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Red beans from Willie Mae’s.

Where to Eat Some of the Best Red Beans and Rice in New Orleans

These spots dish creamy, spicy goodness on Mondays and beyond

by Eater Staff Updated Sep 25, 2023, 2:30pm CDT

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Red beans from Willie Mae’s.

| Randy Schmidt/Eater NOLA

by Eater Staff Updated Sep 25, 2023, 2:30pm CDT

In most places, Monday is just Monday. In New Orleans, Monday is the traditional day to eat creamy red beans and rice, the ultimate comfort food made with slow-cooked dried Camellia red beans and spiked with ham hock and spicy sausage. Lots of local bars serve this home-style special Mondays as a lagniappe, but these are the restaurants that locals wait all week to visit for red beans at the start of the week, while some deliver the can’t-resist goodness all week long.

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Two Sistas 'N Da East

This Chef Menteur staple kills it at all things New Orleans, but also straight-up Southern — chitterlings, potato salad, smothered turkey wings, smothered okra, smothered pork chops — all things smothered, basically. The ultra-friendly sit-down restaurant serves red beans and rice as a side with daily specials like oxtails and stuffed peppers, but the portion takes up most of the plate. It’s soupy and creamy with just the right amount of kick, just delicious.

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9901 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70127

Juniors on Harrison

One of Lakeview’s favorite restaurants is Junior’s, a friendly neighborhood restaurant with a surprisingly chic interior and eclectic menu. But it also has daily specials that are Southern through and through, and on Mondays, that is $5 — yes, $5 — plates of just-right red beans and rice. Add fried chicken or smoked sausage, or better yet both.

789 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

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Fury's

A Metairie family-owned tradition since 1967, this straightforward Creole Italian and seafood eatery serves copious portions of the kind of food mama made. There are daily plate specials, so naturally Monday’s is Fury’s take on red beans and rice served with a choice of hot or smoked sausage, or — wait for it — a hamburger patty.

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724 Martin Behrman Ave, Metairie, LA 70005

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Sammy's Food Services & Deli

If one can judge the quality of casual food joint by the number of trucks and police cars out front, then Sammy’s gets a gold star. Frequented by hungry tradesmen and officers of the law, Sammy’s is also loved by locals interested in good and fast cheap eats, always served with a smile. On Mondays, red beans come with hot or smoked sausage; add a buck and get a pork chop too.

3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

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Liuzza's by the Track

Our favorite place to grab a bloody Mary on the way to Jazz Fest is also one of our favorite places for the Monday tradition, which Liuzza’s By The Track serves with a choice of smoked sausage, hot sausage, grilled chicken, or paneed chicken. Go with the hot sausage, then get a BBQ shrimp po-boy for good measure.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A corner no-frills building with light yellow siding, doorfront, and old Liuzza’s by the Track sign above.

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Melba's Old School Po Boys

Melba’s is awesome 24/7; an epicenter of homestyle New Orleans cookery that dishes goodness fast, fresh, and hot. There’s a bar with daiquiris in the back; up front is where to order platters of stuffed bell peppers or pork chops smothered in gravy and every kind of po’ boy. Then there’s creamy but not too creamy spiced red beans with either wings or smoked chicken on the plate.

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1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Mandina's Restaurant

Rich, creamy, and thicker than some, Mandina’s Monday red beans serving is huge, and can be topped with Italian sausage, a grilled pork chop, or a veal cutlet. The classic Mid-City restaurant is just as good for other New Orleans staples.

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3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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A post shared by Mandina's Restaurant (@mandinasrestaurant)

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Willie Mae's Scotch House

Yes, we are well aware that Willie Mae Seaton created what many regard as the very best fried chicken in New Orleans history, and possibly in the world. Her eponymous Willie Mae’s restaurant also has some of the best red beans in town, to boot, which of course are a perfect complement to the golden-fried chicken deliciousness or a wonderful fried pork chop. NOTE: Willie Mae’s is temporarily closed due to a fire.

2401 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

This family-owned cafe on Esplanade Avenue draws crowds of regulars for breakfast and lunch buffets, and red beans is always a go-to plate on Mondays. Smoky with sausage, and creamy but not too, no wonder Li’l Dizzy’s chef Wayne Baquet’s fans are legion. Say yes to adding fried chicken even for breakfast.

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Dooky Chase Restaurant

New Orleans food doesn’t get much better than at the hands of treasured chef Leah Chase and her family, who naturally treat their red beans with the respect they deserve. Oddly (well, not so much for New Orleans), Dooky Chase is closed on Mondays, but red beans are on the menu at the lunch buffet, (except on Fridays when it’s shrimp and limas instead).

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Breakaway's Restaurant & Bar

Run by two New Orleans natives, Paul and Olivia Artigues, Breakaway’s is a new spot serving New Orleans staples: gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and fried shrimp, as well as some vegan versions, and a small menu of sno-ball cocktails. The red beans and rice are just excellent, served with chaurice sausage for $12, local-made tofu, or fried Louisiana shrimp.

