Hispanic friendly areas/neighborhoods (New Orleans: home, live, restaurants)

[murphy540]

Are there currently any neighborhoods in New Orleans that have a substantial but not necessarily predominant Hispanic population? An area that's not exclusively Hispanic, yet still has some businesses that cater to them?

[Petronilla]

I just moved here a few weeks ago, and I am surprised at the amount of Spanish I hear while out and about and all the little groceries I was able to find. There are even clubs that host Latin nights. (I feel like the Hispanic population here is mixed- most of the stores contain products from Mexico, Central and South America, AND Carribean countries). I come from Chicago, so it's nothing like that where a neighbourhood will be 90% Hispanic, but at least Im able to find lots of very specific food products for recipes...
I live on the Westbank, btw. I wish I could give you more area-specific information, but I just got here and am still finding it out myself!

[murphy540]

Originally Posted by Petronilla

I just moved here a few weeks ago, and I am surprised at the amount of Spanish I hear while out and about and all the little groceries I was able to find. There are even clubs that host Latin nights. (I feel like the Hispanic population here is mixed- most of the stores contain products from Mexico, Central and South America, AND Carribean countries). I come from Chicago, so it's nothing like that where a neighbourhood will be 90% Hispanic, but at least Im able to find lots of very specific food products for recipes...
I live on the Westbank, btw. I wish I could give you more area-specific information, but I just got here and am still finding it out myself!

Thanks this is really good info! Let me know if you find out more.

[Petronilla]

Also, if you keep your eyes open while driving (hopefully lol), you can spot some great restaurants/fast food spots with AUTHENTIC food.... What is your particular culture? I have found some amazing taco stands with food that is even better than Mexican food in Chicago because it is less watered down for mass appeal. (tasted more like the food in the campo in Mexico, even including rare dishes like barbacoa de chivo) The purpose of these restaurants is specifically to serve recent immigrants, so they are the next best thing to being in the home country.
That's one thing that is different here than in Chicago, a place with very large and well-established Hispanic populations. Those stores and restaurants have expanded to serve others in the community, whereas these stay truer to the culture.