The Times-Pic's Favorite Fat City Restaurants, Mapped

by Gwendolyn Knapp Feb 20, 2014, 7:30am CST

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Inside Ohana

| Photo: Official Website

by Gwendolyn Knapp Feb 20, 2014, 7:30am CST

Times-Pic reporter Adriane Quinlan takes a look at the changing face of former nightlife hub Fat City this week. Jefferson Parish has been attempting to finally clean up the area with a 2010 zoning change spearheaded by councilwoman/Harry Lee progeny Cynthia Lee-Sheng that limits late night activity and imposes new construction rules with a vision of a walk-able town center in mind. The Metairie hood, just west of Lakeside Shopping Center, was a popular disco hub/French Quarter rival in the 70s and gradually morphed into a downtrodden area known for strip clubs, prostitutions, and other questionable activities in following decades. Today, post-zoning change, more restaurants have come onto the scene, food trucks have been welcomed on occasion, and 22 bars have dwindled to 7, with strip clubs now totally banned, and a multi-million dollar high end health spa forthcoming.

With all that in mind, Todd A. Price reports on the restaurants on the rise in Fat City. Here now, are his pick's for the best places to eat in Fat City right now.

· Fat City's Restaurants Are On The Rise [NOLA.com]
· Fat City in 2014: A turning point for Metairie's former nightlife district? [NOLA.com]
· All Eater Maps [-ENOLA-]

Kanno

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The owner/sushi chef Hidetoshi Suzuki apparently goes by 'Elvis.' Price calls it " one of my top sushi restaurants."

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3205 Edenborn Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 455-5730

Korea House

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Open nearly three-decades, the sign and decor are faded and the service is slow, but the food is legit and the smell of grilled meat wafts through the air. Expect banchan ie. small plates of kimchee and other accoutrement, dumplings, stews, and dolsot bibimbap. Price says "the meal was like an experiment in the many ways of lighting one's mouth on fire."

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3547 18th St, Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 888-0663

Drago's Seafood Restaurant

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A Fat City anchor, and "suprisingly modern" given the area. Chargrilled oysters are the main reason to go, naturally.

3232 N Arnoult Rd, Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 888-9254

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Also featured in:

The Supercharged Flavor Guide to New Orleans

Fire House Burgers

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Recently opened by the Drago's empire. Instead finding oysters cloaked in bubbling hot garlic butter, here it's burgers that get the special treatment. Also, they have a courtyard and a flaming fountain filled with oyster shells.

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3224 Edenborn Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 875-4600

Ohana

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This streamlined and ultra-modern restaurant took over a former Circle K with Pan-Asian cuisine and an emphasis on sushi.

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3559 18th Street, Metairie, LA 70002

504-888-4568

Akira

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Also of the Pan-Asian nature with a contemporary flare, but also a grotto with Italianate statues (it was formerly Salvatore's Ristorante). Here, specials border on obscene with Price noting that one "Endo Volcano" spicy tuna roll with an avalanche of toppings is the "nacho supreme of the sushi world."