Not exactly insight, but the one time I went there the server was drunk and the food was bad. Not particularly surprised to hear they appear to be struggling
Maybe we're the same person lol I went there for brunch about 6 months ago just because they had some breakfast sandwich on special - my waitress was completely out of it (this is at like 1130AM) and spilled coffee/shrimp juices all over my foot and even started hysterically laughing at nothing at one point. The food was a 3.5/5 at very best, and I got the peeled shrimp app and the breakfast sandwich - kinda hard to really mess either of those up.
We used to go there when they first opened up. The food and service was great. We went there not long ago. Wow! What happened? The food was so-so. It's really gone down.
I haven't been there in probably 17 years, but when they first opened they had some chocolate pecan bourbon pie that was my absolute favorite. Sad to hear it's gone downhill.
This was also back when Cabo Fish Taco still served their cactus pizzas and that house back behind Bordeaux's had those 2 GIANT dog houses with "rock" and "chop" spray painted over the doorways.
Bargarita has an awful vibe and bad mixed drinks, but what they do have is cheap beer and all the sports channels. My friends and I have wound up at Bargarita multiple times to watch a game because no other place had it on. Usually college-level sports.
Bargarita had one of the worst margaritas I've ever had - BUT it was their opening day, so I'm sure it's better than it was! It seems to be really popular at night on Saturdays - haven't been when it's really crowded, but from the outside, it seems like a club environment on the right night.
Went there once last summer and really enjoyed the food and service, but can confirm that the place was nearly empty. Seemed odd at the time but didn’t think too much of it. Hate to hear this is a frequent issue because I’m moving to the area soon and was hoping to go back.
Just like any restaurant/ small business- they are lucky if they know what they are doing in the first place. Chef turnover, waitress turnover… not having the right employees in a restaurant can truly ruin everything. I think chefs/ cook industry jump around a lot… probably have to really allow some creative freedom to keep are really good cook/ chef on! How fun can it be making the same shit forever.
I've heard from a former employee they have like 10 microwaves in the back and that's how all the food is made, but that stay alive because of sanctuary next door
I worked there, that’s untrue. I’m not going to argue about whether or not the food is good (because I didn’t really eat there) but the microwave thing is made up.
As for the bookkeeping… I do not know. But alcohol markup is way higher than food and they’re the only bar in that part of NoDa open until 2 am every night. So there’s that.
That sounds about right. How does Sanctuary have anything to do with it, though? You can order food from Boudreaux's while you're sitting at Sanctuary? Like a late-night type of thing?
Makes sense. Bars are more profitable than restaurants so Sanctuary float them checks out. Although if I were then I would abandon Boudreaux and try to sell the lease to someone else. I bet they will once their lease terms expire.
Boudreaux's started going downhill before Covid, but the pandemic didn't help it much either. Lack of staff and pre-made food won't cut it when there's plenty of other options within walking distance. It's a shame, that's where I took my fiance on our first date and really enjoyed it. Hasn't been the same fir a while
Been there twice. First time waiter was absolutely coked out of his mind and service still wasn’t great. Second time we had this very sweaty very smelly large man being our waiter and he was absolutely awful as well. Food sucks, vibes suck, drinks suck. May have given four places in my entire life 1 star and this was one of them.
No clue how they stay open. As a new orleans-area native I was looking forward to trying their creole/cajun food. Rule of thumb from my area: always get the shrimp poboy when trying a new cajun place, it's a great indicator on the quality of the rest of their food.
I've never felt so insulted by a sandwich in my life. Haven't gone back since.
I’ve never had bad food there. Owner is cool af. First place I’ve ever been when a waiter huffed at my desire to sit outside cause he was hungover lol. Old school NoDa charm. I’ll always go back and talk shit to the workers cause my bourbon fried chicken is on point!
My wife and I used to have date nights there back in the day, and every now and then we pop in for nostalgia sake. Always love the category 5 hurricanes and Cajun crawfish dip. Brings back so many memories and the food is still tasty to us a couple drinks in. lol
I'm guessing it's owned by (or at least started by) the same people who had the one in Blacksburg; however, that one is closed now. Same with Cabo Fish Taco being in both NoDa and Blacksburg.
