Lakeview Harbor. Lakeview: 911 Harrison Ave. 504-486-4887.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris October 17, 2010 03:55 in

3 Fleur
Average check per person $5-$15
 BreakfastNo Breakfast SundayNo Breakfast MondayNo Breakfast TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayNo Breakfast ThursdayNo Breakfast FridayNo Breakfast Saturday
LunchLunch SundayLunch MondayLunch TuesdayLunch WednesdayLunch ThursdayLunch FridayLunch Saturday
DinnerDinner SundayDinner MondayDinner TuesdayDinner WednesdayDinner ThursdayDinner FridayDinner Saturday

Lakeview Harbor

Lakeview: 911 Harrison Ave. 504-486-4887. Map.
Casual.
AE DC DS MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
Here is one of the two or three best hamburgers in the city. Beyond that, the menu includes other popular American eats: chicken wings, fried mozzarella sticks, salads, fried seafood, and a daily special. In season, they have boiled crawfish and shrimp, too. Nothing stands out like the hamburger, though.

WHAT'S GOOD
The hamburgers are ground fresh and formed on the premises, grilled to order (it's all right if that order is rare), and served with a baked potato. It is darn near everything that a hamburger should be: crusty on the outside, juicy inside, ideal texture. A close second is the filet mignon sandwich, but I still think I'd prefer the burger.

BACKSTORY
The people who opened this place (1994) came out of the Port of Call organization, and wanted to expand on the idea in a more accessible location. They have succeeded. Hurricane Katrina put eight or nine feet of long-standing water here, forcing a renovation. The place reopened sooner than anyone guessed it would be, and was one of the triggers for the amazing revival on Harrison Avenue's restaurant row.

DINING ROOM
Like most great hamburger specialists, the Lakeview Harbor feels like a bar. The actual bar and its inevitable televisions are over here; the tables are over there, by the windows. It's almost too dark to read the menu. There is neither a harbor nor a view of the lake. But the customers make the ambiance convivial and happy.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Starters
Crab cakes
Fried chicken wings with dipping sauce
Mozzarella sticks
»Potato skins
»Stuffed mushrooms
Fried mushrooms
»Seafood stuffed portabella cap
Spinach and artichoke dip
Dinner salad
Harbor salad (with grilled or fried chicken or shrimp)
»Italian salad
Caesar salad
Sandwiches
»Hamburgers
Turkey burger
Chicken sandwich
»Mushroom and cheese chicken sandwich
»Fried catfish poor boy
»Fried oyster poor boy
»Fried shrimp poor boy
Daily specials
»MO Red beans and rice, smoked sausage or ham shank or two chicken breasts
TU Stuffed bell pepper, macaroni and cheese, corn
WE Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread
TH Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, peas
FR Seafood special
»SU Prime rib au jus
Entrees
»Filet mignon
Ribeye
»Fried shrimp plate
»Fried catfish plate
»Fried oyster plate
Broiled catfish
»Fried seafood platter
Pizza

FOR BEST RESULTS
Get the hamburger and a beer, even if you're too old to be eating many hamburgers. It will remind you of your college days. This is not a fast-food hamburger; it takes what will seem like a long time to come out.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Because it's so busy, the place has a way of getting untidy at times. You might stand there waiting for a table for awhile before someone comes up and greets you. The lights could be turned up a touch. Why margarine and not butte ron the potatoes?

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

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • 25-75
  • Open Sunday lunch and dinner
  • Open Monday lunch and dinner
  • Open after 10 p.m.
  • Open all afternoon
  • Unusually large servings
  • Quick, good meal
  • Good for children
  • Easy, nearby parking
  • No reservations