Blue Tomato. Jefferson: 4401 Jefferson Hwy. 504-734-3000.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris October 10, 2010 16:04 in

2 Fleur
Average check per person $15-$25
 BreakfastNo Breakfast SundayNo Breakfast MondayNo Breakfast TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayNo Breakfast ThursdayNo Breakfast FridayNo Breakfast Saturday
LunchNo Lunch SundayLunch MondayLunch TuesdayLunch WednesdayLunch ThursdayLunch FridayLunch Saturday
DinnerNo Dinner SundayDinner MondayDinner TuesdayDinner WednesdayDinner ThursdayDinner FridayDinner Saturday

Blue Tomato

Jefferson: 4401 Jefferson Hwy. 504-734-3000. Map.
Casual.
AE DS MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
A colorful, pleasantly grubby, small cafe serving Americanized Mexican food and a good bit of Italian and New Orleans cooking, too. The Blue Tomato has a strong following among people who live and work in Old Jefferson and Elmwood. It's more about low prices and big portions than excellence--but those criteria draw big crowds.

WHAT'S GOOD
If what you want is an enormous platter of nachos covered with everything but the kitchen sink, slabs of grilled fish, a big hamburger, or a big salad, all at a very low price, this is the place for you. If you're looking for the fine points, this is not the place to look. However, the menu has shown signs of enhancement lately.

BACKSTORY
The building is a former Time Saver store (I worked in it for about three years when I was in high school). It opened as the Blue Tomato in the early 2000s. Hurricane Isaac ripped up the roof, and the restaurant was closed briefly in 2012, but is back again more or less as it had been.

DINING ROOM
Although the layout is a rectangle, the tables seem to be randomly placed, which along with the wild Mexican decorations makes for a kicky environment.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Starters
Artichoke and spinach dip
Beef and bean dip
Chips, guacamole and salsa
»Garbage can nachos
Cheese nachos
Taco salad (beef, steak or chicken)
»Italian salad
»Greek salad
Grilled or Italian shrimp salad
Grilled chicken salad
Entrees
Quesadillas (cheese, beef, pork, shrimp, chicken, artichoke-spinach, or veggie)
»Grilled fish quesadillas or tacos
Tacos with beans and rice
Chimichangas
Marinated grilled chicken
Tequila-lime or mango chicken
Grilled yellowfin tuna, ranchero or mango salsa
Tamale platter (pork or beef)
»Sesame Thai grilled tuna
Seared sashimi tuna, grilled shrimp and artichokes
Grilled fish bearnaise
Meatballs and spaghetti
»Lasagna
»Carnitas (Cuban roasted pork)
Chicken parmesan
»Meatball parmesan
Shrimp and eggplant parmesan
Shrimp parmesan
Burrito (beef, pork, steak or chicken)
Fajitas (steak or chicken)
Enchiladas combo (beef, pork, steak or chicken)
Shrimp enchiladas
Chicken fettuccine
Southwest chicken
Shrimp fettuccine
Shrimp Creole
Sandwiches
Hamburger
Grilled chicken
Meatball with mozzarella
»Pulled or barbecue pork
Torta de carnitas (Mexican pork poor boy)
Desserts
Hot chocolate chunk brownie with ice cream

FOR BEST RESULTS
Avoid busy times; there's not nearly enough parking and there's only a little space at the bar to wait.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
The service staff and the clean-up crew could pay quite a bit more attention to details.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

  • Dining Environment -1
  • Consistency +1
  • Service-1
  • Value +1
  • Attitude +1
  • Wine & Bar
  • Hipness +1
  • Local Color +1

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • Open Monday lunch and dinner
  • Open all afternoon
  • Quick, good meal
  • No reservations