Nor-Joe Imports. Metairie: 505 Frisco Ave. 504-833-9240.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris October 17, 2010 23:44 in

2 Fleur
Average check per person $5-$15
 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 SundayNo Dinner MondayNo Dinner TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayNo Dinner ThursdayNo Dinner FridayNo Dinner Saturday

Nor-Joe Imports

Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd: 505 Frisco Ave. 504-833-9240. Map.
Very Casual
AE MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
Nor-Joe is a wholesale merchant of European (primarily Italian) food products. They sell cheese, cured meats, anchovies, olive oil, pasta, and a million other items to almost every Italian restaurant in New Orleans. And they also offer a lot of the line at retail. Since they have all the makings except the bread on hand, why not make sandwiches?

WHAT'S GOOD
Why indeed. The menu is abbreviated. Not many tables are available (and those are outside). Nevertheless, the muffuletta in particular and the other sandwiches made with Italian meats, cheeses, and dressings are candidates for the best in town. The only drawback is the bread, which could be better.

BACKSTORY
Norma and Joe, a pair of New York transplants, started business in New Orleans in 1982, making their own mozzarella cheese. That product caught the attention of the local Italian restaurateurs, and the business grew to encompass almost everything else they needed.

DINING ROOM
The store itself is so crammed full of products (and the appetizing aromas therefrom) that there's no room for tables. They have a few of them on a small covered porch outside. It's mostly self-service and takeout.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
»Muffuletta
Other Italian sandwiches

FOR BEST RESULTS
Buy the ham (or prosciutto), salami, cheese (fresh-milk mozz?), bread, and olive salad, take it home, and make your own sandwich. Nobody has better sandwich makings than Nor-Joe, but they won't break from their sandwich recipes just for you.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT

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
  • Value +1
  • Attitude
  • Wine & Bar
  • Hipness
  • Local Color

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • Sidewalk tables
  • Open Monday lunch and dinner
  • Open all afternoon
  • Unusually large servings
  • Quick, good meal
  • Easy, nearby parking