of business and is an icon New Orleans history. It's history is a tapestry of great American commerce: * Built in 1851-52 by Evariste Blanc, the building where Ernst Café is now located is an iconic pre-civil war architecture in the warehouse district. * In 1859, Schneider & Wise Grocers occupied the building and also used it as a private residence, because at that time the building had two separate addresses. * In 1902, Schneider & Wise sold the building to the Ernst brothers since they wanted to open a Saloon. And the rest is history as Ernst Cafe has fully become a historical tradition in NOLA. HISTORICAL HICCUPS And what about that floor tile decor, eh? yelp.com/biz_photos/erns… SWASTIKA - OR ACTUALLY "REVERSE"-SWASTIKA, TO BE FAIR And yet it should be noted the floor tiles were placed here at the dawn of the 20th Century in 1902 when der Fuehrer was still a teenager before the rise of National Socialism and the subsequent perversion of this symbol: the mosaic tile floor actually depicts the ancient "Symbol For Peace" dating back more than 10,000 years. As Ernst Cafe shares, "It can be found in many places around the world such as; the gates of the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids in Egypt, and ancient Aztec Indian sites." The American Indians also used it. In fact, I actually found it at the "Mission of the Sacred Heart" near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where the icon is a symbol of peace for Native Americans on their treaty items, such as this peace belt from the early 1800s: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Ce la vie. THE LOWDOWN Ernst Cafe is a fantastic stop on any trek through NOLA. Prepare to have your mind *BLOWN* by the most amazing crafted cocktail drinks - and by some crazy twists on historical icons. ;)
(4)Michelle R.
This was my last meal in NOLA after a 6 day stay and it was extremely disappointing. I sat at a high-top table near the bar in clear view of the bartender/server so I would have thought I would have gotten good service, but it didn't turn out that way. I ordered the Grilled Shrimp Po'Boy with Sweet Potato Fries. The sandwich had about 8 shrimp on it plus shredded lettuce and pickles. There was no sauce on it and the shrimp didn't even have much flavor by themselves. The server didn't return until I had eaten almost all of my fries before I could ask for a sauce. I asked for a remoulade or cocktail sauce and the server returned with cocktail sauce. Unfortunately, it didn't help the sandwich much as the bread was super dry. My drink sat empty for several minutes and I finally had to take my cup up to the bar to ask for a refill. The place has a lot of character, which I love in a restaurant, but for $12, there are better Po'Boys to be had at other places and with much better service.
(2)Jim E.
Great place with awesome people! Food is good and drinks are even better. Bacon Bloody Mary, Breakfast Shot, and beer for the walk. Go here first!
(5)Amy Z.
Great little place on the corner that is open until 7 am. We were wandering back to the hotel from the casino and decided to grab one more drink. We left 3 or 4 hours later...
(4)Nicholas M.
Kitchen closed at 2 PM today. I was disappointed only because I REALLY wanted those nachos!!
(1)Joel M.
Time for an update.... been 2 years give or take since my last visit here.... stopped in after the Yelp Elite event on 2/11/13 along with some of my favorite people.... started out about 6 of us but the group grew to 10+ while we were there.... Nothing much has changed, the interior still has the old school pub vibe and we pretty much had the joint to ourselves until right before we left around midnight.... This time in I went with the "Classic Roast Beef" poboy while I recall Steve I. went with the Boss Tenders, Vicky L. went with gumbo and some type of egg roll thing and can't remember what Michelle B ordered up for herself.... heard no complaints about the food but heard no rave reviews either.... as to my poboy the bread was crispy and tender chewy but it wasn't "wet" enough... the roast beef itself was tasty but the overall dryness detracted from the dining experience... not sure if the bread soaked up the juice or there just wasn't any put on it.... either way made for an average eat.... However we rolled in around 9ish maybe closer to 10 PM and the kitchen closes at 10 so be warned.... but the server Eddi was outstanding let us know and made sure our dining experience was the best it could be.... My thoughts on the food offerings from my original review still hold after this visit.... plus all beer still bottles only, NO draft options... I was doing the well scotch with water and the pour was excellent and at $4 a drink I thought the price was reasonable... So to recap, the food ain't gonna blow you away but it's tasty and filling, the prices on booze were reasonable and overall there are better options but this place is still A-OK in my book....
(3)Gemma M.
Food was decent. Crawford nachos were fantastic! I had the gumbo and I wasn't bad. My friend's Crawfish Etouffee looked tasty, she said it was good. Small menu though.
(4)Julia G.
My coworker and I came here and had a great time! Great beer selection and happy hour till 7:00. Our server, Gracie, was very charismatic and fun, we pretty much tried everything she recommended. Started with the Fried Green Tomatoes, these were very crispy, nice big tomato pieces, could have used more shrimp, but what was there was very well seasoned and tasty! I had the Crawfish Etouffee, it was very good! The spices and flavors were great, nice and thick, lots of crawfish, ate every drop. My coworker had the shrimp poyboy, and a side of Crawfish Monica. he enjoyed it. Recommend it with tarter sauce and smokey hot sauce. The bread was great, not too crusty, a little chew to it. The Crawfish Monika had great flavor and was a great hearty dish for a cold day, For dessert we had the bread pudding, with ice cream. Again we ate every drop! Great bread pudding Overall a very nice place for dinner or lunch, especially if on a budget!
(4)Jaime G.
Terrence provided excellent service when we stopped by on Saturday night. We didn't have any beer or drinks but the food was great. To start we had the southwestern rolls and mozzarella sticks, both good. For entrees we had the buffalo salad, the blackened shrimp po-boy with a side of red beans and rice and also the grilled fish platter. The shrimp and red beans and rice was some of the best we've had. Thank you!!!
(5)Christina T.
Ok....so where do I start?? I went here for lunch yesterday. The waiter was pretty good. He was attentive and seemed to be the only one working the entire bar area...pretty impressive. Food...eeeeh. No way. I ordered the Shrimp Creole (which is my favorite dish ever!) and the Crabby Patties (crab cakes which are my favorite seafood). Umm so yea the Shrimp Creole came out and the first thing I noticed was completely burnt shrimp...only 4 of them at that. I gave it a chance but from the first taste YUCK! Completely burnt. I asked the bartender why was the shrimp so burnt...his response was that it was "blackened". He said it with such a straight face that apparently this is how they really cook their meal so don't even try to send it back. I didn't eat the remaining 3 shrimp ($9 bucks for this dish..ok?) but said to myself not to make a big fuss about it but to just focus on the rice..maybe it'd be better. NO WAY! Shrimp creole IS NOT watered down tomato sauce served on top of rice. Very disappointing. Still paying 9 bucks for nasty shrimp creole. This was the WORST shrimp creole I've ever had. My friend had the crawfish etoufee...which should have just been called etoufee because there were barely any crawfish. He had 3 crawfish in the entire bowl. :( The crabcake came out and I was semi excited for some hope to turn this $20 lunch around...From the first look I thought "Is the crabcake blakened too??" From the first taste I said to my friend "Hey look...the crabcake is blackened too." Soooooooo disappointed. Not only was the crabcake burnt, I could not taste the crabmeat at all or even the flavor of the crabmeat because of the overload of grease and extreme burnt taste. Worst crabcake ever that we decided to name it "the brick". lol I wanted to try the bread pudding but didn't want a $30 bill just on lunch. Wayyyy pricey for burnt, tasteless, nasty food. Definite no to this place but had to try it because of the interesting floor and it's right near Fulton Alley which is nearby work. Word to tourists, the burnt happy chef and others blackened does not equate to burnt!! Won't be back unfortunately. :(
(1)Leena T.