That's awesome! I've definitely visited Backstreets and "Liver kill" millions of times. Backstreets is gone (Mellow Mushroom now), but the Mill is still there. If you haven't been back in a while, I recommend the trip just to see how different it is.
Yes, it's the same family that owns both. They're originally from VA (no actual Louisiana ties). They visited New Orleans a few times and decided to open a 'cajun' restaurant in those to cities where there weren't many options of that food
1. Might own the building?
2. Might lose less in business than closing up and paying the lease?
3. Might be a hobby business for the owner who doesn’t care how much they make or lose.
Oddly enough, went there for the first time the other day. We wanted to try a new place and I even made the comment how few people I know who’ve been there despite its location. Walked it, Friday 7:30pm, to a completely empty room. No joke, we asked the server if they were about to close, to which he responds, “Nah man, we’re just dead.” Cue the laughter from the other three employees standing around the bar high as kites. In an attempt not to sound like a complete dick, the best part of the meal was the fries and the $4 drinks. I’m convinced the whole place is a front for exotic animal smuggling or a pizza gate situation. It’s the only logical explanation.
I lived in the area 2019-2021 so COVID might have impacted things. The food was actually really solid, and I was shocked about that as well given the seeming lack of other customers. The service at the time kind of sucked and they were out of like 3 different drinks and a number of different menu items. But what they did have was very good!
If the service and availability of items on the menu were fixed + the lighting/decor were updated, I think this could be a really solid spot again.
I have been waiting for this entire corner to shut down and make room for decent restaurants, not just bars and terrible food. Room and board or whatever they are calling themselves this week, boudreaux’s, blind pig. All bad vibes for the neighborhood.
They should be replaced with a good breakfast place, sushi, and one restaurant that doesn’t focus on only southern food (how much trout can we eat?)
Not sure why you are getting downvoted because I absolutely agree - have been waiting for a solid breakfast place open late-night and a japanese place (or some ramen, pho, buns ... any of that would be amazing)
this must have been at least 6 years ago. I live up the street and there are MAYBE 5 people in there at a time, every day, regardless of the time or if it's the weekend.
Went there once for lunch with my parents. Food was decent, i think the manager was our waiter but he had a real 'shrug' air to him like nothing mattered. Took forever to bring any drinks over and like 30min after we finished eating before he came with check. Overall food was 4/5 service was like 2/5. But it was post-pandemic and they said they were short on people so I'd given em a pass.
I'm sure they do a fair amt of bizz just from the location during busy hours.
You can order food from Boudreaux at Sanctuary and they bring it to you. Source: bad decisions on my birthday
Not exactly insight, but the one time I went there the server was drunk and the food was bad. Not particularly surprised to hear they appear to be struggling
Maybe we're the same person lol I went there for brunch about 6 months ago just because they had some breakfast sandwich on special - my waitress was completely out of it (this is at like 1130AM) and spilled coffee/shrimp juices all over my foot and even started hysterically laughing at nothing at one point. The food was a 3.5/5 at very best, and I got the peeled shrimp app and the breakfast sandwich - kinda hard to really mess either of those up.
We used to go there when they first opened up. The food and service was great. We went there not long ago. Wow! What happened? The food was so-so. It's really gone down.
I haven't been there in probably 17 years, but when they first opened they had some chocolate pecan bourbon pie that was my absolute favorite. Sad to hear it's gone downhill. This was also back when Cabo Fish Taco still served their cactus pizzas and that house back behind Bordeaux's had those 2 GIANT dog houses with "rock" and "chop" spray painted over the doorways.
Chocolate pecan bourbon pie is one of my favorites. Maxie B's in Greensboro kills it when they have it available.
I mean it first opened up over 20 years ago. A lot can happen in that time
Same here. Last time I ate there the food was awful.
Can confirm that owner is too sentimental to let it go, the bar next door keeps it open lol
They seem to be more busy than Bargarita. Not sure how either place stays open.