2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Buffa's

Nothing fancy about this joint on the corner of Burgundy and Esplanade on the edge of the Marigny. That doesn’t stop regulars from piling into the back room for live music most nights of the week. And yes, Buffa’s red beans are good here, yes indeed — and free with the cover for live music on Mondays.

1001 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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A post shared by Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant (@buffasbar_nola)

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Frady's One Stop Food Store

Frady’s is beyond old school, which is why it’s such a Bywater institution. Folks order inside and eat out, platters groaning with bacon, eggs and grits, Dagwood-sized po’ boys, and some of the best red beans in town. Cash only but so cheap it’ll cost under $10.

Open in Google Maps

3231 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Coop's Place

C o op’s isn’t known for its service. And it’s definitely not known for its atmosphere. This gritty late-night French Quarter staple is revered for its cheap, tasty eats, bowls of rabbit jambalaya and chicken and sausage gumbo, fried seafood, and po’ boys, the kind of food that is necessary after many drinks. The red beans with a side of fried chicken, yes please.

1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Coop’s Place

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Café Reconcile

Try Cafe Reconcile’s hearty red beans and smoked sausage, some of the best in the city, for just $8, and add grilled or fried catfish and chicken for an extra $2 and $5, respectively. The dish from this important New Orleans institution is made with lots of love, and on the menu always.

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Café Reconcile (@cafereconcile)

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Chubbie's Fried Chicken

Chubbie’s looks like a fast food chain, but is actually just a legit neighborhood spot for fried chicken (and fried seafood) on the West Bank in Algiers. The Monday plate special is red or white beans, served with smoked or hot sausage, a salad, and a roll — and it’s great.

Open in Google Maps

4850 General Meyer Ave, New Orleans, LA 70131

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Also featured in:

Where to Eat Crispy Fried Chicken in New Orleans

Joey K's

The daily specials at this Magazine Street favorite are always a big hit, especially the dynamite lamb shank on Tuesdays. On Mondays at Joey K’s though, it’s obviously all about the red beans with smoked sausage, which are consistently voted a favorite by locals, and so good that they’re on the weekly menu and not held hostage by Mondays.

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3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Chicken’s Kitchen

Marlon “Chicken” Williams’s uber-popular lunch plate spot in Gretna is always packed, with up to an hour to wait for New Orleans favorites like smothered okra, stuffed catfish, stuffed pepper balls, and smothered turkey necks. It’s one of the West Bank’s favorite places for red beans on Mondays, but you wouldn’t know it based on the serving side. Best paired with the fried chicken or fried catfish, both Monday specials.

629 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053

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Two Sistas 'N Da East

9901 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70127

This Chef Menteur staple kills it at all things New Orleans, but also straight-up Southern — chitterlings, potato salad, smothered turkey wings, smothered okra, smothered pork chops — all things smothered, basically. The ultra-friendly sit-down restaurant serves red beans and rice as a side with daily specials like oxtails and stuffed peppers, but the portion takes up most of the plate. It’s soupy and creamy with just the right amount of kick, just delicious.

Open in Google Maps

9901 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70127

Juniors on Harrison

789 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

One of Lakeview’s favorite restaurants is Junior’s, a friendly neighborhood restaurant with a surprisingly chic interior and eclectic menu. But it also has daily specials that are Southern through and through, and on Mondays, that is $5 — yes, $5 — plates of just-right red beans and rice. Add fried chicken or smoked sausage, or better yet both.

789 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JUNIOR’S (@juniorsonharrison)

Fury's

724 Martin Behrman Ave, Metairie, LA 70005

A Metairie family-owned tradition since 1967, this straightforward Creole Italian and seafood eatery serves copious portions of the kind of food mama made. There are daily plate specials, so naturally Monday’s is Fury’s take on red beans and rice served with a choice of hot or smoked sausage, or — wait for it — a hamburger patty.

Open in Google Maps

724 Martin Behrman Ave, Metairie, LA 70005

Visit Website

Sammy's Food Services & Deli

3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

If one can judge the quality of casual food joint by the number of trucks and police cars out front, then Sammy’s gets a gold star. Frequented by hungry tradesmen and officers of the law, Sammy’s is also loved by locals interested in good and fast cheap eats, always served with a smile. On Mondays, red beans come with hot or smoked sausage; add a buck and get a pork chop too.

3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

Visit Website

Liuzza's by the Track

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Our favorite place to grab a bloody Mary on the way to Jazz Fest is also one of our favorite places for the Monday tradition, which Liuzza’s By The Track serves with a choice of smoked sausage, hot sausage, grilled chicken, or paneed chicken. Go with the hot sausage, then get a BBQ shrimp po-boy for good measure.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

A corner no-frills building with light yellow siding, doorfront, and old Liuzza’s by the Track sign above.