Disgusting establishment. I came in one night with a group of friends and we ordered drinks at the bar. Then in the ladies room, as I was asking the bartender a question, she rudely told me to "shut the fuck up!" Who does that? Then the manager on duty proceeded to tell us to just leave as we made a complaint. How is this acceptable? I would give zero stars if I could. HORRIBLE. Save your time and money.
(1)Rich T.
Pretty decent po' boys. And the service wasn't too bad. The swastikas tiled into the floor take a little while to get used to, until you read the menu and learn their history. I'd recommend trying it - don't expect your socks to get knocked off though. At least after dining you can walk around the warehouse district, which is a pretty cool part of NOLA.
(3)Meghan K.
Dysfunctional is the one word I have to describe this place. I will say we got there at 11 pm so maybe the service declines as the night goes on. To begin, it took FOREVER to get our drinks. I mean, ATLEAST 20 minutes. And then the waitress only brought half of them! It is nice that they serve food until 2 am as we had been to a concert and were starving. We immediately ordered appetizers and had the fried green tomatoes and mozzarella sticks. The cheese sticks were good (homemade). I hate when you get the frozen ones that you could buy at wal mart. The tomatoes were enjoyable as well. They came with sautéed shrimp on top with a remoulade sauce. The tomatoes were fried a little too long, but other than that, good. We placed our order shortly after they. We waited 1.5 hrs for our food. It still wasn't ready so we ended up getting it to go. This is when the waitress became rude and snappy. She mouthed off to my sister repeatedly. She wasn't asking if we needed drinks and didn't check on our table for awhile. When the food finally came out, she brought the ticket over that was for the kitchen and showed it to me and said "see, I didn't forget to put the order in...there's only 1 chef back there (blah blah)". Whatever. The service was inexcusable and I don't think I can go back. It's sad because the people I were with were there earlier in the night and said it was fun. They sat outside and listened to live music and enjoyed good service while drinking. I guess I'll never know! Ps. When we finally got back to our hotel at 2 am to eat, the burgers and fried catfish was actually quite good. My crabby pattie as they called it did not have lump crabmeat. It was minced and I hate minced crabmeat.
(2)M C.
Food was cold when it came out. The server found customers to be a nuisance. Basically, a bar that is trying to act like a restaurant. Stay away! Place is horrible. Buyer beware!!!!!
(1)Doc F.
If I could give negative stars, I would! Do yourself a favor and avoid this place! The food is mediocre at best, and the service was...well it be insulting to say we even got any service. Placed order and waiter 45 minutes and the waitress came to check on us ZERO times in 45 minutes. We thought she may have clocked out for the day?? Then I spotted her across the restaurant and I stared her down and would not look away until she came over. She breezed past our table mumbling something inaudible. Ok wow. Manager comes over and makes up some excuse about the food printer being broken and will ask the kitchen for our orders ASAP. Ok can you refill our drinks since we've been here almost an hour and they've been empty for nearly 45 mins? He doesn't. Our B of a waitress relievers the food, doesn't even apologize or acknowledge anything wrong happened, and checks on us ZERO more times. Then when clearing our table asks, "are you gonna order anything else?" Annoyed and delivered with huge cut eye. From you? No I will never order anything else from you or this horribly run place. Thank you for charging us full price for everything and comping nothing after waiting an hour for a po boy with zero drink refills.
(1)Joi B.
There I was admiring the tile floors, not really noticing that there are a hella lotta swastikas up in there... I took a pic, commented that I loved the floors and uploaded. Within seconds I had a bunch of comments, "Hitler's clubhouse" and the like. Mea Culpa. I then noticed the plaque to the side explaining the original peaceful meaning of the swastika. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. But I had to deal with all of this before I even had a drink. Food/Drink: I didn't try more than a couple fries here (which are very, very delicious as fries often are), and had several glasses of red wine, a Pinot Noir, if I recall correctly, which at $8 bucks a glass seems kind of steep considering the bartender who seemed on the whole clueless about what reds they had. Never a good sign. I wasn't sure if I'd be served days old swill or what. It was definitely decent. Not $8 decent considering I could stop in a nice hotel bar nearby and pay around the same. I dig the overall old timey pub atmosphere, with all the tin and tiles and wood. The crowd, well, I can't really place my finger on any kind of "type" per se. I saw a decent variety of ages and locals and tourists alike. Definitely an after work kind of vibe going. Verdict? If in the Fulton St. area, I wouldn't *not* stop in here on a Friday night... Especially considering the alternatives a little ways up in the Warehouse District. *shudder* But I wouldn't go out of my way to come here either.
(3)Edward F.
We stumbled on this place, right near where we were staying. What a stroke of luck. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was exactly what we were looking for. Very laid back and really good food. It was the kind of bar and food we were wanting. The servers were attentive with being intrusive. The crab cakes were good as was the catfish. Plus the beer was cold, as expected! Historic building, in the Warehouse District. Try it.
(5)Derrick S.
While attending a conference, we asked the hotel's valets for a good lunch recommendation and they suggested this place and said its enjoyed by locals and visitors. It was a nice day so we say outside in the patio. Service was friendly but a little slow at times. For lunch I had the ernster sandwich. It had a pot roast style beef, fried oysters, and lettuce and tomato on a roll. I added Swiss cheese. The sandwich was excellent! The beef was juicy and nicely seasoned. The oysters added a nice little crunch. The bread makes the sandwich. It's very good! The sandwich came with a side, and I selected a Caesar salad. The dressing was good and the croutons seemed to be made in house with the same yummy bread! My friend had the crawfish étouffée which he also said was very good but probably would get a side salad next time in order to feel full I would recommend this place if you're trying to escape the hotel restaurant lunches
(4)Ryan C.