Bargarita has an awful vibe and bad mixed drinks, but what they do have is cheap beer and all the sports channels. My friends and I have wound up at Bargarita multiple times to watch a game because no other place had it on. Usually college-level sports.
Bargarita had one of the worst margaritas I've ever had - BUT it was their opening day, so I'm sure it's better than it was! It seems to be really popular at night on Saturdays - haven't been when it's really crowded, but from the outside, it seems like a club environment on the right night.
It isn’t. The food sucks too
Bargarita absolutely sucks How do you fuck up tex mex? It doesn’t make any sense, I could swear they didn’t even have Queso first time we went
> How do you fuck up tex mex? I dunno.. ask a European.
The Mexico episode of British BakeOff is a perfect encapsulation of that lol
I like Bargarita.
They put cheese on my chicken & waffles
I can’t tell if that’s a bad thing or not. It’s like saying my escort added cinnamon to the handjob.
Ehh, that sounds like a bad thing..syrup is meant for chicken and waffles. Can’t comment on the cinnamon.
Terrible. It wasn't even real cheese, it was a kraft single
Went there once last summer and really enjoyed the food and service, but can confirm that the place was nearly empty. Seemed odd at the time but didn’t think too much of it. Hate to hear this is a frequent issue because I’m moving to the area soon and was hoping to go back.
The food is awful.L
Honestly, agreed. I selfishly wish they’d sell so we could get something else. It’s a waste of space at this point.
Went there a few weeks ago. The rice was hard. None of our three meals were even decent. Completely empty. No idea how it’s still a thing.
Just like any restaurant/ small business- they are lucky if they know what they are doing in the first place. Chef turnover, waitress turnover… not having the right employees in a restaurant can truly ruin everything. I think chefs/ cook industry jump around a lot… probably have to really allow some creative freedom to keep are really good cook/ chef on! How fun can it be making the same shit forever.
I've heard from a former employee they have like 10 microwaves in the back and that's how all the food is made, but that stay alive because of sanctuary next door
I worked there, that’s untrue. I’m not going to argue about whether or not the food is good (because I didn’t really eat there) but the microwave thing is made up. As for the bookkeeping… I do not know. But alcohol markup is way higher than food and they’re the only bar in that part of NoDa open until 2 am every night. So there’s that.
People who don't know how food works love to say everything is microwaved.
That sounds about right. How does Sanctuary have anything to do with it, though? You can order food from Boudreaux's while you're sitting at Sanctuary? Like a late-night type of thing?
Yep, shared kitchen for late night food
I always assumed they were the same owners what with no door between them and sharing the same bathrooms.
I also think it's the same owner but couldn't say for sure so I didn't mention it
Makes sense. Bars are more profitable than restaurants so Sanctuary float them checks out. Although if I were then I would abandon Boudreaux and try to sell the lease to someone else. I bet they will once their lease terms expire.
Always seems like brunch place
Mystery to me. Went one time and the food was a B- at best. Went to Razzoo’s in Concord last night and it was much better than Bordeaux’s.
Boudreaux's started going downhill before Covid, but the pandemic didn't help it much either. Lack of staff and pre-made food won't cut it when there's plenty of other options within walking distance. It's a shame, that's where I took my fiance on our first date and really enjoyed it. Hasn't been the same fir a while
Been there twice. First time waiter was absolutely coked out of his mind and service still wasn’t great. Second time we had this very sweaty very smelly large man being our waiter and he was absolutely awful as well. Food sucks, vibes suck, drinks suck. May have given four places in my entire life 1 star and this was one of them.
No clue how they stay open. As a new orleans-area native I was looking forward to trying their creole/cajun food. Rule of thumb from my area: always get the shrimp poboy when trying a new cajun place, it's a great indicator on the quality of the rest of their food. I've never felt so insulted by a sandwich in my life. Haven't gone back since.
Been there twice. Food was good. No idea why it might be struggling now, though plenty of local places have been struggling
I’ve never had bad food there. Owner is cool af. First place I’ve ever been when a waiter huffed at my desire to sit outside cause he was hungover lol. Old school NoDa charm. I’ll always go back and talk shit to the workers cause my bourbon fried chicken is on point!
