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Chicago has a great deal to offer more than pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches...
I'm sure New Orleans does too, but they are noted for their Cajun. Chicago, I assume, is noted for their pizza (although I prefer NYC/NJ pizza to Chicago style -- thin crust )
From NJ and have lived in New Orleans for 6 years (for undergrad) and currently living in Chicago (relocated for work).
I'd have to say New Orleans! Some of the best cajun, creole and mexican food I have ever had. They even do burgers right! Port-of-call, Superior Grill, Cheesecake Bistro, New Orleans seafood company (for drive-thru)... A foodie's dream come true.
Chicago just doesn't compare - it's been a very average/mediocre experience at best so far. But in their defense, I have only been here since June.
one thing about new orleans was that i felt like any restaurant i go into was going to be good. they have that french influence even in the lower end places so i dont think we had a bad meal in any place high or low end.
New Orleans is NOT Cajun! The Cajun people are folks of French decent whom the British forced out of Acadia, in Eastern Canada. They settled in SW Louisiana, about halfway between New Orleans and Houston. New Orleans is usually considered Creole, which merely means a mix of all kinds of people. Here's a map of Louisiana with the Cajun areas in red with the strongest influence in darker red.
one thing about new orleans was that i felt like any restaurant i go into was going to be good. they have that french influence even in the lower end places so i dont think we had a bad meal in any place high or low end.
That's what it is. The French take food seriously. I still remember the tripe stew I had in Paris over fifty years ago. It was at a workmen's cafe in in fabled Les Halles. New Orleans is the same. Whether it's Oysters Rockefeller and rack of lamb at Antoine's or a Cannibal Sandwich (Steak Tartare) and pecan pie at the Camellia Grill or a simple omlette it's food prepared by men and women who love food. I don't recall eating Cajun in NO; I was too busy with other stuff. But I had wonderful Cajun in Baton Rouge and out in the bayou country. What about somethig simple like a dozen oysters at the Pearl Oyster Bar or deep-fried oysters on a a Hoagie. I'm fortunate in the winter here because one restaurant flies in oysters and clams every Friday and fries them. I've often wondered why it's only when there are no tourists here.
Interestingly, there's a restaurant in Juarez, Mexico, Martino, and another that moved from Juarez to El Paso years ago, Cafe Central, that remind me of French Louisiana food. The last time I was at Martino it was almost empty and I was the only American in the place. People were afraid to go to Juarez; but I went twice in three days. Those two restaurants, particularly Martino, do what the Louisiana French do. They use French methods and local ingredients.
That's what it is. The French take food seriously. I still remember the tripe stew I had in Paris over fifty years ago. It was at a workmen's cafe in in fabled Les Halles. New Orleans is the same. Whether it's Oysters Rockefeller and rack of lamb at Antoine's or a Cannibal Sandwich (Steak Tartare) and pecan pie at the Camellia Grill or a simple omlette it's food prepared by men and women who love food. I don't recall eating Cajun in NO; I was too busy with other stuff. But I had wonderful Cajun in Baton Rouge and out in the bayou country. What about somethig simple like a dozen oysters at the Pearl Oyster Bar or deep-fried oysters on a a Hoagie. I'm fortunate in the winter here because one restaurant flies in oysters and clams every Friday and fries them. I've often wondered why it's only when there are no tourists here.
Interestingly, there's a restaurant in Juarez, Mexico, Martino, and another that moved from Juarez to El Paso years ago, Cafe Central, that remind me of French Louisiana food. The last time I was at Martino it was almost empty and I was the only American in the place. People were afraid to go to Juarez; but I went twice in three days. Those two restaurants, particularly Martino, do what the Louisiana French do. They use French methods and local ingredients.
That they do. Food is a religion. I live in a French milieu and the food here is freaking amazing.
Yes, New Orleans has great restaurants however you can't just limit Chicago to Deep Dish and NO to Cajun. Went to Irene's Cuisine (Italian) and several great seafood places (not all Cajun). btw: Deep dish originated in Chicago (and I do love it) but Chicago always had thin crust too.
Yep, this...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oildog
Which child do you like better.
Both are outstanding food cities. Seafood-New Orleans, Meat-Chicago. I love both of them.
and this,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oildog
Chicago has a great deal to offer more than pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches...
Yes, as they are certainly very well known for their beef sanwiches, their hot dogs, and their pizza but there is a whole lot more variety to Chicago (as well as New Orleans as baileyvpotter has already mentioned) to just "box in" their food choices in that manner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MB1972
Chicago has a better variety of restaurants. There is also much more going on in the high end culinary scene in Chicago.
French, Italian, Polish, Greek, Mexican, Nepalese and Indian, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, American Contemporary, Soul Food, Seafood, Steaks, Bohemian and Czech, Global/Fusion, Cuban, Brazillian Steak Houses, Sweedish, Ukranian, Vietnamese, and let us not forget to mention Chinatown and all the mom and pop eateries all over the city and suburbs.
Enough said, except I am positive that there are some ethnic establishments missed on my part but this post has already been long enough as it was.
Btw, I did not vote as I truly enjoy the food of both Chicago and New Orleans and did not feel it was fair to either city...they are both very excellent foodie cities.
When I want Cajun cooking, I head on over to a number of small Louisiana towns - Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, Abbeville. St. Martinville, etc.
Chicago has a much wider variety of cuisines that New Orleans, especially with some of the newer high end cuisine. For anyone who even wants to debate, go spend some time over at LTHforum which focuses on Chicago food (with pictures).
I've always said that if I lived in either Chicago or New Orleans, I'd weigh 500 pounds...
Think I've gotta go with New Orleans here.
And yes, I know that Chicago is more than just deep-dish pizza, but dang, I do love some deep-dish. My favorite kind of pizza, by far.
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