We stopped here in between harrah's casino and before a stop to cafe du monde. Great stop to make. It's an old brick building on brick pavement so you get this old world vibe. I had the jambalaya which was pretty good. Portions were good and prices were more than reasonable. The service was spot on and the food came out pretty quick. Overall I was satisfied. I can't give it 5 stars because it's New Orleans and the standards for food quality are just higher.
(4)Tori A.
My girlfriends & I we're in town for the Essence Festival 2015. It was literally around the corner from our hotel. We stayed in the Marriott. I was surprised when we were told that at 2pm they were no longer serving food on a Saturday! This place sits in the middle of a tourist area and we saw them turn away 8 groups of people. Because we walked in right at 155 they did decide to serve us. The food was pretty good. we had the crawfish nachos. They were fantastic! We also had red beans and rice & boudin balls. They were pretty good. The crawfish etouffee had a little to be desired. Our server was very nice. She was very pleasant despite the gentleman who sat us like he really did not want to. We would we would go back. Probably for drinks and nachos!
(3)Jon L.
A New Orleans classic bar and restaurant. They have one of the best outside dining patios in the Crescent City. Primarily known by the locals and the service industry regulars. They have a great selection of very cold bottled beers. The tile on the floor is a classic orgirinal from the early 1900's.
(4)Ryan F.
We have been setting here for 30 minutes, 25 minutes after we ordered and we still have not seen coffee or the bloody Marys that we ordered. No water, no communication...I am not sure if I will have the patience to actually wait to see if the food is decent. Just plain ridiculous. OK, 45 minutes later I have one coffee and one Bloody Mary, but there are 2 in my party. The bloody is good but not spectacular. The coffee is weak and we are having to share it. Ok, 1 hour and 15 minutes after our arrival, our food has arrived...tepid and without much flavor. My breakfast mate did not finish her eggs as they were very undercooked, and the accompanying hash was a strange mix of red potatoes and sweet potatoes...it added up to a strange dish with not much flavor. Lucky for me they were extremely speedy about getting my bill paid so I could leave and we will it be returning!
(1)Nyree S.
My boyfriend and I were staying at the Lowes Hotel down the street for his birthday. We originally intended to go to Mannings, but considering the hour and a half wait, we opted across the street to Ernst Cafe. It was entirely too hot to sit outside, so we walked right in and found a seat at the bar. The bartender was nice and helpful, although a tiny bit uppity. We ordered beer and food. We waited the best part of 30 minutes for our food, but when it came, it was absolutely delicious. I got a chicken sandwich, which in most places is rather average, but it was cooked to perfection. My boyfriend got the chicken fingers and was borderline licking the plate after he'd finished. The atmosphere and the service was not to the highest of standards, but the food in comparison to other "bar food" was quite surprisingly delicious. We will definitely go back.
(4)Jason Y.
The service was impeccable. The staff went out of there way to be accommodating and make sure everyone was comfortable. The food was pretty damn good as well. Good job folks!
(4)John G.
Decided to look for cheap eats. This place caught my eye. Prices are reasonable and the portions are surprisingly big. Ambiance is what I would call a dive bar, but clientele is young and hip. Waitress are friendly and service was fast. I went for the Ernster sandwich, which is a Po-boy served with fried oysters and roast beef. However they were out of oysters, but they substituted fried shrimp In a word.....DELICIOUS!!! This is definitely a three napkin sandwich. It is served on a sliced Italian bread hero and is stuffed with pickles, lettuce & tomatoes as well as melted cheese and a spicy mayo spread. The sandwich is accompanied by a generous helping of seasoned fries. They also have a pretty good beer selection available as well as some signature cocktails and a house wine. If you are looking for good cheap NOLA eats in anad around the Central Business or Warehouse district then the Ernst Cafe is the place.
(4)Cristen F.
This is one of the few places downtown where outside dining is an option and it is located in a nicer area of downtown - Fulton Alley. On this last visit, we had the blackened shrimp salad and a roast beef po boy, both were very good. I'll definitely be back...
(3)Jeanne K.
What a disappointment! The food was less than mediocre. The beans and rice tasted old....the chicken was dry. The 'Ernst' burger came as a tasteless piece of burger...with nothing else. The waitress was nowhere to be found except when she brought the bill.
(2)Erin H.
Terrible service and food. Chicken fingers were tasteless. Gumbo was decent. Don't go. Too many other good places to go
(1)Jonathan B.
Awesome happy hour. Cute bar tender, nice, and sincere. Good looked awesome, but just in for cocktails.
(4)Vera J.
Its a bar. The po boy was a little salty, but all in all it was good. The crawfish etouffe was delicious.
(3)Brandi A.
We stumbled upon this bar one morning around 7am on the way to a race. There were so many people walking by that they opened the bar (which is pretty cool). We got Bloody Marys and went on to the race, post race none of us could remember where the bar was or what the name was so we searched and searched online till we narrowed it down to a small area and started walking. We found it!! Then proceeded to drink many more Bloody Marys. We didn't eat there do I can't speak for the food but the staff were all really friendly.
(4)Amanda R.
This was horrible from start to finish. While I have an appreciation for the fact that it was New Years Day, we were one of the first in the door and not only did we have to flag down a waiter for attention, we waited over an hour for subpar food. Others around us ordered after we did and got their food then finished it before ours arrived. The wait staff had no idea who had what section, we all waited 15-20 minutes for drinks and 45+ minutes for food (eggs and potatoes- so nothing complicated). Food was basic, atmosphere was chaotic and the server had no idea what he was doing. Total waste of time.
(2)Marc M.
I wish I had a chance to try some of the food here as the menu looked great although our time here was basically meant to be a rallying point and first stop on what became a truly epic bar crawl that last far into the early hours of the next day. I did have one drink here and had a chance to admire the space and the decor for a bit while socializing with all my new friends.
(4)Kai W.
I walked in and was not greeted. I asked a waitress do we seat ourselves and she said yes. I sat down and it took my waitress 15 mins to bring me a menu, which was strange because it didn't seem that crowded. It took forever for her to finally take my order. She wasn't rude but I was annoyed at how slow my service was. The chicken egg rolls were pretty good but I've had better gumbo. I won't be going back.
(3)Mark I.
What a difference a change in staffing makes! Ate here a few days ago and had good food and excellent service! Gumbo, Boudin Balls and a Hurricane made for a wonderful experience. Gave it 4 stars. Thought I'd try it again tonight and was sorely disappointed. Gumbo tasted burned. The most disappointing thing was the service. A large bearded guy with a shaved head could have cared less about my dining experience. Seemed annoyed he needed to serve me! Very surly, responded "no problem" when I thanked him for delivering my food. If I had anticipated it would be a "problem", I'd have gone elsewhere. Wanted to recommend, but can't with the inconsistent service!
