Stewart’s Diner

STAY. THE HELL. AWAY. I don’t know if there’s been a change of ownership, but the management does not seem to give a rip about any aspect that makes for a decent dining establishment. Given New Orleans penchant for great divey neighborhood places, my wife and I decided to try it. The worst $ 10 I’ve ever spent. We were greeted by a way over-​served dude yelling at me over the blaringly loud PA speaker that his next arrest would net him 20 to life. The service was slow and unable to complete my order. The decent yakamein was unable to salvage this dumpster fire.

It took us too long to find this spot but once we did we went over and over again, especially for breakfast. Some of the best pancakes we’ve had ever!
It’s a diner with diner food and prices. Don’t expect fancy expect good food.
It’s most def a local spot. So many white folks told us to stay away from walking north of St. Claude, which was suspect to us as we’d rode our bikes throughout the area to not be on the main road and knew it was a mostly working class and racially Black neighborhood, which meant we were with our community. If I had a dime for every time a white person told us to be cautious and not fool ourselves walking north we’d be able to eat here for a few days!
So, as a Black woman I loved it and it was exactly what I needed to feel connected and welcomed in a way the lower parts of the Bywater couldn’t provide. Seeing how the Diner supports the local community and how some officials have visited was heartwarming (not many restaurants have similar community or historical ties).

I stopped in on a whim and I must say I expected more.
The outside seems to entice some locals to hang out, especially since there’s a convenience store (and it’s truly convenient) adjacent to the diner. Not unsettling, just noticeable. Once inside the diner, the cooks & order takers are located behind the bar and are happy to give you a menu, or you can peruse the chalkboard to review the daily menu. I caution you to look at the paper menu as there is a wide variety of soul food choices. Not too pricey & relatively quick with the preparation.
I ordered hot sausage with eggs on french bread and a side of mac n cheese. I know these two things don’t go together, however they’re two of my favs!!! AnyWHOOOOO, the temperature of the food was good as was the taste.
There maybe a repeat visit in the near future, buuuuuuuuuuuut in the not-​so-​near future.

This place is seriously the shit. Located at the corner of Desire and N. Claiborne, the bright red interior with Saints paraphernalia only serve to further emphasize the wall with photographs of (former) (hoorah) Present George W. Bush, Mayor Nagin, and (former) Governor Blanco visiting and eating right after Katrina. Come after work to chill with locals drinking beer, or even on Sundays to watch the Saints.
Owned by three brothers, one of whom lives right next door, this down-​home spot is delicious, fast, and has one of the friendliest and most welcoming vibes. From breakfast to dinner, the Stewarts take care of you. Their daily soul food specials are delicious, made only better by the fact that most are offered every day. Red beans and rice has been renamed the «Presiden’ts Special»; the smothered pork chop is fall-​off-​the-​bone tender, baked mac-​n-​cheese New Orleans style (Idk if it’s just NOLA, but nowhere else have I enjoyed my macncheese made with spaghetti noodles), great fried chicken (made to order with a salt and pepper seasoning)…
As Melvin Stewart says, Good food and good service. What else can you ask for? I sure can’t ask for much more.