‘Jack Ryan’ Star Wendell Pierce Is Taking a Culinary Tour of New Orleans From Home

Wendell Pierce, the New Orleans-born actor from HBO’s The Wire and Treme and Amazon Prime’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, wants the residents of his native city to take a culinary tour of New Orleans restaurants — from their homes.

Back in New Orleans after a stint in London playing the lead in Death of a Salesman on the West End, Pierce recently tweeted that he has “made it a point to do a culinary tour of New Orleans.”

Eater New Orleans reached out to see if Pierce would share his recommendations with readers. “We don’t have to stop loving our favorite restaurants,” he told Eater. Here are a few of the places Pierce is making a point to patronize right now for takeout and delivery in New Orleans.

Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe: “Lil Dizzy’s filé gumbo is a must for a wonderful lunch, with a Cajun Fire beer,” he said. Call Lil’ Dizzy’s to order takeout, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sassafras Creole Kitchen: “The Creole okra with shrimp. My mother always made this special dish just for me,” Pierce said of Ora Mae’s Okra Special from Sassafras. Call the restaurant to order Creole comfort food for curbside pickup or use DoorDash for delivery.

Sassafras/Official Photo

Bourree: “My family is from Bayou Lafourche and I grew up with boucheries, so I love the spicy pork boudin from Bourree,” Pierce said of chef Nathanial Zimet’s specialty boudin. Call Bourree for pickup daily until 8 p.m. or order delivery via third-party apps.

Plum Street Snoballs: “Now that Spring is here, nothing beats a bubble gum snowball from Plum Street,” currently open from 1 to 7 p.m. “Social distancing on the sidewalk with the sounds of satisfied slurping.”

Doris Metropolitan: “For a high-end date night, light the candles, pull out the fine China, and order the lamb chops, bone-in rib-eye, or a porterhouse for two,” from the French Quarter steakhouse known for its dry-aged beef. Call to order from the menu or butcher shop, Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.

Martin Wine Cellar: And after the porterhouse? Pierce says to “finish it off with chocolate truffles and a wonderful Cotê du Rhône delivered from Martin’s.”

Pierce has a final suggestion: “While you enjoy a meal, help someone else eat too during these hard times.” He says he’s made a point to support restaurants that are doing their own charitable endeavors, and he’s the narrator of an admittedly moving Popeyes campaign — the proceeds from its new NOLAStrong meal packs and merchandise go to Second Harvest. Pierce adds he’s personally donated $5,000 to the local hunger relief organization. “Join me,” he says. “Bon appetit!”

Eater is tracking the impact of the novel coronavirus on the city’s restaurant industry. Have a story to share? Reach out at nola@eater.com.

• Popeyes offers “NOLA Strong” family meal, proceeds benefit 2nd Harvest [WWL]
• What (and How) to Eat and Drink in New Orleans During Coronavirus [ENOLA]