(2)Austin V.
It only took me two days to find some good gumbo and étouffée in New Orleans. The gold was great and the service was timely and extremely friendly. The liquor selection was great and this smaller restaurant/bar had a better selection than some of the bars on bourbon street. Highly recommend and will come back on next visit.
(5)Erin T.
Pretty awesome little spot with mouthwatering Crawfish Étouffée! Just over by Fulton....plenty of other delicious options and extensive beer list. Perfect lunch spot!
(4)Jen L.
I hadn't been to Ernst in a few years, when I met up with a bunch of fellow yelpers a week or two ago. I was late to the party and cranky. In no time I had a glass of bourbon (not my preferred brand but they did have a decent selection) and had ordered an ultimately delicious fried shrimp plate. (As a side note, when I tipped the member of the kitchen staff who delivered my plate, I got a hug...which was nice and with the shrimp/fries/bourbon completely erased the crankies.) Ernst has solid food since it's a popular spot with the service industry crowd (I think the kitchen is 24 hours). The shrimp batter was nice and spicy and the shrimp were a really good quality and c'mon tasty french fries...which are excellent for shoving in the maw of your too drunk friends. That's the stuff. Yeah the tile floor is odd...but seriously it was installed 100 years ago. I don't know about a symbol for piece but before it was co-opted by an insecure Austrian, it was a symbol for national identity for Germanic peoples...since they didn't even have a flag. Too bad the man with the 'stache had to ruin things.
(4)Eldon P.
Horribly slow service and we arrived at about 6:10 to plenty of open tables. About 50 minutes for average food on a small menu. Appetizers came at same time as meal. After 45 minutes had to track down server for 2nd beverage...then she did not ask if anyone else in our party of 8 wanted anything. Chickwich ok as were loaded fries....as long as you have an hour to waste. Local Abita and Nola beers came in a can and bottle...not on tap.
(3)Marielle S.
I like this place. It's a nice little restaurant in the Fulton area. Now, to be totally honest, I have never actually eaten here. I usually find myself here hanging out with friends and having a good time. I really like that (because it's a restaurant) it's completely smoke free. I find myself more and more drawn to smoke free places as of late. I have really begun hating reeking of cigarette smoke at the end of the night. Anyway, this is a nice alternative to some of the other places in this area like Lucy's or Red Eye. I have never seen it overly crowded and the staff is nice.
(4)Lindsay A.
This is a super solid spot in the Fulton street area of town. The bar is very attentive and good at their job of keeping a drink in your hand. The service is always friendly and efficient. The big shocker to me about this place is the food. It's really pretty good! I recommend the fried shrimp po-boy. They have a great batter that is crispy with a touch of spice. Ernst is a friendly, well lit, smoke-free bar, with decent food in an area of the city that is not really known for any of those things. A great place to stop in for a drink or hang out for hours with your friends. Highly recommended.
(4)Brandi F.
Great food and staff. Staff was extremely friendly and offered us tons of information about the area and its history. The bartender was very personable and came to our table to offer advice on the different drinks available. Will definitely go back when in town!
(5)James M.
I had the Buffalo Shrimp Salad and the Bread Pudding. The shrimp was cooked just right, it wasn't over cooked or under cooked. The Buffalo sauce could have been a little hotter in my opinion but it had could flavor. Bread Pudding hit the spot! It was nice and warm covered with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and a glaze that set it off!
(4)Eric E.
Eh after trying two different PoBoy's I'm not real impressed. Maybe some of their other menu items can make up for it? We had the Ernster and the roast beef with the Ernster being the roast beef with fried shrimp on it basically. They were ok just not something I would give as a recommendation to try for a taste of NOLA.
(3)Cory A.
I was expecting better based on the reviews, but the service started slow and they were out of oysters. My shrimp poboy was nothing special, but my wife really enjoyed the crab cakes.
(3)Aleks W.
Wow. I'm not one to complain, but the chicken gumbo tasted like lumpy sewerage extract and had the consistency of a troll's saliva. Even the post mix soda was too watered down and had a hint of over-chlorinated pool water... rinsed from an old man's swimsuit. Everyone's experience is different, but I wish I could erase this one from my memory.
(1)Albert L.
No this is not a fancy place with exquisite drink concoctions. This is a down-to-earth local establishment that gets it all right. So even before I'd landed in NOLA, I'd already set my sights on Ernst Cafe as the place I would drop by for a first welcoming beverage. Hey, it's only steps away from the W Hotel I was staying at. Anyway, this place is so low-key on the regular that you'll almost never find any tourists in here because it's opposite from the French Quarter. This is a good thing. I sat at the bar, and the bartender was laid back and friendly. He gave me the scoop on what to check out at Mardi Gras and some local suggestions. Also chatted up a couple of locals who gave their insight into food to eat. Liked this place so much, that my group decided to follow my lead to come back for some food and drinks the next day. Sit at the bar, have a drink, make some friends.
(5)Stephy S.
Takes forever to get a server outside apparently (the group next to us warned us and they actually kept going inside to bartender to get drinks)...that we moved inside because we were ravenous. This was about after 20 minutes of no service. Once inside, service ordering was more prompt! Ordered crab cakes (good), oyster po boy (okay and the fries were good), and the gumbo (mehh). They are right about everything moving slow in the South. About 45 minutes (at least) we got our bar food. I'd say good place to grab a drink in warehouse district
(3)Melanie C.
Service was great! We ordered the gumbo, shrimp creole and fried green tomatoes. It was all very good. The only suggestion I would make is that they toast the bread!
(5)Sherri K.
We were in here all of 3 minutes. Long enough to order to-go cocktails and hit the streets of New Orleans. Yeaaaa. TV's - looks like a great place to watch the Saints play. Prompt service. This is all.
(3)Hannah W.
Service was rude and the gumbo tasted burnt. The crawfish étouffée was delicious though. Post mix diet coke tasted like pond water :( we came here on a recommendation but will not be recommending to others.
(2)Jerry E.
Po-boys here Absolutely SUCK. At least ours did. The French bread was toasted soooo much that it practically cracked like crackers!! Made the sandwich almost impossible to eat. We had already waited so long for it to be prepared that I honestly want to wait any longer for them to correct the situation. But it was LOADED with fish & shrimp. Loaded Fries were Out of this World GREAT!! Give'em a TRY though, I know I would....at least to redeem themselves. Service: Good before the food was brought out. Then our waiter completely Disappeared, till he brought out the check. Overall, kinda crappy.
(3)Danny G.
Sorry. Went inside to get a table and was told to sit anywhere inside or out. Wasn't busy. A family of 4 sat next to me outside and all they got was a stern lecture from a waiter about the kids not being able to go inside - not even for the restroom because they have gaming machines. They said ok. We all sat another 10 minutes with NO SERVICE - not even a menu, no water, no welcome. Got up and went across the street.
