Jacques-Imo's Cafe

Jacques-Imo's Cafe is a Creole and Cajun restaurant at 8324 Oak Street in the Carrollton neighbourhood of Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana, right next door to the Maple Leaf Bar, the live-music venue famed for brass bands and rhythm and blues. The restaurant is known for generous portions, bold flavours and an eccentric, free-spirited personality that makes it a favourite with locals and with visitors willing to travel beyond the French Quarter.

The menu leans on rich, inventive Louisiana cooking. The signature dish is the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake, a savoury appetiser that has become emblematic of the cafe. Other highlights include smothered rabbit, fried chicken, blackened redfish and a range of seafood and steak specials, and entrees typically arrive with a side such as a salad or cornbread. Portions are large, and many diners share starters before committing to a main course. Dishes are rich and seasoned boldly, so the kitchen suits those who enjoy Cajun-style heat and butter.

The dining room is deliberately offbeat, with colourful decor, mismatched furnishings, a lively bar and a casual, loud atmosphere. There is also a courtyard-style seating area, and the mood is relaxed and festive. No dress code applies, and the crowd ranges from Oak Street regulars to families and music fans heading next door afterwards. Beverages include beer, cocktails and a modest wine list, well suited to a night out before the Maple Leaf Bar's live shows.

Prices fall around US$25-45 per person. Reservations are generally limited to larger parties, so most diners put their names on a list and wait, and waits on Fridays and Saturdays can run long. The phone number is (504) 861-0886. Hours are typically dinner most evenings, so visitors should confirm on the website. Arriving soon after opening is the best way to shorten the wait, and the nearby streetcar line makes the trip from downtown straightforward.