Chef Bryon Peck’s homey from-scratch cooking is as downhome as it gets. I loved my time digging into a big Southern style breakfast while admiring the vibrant folk art on walls (inside and out), at his laid back and creaky floored Bywater restaurant Elizabeth’s.
A ginormous portion (even by American standards) of shrimp and grits with a side of praline bacon “pig candy” and a biscuit was heartily scrumptious – especially that pig candy. A strong cup of coffee regularly refilled with a bit of flirty sass from a friendly waitress made the meal that much more of a late morning treat.
Compared to many of my other 18 New Orleans eats, Elizabeth’s success came across as a lot less dependent on the tourist trade and hallmark occasions and more about establishing a history of rapport with local regulars looking for good eats at a pretty decent price. If I lived around there, I’d be planning a next visit midway through any meal there.
For no fuss Deep South flavours made right, I can think of few places better to recommend.
Elizabeth’s is located at 601 Gallier Street, 70117. Find out more at elizabethsrestaurantnola.com.
Save room for the next post! I’ll be back soon with more in my series about New Orleans in 18 Eats.