(1)Scarlet R.
OMG AMAZIMG!!! great service and amazing food! found our new spot! :) my daughter is in love with the shrimp!
(5)Lisa C.
We went after a conference meeting seeking a quick bit and a cold drink. We had a fun, friendly waitress and followed her lead. Crawfish nachos and gumbo. Everything was so tasty, the nachos were fantastic. Drinks cold and strong. We even took her advice about what Cajun seasoning to buy and bring home from our trip. Thanks
(4)Tiff C.
Love this place, in the so-called Warehouse District by Fulton Street was a nice little area of restaurants, shops, not congested with tourists like the French Qtr but within walking distance to Harrahs, the Riverwalk, and the Convention Center. Great service and the food was very good. I sampled everyones food at my table and the highlights were the Spicy chicken sandwich and Bayou burger. My gumbo wasnt the best Ive ever had, but it was decent. If you're looking for a change of pace from the usual tourist traps, this would be a nice place to take in the sites and walk around a bit.
(4)Jochen R.
Excellent customer service, nice ambiance. Make sure you try the gumbo with seafood and the alligator bites!
(4)Tom K.
Stopped in for a cocktail and gumbo in the afternoon. Had not been to Ernst in a few years. Easy bar to hang out in. Staff is good and they have a mix of a couple locals and warehouse district/convention center people. Had the Gumbo. Good Roux flavor, a bit thin but nicely done. I would preferred it have a touch more spice so I did not need to use the Tabasco. Also had the Boudin Balls. Pretty yummy. Nice appetizer that I would get again with beer. Worth stopping in if you are looking for less commercial and more neighborhood feel.
(4)Mike I.
You wanna drink with industry people? Come here. Wanna hang with people who live and work in NOLA? Come here. Wanna eat some good food and shoot Jameson until you pee yourself? Come here. Wanna wear beads and say you're in "Nawlins"? Go anywhere else.
(5)John L. H.
Ernst may be my favorite bar in the Fulton Street area. Located just a few blocks from Poydras Street, Ernst has always been a great place to get a drink, or eat lunch. It is also a great place to hold a private party. The atmosphere is very laid back and relaxed. Even though it is so close to downtown, it does not feel touristy at all. For food: I have only had food during lunch. Despite being a full service bar, at lunchtime, it has more of a restaurant feel. In other words, your boss won't frown upon you eating here. Food is more upscale than you would expect at a bar. My favorite items are the buffalo shrimp salad and the burger. Prices are a little expensive for lunch, but this is a prime location downtown. The bar: This is a full service bar. The bottled beer selection is pretty good, including probably 40-50 different beers. Every time I have been here the bar was well staffed and the bartenders were friendly. There are tables outside which are a great place to sit if the weather is nice. If you're in the Fulton Street area, I recommend you check out Ernst. Note: The parking lot across the street can get expensive, and the machine does not offer change.
(4)Cristina C.
I met a fellow Yelper here while I was in town, I walked a short distance from where I was and we sat at the bar. It was in the afternoon, not many people. Quiet, laid-back, chill. We drank and chatted about what people chat about and had a nice time. The bartender was knowledgeable and y'all have Sam Adams here, woohoo. Although I don't drink the Sammies, that was cool to see I didn't know they had them down here.
(4)Paul O.
Dive bar type of place. Good beer prizes, friendly staff. They have a few tv screens. The location is nice.
(3)Nikki I.
While staying at the Marriot on convention center in New Orleans this restaurant was right around the corner from our hotel. We wanted some good food but it was 11pm a night, so I turned to yelp to find this place. I was very excited about visiting my first restaurant in New Orleans and I was really pleased. I got a shrimp po boy and a beer and paid about 15 dollars in total which in my opinion was a great deal for dinner. The portions were huge, and the only thing was that the bread was a little hard but I still ate it. The bartender was extremely nice especially since he told me that the beer prices were going to go down after 12am by over half off. All in all I would definitely visit this place again. The atmosphere is super chill and an a middle aged crowd!
(4)Nicole S.
What an amazing place we happened upon. Mike the bartender was wonderful.... Full of knowledge about the history of the establishment and knows how to make a gr8 drink. The crab cakes are AMAZING! I don't usually do reviews but this place definitely deserves every bit of it.
(5)Laura H.
Cheap eats, good food. Above par for bar food definitely. Reasonably priced for tasty food. Great drinks...heavily poured!!! Always a win. I would totally go back here...except its like 800miles away...so yeah...you should go there instead.
(4)Mike P.
I had the Ernster sandwich which has fried oyster, roast beef debris with gravy, and mayo on French bread. I can honestly say it was the best po-boy I've ever had, definitely better than Parkway. If you eat here you almost have to get it, although I've heard the rest of the menu is quite good.
(4)Emily W.
Love this place! Great happy hour prices and ample seating outdoors. Really fun for a group of friends to all enjoy each other's conversations. The neighborhood is really cute too, great for people watching!
(5)Jason M.
You wouldn't think it, but this place has mighty fine crawfish étouffée (light rioux). I have found this place by chance on two separate occasions and have always been pleased with the service and quality of cuisine. The vibe is relaxed (as most locations in Warehouse District is) but it's also the caliber of patrons that make this place sing. The employees are unpretentious, the customer are cordial and there is a simple 'down home' concept that this place captures very well. Pull up a seat in the night air and enjoy some great tasting dishes with good friends (old and new).
(4)Megan N.
Food looked awesome on the plate, but tasted just ok. Staff was not the least bit attentive. We were not greeted when we came in and had to ask a waitress if we could sit at a dirty table which she did clean right away. We then sat there for a very long time before she came back to take our order. We sat for much longer before she brought our drinks. Other waitresses walking by would not acknowledge you and our waitress was nowhere to be seen except when she finally brought the drinks and food. Would not eat here again .
(2)Carl M.
I live in New Orleans and found myself downtown at lunchtime. Never having been to Ernst Cafe, I decided to try it. The business was packed with conventioneers at 1:00pm. I decided to order Shrimp Creole, one of my favorite dishes. I was very disappointed! The shrimp were obviously cooked on a grill and then added to the mix. They were burnt on one side making that side chewy and not very tasty. The sauce tasted like they opened a can of tomato sauce and then added some chopped vegies and diced tomatoes. It was definately the worse example of Shrimp Creole I have ever had. Looking at other reviews, most seem happy with their Poboys and other dishes. I guess I just ordered the wrong dish for that Cafe.
(2)Anne s.
Ernst Cafe is great. The staff is a lot of fun and offered great recommendations. We were in town for a week and by the end if the week they knew us. The chef special today was blackened catfish was cooked perfectly. The burgers were awesome too.