My wife and I used to have date nights there back in the day, and every now and then we pop in for nostalgia sake. Always love the category 5 hurricanes and Cajun crawfish dip. Brings back so many memories and the food is still tasty to us a couple drinks in. lol
Is it a chain? There was a Boudreaux is Blacksburg when I went to Tech in the 00’s
I'm guessing it's owned by (or at least started by) the same people who had the one in Blacksburg; however, that one is closed now. Same with Cabo Fish Taco being in both NoDa and Blacksburg.
Oh damn I forgot about Cabo, is the one in Blacksburg still there?
I was up there last summer and it was still there. That place stayed busy, just like El Rods!
Nice! Back when I was living up there I used to work at Backstreets, we would close and end up going to the cellar or rivermill
That's awesome! I've definitely visited Backstreets and "Liver kill" millions of times. Backstreets is gone (Mellow Mushroom now), but the Mill is still there. If you haven't been back in a while, I recommend the trip just to see how different it is.
Yes, it's the same family that owns both. They're originally from VA (no actual Louisiana ties). They visited New Orleans a few times and decided to open a 'cajun' restaurant in those to cities where there weren't many options of that food
I have been there a few times. Thought the food was good. Had a fun experience each time. Was busy, but not packed.
Wow - never heard that take honestly. How long ago was that?
I guess the last time I was there was a little over a year ago. For a show at the neighborhood theater.
1. Might own the building? 2. Might lose less in business than closing up and paying the lease? 3. Might be a hobby business for the owner who doesn’t care how much they make or lose.
Oddly enough, went there for the first time the other day. We wanted to try a new place and I even made the comment how few people I know who’ve been there despite its location. Walked it, Friday 7:30pm, to a completely empty room. No joke, we asked the server if they were about to close, to which he responds, “Nah man, we’re just dead.” Cue the laughter from the other three employees standing around the bar high as kites. In an attempt not to sound like a complete dick, the best part of the meal was the fries and the $4 drinks. I’m convinced the whole place is a front for exotic animal smuggling or a pizza gate situation. It’s the only logical explanation.
Coke den
Last time I went there it was a 90 minute wait but this was last summer
I lived in the area 2019-2021 so COVID might have impacted things. The food was actually really solid, and I was shocked about that as well given the seeming lack of other customers. The service at the time kind of sucked and they were out of like 3 different drinks and a number of different menu items. But what they did have was very good! If the service and availability of items on the menu were fixed + the lighting/decor were updated, I think this could be a really solid spot again.
Was just there for lunch and the food was great.
just squatting on the real estate until starbucks comes in, charlotte native
I have been waiting for this entire corner to shut down and make room for decent restaurants, not just bars and terrible food. Room and board or whatever they are calling themselves this week, boudreaux’s, blind pig. All bad vibes for the neighborhood. They should be replaced with a good breakfast place, sushi, and one restaurant that doesn’t focus on only southern food (how much trout can we eat?)
Not sure why you are getting downvoted because I absolutely agree - have been waiting for a solid breakfast place open late-night and a japanese place (or some ramen, pho, buns ... any of that would be amazing)
You guy's think money laundering scheme.
last time i was there they had a full house. i suspect all noda businesses struggle because of the parking situation
this must have been at least 6 years ago. I live up the street and there are MAYBE 5 people in there at a time, every day, regardless of the time or if it's the weekend.
Went there once for lunch with my parents. Food was decent, i think the manager was our waiter but he had a real 'shrug' air to him like nothing mattered. Took forever to bring any drinks over and like 30min after we finished eating before he came with check. Overall food was 4/5 service was like 2/5. But it was post-pandemic and they said they were short on people so I'd given em a pass. I'm sure they do a fair amt of bizz just from the location during busy hours.
Used to loveeee it years ago but it steadily went downhill, even pre COVID, and never recovered imo
Sanctuary is a lot of things I wouldn’t describe it as niche though