Mothers Restaurant in New Orleans: Food, Facts and History

New Orleans, Louisiana, is a city in the United States and is famous for its architecture, jazz music, Creole culture, rich history, and, of course, cuisine. I love visiting the ‘Famous’ restaurants of each location I visit. Mother’s Restaurant was one of the top recommendations I got from NOLA CVB. And good reason. 

The restaurant is 85 years old, famous, and the most successful restaurant in New Orleans. This is all I learned about Mothers Restaurant in New Orleans, and I’ll let you know facts, history, and more useful info about it.

Keep reading to find out all about this awesome restaurant and its mouthwatering food!

Why is Mother Restaurant in New Orleans Worth a Visit?

First of all, it is known to have the best-baked ham in the world.  That is a pretty big statement to make. Since I’m no baked ham connoisseur, I can’t honestly tell you if it’s the best. We did have a go at it, and it was good. The presentation was the most fun. After they bake the ham, they ride it to the service counter so everyone can get a good look at the whole product. A huge hit. I wasn’t the only one taking photos of this. There was a whole line of us silly spectators.

But I can say, that after visiting plenty of restaurants and trying the different New Orleans cuisine, in my opinion, they have the absolute best Crawfish Etouffee (more info on this dish below) and Rice and Beans in all of New Orleans. And I’m sticking to that statement.  

Sometimes, when you get to a restaurant, you simply want to have a taste of it all. And, I always say restaurants should offer combo taster platters. Well, lucky for us, Mother’s Restaurant does just that. My strong recommendation is to go with the Combo Platter; you won’t regret it.

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Location & Hours

Mother Restaurant is located at 401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA, 70130. You can’t find a reservation there, so it’s advisable to get there early enough. Mother’s is split into two main sections – the main dining area and a spacious banquet hall called ‘Mother’s Next Door.’ And both give you an awesome vibe! It is open every day from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, so you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner there.

Fun Facts About Mothers Restaurant 

• Mother’s Restaurant opened its doors in 1938 on Poydras Street’s “Restaurant Row”. So, in 2024, it’s celebrating 85 years of business.
• Simon and Mary Landry cooked up po’ boys for lines of longshoremen and laborers, newspapermen and attorneys.
• During and after World War II, Mother’s became a local hang-out for “the few and the proud” – the U.S. Marine Corps.
• 5 of the seven Landry children (five sons and two daughters) joined the Marine Corps.
• Francis Landry was the first woman in Louisiana to be accepted into the Corps.
• This special association with the Marines earned Mother’s the title of “TUN Tavern New Orleans” in the late ’60s.
• In 1986, Jerry and John Amato bought Mother’s from Landry’s sons Jacques and Eddie.
• Jerry Amato, chef and proprietor, doubled the size of the menu.
• Now traditional New Orleans dishes like jambalaya and Shrimp Creole line up next to the po’ boys.
• For over 22 years, Oda Mae Peters ran the roost in the kitchen at Mother’s. Through three sets of owners, Miss Mae endured as the heart and soul of Mother’s cooking, missing only one day of work in 22 years. Her nieces still work in the restaurant.

Even though Mother’s is known for their baked ham and Po Boy’s, they serve a lot of traditional New Orleans and Louisiana grub which all have interesting stories of their own.

📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for more useful information, check out Kid-Friendly Restaurants in New Orleans

Staple New Orleans Food at Mothers Restaurant

What is Crawfish Etouffee

• This dish is found in both Cajun and Creole cuisine, typically served with shellfish over rice.
• In French, the word “étouffée” (borrowed into English as “stuffed” or “stifled”) means, literally, “smothered” or “suffocated.”
• Étouffée is most prevalent in New Orleans and in the Acadiana area of the southernmost half of Louisiana as well as a popular dish in the coastal counties of Mississippi.
• Étouffée can be made with any shellfish, such as crab or shrimp, though the most popular version of the dish is made with crawfish. A sauce is made from light or blond roux, seasoned and simmered with the seafood. Étouffée is typically served over rice.
• Approximately in the 1950s, crawfish etouffée was introduced to restaurant-goers in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, however, the date of the invention of this dish has been shown as early as late 1920.

What is Jambalaya

• It is a Louisiana Creole dish of Spanish and French influence.
• Jambalaya is traditionally made in three parts, with meat and vegetables, and is completed by adding stock and rice.
• Creole jambalaya originates from the French Quarter of New Orleans, in the original European sector. It was an attempt by the Spanish to make paella in the New World, where saffron was not readily available due to import costs. Tomatoes became the substitute for saffron.
• Jambalaya experienced a brief jump in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s because of its flexible recipe.
• In 1968, Louisiana Governor John J. McKeithen proclaimed Gonzales, Louisiana, the Jambalaya Capital of the World. Every Spring, the annual Jambalaya Festival is held in Gonzales.

Other Must-Try Dishes at Mothers Restaurant

• Hearty breakfast of eggs and grits.
• For lunch or dinner, you can choose from their po’boys, sandwiches, salads, and platters.
• Red beans, rice, and gumbo. Coffee & Chicory, juices, Milk, Soft drinks, and Wine & Beer.
• Don’t forget to save some room for dessert because Mother’s Restaurant has some mouthwatering treats, such as bread pudding, cookies, and brownies^.

Is It Worth Visiting Mothers Restaurant? – The Bottom Line!

Right in the middle of downtown New Orleans, Mother’s Restaurant deserves a visit. Most of the time, Mother’s is packed, but I can honestly say that it’s worth the wait. Their food is delicious and reasonably priced. So, if you travel to New Orleans, then along with cafes, beautiful squares, city parks, and jazz clubs, you have a necessary stop at – Mother’s Restaurant.

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Last Updated on June 15, 2025