(5)Jeremy S.
In town for work, stopped by for a quick lunch and beer. The Ernster was excellent and the server behind the bar was attentive and friendly.
(4)Daniel F.
Bartender Sam has no person skills. I come to this place all the time and this time I ordered my usual beer, andigator, which is always 5$. He tells me it's 7$. I correct him by saying I'm pretty sure it's five, you should check with the other bartender. This guy has the nerve to walk up to the other bartender Paul and say, " how much is an andigator, cause this guys trying to be an a$$hole and tell me the price is wrong." I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE, I'm a regular and he has worked there for 1 week and I'm the a-hole? The only reason this review isn't getting one star is because I go here all the time and it's usually a 5 star experience, but this guy just ruined it for you. The funny part is that Paul corrected him and told him the price actually was 5$. I never got an apology for the confusion, not that it would have even mattered, HE CALLED ME AN A$$HOLE! Plus I watched him scold another patron because he got the beer order wrong and had to throw out a bud light. YOU DONT SCOLD YOUR GUESTS, you say yes to the guests! I'm not writing this review for future patrons but I'm writing this for management. If you don't get rid of this guy Sam, your business is gonna suffer because me and all my co workers who are regulars there will take themselves over to Vic's and never return.
(2)Jennifer H.
The experience overall was not horrible but the food was mediocre at best. The Chicory BBQ Chicken was bland and served luke warm. The crab cakes my friend ordered had a vague flavor of freezer burn. The Cobb Steak Salad my other friend had was decent. Service was attentive but the food didn't have enough flavor for me. It might have been a bad day for Ernst...or maybe I should have had one of the burgers or a po boy. but unless you are a tourist looking to grab a non-memorable meal or just meet for drinks, Ernst would be okay. On another note it is worth noting the age of the bar/restaurant (106 yrs old) and the amazing floor tile/accents. Overall I would suggest just have drinks here.
(2)Janah V.
This place is an easy walk from the Hilton, so it was ideal for conference lunch breaks. The oyster po boy was not that great, no sauce with it, so too crunchy and dry. The crab cake was delish and the shrimp Caesar was good. The patio is nice to enjoy lunch in.
(3)Rebecca H.
We sat inside for lunch, shared the fried green tomatoes with shrimp for appetizer and knew we picked a good place. In our party we had the étouffée, gumbo, shrimp po boy, and shared the bread pudding - nothing disappointed. On top of all of that our waitress, Katherine, was pleasant and prompt!
(5)James A.
Great oysters! Had a late-night fried-oyster platter on Saturday. They were big, hot, and arrived very quickly. They were also less expensive than Manning's OR Grand Isle on Fulton Street. Staff was friendly, and, even though busy, sat me right away!
(4)Ryan W.
Brought the wife and kids to eat on the patio and they told us the kids were not to come inside. Okay, I can get that, but he said it AGAIN "kids are not to be inside and then told us we have no high chairs and acted like we were an annoyance. We simple wanted to have a meal on the patio like everyone else but were outcasted because we had children. It was 4pm and it was slow. We were nice to you Ernst Cafe and you spit of us for having kids, pathetic! We never ate because we were not given the chance. Service and attitude delivers this place (1 of 100's just like it in New Orleans) 1 lousy star.
(1)Ken B.
I was visiting with my wife and staying in walking distance to this place. At 11 pm we decided to try this place based on reviews on Yelp. When we entered the place was pretty empty with a few people at the bar and one table of three. We took a table in front of the bar. No one acknowledged we had even sat down. The waitress walked by us two times and never said anything. The bartender was 8 ft from us behind the bar and was wrapped up in his customers at the bar. After about 5 minutes we could tell they didn't want our business so we left. I thought at that point someone we yell at us to stay. Nope. Bad experience. I guess it really is a locals place and no one else is welcome
(1)Jessica S.
Reliable old Ernst, like an old friend, I can always count on you for a quick beer to go during the day or an outdoor table to pass the time, rest my feet, and eat some guilty pleasure foods. The fried green tomatoes are a must and if you're super hungry and not counting the calories (you're probably good for the next two weeks) the Ernster Po-boy is sinfully amazing and more than enough for two to split. Yummmmm! I also find this place good for groups since it's easy going and offers food/drinks that I think most could agree on.
(4)Cyd B.
By far the best po-boy sandwiches we had our entire time in NOLA. The decor is casual and could use a little updating, but the food is awesome and the 70's and 80's soundtrack playing in the background was fun for reminiscing. I had the Chicory Chicken Sandwich which was very generous portion of pulled chicken in BBQ sauce, covered in cole slaw and sauce, it was more than a meal, could easily feed two. I ordered sweet potato fries (which came with for $11), a delicious treat and something different than the standard french fries. They have a wide variety of beers, I think the waiter said 72 to choose from, including the Abita, I had the seasonal, very good. My husband ordered the Ernster Sandwich - fired oysters over roast beef on a po-boy, again excellent and huge. We ended up eating there again the next day and were again very pleased with the meal and the service. It's very casual, great place for lunch and they have a concise menu which I appreciate. Both times we were there, we had no wait and the locals seemed to like the place and were hanging out at the bar socializing.
(4)Teresa M.
Very convenient to the conference center and good food, but a bit too slow for the 1 hour lunch break.
(4)Gene G.
Good place to watch a game. Much better than Mannings which is right across the street. The food here is above average. I had the Oyster poboy with fries and the bread pudding for dessert which was fantastic. Service was awesome as well.
(4)Andy S.
Located in a growing hotspot in New Orleans. This bar/restaurant is located in the Warehouse District not far from the Casino and other tourist spots. It is a nice place to visit when the weather is cooperating since there is some nice outdoor seating with relatively nice views.
(3)Eve K.
No frills locals bar away from the Bourbon scene. Cost to worth it rating: 4 Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Atmosphere: low key spot where many people who work and neighboring hotels, restaurants, and bars come after they clock out. - Set up: outdoor and indoor area to sit and chat and have some drinks - Hours: we came pretty late and the hub asked how long they would be open. Answer was maybe 5 am or later. Love that! - Firefly: they not only have my favorite sweet tea infused vodka from South Carolina, but they had it in every flavor they make. We were intending on just one more drink, but I had to try a few. Lowlights: - As much as I love hanging out in non-touristy spots, I know I'll never be able to pass for a local Like to have a go to spot near the quarter to just hang out with friends and not be bothered by groups of screaming people when the mood strikes.
(4)Eileen Z.
Great sit down spot at Fulton square. I wouldnt say this place is good for kids though. It's a bar afterall
(4)Attila C.
