A Camellia Grill Spin-Off Is Heading to Metairie

The Grille, a spin-off of iconic, 1940s-era Riverbend diner Camellia Grill, will open in Metairie in late October, reports Ian McNulty. The new restaurant will carry a similar menu of burgers, omelets, pies, and freezes like the original. Unlike the original, ordering won’t be contained to the counter, as the Metairie location will also provide table service.

Hicham Khodr, the restaurateur behind the new diner (as well as Byblos restaurants), bought the original Camellia Grill after Hurricane Katrina and re-opened it in 2007. He expanded to the French Quarter in 2010 with The Grill (soon to be The Grille to maintain some uniformity across the brand). He also opened a since-shuttered outpost in Destin, Florida. He’s never been able to use the Camellia Grill name at any of the spin-offs because of a dispute with the original owner.

The original Camellia Grill opened in 1946. McNulty reports that the newest location is not a replica of the original and won’t have the same vintage feel. It will be located at 2924 Veterans Boulevard in Metairie near Trader Joe’s and Jefferson Feed.

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