Dinners in The Big Easy were memorable, but make no mistake the brunches and lunches were just as noteworthy. The laid back, casual food and drink establishments in New Orleans are top notch.
From the burgers at
Port of Call to the Jambalaya and Muffuletta at
Napoleon House to the Beignets at
Cafe Du Monde and the not-to-be missed upscale three course brunch at
Brennan's, we ate like there was no tomorrow. (Warning: this is no time to start a diet.) It's doubtful I can pack all the aforementioned spots into one post; but if my
first two recaps have you off planning a trip, there is a lot you
need to know about lunch down here and I'm not about to skimp on the details.
Port of Call sits on the outskirts of French Quarter bordering a neighborhood called Marginy. It is definitely walkable, providing a nice leisurely stroll down Bourbon only slightly off the beaten path at 838 Esplanade Ave.
We entered through a battered forest green door with an awning to match over head and a tiny brick stoop underfoot. We hesitantly maneuvered past the crowds inside, searching high and low for a hostess after no one seemed eager to greet us.
It was super busy and felt like a locals haven. Dimly lit with weathered dark wood walls, it's a convivial dive with decor representing its namesake. A thick maritime rope net drapes overhead and nautical maps and rafts line the walls.
Hostess, are you in here?! Eventually we flagged her down on the opposite side of the bar.
Thankfully, it was only about a 10 minute wait after we put our names in. We were seated in a crowded back room at a table squished in the corner. With a window front view overlooking a side street, daylight streamed into this section of the joint. Heavy drapes convened in the corner and a framed vintage Hawaiian themed poster hung on the opposite wall.
Port of Call was recommended to us with a note that they had amazing burgers. We were a bit surprised to learn that burgers are the
only thing on the menu. I barely exaggerate. There were a few entree options along the lines of a $30 Filet Mignon and rib-eye steaks, and sides come only in the form of a baked potato. (No french fries here!)
They do offer your typical rowdy NOLA cocktail menu but we started off easy on the livers with bottles of
Abita Amber.
With the limited menu selections dictating our order, the decision was an easy one, burgers and baked potatoes for all!!
Eventually we had to laugh at the fact that someone would recommend you "
get a burger here" when it is legit all you can get! Word to the wise. That being said, I wasn't at all unhappy about this. In fact, I was absolutely thrilled with my burger.
A large juicy monster of a patty came loaded to the nines with long strands of shredded yellow cheddar cheese, a boatload of crisp onion, a thick slice of tomato and tangy dill pickles.
I have never experienced
this much cheese, never mind the fact that it is shredded, on a burger until now. Incredible! Barely contained by a soft sesame seed bun, this is one of those dive in face first and make a mess of yourself in the process burgers. And a serious hangover cure to boot, thank you very much!
The enormous piping hot baked potato comes loaded with your choice of sides; cold sour cream and thick coils of freshly chopped chives were the natural compliment.
Our waiter was a nice guy - very attentive, making sure to offer us more beers and promptly delivering extra napkins before we had to ask.
Best burger in the city of New Orleans? The locals will tell you so. Must visit while here? I'm tempted to say yes! Sure you can get a burger anywhere, but this is truly a damn good one. I am ultimately really glad we ventured here for lunch on our first day. If you wanted to do the same I wouldn't steer you elsewhere, unless you had limited time and in that case I would definitely recommend you to visit this next spot.....
Even though that some point is a just shy of a year later and I was only stopping by for lunch on the patio, its easy to see why this exuberant two story space housing multiple bars and dining rooms is (pun intended) the talk of the towne. 
The patio situated in the courtyard directly underneath the Prudential Center on Boylston Street is a uniform expanse of heavy woven iron tables and chairs dotted with bright orange Aperol umbrellas. 
Green shrubs line the perimeter backed by brown rattan banquet seating. Only a few patrons were enjoying the outdoor space with a few more noted indoors, it was a quiet weekday afternoon. 
As I browsed the spirits menu and nothing particular caught my eye, I realized it was because I was craving a beer. 
I ordered the Notch Session Pils ($6) from Notch Session Brewing Co. in Ipswich, MA. My waiter explained this beer is lower in alcohol content because it is meant to be consumed in "sessions" or in other words, one after another. Sounds good to me, even thought I only planed on drinking one. I can always appreciate a knowledgeable waitstaff. 
The one page brightly colored laminated menu depicted the day-of-the-week specials and three divided sections: "soup+more", "garden+more" and "farm+sea". Seafood options seemed over priced with a Lobster Cobb salad set at $21, the Tuna Nicoise for $19 and the Crab Cake a whopping $19 as well. Perhaps they were worth it, but I wasn't in the mood to find out. The Deluxe 8 oz. All American Bacon Burger 70/30 ($16) took on a lengthy title and a little more appeal with a lower price point. Just like that, my burger craving took hold. 
The thick patty is a ground skirt (70%) and shortrib (30%) combo and the menu recommends you order it rare! I intended to go with my typical medium rare but figured why not have it as the chefs intended. They didn't steer me wrong. The burger was intensely juicy and well seasoned. The melted cheddar cheese was evenly proportioned and criss-crossed slices of bacon draped over the edges were greasy and lightly crisped. 
The stimulating presentation with a rainbow of colors in effect offered toppings including red onion and an entire perfectly ripe avocado half lending an ideal cool creamy contrast to the thick salty bacon. I generously stacked some on. 
The crisp dill pickle hit the spot. The toasted bun was warm and buttery with poppy seeds speckled in its crevices. 
Oh and lets not forget that sweet pepper relish. This took it over the top with just a dallop of sweetness, it wasn't overpowering to the components that make a burger a burger, it was simply there to add something different. Something new. I appreciated its presence. 
The pile of french fries is massive and you will be happy to know they are everything you want them to be. Good fries should strive to elevate a burger entree, these do just that. 
As far as their burgers and beer goes, I'm definitely a fan. 
Not to mention, the patio set just a few hundred feet back from the hustle and bustle of Boylston under a towering Prudential Center was an extremely peaceful location during this hour. The first July lunch was definitely a happy success. Way to go, Towne!
Have you been to Towne? What did you think?