This is a really cool place to grab a drink(or five) after work, since it also has a kitchen -hours and days are limited, though. They have happy hour specials but I never make it down here early enough so I'm forced to pay full price. Bummer, because I know places with all-around service industry discounts... But, the beer selection is pretty good and reasonably priced and the food is really tasty. Btw, they really did a great job fixing this place up a few years ago, the interior looks great!
(4)Scott G.
I first happened upon Ernst back in 2007 when I was looking for a lunch spot during the NCAA basketball games at the Arena. We ate some great fried shrimp that day, so over the years I have been back to further patronize the establishment. They have drink specials during Saints games, and if it's still the case, the NOLA Ole Miss alumni group meets there to watch football games. My friend Andy met his now wife at one of the watch parties. I would assume the watch parties are now at Manning's across the street though. They are one of the only places in the Warehouse District that I know of to serve PBR, and it's cheap. Manning's across the street doesn't believe in cheap beer, so if you want to save some cash, go to Ernst. They have a wide selection of bottled beer and a full bar, so you have an array of choices. The last time I went, my wife and I sat at the bar, drank PBR, split a salad, and ate some egg rolls. Everything was great. It's not too crowded most of the time, and the staff is cool. I highly recommend for cheap drinks and good atmosphere.
(4)Marsha B.
My dads friends family use to own this place.. I've been coming here since I was a young.. It's not the same as it use to be, but I still like it... It's really an old piece of New Orleans... No drink specials on the weekends but not sure about weekends.. The food is pretty awesome by the way.. Oh and try some video poker while you are there..
(4)Rachel S.
Bar w/ tasty food. Wanted to get something not fried or a huge sandwich but a week of overeating made me behave. Had the soup (gumbo) & salad (caesar) and it was so good. Gumbo was full of flavor, crisp lettuce, yummy dressing & homemade croutons. Can't wait to return though and try one of the sandwiches.
(4)Steven H.
Historic, classic warehouse district NOLA bar with a reasonable selection of bottled beers. Limited menu but the southwest eggrolls I tried were freshly made and delicious, with no hint of grease or having come from the freezer. Had my first bottle of Shiner Hefeweizen, which I'll be looking for in the future.
(4)Jane M.
The food was good, the service was ok. I had Fried Catfish with fries. They had a very limited menu due to the Final Four coming to town. They didn't have po-boys, what I was really looking for, or Abita beer. Well, I was told they had it in the back, then I was told it was warm, then I was told they would not serve it to me because they didn't want to go in the back to get it. They could have just told me they were out, but instead they had to string me along. Either way, I would still have been disappointed. This place is probably a lot better when there isn't a huge crowd in town. Although one would think with large events, they would be better prepared. It was a nice little bar, with some interesting history, but I do not see myself stopping by next time I'm in town.
(3)Jessica M.
Once again Yelp made the night. I love it on my iphone!! We were looking for a salad after having eatin' numerous po boys the day and days before. I checked out the menu online and I new this place had to be good. We had the steak salad and let me tell you it did not disappoint at all. This place is cozy and has some serious history including the "interesting" floor symbols. I later read the plackard on the wall which told the tale on the floor. The vibe is low key and most in there are locals or frequent visitors. It is so close to the crazy huge establishments across the street which catch most visitors eyes. You could easily miss this place too. Crab cakes-crisp, thick and delish with a nice sauce :) Steak Salad- large, fresh greens, tons of bleu cheese, Tender steak, fresh and tasty :) We ventured back 3 times, I also tried the Crawfish Etoufee DELISH!!! The chicken gumbo, also delish and a side salad which was tasty and fresh too. I love this place! I will be back when I come again in May to NOLA! Everything I saw brought to other tables looked so good too :) lots of options to try here. Service was friendly and pretty fast. If you are looking for lunch near convention center then try this place. short walk away from all that convention center food :)
(5)L T.
This was a nice place to grab a drink - it's an old spot - but the food just wasn't anything to write home about. On the other hand, it's one of the relatively few places in the business district where the kitchen stays open late, so if you want to save yourself a hike to the French Quarter, it'll do.
(3)Herbie W.
Good place to grab a burger and a beer. Friendly staff and good prices. I would go again
(3)Shannon S.
This bar has always been a consistently good place to enjoy yourself and I've been to MANY private parties and events in their upstairs venue over the years. They food is decent and much better than most of the other bars in the Warehouse District. They have a lot of tables set around the outside so it can be a patio like experience when it is nice outside and then they have a great balcony upstairs to enjoy for private events. I've always found the bartenders here to be outstanding and they have always delivered extremely rapid service no matter how crowded and crazy the bar is (and this includes insanely crowded times like Running of the Bulls). This is probably my favorite bar in the entire Warehouse District simply due to the consistent and excellent service.
(4)Rudd G.
Staying in a hotel around the corner when I spotted this place. They have a good beer selection (including arrogant bastard!!!). Ate here several times, the red beans were GREAT. The crowed in the place was a bit strange. There was a guy in his 30's who kept feeding $100's into the slot machine for hours. There were rats or mice running around inside the place. It was a bit concerning to be eating my beans and seeing them running around the floor next to us. When I told the waitress she just said "there mice, not rats", ok, thats better!
(4)Jeff P.
Wow, the Ernster Po Boy is amazing. I was not hungover but if I were, the Ernster would take good care of that. Roast Beef, fried shrimp on the best bread ever, fully dressed of course. Glad we found this place
(5)Mimi D.
This place is awesome! It doesn't close til 6 AM. Bartender is nice and friendly, regardless of the time of night you are there. They serve both beer and mixed drinks. Kitchen closes at 11 on weekdays, but I'm not sure about weekends. I also came here for a private party upstairs with FREE FOOD AND UNLIMITED BEER!!! How can a girl pass that up?! A few things on the menu were: 1) COCONUT BATTERED LOBSTERS (I'm not sure I saw these go by) 2) CRAWFISH EGGROLLS (they were delicious) 3) BEEF HIBACHI SKEWERS 4) BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP PUFFS (my friend ate a ton of these! and the waitress was so nice to just keep coming back to him to clear her tray!) 5) SEAFOOD STUFFED MUSHROOMS (it tasted a tad weird to me) 6) ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE PUFFS (really, really yummy) SHRIMP REMOULADE DIP PEARL PASTA CRAWFISH It was an awesome party and I am hoping they serve this kind of food on their menu as well!!
(4)Scott G.
Better than good food. Solid beer selection and a fun staff. The atmosphere is gritty enough to give you a New Orleans experience. Well worth the visit.
(4)Greg S.
