A neighborhood fixture since 1990, Joey K’s is a down-home spot, known for classic red beans and fresh po’ boys. Geared to the budget-minded, there are daily specials and jambalaya always on the menu, priced at $5.95 for a side.

Treme’s Dooky Chase stays true to the late great queen of Creole cooking, chef Leah Chase, using her recipe for jambalaya, served as a side with another family specialty, chicken Creole for lunch and dinner. Chef Chase specifies three kinds of pork in her version, smoked ham, Chaurice sausage, and smoked sausage.

Although Mr. Ed’s specializes in oysters grilled, fried, and raw, jambalaya is on the menu for lunch and dinner at locations in the French Quarter, on St. Charles, in Mid-City, and Metairie, All platters are served with a choice of fries, or jambalaya. But there’s a larger portion as a main course too.

Whether serving an early bird breakfast or dishing New Orleans cuisine, Gallier’s on Carondolet draws a crowd, just steps from Bourbon Street. Besides oysters every which way, red beans, alligator bites, gumbo, and of course jambalaya, offered as both an appetizer and a main, represent local favorites.

A go-to for balcony seating on Royal Street, Curio offers fried seafood, po’ boys, burgers, and pasta. Visitors love the Taste of New Orleans, a three or four-dish specialty that includes crawfish etouffée, gumbo made with black-eyed peas, red beans and rice, and Creole jambalaya. Pick three for $20 or all four for $25. Great drinks and bread pudding too.

Mulate’s is the closest thing to Cajun food and music in New Orleans, for folks who can’t take the time to go to the real deal source in southwest Louisiana. Chicken and sausage jambalaya offered small or large, is just one of the Louisiana dishes on the menu at this restaurant hugely popular with groups.

Besides making three killer kinds of gumbo, the Gumbo Shop has a large menu of local homey specialties, like corn maque choux, smothered turnip greens, and of course bread pudding for dessert. Jambalaya is offered both as a side and a main course.

A French Quarter landmark since 1971, Cafe Maspero on Decatur is known for classic Louisiana eats and its own version of the hot muffuletta sandwich. Faves like crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice come with a side salad, same goes for blackened chicken jambalaya. The Creole Italian chicken parm is tasty too.

Chef Shermond Esteen Jr., who now has not one but two Nonno’s locations, on Dauphine in the Marigny and at 2517 Bayou Road off Broad, makes a mean jambalaya from a recipe he learned from his mama. Since he doesn’t fool with pork, his version has beef sausage and chicken. Breakfast is a big thing here too.

Local brothers Andy and Mo Gaber own the Melba’s on Elysian Field, a busy 24-hour spot with a ton of parking out back and a popular menu of daiquiris, po’ boys, breakfast sandwiches, and chicken wings. Portions can feed a crowd, as is the case with the jambalaya, offered in eight, 12, 16, and 32-ounce helpings.

Although this cash-only joint in Bywater is known for its oversized po’ boys, Frady’s offers daily specials too. Depending on the day, meatloaf, baked macaroni with chicken, or jambalaya might be what’s for lunch. Most folks take out, but there are a few tables outside where all manner of characters congregate.