Clifton Whilby
Five stars all the way! We heard about this restaurant from a local resident who raved about the fact that this it the only restaurants in New Orleans where you find a line of locals waiting to be seated. With that in mind we decided to get there at 5:00 PM at their opening to ensure we beat the dimmer rush. We were able to park directly in front of the restaurant and were third to be seated. It did not disappoint.
Everything that mattered about this place scored off the charts. The wait staff was attentive, courteous, knowledgeable and appeared to be truly happy working. They offered excellent recommendations and provided a couple of complimentary items. The owner was also engaging and visited with every table. He even offered up additional complementary items. Everyone treated us well and made it clear they valued us dining with them.
The food was well above average and every dish was cooked to perfection!
The only thing not off the charts was the ambiance. It was a 3.8 out of 5 as it is more relaxed than it is upscale and could use some updating. It was fine just not as extraordinary as the food and the service.
Everything was a bit pricey but worth every penny. I highly recommend!
Anna Baatz
Lively atmosphere with funky decor and very friendly staff! Their famed alligator cheesecake was pretty good and tasted like a meaty quiche. We recieved complementary cornbread muffins at the start AND coconut bread pudding after our meal which we suspect is likely just part of their entree pricing, but was still a pleasant surprise. The fried rabbit we had was juicy and tasted like a crispy pork chop. The pasta was super creamy and decadent and loaded with juicy shrimp. Definitely a fun spot to try if they're not too busy! Afterwords you can stop by next door to the Maple Leaf Bar and listen to some live music :)
Jim N
Iconic New Orleans restaurant with all the high points of the New Orleans food scene.
The wait is what gets you. If you do not have a reservation you're looking at 40min+. It is worth the wait!
The BBQ shrimp was a hands down winner.
If it's your first time in NOLA - highly recommend coming here to get a feel for the area's food culture.
If you get the chance - try getting a reservation for the table outside in the bed of a Truck! Quite the experience
GAK
You walk in to the bar (pause to admire all the decals on the door), admire all of everything on the walls. Check in at the small stairs up to the kitchen. Either get seated or order a drink & and enjoy the atmosphere. Then when the table is ready you walk up into & through the kitchen (admire the glorious aromas) down some steps and to your table. Check out the decor some more.
The staff are super pleasant and friendly, we enjoyed ourselves. We felt the food was a little on the high side but every thing else made up for it.
PS: have the Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake, thank me later. Oh, the cornbread is the best I've ever had.
PPS: ubiquitous NOLA street parking.
Krutika Simon
We love coming back time and again to Jacques-Imo’s, and of course we are never disappointed! The fried chicken, bbq shrimp, and short ribs were just out of this world! It’s a little out of the way from the french quarter but highly recommend making this trip!
Lindsay S.
Don’t let the sign throw you off, this place is a must visit anytime in NOLA.
The cornbread muffin was the best we’ve ever tried.
And yea, the alligator cheesecake is a must try.
We didn’t have a bad bite!
Nicole Phipps
Fun little place, recommended by my Uber driver. Nice cozy atmosphere and the food was amazing. Great little restaurant. I highly recommend. I had the venison in mushroom pepper gravy, red beans and rice, and smothered cabbage.
Chris L
I had the chance to eat at four wonderful highly-rated restaurants while I was in New Orleans, and this was my favorite of the bunch. Environment was fun and interesting, the server was very friendly and patient even though she was busy, and the food was just amazing. We happened to meet Jacques, the owner, and he was hilarious and even took photos with us. When I go back to New Orleans next time, I'll be trying a bunch of new restaurants, but I will be doing this one a second time for sure. I had the redfish, and it was INCREDIBLE. Their double hurricane drink was great too. First hurricane I've ever had that didn't taste too sweet.
Louis and Elaine
This was our first visit to Jacques-Imo’s restaurant. The funky vibe is definitely different and a lot of fun. They have food selections I have not seen elsewhere and a lot of the old favorites as well. This is some of the best food we have enjoyed anywhere. This is a super casual spot with great service and really great food.
B Rich
Really enjoyed this casual dining spot. Atmosphere was neat, service was prompt and the food was on point. We were greeted with some corn muffins and some waters! We need this after a long day of walking. We immediately ordered the shrimp and alligator cheesecake. That we were unable to take a picture of because we gobbled it up it was so good. Had the beef short ribs with a side of red beans and cabbage. The rib came with My date ordered drum fish with a lemon butter cream sauce with a side of fries and corn maque choux.
Ryan Smith
Fantastic food and great service. There was a wait for a table but that speaks to how popular they are.. to include we were seated in about thirty minutes. Grab a cocktail from the bar while you wait!
The starter cornbread bites were tasty and the appetizer 'shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake' was amazing - you really should order this! I enjoyed my stuffed catfish with great sides of red beans n rice and smothered cabbage. Her eggplant pirogue entree was even better! Highly recommended for a great dinner in New Orleans!
Bradley J
I wish I could give this place 10 stars! I really only need to say one thing and that is shrimp -alligator cheesecake🤯#mindblown…. Also got the fried black drum and soft shell crab on a bed of grits and fried green tomatoes. Like i said this place crazy good. Also you have to try the fresh watermelon drink from the bar. It’s a house classic. Jacques is forsure top3 in New Orleans.
Krystal Than
Great food with better service. Jacques-Imo's didn't disappoint. Our waitress not only took our orders down quickly, she came by with additional plates from the owner. We had twice the dinner we planned! The only slight issue, was the air conditioner was blasting and it was fairly chilly the first 15 minutes.
Tom Fabjance
Great dining experience off the beaten path. You can’t go wrong with the cheesecake and bbq shrimp.
Fernando Sanchez Jr
A MUST when visiting NOLA! This was the first place I dined in upon arriving and it ended up being my favorite during my visit. While there was an hour long wait for a table, I opted in to sit at the full-service bar instead. To start off, the shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake was phenomenal! Truly a unique dish that left me wanting more. The shrimp creole was also fantastic and very fulfilling. Overall, had a great experience and would highly recommend for those looking for “Real N’awlins Food”!
Nicole Cain
If you want the soft shell crab on the weekend, don’t come late. Be there when they first open!! It’s the first thing to go. The next best thing, the bbq shrimp. KC was awesome with our service. Josh was the sweetness bartender.
Darija Meier
Fabulous dinner experience. Very lively and fun atmosphere. Our waiter was excellent and every dish we ordered was outstanding. I personally didn’t care so much for the Watermelon Mojito - it wasn’t very strong but I strongly recommend the gumbo and stuffed shrimp.
Johnny Paz Jr
This was the spot I wanted to go to and they did not disappoint. The panned Rabbit was exquisite! The steak was probably the best I had point blank period!
Oscar
The first restaurant I visited in New Orleans, and won't regret it. The food was very good, very similar to my country's food.
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