This place is perfect. Great service, good beer selection, good food and inexpensive. I saw customer after customer come in for take-out, so I guess the food is pretty popular. This is in the warehouse district and has a cool historic feel to it. Very open-air with lots of seating along the bar, spread-out tables inside, or outside along the sidewalk. Bartender Tracey seemed to run the place when I was in town. Not only great service but an excellent resource of where to go and how to get there .
(5)Ernesto E.
Decent beer selection. No tap beer. :o( But the food was actually pretty good. No complaints there.
(4)Ashley D.
Best buffalo chicken strips. We stayed at a hotel near here, our 1st night we went here. The bartender gave us great suggestions of places to go. Cheap drinks & great bar food. Very mellow, away from the french quarter. Loved it!
(4)Nicholas A.
Well decided to try this place out based upon the reviews. It was terrible. The bar tender was rude. I asked for a glass for my beer and she "forgot". The food was bad. I've gotten better Cajun in Indiana. The waitress actually smelled the ranch dressing prior to serving it. The bar tender and waitress only paid attention to the locals at the bar and negected the other patrons. Do yourself a favor and bypass this place.
(1)Stacy K.
Great Creole Shrimp. Our waittress was great too. We showed up with a group of 3 adults and 8 kids. Couldn't eat inside, but they accomodated us kindly outdoors. It was raining, but being under the awning was just perfect. The only complaint in our group was the chicken strips. One kid loved them and another hated them. I think they were just "different" than other restaraunt chicken strips. These looked hand battered and seasoned.
(4)Suzanne S.
I didn't have a great dining experience at Ernst Cafe. My two stars are based primarily on the food which was poor. However, the cute outdoor seating and friendly service was a plus! I should preface my review by sharing that I'm a vegetarian. So I did not do the crawfish or burger entrees which seem popular here. In fact, there were no vegetarian options other than a Caesar salad which was definitely not adequate enough to count as a full entree. The salad appeared to be straight out of the bag, there was a meager sprinkling of parmeasean cheese, and a side of dressing that tasted strikingly similar to Ken's Steakhouse dressing. The croutons were tasty but overall, it was nothing special and something I could have whipped up in my kitchen with limited preparation. We also ordered the loaded cheese fries. There was no loaded and just a handful of fries. The fries were terribly bland and we had to add quite a bit of salt. There was less than 1/4 of a cup of shredded cheese and maybe a teaspoon size dallop of sour cream. Unfortunately, my experience here was not very good. However, if you just want to sit outside and sip on a drink, it has a beautiful patio for relaxing!
(2)Stephen H.
Overpriced bar food. Service was very rocky. It seemed like it was opening night with a cast who had never worked a restaurant-bar before. Could have been an off-night. New Orleans offers so much better and for less money. I know the building has a historical vibe to it, with the tiles on the floor--but found it odd that the pride in the tile is so great considering the historically offensive design at the front door.
(1)Cinnatea L.
not fancy, but by far the best red beans and rice i had in all of nola. can't wait to go back. yumm yumm yumm!!
(5)Kevin Y.
Our group ended up here one night during our NOLA trip after we couldn't get a table without a wait at other restaurants nearby. The cafe has outdoor seating which was great option for those who want to enjoy the weather. I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have any beers on tap, but they had a decent selection of bottles. My main gripe was with how long it took for us to get our food. We were a group of six, but it took over and hour and a half for us to get our food. Our server did give us notice that they were making a fresh batch of rice and that it would take a while, but still seems a bit excessive. At least we had a couple beers to pass the time. When we did get our food everyone seemed to be satisfied. I enjoyed my crawfish etouffee which was quite flavorful, well seasoned and had a good amount of crawfish. If I were ever in town again I would be willing to give it another chance, in hopes that the wait isn't an issue again.
(3)Ryan L.
Basically, I was at the casino for a few hours and by the time I left, I was starving. I wasn't going to eat at the overpriced casino "restaurants", if that's what you wanna call them. I was staying at the W hotel and decided to walk around the block to see if there was anything open and not packed so I could grab a quick bite to eat. That's when I found Ernst Cafe. I ordered the chicken strip meal with fries (yeah, I went total fat kid and got everything fried!) and my mom got the cheeseburger. The food came out in a fairly decent time. The food wasn't anything special but it got the job done.
(3)dan d.
Not a bad place to hang out, but the shrimp po-boy could use some Enzyte.
(3)Tanya D.
I've mentioned this before, in New Orleans, we take our kids to bars! But seriously, this place was great for the kids (we sat outside.) The food is typical bar fare, but better. And it's not expensive. A good place to go if you are in the Quarter or the Aquarium or Insectarium and you have a mixed group of adults and kids and don't want a huge meal and don't want to spend FQ prices. The kids plate is only $5 and the fried shrimp were really good. I had the appetizer of fried spinach ravioli which were fried in a batter and crispy on the outside but creamy on the inside. Yummy, but very rich. It was a bit too much for a meal, so share. My aunt got the southwestern eggrolls and she was very happy with those (beans, cheese, and chicken, I think.) The fried shrimp salad looked good too.
(3)Calvin D.
On my last day of the conference, I stopped there for lunch on my way back to the hotel. I must say I had a very good shrimp poboy with fries. It had the right amount of shrimp and it was dressed just right. With so many good restaurants in NOLA, your hard pressed to pick one. If you are at the convention center, stop by, you will not be disappointed.
(4)John A.
While on a business trip in 2004 I was looking for an "off the beaten track" place to have a beer and a bite to eat, saw the Ernst Cafe, walked in, and immediately knew I had found my "local" spot. Nice old fashioned wood bar, old ceramic tile floor, small baskets of snacks (pretzels and nuts) on the tables and a great Jukebox. Typical Nola bar food, fried fish, burgers, po boys, but everything was just a bit a bit better and there is just a great "feel" in the room (I'm not big on eating outside ... especially when it's 96 degrees) I was back there for Jazzfest this spring and went to find it for lunch ... was it a mirage, was it as good as I imagined??? It was better. I immediately recognized the blond woman behind the bar, she was there in 2004. A bundle of energy that gets things done quickly and efficiently, but also courteous and ready to talk or joke. When I ordered the catfish po-boy but didn't want the fries ... "I was fried out" I told her, she laughed and quickly noted "we can give you a garden salad ... or is there something else I could get you". She was perfectly willing to make the customer happy, and the mixed green salad was perfect. Burgers are big and perfectly cooked and on round baguettes of French bread. Seafood dishes were large and fresh. Comfort food, great drinks,great service, great people, a great jukebox and moderately priced (compared with the Vieux Carre). This would be perfect as my living room!
(3)Zachary A.
Nice bar on the fringe of the CBD, catering mostly to the after work crowd. They usually have snacks out on a platter. Outside seating is nice when the weather's cool. This is a good spot for a blind date to begin, or to meet an internet friend for the first time.
(4)