Melba's Old School Po Boys

1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Melba’s is awesome 24/7; an epicenter of homestyle New Orleans cookery that dishes goodness fast, fresh, and hot. There’s a bar with daiquiris in the back; up front is where to order platters of stuffed bell peppers or pork chops smothered in gravy and every kind of po’ boy. Then there’s creamy but not too creamy spiced red beans with either wings or smoked chicken on the plate.

Open in Google Maps

1525 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Mandina's Restaurant

3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Rich, creamy, and thicker than some, Mandina’s Monday red beans serving is huge, and can be topped with Italian sausage, a grilled pork chop, or a veal cutlet. The classic Mid-City restaurant is just as good for other New Orleans staples.

Open in Google Maps

3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mandina's Restaurant (@mandinasrestaurant)

Willie Mae's Scotch House

2401 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Yes, we are well aware that Willie Mae Seaton created what many regard as the very best fried chicken in New Orleans history, and possibly in the world. Her eponymous Willie Mae’s restaurant also has some of the best red beans in town, to boot, which of course are a perfect complement to the golden-fried chicken deliciousness or a wonderful fried pork chop. NOTE: Willie Mae’s is temporarily closed due to a fire.

2401 St Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

This family-owned cafe on Esplanade Avenue draws crowds of regulars for breakfast and lunch buffets, and red beans is always a go-to plate on Mondays. Smoky with sausage, and creamy but not too, no wonder Li’l Dizzy’s chef Wayne Baquet’s fans are legion. Say yes to adding fried chicken even for breakfast.

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lil Dizzy’s Cafe (@lildizzyscafe504)

Dooky Chase Restaurant

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

New Orleans food doesn’t get much better than at the hands of treasured chef Leah Chase and her family, who naturally treat their red beans with the respect they deserve. Oddly (well, not so much for New Orleans), Dooky Chase is closed on Mondays, but red beans are on the menu at the lunch buffet, (except on Fridays when it’s shrimp and limas instead).

2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Breakaway's Restaurant & Bar

2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Run by two New Orleans natives, Paul and Olivia Artigues, Breakaway’s is a new spot serving New Orleans staples: gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and fried shrimp, as well as some vegan versions, and a small menu of sno-ball cocktails. The red beans and rice are just excellent, served with chaurice sausage for $12, local-made tofu, or fried Louisiana shrimp.

2529 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Buffa's

1001 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Nothing fancy about this joint on the corner of Burgundy and Esplanade on the edge of the Marigny. That doesn’t stop regulars from piling into the back room for live music most nights of the week. And yes, Buffa’s red beans are good here, yes indeed — and free with the cover for live music on Mondays.

1001 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant (@buffasbar_nola)

Frady's One Stop Food Store

3231 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Frady’s is beyond old school, which is why it’s such a Bywater institution. Folks order inside and eat out, platters groaning with bacon, eggs and grits, Dagwood-sized po’ boys, and some of the best red beans in town. Cash only but so cheap it’ll cost under $10.

Open in Google Maps

3231 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Coop's Place

1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

C o op’s isn’t known for its service. And it’s definitely not known for its atmosphere. This gritty late-night French Quarter staple is revered for its cheap, tasty eats, bowls of rabbit jambalaya and chicken and sausage gumbo, fried seafood, and po’ boys, the kind of food that is necessary after many drinks. The red beans with a side of fried chicken, yes please.

1109 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

Coop’s Place

Café Reconcile

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

Try Cafe Reconcile’s hearty red beans and smoked sausage, some of the best in the city, for just $8, and add grilled or fried catfish and chicken for an extra $2 and $5, respectively. The dish from this important New Orleans institution is made with lots of love, and on the menu always.

1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Café Reconcile (@cafereconcile)

Related Maps

Chubbie's Fried Chicken

4850 General Meyer Ave, New Orleans, LA 70131

Chubbie’s looks like a fast food chain, but is actually just a legit neighborhood spot for fried chicken (and fried seafood) on the West Bank in Algiers. The Monday plate special is red or white beans, served with smoked or hot sausage, a salad, and a roll — and it’s great.

Open in Google Maps

4850 General Meyer Ave, New Orleans, LA 70131

Visit Website

Joey K's

3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

The daily specials at this Magazine Street favorite are always a big hit, especially the dynamite lamb shank on Tuesdays. On Mondays at Joey K’s though, it’s obviously all about the red beans with smoked sausage, which are consistently voted a favorite by locals, and so good that they’re on the weekly menu and not held hostage by Mondays.

Open in Google Maps

3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

Chicken’s Kitchen

629 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053

Marlon “Chicken” Williams’s uber-popular lunch plate spot in Gretna is always packed, with up to an hour to wait for New Orleans favorites like smothered okra, stuffed catfish, stuffed pepper balls, and smothered turkey necks. It’s one of the West Bank’s favorite places for red beans on Mondays, but you wouldn’t know it based on the serving side. Best paired with the fried chicken or fried catfish, both Monday specials.

629 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053

Visit Website

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