Don’t eat at Dunbar’s Creole Cooking unless you are prepared to loosen up your belt a notch.
“It’s some good chicken,” music business junior Sean Rosen said of Dunbar’s, a friendly neighborhood joint that boasts of its southern down home cooking and warm atmosphere. Mama Dunbar, the restaurant’s foundress, opened the eatery on the 4900 block of Freret Street in 1984. Since then, Dunbar’s has flourished into a hot spot for anyone interested in reasonably priced soul food and an ambience reminiscent of your mama’s own kitchen. Adrien, a daughter of Mama Dunbar who works at the family-owned business, says that she is proud of how the restaurant treats their customers – like family.
For years now, Dunbar’s has attracted the likes of celebrities such as Johnny Cochran, Danny Glover and Bob Hope. Regulars include local firefighters, politicians, police officers and newscasters. You may even catch a glimpse of Mayor C. Ray Nagin. In fact, the city recently gave an official citation to Dunbar’s on its 20th anniversary.
And there’s the food, of course. Dunbar’s features New Orleans favorites such as fried chicken, red beans and rice, gumbo and po’boys. The prices make Dunbar’s popular among college students, who can depart from their usual fare of ramen noodles and Easy Mac without burning a hole in their wallets. Take, for example, their most popular item: the all-you-can-eat red beans and fried chicken plate. Snag this dish for a mere $5.99, plus an iced tea (which you have to order if you call yourself a southerner) for $1.75 – or for free with a valid college I.D. That comes out to around eight bucks, and with the always-friendly service, you’ll be happy to leave a tip. Other must-have items on the menu are the shrimp po’boys ($6), fried and seasoned to perfection and dressed with the works.
Out-of-towners should definitely experience the daily specials. On Mondays you can try the smothered chicken and cabbage. Tuesdays feature mustard greens and turkey necks. Other lunch specials include spaghetti and meatballs and fried catfish, with sides available like smothered okra, corn bread and salad. Specials range from $5.99 to $6.50. For you health nuts out there, grilled chicken is on the menu. The dinner menu, ranging from $5.75 to $16.95, is a bit pricier but comes with three sides. The trout and crab, unavailable at lunch, taste fresh from the Gulf and are great opportunities to take advantage of the local seafood. The portions at Dunbar’s are more than plentiful.
The extra couple of bucks you spend at Dunbar’s will leave you with a full belly and a happy heart – but hopefully no heartburn – and maybe even a doggie bag. Sit back, take a break from the fast-paced world outside, and enjoy a bit of southern hospitality.
Erin Hardy can be reached at [email protected].
