Pat O's, New Orleans

The mecca of all things good and savory on Bourbon Street. I could never pass up sitting in the patio with my favorite people at Pat O. This of course is during the lazy afternoon sitting on moderately uncomfortable wrought-iron patio seats, conversation bubbling around and the sounds of small and large fountains completing the background. Drinking a tall glass of Pat O's famous Hurricane while waiting for our meals and reminiscing about how great our vacation has been.

The atmosphere definitely changes at night. The fountains are lit and the music and atmosphere is faster and more upbeat.

10 a.m. - 4 a.m. Sunday - Thursday
10 a.m. - 5 a.m. Friday -Saturday

Favorite Dish: As an appetizer I had the Alligator Bites which is alligator coated with corn flour, deep-fried along with some house bread and butter.

My sister had an 8 oz. Filet Mignon served with mashed potatoes and vegetables (which she didn't eat - naughty girl!). My daughter had the fried chicken fingers
battered and deep-fried and I had the shrimp, lemon & vodka pasta which is shrimp, tomato concasse, capers, basil & penne pasta tossed in a lemon and vodka cream sauce.

Somewhat touristy and pricey but the outdoor patio is so beautiful it's worth it. Sit outside if you go.

Favorite Dish: They make better hurricanes than anyone else. But, if you order a drink here they will automatically give it to you in a souvenir glass and charge you extra for it. If you don't want it bring it up to the bar when you're done for a refund.

This old restaurant with many rooms and seperate sources of entertainment was interesting. We went on a Thursday night and had to wait an hour to eat in the crowded courtyard. To wait we had a couple drinks in the piano bar. When our table was ready ee were seated directly in the middle of the walkway and the table wobbled. By the time our waiter acknowledged us and took our order, I was already not too impressed with the courtyard.

We ordered fresh drinks, alligator appetizer , ettoufee and salad. Our waiter forgot to bring us silverware and our drinks arrived when our food did. Very poor service but great food.

We came back another night to sit in the brick courtyard and have a drink after walking around Burboun St and found the atmosphere to be fun and enjoyable, but this time we didn't order any food.

The restaurant has two main areas, the courtyard (only over 21) and the interior and bar. I had shrimp cancun at the bar with the Abita Amber beer. Delicious!

Favorite Dish: Only ate one lunch here and it was very good!

Pat O's is much bigger than I expected with several different rooms, a courtyard and entrances on two streets. You have to take the tour on their web site to get a sense of the place. Pat O's really is 'party central' based on location, ambiance, popularity and the variety and potency of alcoholic beverages. You could do worse than to spend an entire evening here. But if you're blitzing the quarter like I was you should at least stop in for a hurricane in the courtyard. On an empty stomach it'll give you that uncertain gait that will make you fit right in on Bourbon St.

We started our most recent New Orleans trip at Pat O's. Three hurricanes later we tore up Bourbon street. Pat O's has THE BEST hurricanes. Their patio is so cozy and the staff is so nice. I've been here to end a night before, and I couldn't make it. I definitely suggest starting the party here.

The most popular drink at O'Briens is the Hurricane and you get to keep your glass.

The history as Pat O'Brien tells it. - the fruity red concoction was created during World War II when liquor such as whiskey was in low supply. In order to purchase just one case of these liquors, liquor salesmen forced bar owners to purchase as much as 50 cases of rum, which was plentiful. In an effort to use the abundance of rum that Pat O'Brien's acquired, the recipe for the Hurricane evolved with the help of an eager liquor salesman. The name came soon after when a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp was used to serve the fruity rum cocktail.

In a 26 oz. Hurricane glass, mix
4 oz. of Pat O'Brien's Hurricane Rum or a good dark rum and
4 oz. of Pat O'Brien's Hurricane Mix
Fill with crushed ice, and
garnish with an orange and a cherry

Pat O'Brien's was established in 1933 by Pat O'Brien and is probably the most famous hot spot in the city. Originally they were in the historical LaBranche building on Royal and St Peter Sts but moved to Bourbon Street in 1942. This building was built in 1791 as a private home which became the first Spanish theatre in the US. It was then a private home by the DeFlechie family before it was purchased by Pat O'Brien. It is said to have the largest volume business of its size of any other drink establishment in the world. There are several bars and a relaxing courtyard restaurant complete with fountain, for dining.
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Favorite Dish: They serve many dishes of local cuisine including Etouffee (ay too fay). I had the Crawfish Etouffee which was very good. There are many variations but mostly it is a dish of rice and shell fish or meat and vegetable and smothered with a dark roux or tomato based sauce.
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