Commerce Restaurant. CBD: 300 Camp. 504- 561-9239.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris October 17, 2010 02:27 in

2 Fleur
Average check per person $5-$15
 BreakfastNo Breakfast SundayBreakfast MondayBreakfast TuesdayBreakfast WednesdayBreakfast ThursdayBreakfast FridayNo Breakfast Saturday
LunchNo Lunch SundayLunch MondayLunch TuesdayLunch WednesdayLunch ThursdayLunch FridayNo Lunch Saturday
DinnerNo Dinner SundayNo Dinner MondayNo Dinner TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayNo Dinner ThursdayNo Dinner FridayNo Dinner Saturday

Commerce Restaurant

CBD: 300 Camp. 504- 561-9239. Map.
Casual.
AE MC V

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
In many ways, the Commerce is a smaller version of Mother's, but without the lines. It offers a full assortment of poor boy sandwiches, plus all the Creole platters you'd expect of a place serving quick lunches for people with less time than hunger, but with better food than most such places.

WHAT'S GOOD
Most--perhaps all--of the cooking of things like roast beef and red beans and gumbo is done on the premises--a rarity in these days among restaurants of this style. The portions are big and the prices are low.

BACKSTORY
The Commerce opened some fifty years ago, when the Central Business District was indeed full of both business and commerce. Then as now, it has been a source of quick lunches for people with less time than hunger, but with better food than most such places. Although it was renovated a bit after Katrina, it's little changed since I first went there in the 1960s and 1970s--the same line, the same tile floor, same menu more or less.

DINING ROOM
One large, long room with a tile floor, a high ceiling, and big windows creating a bright aspect. A small cafeteria line runs along one wall, with tables along the windows. The place is a bit torn, but in a comfortable way.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Breakfast platters
Poor boys:
Roast beef
Grilled ham
Fried seafood
Daily plate specials
Fried chicken
Gumbo
Bread pudding

FOR BEST RESULTS
Know that the roast beef here is more cut into chunks than sliced; that's an issue with some people. Tell them to go easy on the gravy; they really lay it on. If you try to avoid the crowds, it's better to go early than late.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
The Commerce has so many regulars that the way it operates may be a little mysterious to a first-timer.

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
  • Consistency +1
  • Service+1
  • Value +2
  • Attitude
  • Wine & Bar
  • Hipness -2
  • Local Color +1

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • Open Monday lunch
  • Historic
  • Unusually large servings
  • Quick, good meal