Inexpensive Group Dinners in New Orleans

It’s happened to many of us before. You’re dining out with friends, enjoying each other’s company, and then the check comes. Just one check. You can’t split it, and when the suggestion to split evenly among attendees comes up, you think of that one friend that just wouldn’t be satisfied with drinking water like the rest of the group. Or you think of the other friend that ordered an entrée that wasn’t on the happy hour menu. Or maybe you are that friend. Or maybe you’re with a group of people (you included) who don’t care either way.

If you’re like me, you’ve got friends that fall all over that spectrum. Here are some great options for people who get nervous when the large-party but single check comes (p.s. I mention parking a lot because now that I do not live in a reasonable ride-sharing distance from these places, I understand the struggle).

1. Food Halls: Food halls are the future. Not every burgeoning chef can afford the entrepreneurial resources that go into owning their own walled-off establishment in this economy, so I’m guessing that’s why more of these types of businesses are popping up and flourishing. Over the last few years, New Orleans has gotten a few of its own. These are convenient places to gather with groups of friends because, like food courts, each person is responsible for ordering and paying for their own meal at the designated vendor’s front counter. No check-splitting anxiety! But please tip well: your large group is likely there longer than smaller parties and requires more busing than smaller parties. Here are a few of my favorite ones in Nola, and here’s to hoping one opens up in the Suburbs soon!

Auction House Market: nestled in the Warehouse District, you’ll find the easiest time parking in this area (in adherence with paid parking laws, of course). Out of all of the halls, it’s the most “Instagramable.” Food-wise, it’s internationally diverse with only one (major) vendor serving up local traditional food… Bonus: this y’all has a gorgeously furnished room that you can reserve (with added cost) for private events.
Pythian Market: it’s new, it’s nice, and in the heart of the CBD, good luck finding parking haha. In more seriousness, there’s a great diversity of vendors and the mocktail menu at their bar is unmatched compared to the other food halls. At a small cost per head, you can reserve tables for your large party here.
St. Roch Market: there’s a little dramarama that comes with being a patron of this establishment. Its post-Hurricane Katrina redevelopment is a little steeped in issues of gentrification. But I also know that there were some original vendors of this hall that were deeply rooted and committed to its community in more ways than making their own culinary dreams come true. I like the diversity and authenticity of vendors the most at this hall compared to the others. Additionally, the bussers and management are so accommodating. Depending on the your desired time/day for a gathering, they can reserve tables for your large party at no additional cost to you. Bonus: there’s off street parking (about 15 spaces) and on-street parking is free if you don’t block someone’s driveway and get a ticket (or towed)

2. Dat Dog: Gourmet hot dogs and loaded fries are this establishment’s specialty. It’s not a fancy getup; you order at the window and sit at picnic tables. But there are a lot of picnic tables. Plus, the Magazine Street location hosts trivia night every Wednesday.

3. Happy Hour: the key to this is catching the tables at the very beginning of happy hour, when no other groups are there yet. I really only care about the food deals for happy hour, so I’m talking to the person that shows up hungry to birthday dinners (pro-tip for attending large party dinners in general: pre-eat at home first, for free, and your head will do the ordering at the actual dinner, rather than your stomach)

4. Host a potluck: all you have to do is clean your home (or get someone else to host). You decide how much you’ll spend. And everyone else brings something too, so you do not have to do all of the cooking. No surprise checks here. Add in a game night, and people will be less focused on the potential reality that everyone only brought chips and salsa. Or to that effect, host a themed potluck night (wings only, dips only, mom’s gumbos only, king cake only, etc). While gathering around a table to break bread with friends is a great way to foster community, doing so in someone’s home takes community to a whole new level.

5. Budget and sacrifice (just a lil’ bit): I promise you, you do not need that artisan latte every single day. My friend, let Starbucks pay its rent without you! It will survive! Just try to make a few sacrifices a week (maybe buy sustainable supplies that will allow you to make your own tea/coffee at home, manage time a little better so you have 5 minutes to make that beverage at home), and by the end of the month, you have extra money in hand to spend on a good meal with friends (or just save it).

6. Does is need to be a real meal? Try meeting up for dessert (RIP Sucré)! This works for many reasons. If people really want to gather and celebrate with you, they won’t try to show up an hour late to dessert like they might to dinner at a restaurant. For introverts, your period of extroversion and conversation is shorter for dessert than a multiple course meal. Con: most dessert parlors are not very big. However, Café du Monde is spacious, and delicious. You’ll have better luck at the standalone locations in the suburbs and city park, so to have better luck at commandeering more tables, stay away from the more chaotic locations in the malls and the French quarter.

Got more suggestions? Feel free to share in the comments!

In love and veritas,

Chioma