At the demise of Uglesich's, the Please-U rose to Number One on the list of extraordinarily beat-up old dumps with good food. For some, the shabbier the premises, the more enjoyable the restaurant--often because (as is the case here) the prices are very low and portions are very large. The PU (as some of its fans call it) indeed cooks better than it looks (how could it not?), to the delight of its many regulars.
The Please-U-Restaurant (look at the whole name to find a little joke you may have missed) opened in the early 1970s or maybe a little earlier. The current owners--who also operate the similarly utilitarian Mena's Palace in the French Quarter--took over in 1985. The only major change I've noticed over the years was the end of 24-hour, seven-day service when Katrina shut everything down.
The premises could be used as a movie set in a joint where the customers have come to the end of their tethers in complete despair. Every furnishing is worn out, washed out, or broken down, and the dim light adds a final note of gloom. On the other hand, it's never registered as dirty to me. Some of the employees and regulars are New Orleans characters of the highest order. Policemen are always present in enough number to keep a lid on.
Breakfast is the best meal, if you don't need a cheery venue. The fried seafood is better than you expect.
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